Skin Bleaching in Black and Brown Peoples

Skin Bleaching in Black and Brown People
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Skin Bleaching in Black and Brown People
Skin bleaching in Africa is a concept not new to the world. The roots of the practice were in the transatlantic slave trade and the European colonization of African countries. The European systems reduced African people to servants with minor wealth, beauty, and political status, thus promoting racial discrimination. Some Africans still consider the traditional racism that viewed Europeans as superiors, who opt to apply the skin-lightening elements. Such people believe that dark skin is associated with unsatisfactory features like social class, education, and beauty. Generally, dark skin is connected to economic disadvantages and struggles in Africa (Cowry News, 2020). Selling skin-lightening creams in Africa has proved to be a profitable operation among individuals involved. African men and women spend significant money lightening their skin, decrementing their melanin, and inflicting health risks. Multiple skins breaching creams contain chemicals such as hydroquinone and mercury connected to skin damage and liver and kidney problems.
Many countries have banned the use of skin-lightening creams due to the health effects associated with them. However, the skin bleaching business is still thriving in some African countries such as Cameroon, Nigeria, and South Africa. The FDA issued a warning on over-the-counter skin lightening products and considered them harmful. Doctors in Africa studied the skin bleaching procedure and concluded that while some people bleach their skin for pride, some are calculative in their actions. Individuals selling the skin bleaching creams refer to and promote the products as “up-marketing” individual appearance. The results of their activities are progress and job security. Therefore, the business is a decision with business intentions for faster and easy access to money and fame.
Skin Bleaching in South Africa
South Africa is a perfect example to various struggling countries by overcoming apartheid and producing exceptional leaders who stood up, fought, and ended oppression. Nelson Mandela was among the leaders who fought for freedom along with other South African people. However, South Africans can still fully overcome multiple psychological effects of apartheid and colonialism, such as self-hatred and low self-esteem (Nel & Lowe, 2019). The negative influence pushes people to change their physical appearance to boost their morale, and the standard method of doing so is skin bleaching. Many people have turned to lighten their skins in multiple countries across the globe. However, the rate of skin lightening in Africa is huge and more dangerous compared to other nations. The skin lightening rates in Africa vary from one city to another due to limited regulations on skin bleaching products in different African countries. As a result, many Africans mix bleaching products with other harmful products such as toothpaste and washing powders to form a powerful final product that will bleach their skins faster. Unfortunately, using these elements provides short-term results, and users become dependent on the products to avoid dealing with re-pigmentation and withdrawal of steroids. As a result, users feel indebted to continue using the skin bleaching products to maintain the new look and avoid discoloration.
Skin lightening in South Africa cannot be traced directly to apartheid and colonialism. However, the two concepts highlight the reasons for self-dislike and low-esteem that result in skin lightening among some South Africans. The aftermath of racism after the colonial period is a crucial aspect that explains why South Africans prefer the Eurocentric standards and lighter skins. During the colonial period, white supremacy was established to control enslaved people (SAHO, 2018). The white supremacy ensured that black South Africans understood the colonizers were powerful in every aspect. The oppressors maintained a racial hierarchy that undermined blacks in favor of the white people. The body image of enslaved people represented backwardness and horror, while the white image demonstrated beauty and love. Also, the white people enacted the Native Land Act of 1913, which allocated Africans smaller than 10% of land and prohibited them from buying land outside the regions (Blay, 2011). As expressed, the suffering endured during the colonial period lowers the self-esteem of some South African resulting in skin lightening.
Skin bleaching is common among African women, although men bleach their skin in some African regions. The rate of skin lightening among women in South Africa is high. One among every three South African women has bleached their skin. One of the primary motivators towards South African women bleaching their skins might be the perception in the media, particularly billboards that illustrate attractiveness, thus motivating women towards skin lightening. However, various aspects motivate women to bleach their skins. They include eliminating skin issues like rashes and dark spots, the need to maintain a softer skin, the desire to meet the western beauty standard, looking more attractive to partners, and impressing friends. South African ladies are primarily affected by the apartheid and colonialism stigma than men (Blay, 2011). The effects of apartheid and colonialism affected South African women’s self-esteem and hatred since they were not only discriminated against due to their skin color but also considered weaker. During the colonial period, black ladies were considered colony items, and their husbands viewed them as brainless creatures. Also, they were servants to the whites during the colonial and apartheid period, making them believe that only white was right.
Additionally, South African women were never treated like a human during the apartheid and colonial period. As a result, they were left with an inferior challenge and a yearning always to please others. The emotional effects make ladies believe that lack of attraction is the root of misfortunes in their lives. As a result, they need to keep their partners happy through skin lightening. Some women associate skin lightness with socioeconomic status. Lighter women are likely to get well-paying jobs, partners, and promotions at their workplace. The ingrained culture is why South African ladies ignore the dangers connected to skin lightening and continue using dangerous chemicals to bleach their skins.
Skin Bleaching in Cameroon
The French Cameroons was a French region between 1946 and 1960. The nation gained independence in 1960 and joined its British counterparts in 1961 to form an independent country in Cameroon. The prolonged effect of the French and British impacted the successful bleach cream business. The world health organization states that skin bleaching is a common practice in Cameroon despite the risks associated with the process. French companies profited considerably from skin bleaching products long after the colonial period. For instance, a French company created a well-known brand, Clarins white plus, targeting men and women (Hall, 2017). The expert claims that one of the product’s ingredients controls melanin production at its source. Various Cameroon celebrities sell and promote skin bleaching products, labeling them as beauty products. For instance, Dencia, a famous pop star, promotes her line of skin bleaching creams known as Whitenicious. Her marketing strategy...