{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,11]],"date-time":"2026-02-11T19:12:42Z","timestamp":1770837162858,"version":"3.50.1"},"reference-count":0,"publisher":"Koozakar LLC","issue":"1","content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["GJESS"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Skin-lightening practices are increasingly common among young adults, influenced by \nsocietal beauty standards, cultural traditions, and economic factors. However, these \npractices pose serious health risks, including skin damage and psychological distress. \nLimited awareness of these dangers, coupled with regulatory gaps, exacerbates the \nissue, necessitating targeted interventions. This study investigates the health risks and \nsocio-demographic factors influencing skin-lightening practices among young adults \nin Ilorin West, Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 450 participants, \nprimarily aged 18\u201323 years. Structured questionnaires captured data on socio\ndemographic characteristics, product usage, health effects, and influencing factors. \nStatistical analyses, including chi-square tests, were used to assess associations \nbetween socio-demographic variables and skin-lightening prevalence. Findings \nindicate a high prevalence (65.3%) of skin-lightening, particularly among young, \nsingle, female students with secondary education. Reported adverse effects include skin \nirritation (37.8%) and hyperpigmentation (25.3%). Alarmingly, 76.2% of respondents \nwere unaware of the long-term health risks. Cultural and economic factors significantly \ninfluenced behavior, with affordability and tribal norms playing key roles. The Hausa \nethnic group exhibited the highest prevalence (73.5%), while usage was highest among \nindividuals aged 21\u201323 years. These findings underscore the urgent need for public \nhealth interventions. Raising awareness through culturally sensitive education \ncampaigns, enforcing stricter regulations on harmful products, and engaging social \ninfluencers can help reshape societal beauty norms. Policymakers must implement \nstronger controls on the production and sale of hazardous skin-lightening products. \nAdditionally, promoting self-acceptance and healthier beauty ideals through \ncommunity-based advocacy can reduce reliance on harmful practices. This study \nhighlights the critical health risks associated with skin-lightening among young adults. \nAddressing the cultural and societal drivers of these behaviors can improve physical \nand mental health outcomes, fostering a healthier perception of beauty.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.69798\/59168711","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,2,28]],"date-time":"2025-02-28T02:37:20Z","timestamp":1740710240000},"page":"37-54","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":1,"title":["Skin Lightening Among Young Adults in Ilorin West, Nigeria: Health Risks, Societal Pressures, and the Pursuit of Fairness."],"prefix":"10.69798","volume":"2","author":[{"name":"Kwara State University, Malete, Nigeria.","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-6975-7947","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Olaolu","family":"Bilewu","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-5042-6729","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Morufu","family":"Raimi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"name":"Federal University Otuoke, Nigeria.","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Oyeniyi","family":"Adegboyegba","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"name":"Kwara State University, Malete, Nigeria.","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Ige","family":"Taiye","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"name":"Kwara State University, Malete, Nigeria.","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Saka","family":"Sulayman","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"name":"Kwara State University, Malete, Nigeria.","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0007-8442-5709","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Idowu","family":"Alake","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"name":"Coverage Evaluation Survey Consultant (Research) Sightsaver Updave Research Concept, Ilorin, Nigeria.","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"50185","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,3,1]]},"container-title":["Global Journal of Environmental Science and Sustainability"],"original-title":[],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,11]],"date-time":"2026-01-11T13:04:36Z","timestamp":1768136676000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/koozakar.com\/journals\/article\/KJ-71961332"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2025,3,1]]},"references-count":0,"journal-issue":{"issue":"1","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,3,1]]}},"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.69798\/59168711","relation":{},"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2025,3,1]]}}}