Name : Dinda Amalia Shaleha

NIM : 019.06.0022/A

Exercise : English Summary by Mrs. Nurul Inayah

The Dark Side of Skin Lightening

This is the VOA Special English HEALTH REPORT.

Based on health reports about “ The Dark Side of Skin Lightening “ written by Lawan Davis,
as we have read and know that this content is a discussion of the VOA. Where the discussion is
about the dark side of skin lightening, it has become a common activity throughout Africa, Asia
and other regions of the world, especially in the Senegales capital, Dakar. Doctor Ly said that
skin whitening has become a problem throughout Senegal. Why is it like that ? because they
believe and think that having whiter skin will improve their life, will have a better chance of
getting a job or marrying a better family and being considered beautiful by the general public.

At first, using a skin lightening product make skin colors brighter, but after long-term use it
will have an impact on health because some chemicals are very dangerous, one of which is
Hydroquinone. Hydroquinone has been banned in several countries because it can cause kidney
damage and some types of cancer. It also causes the weight of the newborn to be low when the
mother uses it during pregnancy.

The chemicals in these products block and break down the natural processes that give skin
color. The skin loses it’s natural barrier to protect against sunlight. Then the skin can become
thick and change color, until skin damage is permanent. So, some people who change their skin
color suffer emotional damage. They feel sadness and regret that they should learn to love their
skin as it is.