Skin bleaching awareness march scheduled for Durban tomorrow
The Head of the Discipline of Dermatology at UKZN says there's been an increase in the number of people using skin lightening treatments in the last five to seven years.
Professor Ncoza Dlova - who's also the Chief Specialist at the King Edward Hospital in Durban - says the skin bleaching phenomenon has spread to different population groups.
"This is now affecting even young kids, school kids, university and college kids, and a few men. Whereas in the past in the 70's it was mainly middle-aged women and also usually from low socioeconomic groups. So the times now have changed and we've seen a number of complications - some irreversible, some reversible in the short term."
Dlova says there are efforts to educate the public, particularly young people, about the dangers associated with skin bleaching.
She and other medical professionals and officials from the provincial health department will be leading an awareness march tomorrow at noon - from Durban Christian Centre to Gugu Dlamini Park in the city centre.