- A viral video shows a woman displaying her dramatic skin transformation after using bleaching cream, with her current complexion contrasting sharply with previous footage
- The content creator expressed insecurity in the video caption, wondering if her partner would still find her attractive if she stopped using skin-lightening products
- Social media users reacted with mixed feelings, with some questioning the practice of changing one's appearance for a relationship, while others shared their own experiences
One video has ignited discussions on beauty standards, self-acceptance, and the societal pressures some women face regarding their appearance. Shared by content creator @Radivascosmetics, the clip not only showcases the physical transformation resulting from skin-bleaching cream but also highlights the deeper emotional insecurities that often accompany such practices.
The video showcases the womanās striking transformation, contrasting her previous appearance, marked by hyperpigmentation, redness, and an uneven skin tone, with her current fair, glowing complexion. While the physical change is evident, itās her caption that truly caught viewersā attention:
"If I stop using bleaching cream, will he still like me?"
This vulnerable question sheds light on the emotional struggles behind skin-lightening practices, suggesting she fears that her altered appearance is necessary to sustain her relationship.
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Watch the Facebook clip below.
Beauty standards and relationships
Skin lightening creams usually work by decreasing the body's production of melanin, the natural pigment that gives skin its colour. Common ingredients include hydroquinone, vitamin C, glycolic acid, and retinoids. These components either reduce melanocyte activity, provide antioxidant effects, exfoliate dead skin cells, or increase skin cell turnover to achieve a lighter appearance.
The video highlights the ongoing conversation about the pressures some women face to alter their natural appearance in order to fit societal beauty standards or maintain relationships. Skin-lightening practices are deeply rooted in colourismāa global issue where lighter skin tones are often favoured over darker ones, affecting personal, professional, and social perceptions.
Some individuals use skin-brightening products for specific dermatological concerns such as melasma, age spots, or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation from acne, while others turn to them due to societal pressures.
Medical expert Jayshri Rangasamy shared her views on the effects of skin brightening creams with Briefly News, stating:
"Skin lightening, while offering benefits such as treating skin conditions and achieving an even skin tone, poses significant dangers. Products often contain harmful chemicals like hydroquinone and mercury, leading to serious health risks such as mercury poisoning and skin damage. Hydroquinone causes skin damage by selectively damaging melanocytes and melanosomes, which are responsible for melanin production."
"Long-term use can result in skin thinning, increased sensitivity, and infections. Additionally, societal pressures, driven by beauty standards that favour lighter skin tones, can negatively impact mental health by causing feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem, and anxiety. Constantly striving to meet these beauty standards can lead to stress and a distorted self-image. Due to these risks, many countries have banned certain skin lightening products, and it's crucial to consult a dermatologist before use."
Mixed reactions from viewers
@Lizza Lizza questioned changing oneself for a relationship:
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"Yooh! All because of a man. Yoh, they can go through hell. Do men go through this kind of process to impress us?"
@Zodwa Ndlovu shared her experience:
"No, but the skin is trying to get back to normal. So, these are the effects you'll have along the journey, but everything will be okay after the skin repairs š„ā¤ļø I also went through a similar situationš¢"
@Zukiswa Gqoloza noticed a physical change:
"Without bleaching, you have dimples. With bleach, they're gone?"
@Sis Monica Lofton offered encouragement:
"Who cares? You are beautiful without the colour of the coloniser. Your face has character and the cutest dimples. You're a doll... And don't even know it š"
More beauty and self-image stories
- A 31-year-old mother and wife shared her emotional journey to becoming a semi-finalist in the Mrs. South Africa competition, describing how the female empowerment program designed for women aged 25 to 55 pushed her beyond her comfort zone.
- TikTok user Vuyokazi Pitso went viral after posting her genuine admiration for a young woman working at an Engen service station in King William's Town (now Qonce), Eastern Cape, whose beauty left her amazed.
- Briefly News also reported on how a woman's funny video contrasting her glamorous pre-pregnancy appearance with her more natural look during the nine months of pregnancy sparked mixed reactions online.
