Garissa, Kenya| Health officials have raised serious concerns over the increasing use of skin-lightening products in Garissa, warning that these unregulated cosmetics pose severe health risks, including infertility, kidney damage, and hormonal imbalances.
The warning follows a surge in online beauty influencers promoting skin-lightening creams and treatments, often without medical expertise or regulatory oversight.
These influencers have amassed large followings on social media, encouraging widespread use of potentially harmful products.
Unregulated Products and Risky Practices
Speaking during a Ministry of Health forum on drug abuse, Nurta Mohamed, the Non-Communicable Diseases Coordinator in Garissa County, expressed alarm over the trend.
She highlighted the practice of mixing multiple skin-lightening creams, locally known as qasqas, to enhance results—a dangerous habit that significantly increases health risks.
“Our women are currently abusing these creams. In Garissa, we have a local term, qasqas, which refers to a mixture of several creams applied to the body to achieve a lighter complexion,” Mohamed explained.
Another alarming practice involves the use of dexamethasone, a steroid known locally as isqarhis, meaning “kujilipua” (a Swahili slang term meaning “blowing oneself up”).
While initially used for its anti-inflammatory properties, some women take dexamethasone to accelerate skin lightening, unaware of its serious side effects.
Severe Health Implications
Mohamed outlined a range of complications associated with these products, including early-onset diabetes, kidney failure, and severe hormonal imbalances that can lead to infertility.
Many of these products contain hazardous substances such as mercury, hydroquinone, and lead—chemicals that accumulate in the body and are difficult to eliminate through natural processes.
“These products erode the skin, making surgical procedures more complicated. In some cases, sutures fail during operations due to weakened skin. Additionally, hormonal imbalances caused by these products can disrupt menstrual cycles, making it difficult for women to conceive,” she warned.
Authorities Call for Public Awareness and Regulation
The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) Vice Chairperson, Ann Mathu, echoed these concerns, urging women to embrace their natural skin tones and avoid harmful beauty practices.
“There is something deeply concerning about the skin-lightening products being used. Health officials have reported that these products lead to serious health conditions such as infertility, kidney complications, and mercury accumulation in the blood,” Mathu stated.
Disturbingly, some parents have even started applying these products to their children to ensure their complexions match their own altered skin tones.
Mathu condemned this practice, emphasizing the long-term health risks involved.
Call to Action
Health officials are urging stricter regulations on skin-lightening products and greater public awareness campaigns to educate the community on the dangers of these cosmetics.
They warn that without intervention, more individuals—particularly young girls—could face severe health consequences.
Authorities are also calling for increased oversight of online beauty influencers who promote these products irresponsibly, potentially misleading their followers into adopting harmful skincare routines.
As the demand for lighter skin continues to grow, health professionals stress that beauty should not come at the cost of long-term health.
They urge consumers to prioritize safety and self-acceptance over short-term cosmetic trends.
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