•NAFDAC, beauty experts warn Nigeriàns against skin colour changing products
By Bianca Iboma-Emefu
The deputy director (cosmetics), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Linda Halim, has cautioned Nigerians against skin-bleaching and organic-whitening products, saying they may result in health disorders associated with cancer, diabetes and other complications.
Halim gave the warning during the two-day maiden edition of Beauty in the Motherland, exhibition/conferences and gala held at Eko Convention Centre, Lagos. She noted that the composition of some skin-lightening products may have dire consequences on the entire body.
The NAFDAC official said the agency has put the necessary mechanisms in place to regulate beauty products such as skin, hair and makeup, to curb hidden secrets that are harmful to the body. She stressed that the agency’s commitment towards ensuring that cosmetics products are safe for use in Nigeria.
“Presently, cosmetics products containing hydroquinone and mercury in Nigeria cannot get NAFDAC approval because of the health challenge it poses on consumers. NAFDAC is working towards regulating importation, formulation and sale of cosmetics within Nigeria, especially skin-bleaching products,” she said.
Also, a dermatologist and skincare expert, Zanaib Yau, raised concerns over the dangers of using skin-whitening products.
She said: “Today, the obsession for skin bleaching has been traced to the fact that many Nigerians believe that being light-skinned is a sign of beauty, higher status and superiority.
“The situation has become so bad that many women now have disturbing discolouration, contrasting colours and dark spots. The knuckles, knee caps and elbows are not speared as they carry different colours.
“We are in a society where dark-coloured women are considered not beautiful and fair complexioned women are deemed attractive and beautiful. This has increased the quest for light complexion while ignoring the health risk associated with it.
“Nigerians even ignore skincare risks due to quest for light complexion. In Lagos and other major Nigerian cities, local beauty spas are springing up, offering all kinds of services, including ‘organic’ skin lightening options.
These outfits need regulation; due to an alternative to chemical-laden soaps and creams but need investigations to uncover that the same toxic chemical substances that are used in producing ‘fast action’ lightening creams, which expose Nigerians to higher risks of skin cancer and organ damage.”
Yau said professionals who are familiar with the side effects and risks associated with these products need to educate consumers on the symptoms that include skin irritation, allergies, uneven skin tone and long-term damage to the skin. She emphasized the need to constantly educate the Nigerian consumer who has appetite for light skin.
“The notion of light skin as a standard of beauty should be erased, as people need to understand that they are beautiful in their complexion. They don’t need bleaching or whitening cream, especially toxic organic substances, due to the many health risks involved. Consumers should seek information on their part and not ignore the risks posed by some of these products.
“Some people apply skin lightener to their entire body to change their complexion, which experts say can be very risky, as the active ingredient in some skin lighteners is mercury, a toxic agent that can cause serious psychiatric, neurological and kidney problems,” she said
The dermatologist added that some of the body cream products also contain chemicals such as hydroquinone, steroids, cojic acids and others. According to her, such contents would make the topmost layer of the skin to thin out, wrinkle, make it irritable and may lead to poor healing of wounds.
“If you use steroids also for a long period, that can affect the blood stream and can affect blood sugar, and can actually cause diabetes.”
She, however, urged the public to seek dermatologists’ attention when facing skin problems for professional medical advice.
On her part, the chief executive officer of Amali brand, Amira Abraham, stressed the need for education and enlightenment where information could be spread to create more awareness of brands and products: “Enough information should be provided for consumers to understand the dangers of these products that it could lead to diseases such as cancer among others.
“We know people have choices but they should make choices that would not be injurious to their bodies. There are good heathy cosmetics brand that are safe for use, they can get the information and patronize such products.”
Similarly, the CEO of Shanyi Organic, Grace Okoli, appealed to women who relax the hair of their kids to stop, especially for a two-year-old, because of the health implications it could have on the child. “Mothers should stop exposing kids to harsh chemicals in the name of beauty,” she advised.
Okoli shared her story as a teenager and how six lumps were removed from her body. “We need to adopt healthy practices and educate the Nigerian consumers about beauty products they are using,” she insisted.
In the same vein, the MD/CEO of Barazahi Spa/Wellness Outfit, Linda Edozien, said the exhibition also signified that Nigeria remains a strong market with a lot of demand for different products and services.
Edozien described the exhibition as a crucial business platform fostering partnerships for beauty enthusiast. She encouraged attendees to leverage the offerings of exhibitors, emphasizing the potential for growing made-in-Nigeria brands, supporting SMEs and attracting international brands to manufacture within Nigeria so as to boost the country’s GDP.
She said: “This exhibition has demonstrated that Nigeria is still a strong market with a lot of demand for its products and services. This emphasized the importance of companies investing in local industries and opening more manufacturing outlets to complement government efforts on employment creation.
“The exhibition was a good opportunity for exhibitors who had not gained access to certain areas to network and showcase products.
Edozien added that the event was basically meant to provide indigenous skincare products and make beauty platforms to showcase their products.
“What happened in the previous exhibitions was very costly but this has brought everyone together to showcase their products. We have indigenous brands with quality products; over a hundred exhibitors. A place where they can learn and showcase their products,” she said.
She encouraged practitioners to get NAFDAC’s approval in order to ensure that the organic products are not harmful. “Though it’s a challenge at the moment, we truly need to get NAFDAC’s approval,” Edozien pointed out.
Founder, Oriki Group, Joycee Awosika, said: “Over the years and in my various discussions with leaders in the African beauty and lifestyle industry, I have realized the need for more conversations and initiatives that focus on creating growth systems for existing and upcoming entrepreneurs within the beauty and lifestyle sector. This is a great start and I look forward to driving more forums like this and seeing more collaborations within the industry.”
The event was wrapped up with a gala and awards night as icons in the beauty industry like Chief Opral Benson and Elegant Twins were given award of recognition for pioneering the beauty industry in Nigeria. Awards were equally presented to brands and other personalities who are currently shaping the industry.