Chasing fair skin, Ivorians ignore whitening cream ban

Before you read: some questions to help you think about the topic and the words you might need.

How important is it for some people to have whiter skin?

What do some people do to look whiter? Why?

- At just 26 years of age, Fatou's skin is damaged from layer on layer of whitening cream. Some even call her a "salamander" woman after the little reptile with light spots and  skin that looks like you can see through it.

But nothing can stop the hairdresser in Ivory Coast's city of Abidjan from using the skin-lightening cream in her desire and search for a whiter skin look.

"I love light skin," Fatou said. "I can't stop."

Many Ivorian women -- as well as more and more men -- are using creams with dangerous chemicals to whiten their skin, even though the government tries to stop it from happening.

In late April, Ivory Coast banned whitening creams because of the bad health effects that are a result, ranging from white spots and acne to cancer.

If put on freely, the cosmetics can also cause high blood pressure and diabetes, according to Professor Ekra, a dermatologist at Abidjan's university hospital.

The banned products include creams containing mercury, certain steroids, vitamin A, or with hydroquinone levels above two percent.

 Hydroquinone is often used in black and white photography and is illegal as a skin-lightening ingredient in Europe as it is thought of as a potential carcinogen.

The dangers don't seem to deter consumers, though.

While no official statistics are available, "tchatchos" -- or those with lightened skin, often recognizable by their darker knuckles and elbows -- are omnipresent in Abidjan.

Businesses continue to sell the whitening products, because they know people will continue to buy them despite the risks.

"We know that our lightening products are dangerous," an executive for an Ivorian cosmetic company said, adding that a ban would be counterproductive.

"It would push consumers to make their own products, which would be even worse.

"At least we know the composition."

Some women say that it's social pressure -- particularly from men -- that forces them to lighten their skin.

"It's men that push women to become lighter," said Marie-Grace, who has been whitening her skin for the past four years.

Ivory Coast's Health Minister agrees.

Ivorian men "love women who shine in the night", he said.

"They bring light and glow in the bedroom."

Three months after the new law was introduced -- which could entail a fine of US$83 to $585 for breaking the law -- salons are still advertising their lightening products.

Whitening soaps with names like "Glow and White" and "Body White" clearly tell you what they are to be used for.

After raising knowledge about this, we will go to the next phase of removing products from the market, Coffie said.

A national evaluation and marketing committee has been started to make sure the rules are followed. But one of the biggest fights could be against cultural beauty standards.

Lightened faces continue to proliferate on billboards in Abidjan, with the featured models proud of their whiter skin.

Ekra says that while it's a good idea and start, the law is still an "empty shell".

"We see women on national television who use the harmful products," said Ekra.

If people want to lighten their skin, experts say they'll always find a way to do it.

"We tell people it's not good for their health, but if they find something good there... we cannot stop someone to do what they want," said Paul who sells the products.

What is happening is not only in the Ivory Coast, but common in other places in Africa, as well as in large parts of Asia.

In nearby Senegal, people protested against skin lightening in 2013, but failed to get a stop on products being sold.

Try to guess the meaning of the words in bold and match them with their closest meaning from the choices in the right. Some of the answers are very close and have similar meaning. The meaning of these words is how they are used in the reading. Some of these words have different meanings in the dictionary depending on how they are used.

 The answers are below the table.

A=3, B=1, C=8, D=6, E=2, F=7, G=5, H=4

Some example sentences using the new words or phrases from the meaning of how they are used in the reading to help you understand better.

1. The range of food available at a supermarket is much greater than a small shop.

2. Smoking cigarettes is bad because it is a carcinogen.

3. We are told drinking too much alcohol is bad, but it still does not deter people from doing it.

4. Christians believe that God is omnipresent.

5. Despite being told by his mother that he would be punished if he did not do his homework, he didn’t care.

6. The composition of water is two parts of hydrogen and one part of oxygen.

7. Success entails a lot of hard work.

8. Since 2000, cafes have proliferated in Korea.

Some questions using the new words/phrases. Try to use the words/phrases in your answer.

1. There is a lot of plastic surgery, what range of problems can you see from that already?

2. Why do you think people ignore health warnings about carcinogenic things such as cigarettes?

3. Do you know someone who has a bad habit? What would deter them from continuing to do it?

4. What fashion do you think will become omnipresent where you live in the next year?

5. What did you do that was wrong (maybe when you were a child) despite your teacher or parents warning you not to do it?

6. What is the composition of people who live in a country you know? For example, the composition of Malaysia is Chinese, Malay and Indians.

7. What do you think it entails to be successful at something you know?

8. What fashion or popular action that you know is not good has proliferated in your society?