(NPR) – Dr. Vivian Oputa, an aesthetic dermatologist, observes: “A lot of people don’t realize how dangerous this practice has been. We’ve had several cases of newborns being bleached by their parents because they don’t want the kids to be dark.

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Skin lightening products represent a major global industry, with sales projected to nearly double to $15.7 billion by 2030. In Africa, nowhere is the practice more prevalent than in Nigeria. More than three-quarters of Nigerian women have used skin whitening products, according to the World Health Organization — compared to 27.1% on average in Africa. There’s a lesser but growing use of these products by young boys and men, according to businesses in the skin whitening industry. (Read More)