Depigmentation: A suicidal act

Voluntarily lightening your skin is also a necessity for a frank of the Beninese population men and women, young girls and young men. Depigmentation, although it has consequences on the skin of the latter, is far from being banned from their aesthetic practices..

In our current society, it is clear that black skin has become for many "a disturbing element" which must be rid of. It is sad to notice that many women and many men are convinced that to be attractive, they need to change. So voluntarily or involuntarily, there are many people who make use of certain cosmetic products to give their skin another plumpness or a much more remarkable glow. It is obviously depigmentation, this practice which for those who indulge in it is a way to give themselves a new charm. But the drama, it seriously harms their health. “A few years ago, I had used some lightening cosmetics. The results were visible because I had gone from a brown complexion to a very clear complexion.. I had no idea of ​​the dangers I was running until the day when a friend who was also in the case had to undergo an operation. She's had all the problems in the world. The doctor let me know the reasons for the difficulties they were having and I finally understood the evils of this practice”, told us a young lady who preferred to remain anonymous.

Unlike the latter, Auguste, a teenager, saw his skin color change overnight after using an ointment used by his older sister "My older sister and I used to use the same beauty creams, but it was a good time she changed range. I thought it was just a simple choice coming from her. Using the same product, for a week the comrades started noticing my change in skin color. I didn't even realize. I immediately discussed this with my sister and she explained to me that she took lightening products and mixed them to give more radiance to her skin ", tell this young teenager. He adds “She advised me to resume with the old range since the new one had an impact on my skin., something I quickly executed. Because I never wanted to lighten my skin ».

At the origin of this practice, we therefore note that some of those who indulge in it do so consciously while others do not.. Unfortunately, the visible consequences of depigmentation are observed on every street corner on people and even almost all countries in Africa are victims of it. Because it contributes to the destruction of small cells existing under the skin. These cells known as melanins producing black pigments and which protect the skin against the sun's rays and skin cancer are therefore deprived of their strengths and immunities..

Consequences of depigmentation

According to Professor Dieng Mame Thierno "Besides aesthetic complications, there are life-threatening complications, foremost among which are infections that kill quickly by septic shock”, he says, adding that "the most frequent and serious infections are bacterial dermo-hypodermitis". Besides these consequences, it must be said that depigmentation leads in some people to premature aging of the skin, this is much remarkable because of the wrinkles and creases on their bodies. Depigmentation is also according to some disease specialists like : l’hypertension, diabetes, different forms of skin cancer, kidney failure, disruption of the menstrual cycle in women… These consequences are not observed immediately but after a long period of practice of depigmentation. As for the possibility of a return to normal, Doctor Andonaba confided in an interview published by the site santetropicale.com "that stopping in time can avoid certain distant consequences and minimize the sequelae already installed on the skin". Enthusiasts of this practice are therefore warned.

Firmin KASSAGA