Rwanda has become the first East African nation to ban skin bleaching creams, with the government sending out a task force which has seized over 5,000 products – some of which have the ability to damage your insides and scar and burn your skin.
Mercury and hydroquinone, found in illegal skin bleaching creams worldwide, can have a toxic effect on the nervous, digestive and immune systems, and on the lungs, kidneys, skin and eyes. They can also permanently destroy melanin.
In November, Rwanda’s president weighed in on a Twitter discussion, stating that skin bleaching, known as “mukorogo” in Rwanda, was “Quite unhealthy among other things. Includes use of prohibited chemicals. MoH [Ministry of Health] and RNP [Rwanda National Police] need to rein this in very...
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