The use of hazardous substances in skin bleaching products, such as corticosteroids, hydroquinone, and mercury, raises serious safety concerns and poses risks to overall health.
Skin bleaching is remarkably prevalent in Nigeria and across Africa, driven by cultural perceptions and a preference for the lighter skin tone associated with Western ideals.
Reports from the World Health Organization indicate that 77% of women in Nigeria engage in skin bleaching, compared to only 28% of men. Unfortunately, mercury is a key ingredient linked to severe health issues, including blindness. Manufacturers often refer to mercury using various terms on ingredient labels, including “Hg,” “mercuric iodide,” “mercurous chloride,” “ammoniated mercury,” “amide chloride of mercury,” “quicksilver,” “cinnabaris (mercury sulfide),” and “hydrargyri oxydum rubrum.”
Can skin bleaching cause blindness?
Mercury is often found in skin-lightening products because it inhibits melanin production, which is responsible for darker skin tones.
However, the application of mercury on the skin carries significant health risks, including peripheral neuropathy, kidney damage, skin rashes, discoloration, scarring, diminished resistance to infections, as well as mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and psychosis, as highlighted by research from the World Health Organization.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also issued alerts regarding the potential dangers of mercury exposure, which include the possibility of vision impairment and respiratory issues.
Furthermore, a 2014 study published in the Medical Science Monitor found that prolonged exposure to mercury could particularly impact peripheral vision.
In summary, the long-term use of mercury-containing skin-lightening creams poses serious health risks, as mercury accumulates in the body, making it increasingly difficult to eliminate.
