'I Love my Natural Skintone'. Say NO to skin bleaching/skin toning campaign.
Loving the skin I'm in. Loving my dark skin, embracing the beautiful chocolate hue that God blessed me with. He made no mistakes with my skin.
My black is indeed beautiful. Join the campaign and upload your pictures and tag 'I love my natural skintone' and share your views, let's get talking here -----> www.facebook.com/
Nana Ama McBrown is a multiple award winning celebrated Ghanaian actress. She is an advocate for the 'Say NO to skin bleaching/toning campaign. Her natural skintone can be described as fair/caramel. She says; 'I Love my Natural Skintone'.
Hamamat is a former beauty queen and model. She was crowned Miss Malaika Ghana in 2006. She is an advocate to the 'Say NO to skin bleaching/skin toning' campaign. Her natural skintone can be described as dark/chocolate and she says 'I Love my Natural Skintone'.
Paulina Oduro aka 'Aunty Paulina' is a singer, actress and TV personality with over 30 years experience in the entertainment industry. She is mixed raced and she is an advocate for the 'Say No to skin bleaching/skin toning campaign. Her natural skin tone can be described as fair/caramel and she says 'I Love my natural skin tone'.
"Loving the natural skintone you have means, saying no to skin bleaching, skin lightening, skin toning and skin brightening. Whether, your skintone is light, dark or mixed, take delight in it, because; Beauty comes in all skintones." I love my natural skintone
Paulina says: Time for me to fess up to what I did from the age of 21 to 26 ---yep I bleached or toned as we called it back then!!!!
I've always been a good 'brown' shade ---a lovely cross between my naturally fair Fante mother and my handsome darker Kwahu father, but from the age of 21or 22 [I think] -I developed small blemishes around my chin area on my already warty/freckly (I know) but lovely skin....
I hated the blemishes which appeared worse during *that time-of-the-month* --if you know what I mean --so I was encouraged to use a cream unbeknown to me which contained hydroquinone -which we all now know is very dangerous, ---and literally became mixed-race over night (I kid you not).
I became sooo light that it became ridiculous...but I did enjoy the attention. Still things got very strange when I decided to stop using said cream because I couldn't be bothered anymore.
I must confess, I'm very thankful that I only used said cream on my face and neck --because what nobody tells/warns you [because deep down most women of colour including our Asian sisters, are bleaching in one way or another] --is that when you stop toning or bleaching or whatever you wanna call it, --you will get much darker than your original natural skintone/colour!!!!!
Thus, not only do some people from my past walk past me (believe me I'm thankful --laughter), but I often get people asking me why I'm sooo much darker on my face & neck then the rest of my much paler body (mercy) -especially in the summer?
Another problem I suffered from was uber sensitivity in the sun, which now, years after I stopped toning or whatever -has gone thankfully, --because for some, it leaves their skin very thin, thus causes them to burn easily in the sun.....
I give God the glory!!! I'm truly blessed...because I love my new darker skintone, even though I sometimes suffer from hyperpigmentation -which thankfully can be dealt with a good concealer or tackled by one of a handful of good clinics in London dedicated to dealing with the patchy discolouration of the skin.
The thing is.....I love having lovely clear skin but not at the cost of my health....and will never touch any of those creams again...Thus, I'm glad actress Ama K Abebrese has decided to tackle the taboo subject of bleaching.
Starring Ghana Rising faves, actress Ama K Abebrese -herself, Hamamat Montia, Paulina Oduro and Nana Ama Mcbrown -this campaign is very relevant and very much the subject du jour in our sweet homeland Ghana...
Lets be honest, we all know how widespread this issue is -no? Just think of some of the most powerful women in Ghana especially those first-wives-of-this-and-that or our musicians & actresses (even the naturally fair ones) or TV presenters --and you can see the tell-tale signs of skin bleaching -look at their fingers and feet --and their weird grey or blemished hue !!!!
Anyway, I would have liked Ama K Abebrese's 'I love my natural skintone' Campaign Facebook fan page to have more written info and know what inspired this campaign, --but its a fabulous start.
Its good to have this 'dialogue' --and I'm hoping Ghana, a beautiful country full of weird grey/green coloured women --come on you know bleaching leaves some looking a weird colour -especially when they then decide to add tattoos to the picture (mercy) ---might just sit up and start tackling this massive issue 'of self hate'.....
La Ghana Rising Blog stands with The Ama K Abebrese Foundation and backs the 'I love my natural skintone' Campaign... Plus, I hope my honesty helps even one sister from bleaching.. --It really isn't worth it.. -And once you start bleaching, you'll have to keep it up forever sooo that you're not darker than when you started. For more info visit: https://www.facebook.com/ilovemynaturalskintone
More Info:
What Are the Dangers of Hydroquinone?
Hydroquinone is a topical agent for reducing skin pigmentation. It is available in over-the-counter strength of up to 2 percent and higher concentrations by prescription. People typically use hydroquinone to lighten areas of skin affected by hyperpigmentation disorders, as well as for freckles and age spots. Hydroquinone also is a component of the herbal remedy uva ursi. Because of dangers associated with the substance, several countries have banned hydroquinone, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed a ban on most prescription and over-the-counter hydroquinone products.
Ochronosis
The FDA and standard-setting agencies of several other countries have cited a skin condition called ochronosis as a concern with hydroquinone use. Although uncommon, particularly with over-the-counter strength preparations, some people have developed a blue-black skin discoloration after using hydroquinone bleaching creams. Ochronosis also can cause gray-brown spots and tiny, yellow-to-brown bumps, as well as skin thickening. The condition is mainly associated with dark-skinned people using hydroquinone in high concentrations for long time frames.
Photosensitivity
Hydroquinone topical solutions can make skin more sensitive to sunlight (photosensitivity). People using these preparations should avoid exposure to sunlamps and tanning beds and wear protective clothing and sunscreen when in sunlight. Exposure to ultraviolet light can cause severe sunburn when using hydroquinone. Applying hydroquinone to skin that is sunburned, windburned, chapped or irritated can worsen these conditions.
Carcinogenic Properties
Rodent studies involving very high doses of hydroquinone administered by feeding tube showed the potential to cause cancer, according to the FDA report on hydroquinone skin bleaching products. No carcinogenic properties have been associated with topical or oral hydroquinone use in humans.
Allergic Reaction
Although unlikely, some people may experience an allergic reaction to hydroquinone. Signs as listed by Drugs.com include severe burning or stinging sensations, hives, breathing trouble, and facial, throat or mouth swelling. An allergic reaction to hydroquinone should be considered a medical emergency.
Toxicity
When taken orally in large amounts, as in uva ursi, hydroquinone is toxic, states Drugs.com. It may cause ringing of the ears, nausea, seizures and bluish skin due to insufficient oxygen in the blood (cyanosis). Large amounts of oral hydroquinone also can cause liver damage. The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends taking uva ursi for no longer than five days and no more than five separate times in a year.
