As according to NAFDAC, bleaching creams can cause cancer and
injury to the body's essential organs like the kidney and liver.
Nigerians
have been urged not to use unapproved cosmetics because of the consequences,
which are often permanent, according to the National Agency for Food and Drug
Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
At a media awareness session on the risks of bleaching creams
on Tuesday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-General of NAFDAC, issued the warning.
Mrs. Adeyeye, who was addressed by Leonard Omokpariola, head
of Drug Evaluation and Research, claimed that the problem of unapproved
cosmetics, such as bleaching creams, in Nigeria had turned into a public health
emergency and called for a multifaceted regulatory strategy.
She claims that the unapproved cosmetics employed harmful
and illegal substances to lighten skin, giving the consumer unfavorable side
effects.
She cited a few of the detrimental effects of bleaching
creams, such as cancer and damage to the body's essential organs like the
kidney and liver.
Besides that, it leads to wrinkles, early aging of the skin, skin cancer, itchiness and allergies, skin burn and rashes, and slow wound healing.
According to the DG, a 2018 World Health Organization study
found that 77% of women in Nigeria, the highest percentage in Africa, regularly
use skin whitening cosmetics, compared to 59% of women in Togo, 35% of women in
South Africa, and 27% of women in Senegal.
The main goal of the sensitization workshop, according to
her, was to train journalists and other media workers who would educate the
public about the risks associated with certain cosmetics.
The sensitization session, Mrs. Adeyeye said, was a Train
the Trainers program with the high hope that participants would take on the
role of champions in the battle against the use of bleaching creams in the
nation.
She continued by saying that the agency would implement
strict regulatory measures following the campaign to stop Nigerians from using
bleaching products, which she described as a harmful trend.
She praised the media and other members of the public for
working with NAFDAC to rid the nation of the threat posed by inferior and
counterfeit medications, unhealthy foods, caustic cosmetics, and other lower
regulatory products.
The training was attended by representatives of the
Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, as well as those from cosmetics companies,
grocery store owners, and Nigerian Customs and Health officials.
Delegates from the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, along
with representatives from cosmetics industries, grocery shop owners, and
Nigerian Customs and Health officials, joined the session.
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