Expert Warns Women Of The Health Risk Of Bleaching The Vulva In A Bid To Have A ‘Perfect’ Vagina
A public health physician and sex educator, Dr. Yemi Adeyemi has warned against bleaching the vulva in a bid to have a “perfect” vagina.
The specialist noted that pressure and poor education make some women undergo procedures that pose serious health risks.
Speaking in an interview with PUNCH HealthWise, Adeyemi said vagina bleaching is the use of products to lighten the skin around the vagina. She said:
“The vagina itself is inside. The outer part of the female reproductive system is the vulva. When people say ‘vaginal bleaching’, what they really mean is changing the colour of the vulva.”
The physician, however, said the vulva is not meant to be the same colour as the skin and it should not be bleached. She noted:
“This procedure is born out of extreme and unrealistic standards of beauty because the skin around the vulva is not meant to be the same colour as that of your skin. It is done by using products like cream or oils which are applied with the aim of lightening the skin around the vulva.
“The vulva shouldn’t be bleached. What is important is keeping great hygienic practices. It is normal to have a darker vulva. There are different colours, shapes, and sizes.
“There isn’t any standard or way it must look. The colour of its skin is influenced by hormones and changes with age; but if you are extremely worried please see a healthcare professional, rather than using bleaching products.”
According to the expert, bleaching products have no benefit, as they usually alter the integrity of the skin and expose it to infections over time.
According to an article published online by the United Nations Africa Renewal Magazine, statistics compiled by the World Health Organisation in 2011 showed that 40 per cent of African women bleach their skin.
In some countries, the figures are higher. A staggering 77 per cent of women in Nigeria, 59 per cent in Togo, 35 per cent in South Africa, 27 per cent in Senegal and 25 per cent in Mali use skin-lightening products, recent reports show.
The World Health Organisation, however, warns that skin bleaching can cause liver and kidney damage, psychosis, brain damage in foetuses and cancer.