By Prinscilla Bulu
Founder of Skin Foundation Africa, Dr Kofi Ansah Brifo, has raised the alarm over skin bleaching, describing it as a growing public health crisis, particularly in Black communities, because of its serious health effects.
Speaking in an interview on GTV’s Breakfast Show on December 22, 2025, Dr Brifo said skin bleaching is widely practised by people of all ages and genders.
According to him, many people bleach their skin because of long-standing social and cultural beliefs known as colourism, where lighter skin is wrongly associated with beauty, intelligence, wealth and success. He explained that these perceptions date back several decades and continue to shape how people view themselves today.
“In the past, lighter skin and a fuller body were seen as signs of affluence,” he said. “People used strong creams and even steroid medications to change their appearance.” Today, he added, new trends have emerged, particularly among young people who lighten their skin to make tattoos and body enhancements more visible.
Dr Brifo expressed grave concern about the increasing practice of skin bleaching among children. He revealed that some parents intentionally apply lightening creams to their children, while others do so unknowingly by mixing strong steroid creams with moisturisers to treat conditions such as eczema.
“Children’s skin is thinner and absorbs chemicals faster than adults’ skin,” he explained. “This makes them more vulnerable to severe side effects.” As a result, some children are presenting at clinics with stretch marks, skin discolouration and damaged skin, even though they are neither overweight nor ill.
He also warned against the misuse of topical steroid creams, which are often purchased from pharmacies without proper medical advice.
According to him, continuous use of these steroid creams can lead to skin thinning, discolouration and permanent damage.
Dr Brifo advised caregivers to seek professional medical care for skin conditions and to follow proper treatment instructions. “Topical steroids should not be used for more than two weeks without a break,” he stressed.
He concluded by calling for greater public education and a shift in societal attitudes towards skin colour. “Skin bleaching is not just a cosmetic issue,” he said. “It is a public health problem rooted in how society values certain skin tones over others. We must protect our children and promote self-acceptance.”
