THE PSYCHOLOGY AND DANGER OF SKIN WHITENING PRACTICES: A THEORY OF THE INVISIBLE INK

ABSTRACT: Over the past twenty years, scholarship in skin bleaching has burgeoned, diversified, and gained prominence in a number of disciplines, but particularly dermatology, public health, and psychology. This positive momentum came about with the efforts of those scholars and researchers interested in mastering the full complexity of skin bleaching through exploring its meaning, motives, ingredients, and the various factors implicated in its practice. Other contributors include researchers devoted to extending the existing understanding of the negative side effects of skin bleaching. This article argues that although an increasing number of pertinent theories have been developed to explain why people engage in skin bleaching and what sustains their involvement in the practice. None of such theories have been developed in such a way as to point to the doubleedged consequences of skin bleaching. This article aims to contribute to the theoretical literature on skin bleaching by proposing a new dimension of theory carrying the power for accenting to the often delayed negative outcome of skin bleaching that comes into view only years after the manifestation of its positive consequence. The article is considered important as it aims to convey the complex truth implicated in skin bleaching that it is not a habit associated with just one dimensional consequence which users often presume to be positive in direction but rather an ominous health practice that comes with multidimensional consequences, some of them deadly but hidden from view until the practice has lasted for a considerably long time.

Keywords: The Invisible Ink, Theory of the Invisible Ink, Skin Whitening, Skin Bleaching, Psychology and Danger of Skin Bleaching