By the Editorial Board
In Nigeria, a pervasive issue of colorism influences societal norms and practices. A significant number of women, and now some men, are altering their skin tone to a lighter shade, diverging from their natural complexion. It’s important to acknowledge and respect those who are fair-skinned by nature.
Presently, Nigeria is witnessing a form of black-on-black racism. Influenced by Nigerian men, cultural norms, social platforms, films, and media, there exists a bias favoring fair skin as the epitome of beauty.
Glance through any Nigerian publication and you will notice the portrayal of women in advertisements. The consistent feature is their skin tone. What’s presented are enhanced images that lean more towards a European aesthetic than an African one, suggesting a narrow definition of feminine beauty that aligns with lighter skin tones, despite the predominantly black-skinned consumer base.
The film industry, particularly Nollywood, and television programming often cast light-skinned actors, thereby subtly promoting colorism. Actors with lighter skin become inadvertent proponents of the associated stigma, discrimination, and stereotyping faced by darker-skinned individuals. This trend echoes a deep-seated belief in white dominance — that lighter is more beautiful and saleable, while darker is deemed less desirable.
This bias towards lighter skin can have tangible negative consequences for those with darker skin, potentially affecting educational opportunities, employment prospects, income levels, health, and even marital prospects.
This article delves into the societal perceptions and the health implications of skin bleaching among some Nigerian women, a practice often sought for perceived self-esteem and social advancement. We explore its ties to discrimination, misogyny, and mental health, proposing methods to address this deep-rooted issue.
Here, ‘skin bleaching’ refers to practices aimed at lightening dark skin to achieve a whiter complexion through various products and medical procedures, including creams, soaps, concoctions, pills, chemical peels, and laser therapy.
To comprehend the risks, one should understand that skin bleaching reduces melanin, the pigment responsible for skin color. Dark-skinned Nigerians have more melanin, which is diminished by bleaching products, leading to a paler, often discolored appearance.
The repercussions of skin bleaching are severe, impacting psychological, health, and financial well-being. Its dangers have led to bans in multiple countries.
Research in Nigeria has indicated that societal pressures have led many to equate beauty with lighter skin, instilling harmful biases in children. Colorism has made dark-skinned children feel insufficient and subordinate to their lighter-skinned peers. Educational studies have observed a bias where teachers may favor lighter-skinned students over their darker-skinned counterparts.
Surveys reveal a concerning trend: a majority of Nigerian women believe lighter skin improves their dating prospects, particularly with Nigerian men. This preference in the dating scene reinforces the problematic belief that light skin equates to beauty.
Recent studies link skin bleaching with internalized racism or self-hate and low self-worth, where individuals unhappy with their natural appearance may develop a bias against their own dark skin, judging themselves and others based on skin color.
Medically, skin bleaching offers no benefits and is fraught with risks, including the dangers of mercury-containing products. The health hazards are significant, with issues ranging from kidney failure to severe dermatitis. In the United States, the FDA banned certain skin bleaching products in 2006 due to their unsafe nature.
Economically, the skin lightening industry thrives by capitalizing on the stigmatization of dark skin, especially among Nigerian women. Yet, these women and men spend a lot of money on these products.
Historical Context: The Legacy of Colonialism
The preference for lighter skin can be traced back to the colonial era, where colonialists established a racial hierarchy that placed whites above blacks. This legacy persists, influencing Nigerian perceptions and preferences, often manifested in the preferential treatment within families and in romantic relationships.
While skin bleaching remains a personal choice, it should be considered carefully, recognizing that the health risks far outweigh any perceived benefits. The eradication of one’s blackness in favor of signs of white superiority is a detrimental pursuit.
This whiter-is-better mentality, rooted in colonial times, is out of place in modern Nigeria and across Africa. Alongside global movements celebrating cultural identity and heritage, we affirm that ‘Black is Beautiful.’ Have you ever considered why white women and men seek sun-kissed skin through tanning?
