Understanding the Rationale behind Skin lightening amongst Nigerians – challenges and repercussion

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis is to enable us understanding the rationale behind skin lightening amongst Nigerians in the light of its challenges and repercussion. Skin lightening literally put, is the practice of chemically distorting the colour of the skin through inhibition of the natural process of pigmentation. The practice calls for urgency taking into cognizance the extend young ladies have invested to purportedly achieve their ideal body image for reasons such as aesthetic prefer-ences, finding a partner, career prospect, social statues, self-confidence and many more underly-ing characteristics as we shall examine in this thesis.

Most ladies are ignorant of the repercussion this practice may have on their overall wellbeing and that of their family while some knowingly undermine the health risk associated with skin lighten-ing; in as much as they achieve their mark. In the course of our report, we hope to examine the various frontages that have directly and indirectly influence this practice amongst women of Nige-rian origin while proffering solutions emanating from drafted State legislations, change of attitude and mentality, campaigns, education along with others.

The empirical data was gathered through qualitative methods while the interview which was con-ducted amongst Nigerian women both in Nigeria and Finland and was semi-structured in context.

This thesis was conducted based on the recommendation of the staffs and services users of The Association of Women Living With HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, ASWHAN. ASWHAN is the umbrella organi-zation that devotes its energy to support women living with HIV/AIDS. The staffs comprising nurs-es, social workers and a psychology were keen in understanding the motive behind skin lightening amongst Nigerian women.

Only a handful of research has been conducted on the motivating factors that prompted such an enormous surge in the practice of skin lightening over the years. Recommendations for future research should include an in-depth analysis on the impact this practice may have had on the skin and general wellbeing of those consuming bleaching cream. Finally, the consequence of exposure of both children and unborn ones to these dangerous chemicals such as mercury, used in these products has been downplayed thereon worthy of further studies.