Health Risk Associated with Conventional Skin Lighteners and Female Civil Servants’ Comprehension of Skin Lightening Ingredient Information in Anambra State

Abstract

Skin-lightening products have been in use for many years to lighten skin colour. However, these products contain chemicals that can alter the skin's chemical structure and inhibit the production of melanin. Therefore, users of these products need to understand the ingredients and the potential health risks associated with their use. A study was conducted to assess the health risks associated with conventional skin-lightening products and to determine how well female civil servants understood the ingredient information on the product packaging. The study aimed to determine how many women read the ingredient information on these products, how many understood the information, and how many were aware of the health risks associated with their use. The study was conducted as a survey of 348 civil servants from 21 Ministries in Anambra State using an online sample size calculator. The study was anchored on the Individual Difference theory and selective perception media effect. The survey found that a significant number of female civil servants in Anambra state do not read the ingredient information on skin-lightening products. It was also discovered that the majority of female civil servants in Anambra State do not comprehend the product ingredient information because of its technical nature. Despite this, the study found that most women were aware of the health risks associated with the use of these products. The study concluded that female civil servants in Anambra State were aware of the ingredient information composition on skin-lightening products, but did not read it, making it difficult for them to understand and interpret the information. However, most of these women were still aware of the health risks associated with the use of skin-lightening products but still used them because of the benefits they claimed to have experienced. The study recommended that manufacturers and brand designers should simplify the technical language used to describe the product ingredients to make it easier for users to understand. Additionally, regulatory agencies like NAFDAC and SON should ensure that manufacturers produce skin products that do not contain harmful chemicals like hydroquinone, corticosteroids, and mercury. If these chemicals are used, users should be informed of the negative side effects.