By Maria Famakinwa
A 60-year old trader, Mrs. Bilikis Arinola, was full of regret as she narrated how her once-radiant skin became burnt due to bleaching creams.
The woman, who wished she could turn back the hands of time, said: “I had naturally beautiful chocolate skin and thought I could make it fairer. This informed my decision to start applying bleaching creams in my late 20s. I slowly saw the gradual lightening of my skin, which gave me a sense of jubilation and encouragement that, with more effort, my skin would become completely fair. I started with mild toning creams and later moved to stronger ones until I got married.”
According to her, the admiration she got from people encouraged her to continue, but her joy was short-lived.
“I never noticed any changes until I turned 50. Then, my face became reddish and greenish. My forehead, shins, cheeks and chin became itchy and burnt. After several complaints, I visited a dermatologist, who told me that my skin layers had been damaged and advised me to stop bleaching. Despite following the advice, it offered no solution as my skin kept peeling. I hardly go out without covering my face because people stare at me. Honestly, I regret the day I started using bleaching creams.”
“My friends introduced me to bleaching creams”
Bilikis is not alone. A fashion designer, Mrs. Bolatito Omodara, shared a similar experience. She said she began using lightening creams as an apprentice in Oyo State because most of her friends used them.
“I loved the fair complexion of my friends and wanted same for myself, so they introduced me to bleaching creams. Within three weeks, my complexion changed, and I received many compliments. But after two months, I noticed bruises on one side of my face while the other side became unusually soft.”
She said that after applying aloe vera gel on a friend’s advice, her skin worsened.
“My once beautiful face turned greenish. I ran to a cosmetologist, who told me that the layers of my skin had been damaged. A week later, wrinkles appeared on my neck and hands. My husband, who never supported bleaching, complained that I smelled, especially when the weather was hot. I have seen different dermatologists with no result. The money I spent on creams would have served better purposes. I regret using bleaching creams.”
Medical experts warn — but many still ignore
Despite repeated warnings from medical professionals that bleaching creams contain harmful substances such as mercury and hydroquinone, many people, especially women still use them.
Health experts say prolonged use of such products can cause skin infections, kidney problems and even cancer.
Nigeria remains one of the countries with the highest skin-bleaching rates in the world — with 77 percent of women reportedly using lightening products compared to 28 percent of men.
Cultural pressure, low self-esteem and the belief that light skin is more beautiful or “classy” continue to fuel the practice.
“I will not forgive myself for my burnt skin”
Another victim, who gave her name simply as Gift, said she would not forgive herself if her skin remains permanently burnt.
“My confidence is gone. I suffer stigma from neighbours, and people stare at my burnt face whenever I go out. I naturally have light skin but wanted to make it fairer. A friend asked me to mix a white bleaching cream with oil for a fresher look. After a month, my face started itching. When I changed to another brand, it worsened. My face turned red, and later dark, due to burns.”
She said she has spent a fortune trying to restore her complexion, to no avail.
“I dare not go out when it is sunny; my body feels as hot as an oven. I now use only ordinary soap and baby oil, hoping to correct my mistake.”
“A painful past I wish I could correct”
A retired civil servant, Mrs. Christy Elloy, also expressed deep regret for bleaching her skin, describing it as “a painful past.”
“If anyone had warned me then about the repercussions of bleaching, I probably would not have been a victim. The preference for light-skinned women made me do everything possible to make my skin attractive. Today, the only sign of my past fair complexion is the burns that refuse to fade.”
She said the damage left her with embarrassment and ridicule.
“I’m just 42, but I look 50 because of the burns. I now avoid social gatherings because of people’s reactions. I regret my actions, my burnt skin, and the money wasted on useless creams.”
“The quest to become an actress led me to bleaching”
A 23-year old university graduate, Omotola Josh, said she started bleaching after secondary school because she believed light-skinned girls had better chances in Nollywood.
“I wanted to be come an actress, and I believed being fair was one of the requirements. When I started using bleaching creams, my skin became fairer. But when I switched to a stronger one, everything changed. My face turned red, and when I tried to correct it, it got worse. Soon, my face, neck, and hands were burnt.”
“I now wear turtle necks and long sleeves to hide my burns. People stare at me and ask what happened to my once beautiful skin. It brings tears to my eyes. I made a wrong decision.”
Inferiority complex is a major cause — expert
A cosmetologist, Mr. Monday Badmus, explained that many women who use bleaching creams ignore professional advice until their skin is damaged.
“Some ladies were warned against bleaching, but they don’t listen. Once the skin is damaged, it is almost impossible to restore. Natural beauty is the best,” he said.
He attributed the rising trend of skin bleaching to inferiority complex, media influence and poor regulation.
“The surge in skin bleaching in Nigeria is a complex social issue driven by colourism, market dynamics and cultural pressures. Addressing it requires strict policy enforcement, public health campaigns and a change in social perception that lighter skin equals beauty.”
The cost of vanity
From Bilikis to Omotola, their stories carry one message — the quest for fairer skin often ends in pain and regret. As experts continue to warn, the danger of bleaching goes beyond damaged skin — it destroys confidence, drains pockets, and sometimes ruins lives.