Up to a third of South African women bleach their skin, but many don't realise how harmful skin-lightening products can be. Ncoza Dlova, head of the University of KwaZulu-Natal's dermatology department, has been speaking out about skin-lightening products and led a march against them in Durban last week.She said research showed 90% of people surveyed in Durban didn't know they were damaging their skin with lightening products. Dlova said skin lightening was widespread, despite products being banned in South Africa in the 1970s. Speaking this week in Pretoria, she said the marketing language surrounding skin-lightening products needed to change."We should talk about good skin care, not brightening, lightening, fairer skin or even tone. The change in terminology has to start with us," the doctor said.In an analysis of widely available but illegal creams, Dlova found many contained mercury or hydroquinone, a drug that can cause permanent scarring when misused. Warning on darker side of skin-lightenerKhanyi Mbau may be risking her health for a lighter skin.Dlova said she learned recently that a patient died in Nigeria from the side effect of a glutathione drip. Glutathione is a drug used to prevent nerve damage, but is now used widely to lighten people's skin.It is provided by intravenous drip at upmarket boutiques in Sandton.A study published in the SA Medical Journal last month warned there was no long-term safety data on the use of glutathione to lighten skin.Dlova called for a change in the way people viewed their skins."If I were to go to a supermarket I would choose the darkest of skins, because they are the best skins for Africa," she said.Amanda Gouws, professor of political science at Stellenbosch University, said: "Racism makes people believe that darker people are uncivilised and criminal."..