The Minister of State for Well being and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, on Wednesday decried the rising use of skin-lightening merchandise amongst Nigerians and Africans.
Salako mentioned regardless of the well-documented dangerous results, the usage of skin-bleaching merchandise like lotions, ointments, cleaning soap, drugs and injections is widespread amongst non-white populations all through the world.
Talking on the high-level section of the regional awareness-raising workshop on the elimination of lightening cosmetics merchandise in Gabon, he acknowledged that bleaching merchandise is especially widespread in Africa, particularly amongst ladies.
In his speech made accessible to journalists in Abuja, Salako, nevertheless, acknowledged that Nigeria is within the strategy of growing a Nationwide Coverage on Cosmetics to offer a complete framework for making certain the security and high quality of beauty merchandise.
“I have to say that not solely are males utilizing SLPs, males additionally are inclined to put stress on ladies instantly or not directly to lighten their pores and skin, and subsequently our campaigns should not exclude the menfolks.
“Nigeria could have been known as ‘the world capital of pores and skin bleaching’, or ‘the skin-lightening hothouse of the world,’ doubtlessly as a result of its recognition as having the best utilization charges of SLPs throughout the globe put at 77 per cent amongst Nigerian ladies by WHO. This fee is the best on this planet, reinforcing the prevalence of a cultural and societal desire for lighter pores and skin tones within the nation.
“Pores and skin-whitening merchandise embrace skin-lightening or whiteners which might be broadly used amongst a variety of demographic teams no matter age, socio-economic standing, or training stage,” he mentioned.
He highlighted that different research and surveys affirm the excessive prevalence of pores and skin bleaching tradition in Nigeria.
“The Federal Ministry of Well being and Social Welfare (by means of the Cosmetics Security Administration Programme) sampled the opinion of producers and regulatory brokers on pores and skin lightening agent utilization and located that 52 per cent of producers use pores and skin lightening brokers of their formulation
“Nigeria Opinion Institute, a number one public opinion polling organisation in Nigeria, offering insights into public opinion and client markets discovered that 64 per cent of Nigerians consider pores and skin bleaching is very prevalent, with 97 per cent believing it’s common amongst Nigerian ladies.
“Research amongst college college students discovered a prevalence of between 62.4 and 64.9 per cent. The attention of pores and skin bleaching is excessive at over 76 per cent with near 40 per cent believing that it makes one look stunning and trendy. Excessive prevalence was influenced by peer stress and societal perceptions of magnificence. There’s additionally a prevalent observe of utilizing firming ( as a alternative) for bleaching and believing wrongly that firming shouldn’t be dangerous or much less dangerous,” he emphasised.
The skilled decried that lots of the bleaching merchandise include dangerous substances, comparable to mercury, hydroquinone, steroids and different heavy metals like arsenic, lead, and cadmium which pose dangers of pores and skin harm, organ toxicity and most cancers.
He mentioned the excessive prevalence of skin-whitening product utilization in lots of components of Africa, together with Nigeria highlights the pressing want for focused public well being campaigns, stricter regulatory enforcement, and community-based advocacy to deal with the observe.
He famous that the Federal Authorities has been working to advertise the usage of secure beauty merchandise free from hazardous substances.
“Recognising the pervasive use of unsafe cosmetics and the well being dangers they pose, the Federal Ministry of Well being and Social Welfare has taken proactive steps to teach the populace.
“By its Cosmetics Security Administration Programme, the ministry has carried out sensitisation, coaching, and advocacy campaigns within the nation together with on the grassroots stage. The method is being designed to affect behavioural adjustments by addressing the basis causes of skin-lightening product utilization and selling a more healthy and extra inclusive angle.
“We now have developed the Beauty Merchandise (Prohibition of Bleaching Brokers) Laws 2019, which prohibit the usage of dangerous skin-bleaching brokers like mercury and limit the allowable focus of hydroquinone to 2 per cent. The federal government by means of the Nationwide Company for Meals Medication Administration and Management ensures that each one beauty merchandise bought in Nigeria are registered, examined, and authorized to satisfy security requirements.
“Unregistered and counterfeit merchandise are actively seized and destroyed. Routine inspections and market surveillance actions are carried out to determine and take away hazardous merchandise from circulation, in addition to monitoring of on-line platforms to seek for the presence of mercury-containing merchandise.
“Group outreach programmes and media campaigns to teach the general public on the dangers of utilizing unsafe cosmetics and the significance of verifying product authenticity earlier than buy are carried out. The introduction of the MedSafety app is getting used to ease the reporting of all types of antagonistic response together with antagonistic cosmetics occasions,” he mentioned.
He added {that a} guideline on the security evaluation of beauty merchandise is being developed to strengthen regulatory oversight and make sure that all merchandise meet worldwide security requirements.