"Cosmetic lightening and hygiene creams... that de-pigment the skin... are now forbidden," the ministry said in a statement.
The
ban affects whitening creams and lotions containing mercury and its
derivatives, cortisone, vitamin A or more than two per cent
hydroquinine, a lightening agent that is used to develop photographs.
"The
number of people with side effects caused by these medicines is really
high," said Christian Doudouko, a member of Ivory Coast's pharmaceutical
authority, warning that they could cause skin cancer.
Lightening
products can also lead to hypertension and diabetes, said Elidje Ekra, a
dermatologist at the Treichville university hospital in Abidjan.
Whitening
creams have been popular for years among young African women, who see
them as a way to make themselves more attractive.
The use of the creams is believed to be even more widespread in Nigeria.
Although
there are no official figures of how many women use such products
across Africa, billboards advertising the potentially deadly creams can
be seen in cities across the continent.
"In our
cultures, some people think women with light skin are the most
beautiful. This beauty standard... pushes many girls to depigment their
skin," Ekra said.
"What we see in the media is the
lighter one's skin is, the better one's life," he added, referring to
advertisements that fill the streets of Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire biggest
city, showing models with lighter-than-average skin.
While the craze is most widespread among women, some men use the creams too, Ekra said.
The
creams are also extremely popular in many countries in Asia, including
India, Pakistan and Japan, as well as in the Middle East.Credit: Africa Review
Comments
Post a Comment