Malaysian Skin

Asians may disagree on many things, but when it comes to skin tone there is a consensus – fair is best.

Today I went to the dermatologist for a minor procedure.
The ‘skin specialists’ office however clearly wasn’t making its money in meeting medical needs. Instead, it seemed to be meeting some would say exploiting people’s medical ‘wants’. The waiting room walls were lined with advertisements for Botox, liposuction, hair removal, and of course the ever popular skin whitening products. Almost all of the females who came in left with creams of some kind. Many had white faces, and brown bodies, a typical sight on the streets here in Malaysia. The girl cashing out in front of me bought a list of ten skin products costing her almost 400 U.S. dollars (1155 rm Malaysia). Keep in mind that the average Malaysian makes around 7000 U.S. Dollars per year.

Having lived in Malaysia for over a year I should have expected the crowds, creams and fake faces. One’s ‘skin’ is an odd enemy here. However, as reported in the New York Times’ “Glamour at a High Price in Asia “(May 1, 2006) Malaysia is not alone. This issue is Asian wide. According to one study done by Synovate in 2004, 41 percent of women in Malaysia say they use skin whitening cream. More importantly, many women are using it at dangerously high dosages (NY Times, 2006). Some of these creams (e.g. Hydroquinone) are thought to be cancerous. In addition, many illegal creams are circulating the black-market. The most effective are the cheapest and also usually the most dangerous.

Transnational corporations have their hands dirty in this business. Companies like Olay name whitening creams with fancy phrases such as ‘Glowing Radiance,’ L’Oreal markets one called ‘White Perfect’. These businesses push their products by emphasizing how one can feel ‘younger’, ‘healthier’, and more’ beautiful’. Apparently the message has gotten through.
Billboards all over Asia show white-washed models with faces so highlighted they have lost all detail. Citizens know it is Photoshop yet embrace this ideal that ‘Fair Skin’ is your friend while ‘hyper-pigmentation’ (pseudo-scientific term used by those marketing their skin lightening products) is the enemy. The media has defined the symptoms of an illusionary corporate-created disease
As reported in Thomas Fuller’s article in the New York Times, some blame this situation on white European colonizers. Their complexions were fairer and set the standard for attractiveness. Others say it is the idea that the wealthy and educated aren’t out in the sun, while the laborers are exposed to the elements. Hence, one’s skin tone is an indication of class.

The problem is all over Asia. It is not ethical business for these conglomerates to partake in the ongoing ‘white-perfect’ propaganda. If these companies really cared about their consumers they would not market themselves in such ways, let alone sell these products. It is a real shame seeing beautiful woman whose face has been scarred forever by some silly over-priced goop.

One girl I met here told me how she vied to be teased by relatives for being the darkest in the family. Sadly, she dealt with this through self harm. Today, thanks to enlightened friends and a broader education, she can see this issue from other angles. Nobody should have to feel uncomfortable in the skin they were born with.

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