A video of a Nigerian mother who transformed from light-skinned to dark skinned during her pregnancy has sparked reactions on social media.
In the video that has become a growing sensation, the woman, who goes by the username Fatimah Zahra, shared her pregnancy journey and how it affected her skin tone.
In the clip, a lighter-skinned Zahra is shown before pregnancy; however, during her pregnancy, Hzahra’s skin tone changed significantly to a darker shade.
Her drastic change during pregnancy has sparked reactions from Nigerians on social media who expressed outright shock over the sudden skin tone change.
One user accused Hzahra of bleaching before pregnancy, saying “She was definitely bleaching.”
Another user come to her defense saying: “There’s no bleaching there. This is exactly what happened to me.”
Another commented: “For those saying “she was bleaching” should please do some reading and educate themselves. There is a condition known as Melasma which is increase in melanin production during pregnancy.”
One user remarked: “Omoooo Una no even dey encourage person for this pregnancy thing.”
Another user educated the public on reason for skin change during pregnancy: “Total skin darkening during pregnancy (from fair to much darker) is actually a medical phenomenon called hyperpigmentation, and it’s very common! During pregnancy, your body produces higher levels of estrogen and progesterone, which stimulate melanocytes (the cells that make melanin that is your skin’s pigment). When these cells become overactive, your skin starts producing more melanin, causing areas like your face, neck, underarms, inner thighs, and even your entire complexion to become darker. This condition is sometimes part of melasma or the ‘mask of pregnancy’, and it’s more noticeable in women with medium to dark skin tones. It’s harmless, but it can be emotionally challenging for some women.”