A new nationwide campaign has been launched to combat skin bleaching in Nigeria, aiming to protect public health and encourage citizens to celebrate their natural complexion.
The initiative, themed “EmbraceYourSkin”, was unveiled over the weekend at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital Dermatological Clinic, LUTH Annex, Yaba, Lagos, with support from Eucerin.
Speaking at the event, President of the Nigerian Association of Dermatologists (NAD), Prof. Dasetima Altraide, warned that the health risks linked to skin bleaching far outweigh any cosmetic benefits. He highlighted that while lighter skin is often socially perceived as desirable, bleaching has been associated with serious medical complications, including skin cancers, treatment-resistant fungal infections, organ damage, and severe allergic reactions.
“Skin bleaching is not just a cosmetic choice; it is a health risk. Even children and unborn babies are being exposed to harmful chemicals before they can consent”, Altraide said, noting instances of pregnant mothers using substances to lighten their unborn children.
“Skin health matters. Skincare is a responsibility. You were born this shade, own your shade. Embrace your skin”, Altraide concluded.
The NAD president revealed that prevalence rates in Nigeria range from 40% to 84%, according to 2023 data from the WHO Afro Region and the International Agency for Health Outcomes (iAHO). He added that Nigeria has earned the unfortunate label of “the world capital of skin bleaching”, underscoring the urgency of the campaign.
Altraide stressed the collective responsibility to address the issue. “Pharmacists, regulatory bodies, the media, and every Nigerian have a role to play. We must dismantle the false narratives that label dark skin as inferior,” he said, commending Eucerin, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and the Federal Ministry of Health for supporting the initiative.
He encouraged Nigerians to seek qualified medical advice for skin concerns, rely on clinically verified skincare products, and reject dangerous bleaching agents.
