There is increasing outrage surrounding a new skin lightening product called Khess Petch in Senegal. While skin lightening products have been banned in most countries, skin lightening has become a common practice in African countries. Carole Ouédraogo states that 25% of women in Bamako and Mali use skin lightening products along with 35% in South Africa and 52% in S
enegal.
The widespread use of skin lightening products in Africa has become a common practice based on the aftermath of colonization, slavery but also because of ingrained eurocentric stigmas surrounding beauty.
Khess Petch is causing a huge controversy on the internet. The increasing significance of colorism is a huge issue but the effects and consequences of Khess Petch are colossal. As Khess Petch contains products such as bleach, it can cause stretch marks, acne, and hypertension. This product is not safe at all to use and people all over the world are trying to put a stop to it. That being said there is an ongoing campaign against Khess Petch and over 1000 signatures were gained in just 4 days.
This is a very relevant and difficult problem to deal with, but people have been coming together and creating awareness projects surrounding it, getting celebrities like top model Ajuma Nasenyana to fight against its advertisement and teaching in schools about this ongoing problem.
Thierno. “Les dangers de la dépigmentation.” Guineelibre, guineelibre.over-blog.com/article-les-dangers-de-la-depigmentation-115402080.html.
“Senegal: ‘Completely White’ Whitening Cream Stirs Outrage · Global Voices.” Global Voices, 21 Sept. 2012, globalvoices.org/2012/09/21/senegal-completely-white-whitening-cream-stirs-outrage/.