Bleaching or Skin running as our celebrities will call it has become a thing to stay but what seems to worry is the distasteful look of the skin after the act. When done right, skin toning makes one beautiful but since most Ghanaian ladies cannot afford the approved products and supplements for the job, they … Read more
Actress Etinosa Idemudia has once again opened her controversial buccal cavity to get Nigerians talking. If you have been bleaching, there’s no need to hide it but to rather proudly stand behind your decision. READ ALSO: Nollywood Veterans Chinedu Ikedieze And Osita Iheme Give Us Bestie Goals As Pawpaw Celebrates His Birthday Etinosa said it’s … Read more
To say that skin bleaching is a scourge in Ghana is an understatement of the highest proportions. Everyone and their mother are now partaking in it, especially our so-called celebrities and many other ladies who have internalized the dangerous narrative that black is not beautiful.
Bleaching is actually dangerous which is why it’s more baffling that some people feel they have to do it to their bodies; but it’s clear that people are ready to take risks if they feel they are warranted.
Mzbel recently admitted to her bleaching past after being mocked by Diamond for bleaching, revealing it was something she started as a teen in Jamestown where it was fashionable for every up and coming young girl.
Mzbel has made further revelations about her bleaching experience in an interview she granted on Starr Fm earlier today (Thursday).
Before some of you jump on me, let me state clearly that I am not in support of skin bleaching, I have not bleached and will never bleach. Self hate to me is the biggest crime a person can commit against herself.
However, am I the only feeling that we are giving too much undeserving attention to the issue of skin bleaching and the many Ghanaian entertainers engaged in this self hate act?
From the common victim-Yvonne Nelson to the others, the media together with us all continue to lambast them, repeating to them the dangers of skin bleaching as if they are some kids who do not already know this.
What I think is that, if people will bleach, they will and no amount of hatred, threat whatsoever will stop them. Most of these bleachers know of all the negative consequences just like those who smoke know smoking can kill, yet they will do it.
I hate to say this in the open, I judge women who bleach with the same level of detest as those who parade fake accents—I call them all, inferior beings!
Clearly, the number of low self- esteem black women walking around outweighs those with any sort of confidence left in them, and I blame it on our absurd desire to be everything except what we truly are in life…
I do not make excuses for the many who find pride and status in putting up accents, even if it makes them sound like idiots—and I do not accommodate those who take excessive delight in fixing a new complexion they find appropriate, far from what they have by default.
I love colours but do not appreciate any attempt to self-create one in the face of daily emerging complications and diseases. The modern black woman seems to have no confidence in herself and will go every extent to steal what belongs to another—-by letting go the uniqueness and beauty of her own skin.
Similarly, I love the fact that I can tell from a person’s accent she may come from a faraway land, but it becomes utterly confusing and disgusting, when my neighbour equally sounds like a foreigner as a result of her attempt to sound like those she sees on MTV.
Confidence and embracing the uniqueness of one’s identity, personality and outlook is totally missing in the minds of today’s black woman.
But interestingly, some think one aspect of the crime is far diabolical than other. Either skin bleaching or fake ‘accenting’, I think they all reveal a deep rooted problem of self-hate, low self-esteem and unnecessary desire to be like others.
South Africa is marketed to the world as Mandela’s rainbow nation, where everyone is proud of their race and heritage. But for some black South Africans there is such a thing as being too black.
A recent study by the University of Cape Town suggests that one woman in three in South Africa bleaches her skin. The reasons for this are as varied as the cultures in this country but most people say they use skin-lighteners because they want “white skin”.
Local musician Nomasonto “Mshoza” Mnisi, now several shades lighter, says her new skin makes her feel more beautiful and confident.
She has been widely criticised in the local media and social networking sites for her appearance but the 30-year-old says skin-bleaching is a personal choice, no different from breast implants or a having nose job.
“I’ve been black and dark-skinned for many years, I wanted to see the other side. I wanted to see what it would be like to be white and I’m happy,” she says candidly.
Over the past couple of years Ms Mnisi has had several treatments. Each session can cost around 5,000 rand (£360; $590), she tells the BBC.
Unlike many in the country, she uses high-end products which are believed to be safer than the creams sold on the black market but they are by no means risk-free, doctors say.
Costly beauty
Ms Mnisi says she does not understand the criticism about her new appearance.
“Yes, part of it is a self-esteem issue and I have addressed that and I am happy now. I’m not white inside, I’m not really fluent in English, I have black kids. I’m a township girl, I’ve just changed the way I look on the outside,” she says.
The dangers associated with the use of some of these creams include blood cancers such as leukaemia and cancers of theliver and kidneys, as well as a severe skin condition called ochronosis, a form of hyper-pigmentation which causes the skin to turn a dark purple shade, according to senior researcher at the University of Cape Town, Dr Lester Davids.
“Very few people in South Africa and Africa know the concentration of the toxic compounds that are contained in the products on the black market and that is concerning. We need to do more to educate people about these dangerous products,” says Dr Davids.
He says over the past six years there has been a significant increase in the number of skin lighteners flooding local markets, some of them legal and some illegal. This is what prompted their research.
Local dermatologists say they are seeing more and more patients whose skin has been damaged by years of bleaching – most of the time irreversibly.
“I’m getting patients from all over Africa needing help with treating their ochronosis. There is very little we can do to reverse the damage and yet people are still in denial about the side-effects of these products,” says Dr Noora Moti-Joosub.
In many parts of Africa and Asia, lighter-skinned woman are considered more beautiful, are believed to be more successful and more likely to find marriage.
