As the popularity of skin-lightening products continues to rise in Nigeria, dermatologists are raising alarm over the dangerous consequences of long-term use, particularly the heightened risk of delayed wound healing and increased vulnerability to infections. These concerns come amidst a growing trend of using bleaching creams and soaps containing harmful ingredients like hydroquinone, mercury, and potent steroids—substances known to weaken the skin’s natural structure and defenses.

The Hidden Risks Behind Skin-Lightening Products

While many individuals turn to bleaching products in pursuit of lighter, “clearer” skin, medical professionals warn that the long-term consequences far outweigh any perceived cosmetic benefit. The harmful chemicals commonly found in these creams can cause extensive damage to the skin’s layers, severely impairing its ability to heal from cuts, abrasions, or surgical wounds.

Speaking with Healthwise, Dr. Ayesha Akinkugbe, an Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Lagos and a Consultant Dermatologist at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), emphasized that ingredients like hydroquinone and steroids interfere with the skin’s normal healing process.

“These products thin the skin, making it fragile and slow to recover from even minor injuries,” she explained. “Hydroquinone reduces melanin production, which is crucial for skin protection and healing. As a result, injuries take longer to close and may leave behind uneven scars or pigmentation, a condition we call post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.”

How Bleaching Creams Disrupt the Body’s Natural Healing

Dr. Akinkugbe elaborated that inflammation plays a vital role in how the body responds to injury. “Steroids in bleaching creams suppress inflammation. While this might sound beneficial on the surface, it actually hinders the skin’s repair mechanisms,” she said.

Moreover, mercury—still illegally found in some skin-lightening products—poses a serious threat to skin cells. It is toxic and further weakens the skin’s structural integrity, leaving it less capable of regeneration.

“Repeated use of these harmful chemicals depletes the skin’s collagen and elastin fibers. These are the very proteins responsible for skin strength and elasticity,” she added. “Without them, the skin becomes susceptible to frequent tears, abrasions, and bacterial invasions.”

Increased Vulnerability to Skin Infections

One of the most troubling consequences of skin bleaching is the increased risk of bacterial and fungal infections. As the skin thins and weakens over time, it loses its natural barrier function, leaving it vulnerable to pathogens.

“When your skin is compromised, even a tiny cut can serve as a gateway for bacteria,” Dr. Akinkugbe warned. “Prolonged use of steroid-based creams suppresses the skin’s immune response, making infections like cellulitis, impetigo, and ringworm more common and harder to treat.”

These infections, she noted, don’t just resolve on their own. Given the already weakened state of the skin, they can linger for extended periods and result in scarring or even systemic complications.

Real-Life Consequences: A Tragic Case

Reinforcing this concern, Dr. Roli Madubuko, Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Benin and a Consultant Dermatologist, recounted a heartbreaking case involving a young woman who suffered devastating consequences from years of bleaching.

“She had been using skin-lightening products since she was 12. At 28, she was involved in an accident that left her with a deep cut on her foot and a leg fracture,” Dr. Madubuko said. “When doctors attempted to stitch the wound, her skin was so thin and fragile it kept tearing. The stitches wouldn’t hold.”

The woman eventually developed sepsis—a severe and life-threatening infection that spread throughout her body—and passed away. “This was a preventable death,” she stressed. “Her skin was simply too damaged to recover.”

How Bleaching Affects Skin Structure

To understand how bleaching affects wound healing, Dr. Madubuko explained the anatomy of the skin. “The skin is composed of three layers—the epidermis (outer layer), dermis (middle layer), and the subcutaneous fatty tissue,” she said. “The dermis contains blood vessels and nerves critical for healing.”

“Bleaching products, especially those containing corticosteroids, cause atrophy of the epidermis and dermis. This disrupts blood supply and skin cell regeneration,” she explained. “Once those layers are weakened, any attempt to heal becomes a major challenge.”

This long-term skin atrophy also makes the skin highly reactive to environmental factors such as sun exposure, heat, and even minor trauma, which can now cause significant damage.

A Public Health Crisis in the Making?

Both Dr. Akinkugbe and Dr. Madubuko pointed to the widespread availability of unregulated skin-lightening products as a major concern. Despite bans and warnings from regulatory bodies, many of these creams remain on shelves or are sold in informal markets, with little to no oversight.

“Skin bleaching is not just a cosmetic trend anymore—it’s a public health issue,” Dr. Madubuko said. “The physical, psychological, and systemic consequences are far-reaching.”

She emphasized the need for awareness campaigns to educate the public, especially younger women, on the dangers of skin bleaching. “People must be taught to appreciate and care for their natural skin tone. The long-term effects of these products can be irreversible—and even fatal.”

The Need for Stronger Regulations and Awareness

Health professionals are calling on the government and regulatory agencies to enforce stricter rules on the importation, advertising, and sale of skin-lightening products, especially those containing banned substances like mercury and potent corticosteroids.

“There should be increased surveillance of beauty products, more public education campaigns, and stiffer penalties for vendors who peddle unsafe bleaching products,” Dr. Akinkugbe suggested.

She also called on healthcare providers to screen for skin damage in patients who may be using these creams, even if they do not disclose it during consultations.

Looking Forward: Embracing Skin Health Over Skin Tone

Both experts concluded by urging Nigerians to shift focus from altering skin tone to maintaining skin health through safer practices—such as moisturizing, wearing sunscreen, and avoiding harmful substances.

“Healthy skin, regardless of shade, should be the goal,” Dr. Akinkugbe said. “There’s nothing wrong with wanting to look good, but it shouldn’t come at the expense of your health.”