The African Star

An on-line publication for degree and certificate programs in journalism

Vol. 5 No. 1 2008

Skin bleaching is costly and harmful

Hassan Hussien Abdi (Habdi), University of Hargeisa

Like many African countries, the use of chemical drugs for skin whitening seems to have reached out of proportions in Somaliland.

Around 50% of Somaliland girls and middle aged women use chemical drugs or bleaching creams to lighten complexions. The women who refuse to bleach or white their colour are often branded as uncivilized. There is common saying among women, “Only uncivilized girls or nightness is dark”, this meant that beauty of whitening one’s colour is the fad. There are so many bleaching products available in the markets in Hargeisa, most common ones are,Betmant-N, Betnovate-C,  Marie-claire, Diana, Clear Skin, Venus, Cleartone and so on. The hazardous consequences of these chemicals isn’t known, some may know but ignore. A woman who was asked about the chemical drugs for skin whitening said “The problem is peer group influence, every girl feels jealous when she sees her friends shining white”. The question that comes into every body’s mind is, why so many women in Somaliland use chemical drugs or to bleach themselves? The answer are wide-ranging. For instance some girls pale their skins because of jealousy. Others do it due to peer pressure while others believe in doing so . some women argue that men are attracted to lighter skins.

 It is common to see in the streets, many women whit damaged faces or have permanent marks or even ashen faces, this is the result of these heavy cost chemical drugs Victims are reluctant to talk about, but they accept the consequences. Amina Bar, a 27 years old told me that sometimes she covers her face, because of the marks on her cheeks, which arises when she misses some creams that she is accustomed to.

According to survey, problems identified by Doctors, in respect to the use of the bleaching agents are lack of tolerance of the skin to the light, heat and sunshine. Chemical users cannot manage kitchen chores since their skin cannot resist the heat. According to doctors bleaching can cause skin cancer.

Dr Cajab, One of the the Dermatologists in Hargeisa, estimated half of his  Patients  are  victims  of Creams to lighten the Skin. He blamed this elite and Business.