Skin Lightening Among Young Adults in Ilorin West, Nigeria: Health Risks, Societal Pressures, and the Pursuit of Fairness.
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Date
2025-03-01
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Abstract
Skin-lightening practices are increasingly common among young adults, influenced by
societal beauty standards, cultural traditions, and economic factors. However, these
practices pose serious health risks, including skin damage and psychological distress.
Limited awareness of these dangers, coupled with regulatory gaps, exacerbates the
issue, necessitating targeted interventions. This study investigates the health risks and
socio-demographic factors influencing skin-lightening practices among young adults
in Ilorin West, Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 450 participants,
primarily aged 18–23 years. Structured questionnaires captured data on socio
demographic characteristics, product usage, health effects, and influencing factors.
Statistical analyses, including chi-square tests, were used to assess associations
between socio-demographic variables and skin-lightening prevalence. Findings
indicate a high prevalence (65.3%) of skin-lightening, particularly among young,
single, female students with secondary education. Reported adverse effects include skin
irritation (37.8%) and hyperpigmentation (25.3%). Alarmingly, 76.2% of respondents
were unaware of the long-term health risks. Cultural and economic factors significantly
influenced behavior, with affordability and tribal norms playing key roles. The Hausa
ethnic group exhibited the highest prevalence (73.5%), while usage was highest among
individuals aged 21–23 years. These findings underscore the urgent need for public
health interventions. Raising awareness through culturally sensitive education
campaigns, enforcing stricter regulations on harmful products, and engaging social
influencers can help reshape societal beauty norms. Policymakers must implement
stronger controls on the production and sale of hazardous skin-lightening products.
Additionally, promoting self-acceptance and healthier beauty ideals through
community-based advocacy can reduce reliance on harmful practices. This study
highlights the critical health risks associated with skin-lightening among young adults.
Addressing the cultural and societal drivers of these behaviors can improve physical
and mental health outcomes, fostering a healthier perception of beauty.
Description
INTRODUCTION
Bilewu et al. (2025) / GJESS, 2(1), March, 1 – 18.
Skin lightening, the practice of using chemical or
natural products to achieve a lighter skin tone, is a
widespread phenomenon across various regions of
the world, including Nigeria. This practice is
primarily driven by societal and cultural
perceptions that associate lighter skin with beauty,
higher social status, and economic opportunities.
The influence of global beauty standards,
reinforced
through
media
representations,
historical colonial legacies, and socio-economic
factors, has contributed to the normalization of
skin-lightening practices in Nigeria. However,
despite its perceived benefits, skin lightening raises
significant public health concerns due to the
potential health risks associated with many of these
products (Blay and Ahoofe, 2015; Falola and
Genova, 2015; Samuel et al., 2018; Smith and
Davis, 2020; Gbetoh and Amyot, 2016; Vijaya,
2019; Rusmadi et al., 2015; Katz et al., 2016;
Robinson and Jacob, 2016; WHO, 2019; Sagoe et
al., 2019; Mahmood, 2019; Jones-Williams, 2021).
Nigeria is reported to have one of the highest rates
of skin-lightening product usage globally, with
studies consistently highlighting its prevalence
across different demographic groups. According to
the
World
Health
Organization
(WHO),
approximately 77% of Nigerian women use skin
lightening products, making it a deeply entrenched
practice in the country (WHO, 2016; 2019; 2021).
Keywords
Citation
Bilewu et al