Skin Lightening Among Young Adults in Ilorin West, Nigeria: Health Risks, Societal Pressures, and the Pursuit of Fairness.
Loading...
Date
2025-01-30
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Koozakar LLC. Norcross GA 30071, United States
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 sociodemographic 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.
and mental health outcomes, fost
Description
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 ratesof 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 skinlightening products, making it a deeply entrenched
practice in the country (WHO, 2016; 2019; 2021).
Research among university undergraduates in
Maiduguri reported a prevalence rate of 48.1%
(Egbi and Kasia, 2021), while a study among
traders in Lagos State found a prevalence of 77.3%
(Yetunde, 2017). These findings underscore the
widespread nature of skin-lightening practices
across diverse populations. However, there is
limited data on the prevalence, motivations, and
health implications of skin lightening among young
adults in Ilorin West, Nigeria, necessitating further
investigation. The high prevalence of skin lightening practices in Nigeria can be attributed to
multiple socio-demographic and economic factors.
Gender plays a significant role, with women more likely to engage in skin lightening due to societal
beauty standards that favor lighter skin tones.
Additionally, economic status influences product
accessibility, as individuals from varying income
levels use different types of skin-lightening
products, ranging from high-end dermatological
treatments to inexpensive but potentially hazardous
creams and soaps. Educational background and
awareness of health risks also contribute to the
practice, with some individuals continuing despite
knowledge of potential adverse effects (Gracia and
Perloff, 2015; Jalal and Ansari, 2016; Samuel et al.,
2018; Ogbe and Odimegwu, 2017; Olumide et al.,
2018). Health risks associated with skin lightening
include dermatological conditions such as skin
thinning, hyperpigmentation, and increased
susceptibility to infections. Systemic toxicity from
ingredients such as mercury, hydroquinone, and
corticosteroids can result in severe complications,
including nephrotoxicity and endocrine disorders
(Samuel et al., 2018; Smith and Davis, 2020;
Vijaya, 2019; Rusmadi et al., 2015; Ravichandran,
2015; Robinson and Jacob, 2016; James et al.,
2018; Amodu et al., 2018; WHO, 2019; Sagoe et
al., 2019; Mahmood, 2019; Balogun and SamOdutola, 2019; Uwakwe et al., 2019). Despite these
risks, the skin-lightening industry remains a
lucrative market in Nigeria, driven by demand from
young adults who perceive lighter skin as a means
of enhancing social and professional opportunities.
This study aims to examine the health risks and
socio-demographic factors associated with skin lightening practices among young adults in Ilorin
West, offering localized insights into this
widespread phenomenon. Previous studies on skin
lightening in Nigeria have largely focused on urban
centers such as Lagos, Maiduguri, and Abuja.
Keywords
Citation
Bilewu et al. (2025)