EDITOR: Bleaching of skin by some ladies is fast becoming popular in this country. Those who do such, are they not satisfied with their colour of skin? Do they think that being white, or brown skin, is better than being black?

The frequency of such practice makes me wonder if these ladies know the effects it can have on them. Are they still searching for who they are? Because this practice is foreign and as such, these persons who bleach are just following suit, in some cases, and in others there are signs of inferiority complex, where they think that they have to look like others to be accepted. They have not accepted themselves the way they are.

Research would reveal some of the following effects bleaching has on the skin. They are: Dark grey spots, skin cancer, acne, swelling of the skin, thinning of the skin, cataracts.

o Setting down of fat on face,

chest, upper back and stomach

o Increase in appetite and weight gain

o Osteoporosis

o Neurological and kidney damage, due to high level of mercury used in the creams

o Psychiatric disorders

o Severe birth defects

o Asthma

o Liver damage.

It is my hope that our lovely Vincentian ladies would accept themselves the way they are and not try to change their colour.

It is always good to remember to be yourself and not try to be someone else.

Kennard King