Darkar’s Fashion Week Takes A Stand Against Skin Bleaching

Many women and some fashion models have bleached their skin seeking to achieve a “café au lait” color  due to low self esteem. This year, however, Senegal’s marquee fashion event is taking a stand against the damaging practice. Ndiaye announced at the opening of Dakar Fashion Week that she had banned any models using skin depigmentation cream from participating in the six-day event. Women of all classes and education levels use these often unregulated skin creams. High-heeled and barefoot women across Senegal show the tell-tale signs of long-term bleaching – resulting in blotches of discolored skin on their arms and faces. The women often use prescription-strength corticosteroid creams to lighten their skin. When absorbed into the blood stream, corticosteroids  pose serious risks for the heart and  can cause skin cancer.