Beauty attracts and is in the eyes of the beholder. This notion has guided generations to do everything within their power to look beautiful, presentable and alluring. But in recent times, abuse of the usage of beauty products like Toning, whitening or even bleaching creams are being done by Nigerians and celebrities in the showbiz world who should be role models for the young generation are most guilty. SAMUEL ABULUDE and OLAYEMI SOWUMI write on this trend
Has anyone seen some of our celebrities live of recent?
The queen of Poko, Tonto Dikeh who has added a feather to her cap by becoming the first lady of DB Records has almost whitened out though Tonto is fair in complexion since she got into the klieg lights of the screen.
Funke Akindele of the Jenifa fame has also joined the league of fair-skinned actors as if her blackness was no longer beautiful. Yours sincerely saw her at close range at the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards AMVCA 2014 after collecting the ‘Best Female Comedian In a Movie’ award. The Jenifa that we knew back then when she started acting in Yoruba movies like Agbefo was a black is beautiful lady with her sexy eyes adored by her fans and men alike. Funke Akindele has a chocolate black skin but no longer has this as she has tooooned up (emphasis mine).
Foluke Daramola-Salako, the busty actress and mother of three is also a black turned fair lady courtesy of the wonder toning/bleaching cream.
Rukky Sanda, name it! The list is growing as the fad to lighten up the skin is in vogue for our women though men like Derenle are also competing with them.
Cameroonian singer Reprudencia Sonkey popularly known as Dencia was in the eye of the storm lately for marketing her Whitenicious skin bleacher to Nigerians. The Director-General of National Agency for Food Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC)Dr Paul Orhi made it known that her product was banned in Nigeria. Orhi educating entertainers on the usage and abuse of drugs and harmful substances at an event recently said that Dencia would be arrested in Nigeria if she steps her feet on our soil because of her insistence on selling the product in Nigeria which is a breach of the law.
It seems as if the career of some showbiz personalities cannot progress more than the colour of their skin and beauty. Funny enough, they seemed to look alluring now but what lessons are they teaching the younger generation? The argument is that for a naturally fair- skinned lady, it is okay to tone the colour of the skin and this category seems to be the most guilty of patrons of bleaching creams.
Everybody regardless of gender, race or age desires to have a flawless and smooth skin such that is eyed and envied by others thus, we go to lengths to achieve this while some go the extra mile to achieve their desires. A high number of people in Africa, the Caribbean and perhaps Europeans associate a lighter complexion with prosperity and high fashion. Thus, an unimaginable number of men and women in these places use virtually any product they can lay their hands on to lighten their skin tone more often than not at a high cost to their health.
Having a beautiful skin is a thing of pride and the saying that if you have it, FLAUNT IT! Has become a must do. Skin lighteners contain an active ingredient or a combination of ingredients that reduces the amount of melanin in the skin where it is applied. The most widely used ingredient in skin lighteners sold in the United States and also in Nigeria is hydroquinone. NAFDAC has rules that control its use but more often than not Nigerians and largely our beauty stars abuse the use of this substance in creams.
It’s important to check with your doctor before using a product with hydroquinone, mercury and to follow the doctor’s directions exactly.
Presently, the rate at which people especially African female celebrities bleach is alarming. It then brings one to wonder whether it is the marketers, producers or fans that have lost taste for the black beauty therefore compelling our dear role models to turn white and strangely not mindful of their health. We are blessed with one of the best skin textures around the world that can withstand any weather condition and environment. Some see the use of bleaching as a sign of lack of self confidence, inferiority complex or not being proud of who and the way you are.
Solutions
To tackle skin problems, honey is a good product because it acts as a moisturising agent. Dry skin is a common factor that contributes to an uneven skin tone and honey has antibacterial properties that can help fade age spots and acne scars. Lemon works as a natural bleaching agent for the skin and the high amount of vitamin C in them encourages new cell growth.
Also, lemons have antioxidants that are very good for skin complexion. The Aloe Vera gel is also a good product for our skin care. Above all, water is an all round medication for all sorts of health issues. Therefore, regular intake of water will go a long way to help get the desired result in a short while.
Eating right and the intake of a lot of fruits especially those that contain Vitamin C like the Citrus family is a must to live a health life and maintain a healthy skin which we know is the largest organ of the body.
@Leadership
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