The bleaching syndrome as melanin vehicle of stillbirths: a dark skin pathology vis-à-vis African and African descent women

Abstract

African and African descended women who bleach their skin incur risks to their health, leading to the disruption of organ performance and potentially stillbirths. Corporate executives dedicated to the bleach cream business are confident that the obsession by African and African descended women with light skin will remain profitable. Those who succumb to the bleaching syndrome require the application of bleaching creams to compromise the melanin in their skin. Whether they are commercially manufactured or home-made concoctions, bleaching creams contain pathological toxins. Resolution of the problem will necessitate an alternative to Eurocentric ideals as pertains to women of Africa and African descent, African people in general and all dark-skinned, non-African populations worldwide who suffer the consequences of denigration due to their dark skin. The objective of this paper is to challenge the Eurocentric beauty standards and to examine the dangers of skin bleaching.