Understanding for women that Vitamin C to light up skin puts precious kidneys at risk
Where those seeking safe skin-lightening procedures can’t help themselves because they are naive, deep regulatory oversight was advised.
There are so many solutions that taking Vitamin C might bring to a person. It is thought to shorten the length of the common cold to under 24 hours and could help lower high blood pressure, but for those relying on this particular vitamin for their skin-lightening goals, they just might be putting an area around their abdominal cavity at risk. Here is a concerning example of why it should be ingested with caution.
It had started with a women’s health advocate Dr Christabel Akinola sounding out the warning via her X profile on Friday 7 February 2025. We had a young 28-year-old woman who was experiencing kidney failure. She did not smoke, nor was she hypertensive or diabetic. So, what was causing this young lady to have kidney failure?
Upon investigation, it was discovered that the patient had been taking so-called Vitamin C supplements because she believed it would help her cause of achieving skin lightening the healthy way even though that wasn’t the delivered outcome.
Professor of Dermatology, Dasetima Altraide’s warning that overly frequent Vitamin C intake can lead to complex problems such as nursing a kidney stone disease supports the question being asked.
Altraide who lectures at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital’s Department of Internal Medicine and has had years of training concerning the subject matter shared about the consequences of being miseducated about supplements to the Nigeria Info radio correspondent Ifechukwu Muonyili.
It was observed in the case study that brought up this topic that a combination of Vitamin C pills, Glutathione powder, and intravenous infusions, all in large doses, without understanding the risks had been used.
From this point of severe damage, only surgery, meaning a transplant with the 28-year-old’s sister as the kidney donor offered a second chance of survival. Now, both siblings only have a kidney each instead of the God-given two.
Now, to the professor of dermatology’s reaction to the worrisome problem of beauty-conscious women trying just about anything so that they can procure glowing skin. When you take Vitamin C excessively, that is when it causes kidney stones. When kidney stones develop, they can lead to chronic kidney disease.
It is a fact that Vitamin C applied to the skin in moderate amounts, says the teaching hospital expert is mostly harmless, but when injected or taken orally in excessive doses, it becomes a significant health risk.”
According to the skin care specialist, patronage of untested or certified professionals is simply putting one’s health in jeopardy. Where those seeking skin-lightening procedures can’t help themselves, Professor Dasetima Altraide advises regulatory oversight.
These roadside beauty specialists are not tested at all, he told Nigeria Info, as he feels that these lots combine anything without knowing the potential dangers.
He advised that people need to stop patronising them to avoid an invitation to further issues affecting an organ that is expected to help every human purify their blood.
To the poorly-trained practitioners offering services in the skin care space, here is the professor’s note to them: If you are not licensed, you should not be mixing creams or carrying out skincare procedures. There must be a task force to clamp down on those practising without a license.
Part of the reason why there seem to be growing problems around the treatment procedures individuals tend to commit themselves to is wrapped around weak oversight by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
Unlike in places like the United Kingdom and the United States of America where regulations around hydroquinone usage are strict due to the health risks posed, NAFDAC staff members have been seen to be dropping the ball, leading to subsequent issues clashing with their mandate to protect.
We once had a discussion with a NAFDAC official about the dangers of bleaching creams. The very next day, we saw him attending the launch of a new bleaching product. That is the level of the problem we are dealing with.
There should be a regulatory body overseeing the operations of all beauty spas in Nigeria. Right now, anyone can take a short online course, claim expertise, and start a skincare business. This has to stop. People should always verify the credentials of skincare practitioners before trusting them with their skin.
