Nigerian Women Leads In Skin Bleaching - W.H.O

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The World Health Organisation(WHO) has said 77 per cent of women in Nigeria use skin-lightening products, the world's highest percentage.
The figure compares with 59 per cent in Togo, and 27 per cent in Senegal.
The WHO report said the reasons for this are varied but most people say they use skin-lighteners because they want "white skin".
WHO also said skin bleaching comes with hazardous health consequences.
The dangers associated with the use of toxic compounds for skin bleaching include blood cancers, such as leukemia and cancers of the liver and kidneys as well as severe skin conditions.
It said hardcore bleachers use illegal ointments containing toxins like mercury, a metal that blocks production of melanin, which gives the skin its colour, but can also be toxic.
The report said in many parts of Africa, light-skinned women are considered more beautiful and are believed to be more successful and likely to find suitors.
It also said it is not only women who are obsessed with bleaching their skins. Some men too are involved in the practice.
WHO investigation showed that lightening creams are not effectively regulated in Nigeria.
Many of the tubes are unlabelled as to their actual ingredients.
Business is booming for shops selling skin-lightening products.
A trader said: "About 90 percent of my clients come asking for skin whitening products. "I sell it to them and give advice on what product is best for them and how to use them."
Musician Femi Kuti said the use of skin-lightening products have given rise to their own terminology. "When the bleaching propaganda got so negative, they had to come upwith toning. Bleaching sounds too hard, now it's toning. I don't bleach, they say, I tone!" he said.