Kenyans have recently engaged in a heated debate concerning bleaching for beauty after the Citizen Television exposed what Kenyans are consuming for beauty.
Expose’ made include skin lightening products that have been banned by the government for having mercury and its compounds.
Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has listed dozens of creams, gels and liquid products which have cancer-causing effects when consumed.
The products which many Kenyans consume in a bid to lighten their skin despite the known side effects are acquired in beauty shops along River Road and many other shops, which are not yet revealed.
The pills they give have no KEBS sticker and expiry date and also the containers they pack their gels are not labeled.
The ‘mkorogo’ mixture has been identified to contain high quantities of hydroquinone – a banned carcinogenic agent.
Citizen TV Asha Mwilu found it rough during the investigation as most of the vendors were not at ease to speak, a sign that what they do is illegal.
However, one vendor confessed to Mwilu that the injection changes the skin better than creams and gels but leaves the body vulnerable to accident or bruise.
“Lazima nikuambie ukweli…usiseme hao madame hawakukuambia. Itakulighten vizuri lakini ile siku utapata accident ama kidonda, inakuwa ngumu kushona na kupona kwa sababu hiyo sindano inachange kila kitu kwa mwili. So mwili yako inakuwa nyepesi kabisa,” one vendor said.