Thursday, October 3, 2013

Skin Bleaching in Juba

Since I was young, my parents taught me everything I know today about skin care without realizing. I was born in a household where you use regular products that you are aware of its ingredients and that are not harmful for your skin or your health. My parents taught me life lessons by either reason or experience, they will inform you that the fire is hot and if you touch it you will get burnt (reason) but if you still insist they will allow you touch the fire so will you learn to never touch it again (experience). With that being said I am a proud 21 year old dark skinned lady, in my younger years I had my insecurities about my skin but I was blessed with fantastic parents whom never failed to acknowledge how smooth, shiny and special my skin was, I don’t know if they were trying to avoid me from skin bleaching or they were just being the good parents they are but either way it worked, I never skin bleached; my mind was set on that my skin tone is beautiful the way it was because my parents don’t lie.  I learned about skin bleaching very early because it was like a disease, everyone was using skin bleaching products to lighten their skin, they were so hypnotized by the idea of “lighter skin” that they didn’t even pay attention to the side effects that everyone could see but them.

Skin Bleaching is basically where people use chemical products to lighten their skin for whatever reasons they may have. Let me make it clear that I am not shedding light on this obvious issue to judge but I am pointing it out to educate. Since I came back to Juba skin bleachers have certainly developed in number, even worse the side effects of ugly scars and skin damage are all over people’s faces and bodies. Although some skin bleaching products are very good for getting rid of dark spots or skin discoloration, other products are rather very harmful and have the potential of causing skin cancer. With that being said it is important that you educate yourself about that product you are purchasing before using, better yet consult a specialist. Some of these harmful side effects I have mentioned in addition to Skin Cancer and scars are: Acne, swelling of the skin, thinning of the skin, Cataracts, setting down of fat in the face, chest or stomach, increase in appetite and weight gain, Osteoporosis, neurological and kidney damage due to high level of mercury used in the creams, Psychiatric disorders, and severe birth defects. And that is only according to my knowledge, I am sure according to specialists and others with experience there are more side effects caused by skin bleaching.
Why do people usually skin bleach? It is believed that people with lighter skin represent beauty, and get better opportunities with jobs and a better life. Youngsters today skin bleach believing they will be in better company or finally fit in with the cool groups, women believe they will get better men and of course skin bleaching commercials are not helping in changing that mindset, neither is the absence of parents from their children’s lives where the children miss out on the two people that supposedly love them the most telling them they are beautiful just the way they are.
In my opinion you will get a good job because you are educated, a better job because you are hardworking, creative and intelligent. You should want to be in the company of those who inspire, encourage and push you to achieve your dreams and goals in life not want to be in the “cool” circle that needs you to be a certain skin tone to qualify/fit in (that is just sad). And finally you will get a man my dear sister because you know the kind of man you want, that man who respects and values you, that man who you will hold your head up high telling your father “I want to marry this man”, that man whose ethics and manners you want to see in your future son, that man who wants to change your last name not your skin tone.
I have mentioned before that my knowledge and life lessons which half of I learned from my parents through reason or experience, I have given you reason to avoid bleaching (Side effects and My opinion) and I believe when you walk around the streets of Juba and see the many skins that were damaged by skin bleaching products I believe I have given you the experience of another to avoid your own. 


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