Rasbert Turner, Gleaner Writer

Spanish Town, St. Catherine:

Health Minister Horace Dalley is stressing that persons must be aware that bleaching kills the skin, making them vulnerable to illness, and should, therefore, be stopped in order to prevent individuals from developing sores, irreversible stretch marks and other ailments.

According to Dr. Neil Persadsingh, consultant dermatologist, the group mostly affected by the practice is those within the 15-30 age group and that it is a psychological problem with persons thinking that to be accepted they have to be clear.

Hypocrisy

The audience in attendance for the Health Ministry's 'Don't Kill the Skin' campaign at the Spanish Town Parish Library in St. Catherine yesterday was mostly made up of students from various high schools in the parish. Though they listened to the words of Dr. Persadsingh, some questioned the hypocrisy of the recently launched campaign.

"I personally bleach and if it is wrong then why do they allow the products on the market," remarked one student. "As I look on the street corners, I see it. I look in the wholesales and it's there in great numbers. So, the ministry needs to ban it before they label us bleachers."

Another student said he was raised to believe that "nothing too black nuh good" and that, at one point, he was bleaching until he realised that it was dangerous. As such, there needs to be a continuing effort to inform the public.

Dr. Persadsingh told them that this was why persons need to have pride in who they are and the colour of their skin or they could end up having serious irreversible ailments.

He told The Gleaner that, although the 15-30 age group is a problem, even senior citizens are now taking up the practice of bleaching, which is a worrying trend. He said this was why the campaign was very timely.