Malaysia's Skin Bleaching: Basketball Wife's Controversial Choice

is the basketball wife malaysia bleaching her skin

During a Basketball Wives reunion in October 2019, OG accused fellow cast member Malaysia Pargo of bleaching her skin. OG, who believes she is a victim of colorism within the group, claimed that Pargo's skin complexion had changed. Pargo denied the allegation and later posted a side-by-side photo of herself as a child and adult on Instagram to demonstrate that her complexion had remained the same. The debate surrounding Pargo's skin tone sparked a broader conversation about colorism and skin bleaching, with varying perspectives on the validity of OG's accusation.

Characteristics Values
Name of the person accused of skin bleaching Malaysia Pargo
Name of the accuser O.G.
TV show Basketball Wives
Date of accusation October 16, 2019
Malaysia Pargo's response Posted a side-by-side photo of herself as a young girl and as an adult to prove that her complexion hasn't changed
Fan response Mixed, some supported Pargo, while others questioned the validity of the photos

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Malaysia Pargo responds to skin bleaching accusations

Malaysia Pargo has responded to accusations of skin bleaching by castmate O.G. during the "Basketball Wives" reunion. Pargo took to Instagram to share a side-by-side photo of herself as a young girl and a present-day selfie, both in Gucci tops, with the caption, "Baby M vs grown-up M". The image was meant to disprove O.G.'s allegation, showing that Pargo has been brown-skinned throughout her life.

Pargo's fans were quick to defend her, with one commenting, "Beautiful! I can’t believe ‘Toe-G’ had the nerve to pull a complexion card or saying about you bleached. She’s insecure and really NOT ALL good”.

During the reunion, Pargo challenged O.G.'s claim that some castmates are colorist, to which O.G. responded, "I don’t even know what complexion you used to be [...] What complexion did you use to be before you bleached?". Shaunie O’Neal, co-star and executive producer, noted that O.G. had accused Pargo of bleaching, to which Pargo responded, "Girl, please. Girl, please. [...] We don’t like you because you be doing some bulls–t”.

O.G. believes she is a victim of colorism and that her dark skin tone is the reason many of her cast members don't get along with her and call her aggressive. However, Pargo and others are not convinced by these claims.

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OG's claim of mistreatment due to skin tone

During the first part of the "Basketball Wives" reunion, OG, a cast member, claimed that she was mistreated due to her skin tone. OG believes she is a victim of colorism and that her dark skin is why many of her castmates, including Malaysia Pargo, do not get along with her. She also believes that her skin tone is the reason why she is called aggressive. OG ended up accusing Pargo of bleaching her skin, to which Pargo responded by uploading a side-by-side photo of herself as a young girl and a present-day selfie, both showing her with brown skin. Pargo also denied OG's claim of mistreatment due to skin tone, saying, \"We don't like you because you be doing some bulls--t."

Colorism is a pervasive issue with extensive evidence of discrimination based on skin color in criminal justice, business, the economy, housing, healthcare, the media, politics, and education in the United States and beyond. Research shows that darker-skinned individuals face higher levels of discrimination in various regions. For example, in some regions of India, dark-skinned people are considered "dirty" and of lower status than lighter-skinned individuals. Historical contexts, such as colonization, have also contributed to the perception of darker skin as a marker of lower social class.

In the media and entertainment industries, the underrepresentation of dark skin tones can create biases and exacerbate disparities. For instance, the overuse of pan-Asian faces on billboards and television screens in Southeast Asian countries like Malaysia has sparked controversy. This issue highlights the preference for lighter skin tones and the impact of colonization, as Dutch colonists in Indonesia were enamored by the darker complexions of Indonesian women compared to their pale-skinned counterparts.

Within the context of OG's claims, it's important to recognize the harmful effects of colorism and the discrimination faced by darker-skinned individuals. While Pargo refuted OG's accusations, the underlying issue of colorism and its impact on individuals' experiences cannot be ignored.

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The dangers of skin lightening procedures

Skin lightening procedures have been a topic of discussion for "Basketball Wives" star Malaysia Pargo, who was accused by castmate O.G. of bleaching her skin. While Pargo denied the allegations and provided a photo of herself as a young girl with brown skin, the conversation brought to light the potential dangers associated with skin lightening.

Skin lightening, or skin bleaching, is a cosmetic procedure that aims to reduce the concentration or production of melanin in the skin, resulting in a lighter and more even skin tone. While it may be desirable for those wishing to reduce dark spots, acne scars, or skin discolouration, skin lightening procedures come with serious risks and adverse effects.

One of the primary dangers of skin lightening is the use of toxic chemicals. Products containing mercury, hydroquinone, and steroids have been linked to health risks such as nephrotic syndrome, a kidney disorder. These toxic substances are banned in many countries, yet they continue to be present in some lightening products. Additionally, there is a risk of permanent skin discolouration, with high concentrations of lightening agents leading to grey, blue, or purple patches on the skin.

The use of skin lightening procedures also raises concerns about the impact on well-being and the perpetuation of colourism. It has been observed that women, particularly women of colour, feel pressured to adhere to Eurocentric beauty standards that promote lighter skin as more attractive and desirable. This can have profound negative effects on self-esteem and body image, with individuals feeling insecure about their natural skin tone. Furthermore, the dominance of lightening agents in the cosmetic industry reinforces the idea that lighter skin is preferable, contributing to racial implications and affecting individuals of diverse skin types and backgrounds.

It is important to recognize that skin lightening procedures are not medically necessary and primarily serve cosmetic purposes. While individuals may have varying motivations for considering skin bleaching, it is crucial to be aware of the potential dangers and adverse effects associated with these procedures. Seeking advice from dermatologists or medical professionals is essential before undertaking any skin lightening treatments.

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Skin bleaching creams and their side effects

In 2019, Malaysia Pargo, a star of the reality TV show 'Basketball Wives', was accused by her castmate O.G. of bleaching her skin. Pargo denied the allegation and posted a side-by-side photo of herself as a young girl and a present-day selfie, both showing her with brown skin.

Skin bleaching, or skin lightening, is a cosmetic procedure with no proven health benefits. It is associated with a number of adverse health effects and has been the subject of public health concerns. Skin lightening products come in various forms, including creams, soaps, pills, chemical peels, and laser therapy. While they can reduce dark spots and minimise discolouration caused by sun damage, ageing, or hormonal changes, their use has been linked to several serious side effects.

Skin lightening creams containing mercury have been associated with nephrotic syndrome. Mercury is a highly toxic chemical banned in skin-lightening products in the United States, but products containing mercury are still available on the US market and are sold in stores and online. A 2018 study found that nearly 12% of 549 skin-lightening creams purchased online and in stores contained mercury. Mercury exposure during pregnancy may have harmful effects on the fetus.

Skin lightening products have also been linked to dermatitis, an inflammatory condition with symptoms ranging from mild to severe. Exogenous ochronosis (EO) is a skin disorder that causes blue-black pigmentation on the face and other parts of the body. EO commonly occurs as a result of long-term use of skin lightening creams containing hydroquinone. Additionally, skin whitening creams containing corticosteroids can lead to steroid acne.

Other potential side effects of skin lightening products include peripheral neuropathy, fish odour syndrome, and fetal growth retardation. Squamous cell carcinoma has also been reported. The risk of adverse reactions increases with prolonged use or when the products are used under occlusion.

It is important to consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any skin lightening products to understand the potential benefits and risks.

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The prevalence of skin bleaching in different countries

In 2019, Malaysia Pargo, a cast member of the reality TV show "Basketball Wives", was accused by her co-star O.G. of bleaching her skin. Pargo denied the allegation and posted a side-by-side photo of herself as a young girl and a recent selfie, both showing her with brown skin.

Skin bleaching is a cosmetic procedure that aims to reduce facial discolourations and even out skin tone. While it is commonly associated with addressing pigmentation issues, some people use skin lightening products with the intention of changing their complexion. This practice is prevalent in various parts of the world, and its prevalence differs across countries and regions.

A study on the use of skin lighteners among university students in 26 low, middle-income, and emerging economy countries found a high prevalence of skin lightener use. The study identified social and health-related risk factors associated with the use of these products. For example, male students from lower-income countries with a history of childhood sexual abuse were more likely to use skin lighteners, while female students aged 20-21 years old with depressive symptoms were also more likely to use these products.

According to Google Trends data, search terms related to skin whitening, lightening, and bleaching are most commonly searched in specific regions. "Skin whitening" is most popular in South Asian and West African countries, with Pakistan, Nigeria, and Ghana being the top three countries. "Skin lightening" searches are predominantly from African countries, with Nigeria, Zimbabwe, and Zambia having the highest search volumes. "Skin bleaching" is most frequently searched in Caribbean and African countries, with St. Vincent and Grenadines, Jamaica, and Ghana leading the list.

The global market for skin whitening products was estimated to be $8.8 billion USD in 2022 and is projected to reach $15.7 billion by 2030. Women of colour account for approximately 80% of worldwide sales, with products particularly popular in regions where fair skin and Eurocentric beauty ideals are culturally valued, such as Africa, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and the Caribbean. This preference for lighter skin is rooted in historical contexts of slavery, colonialism, and colourism, where lighter skin tones are associated with higher socioeconomic status and beauty.

While skin bleaching for cosmetic purposes is reported to be high among women in Africa, it is also observed in other regions such as some Asian countries, Caribbean-born populations in America, and certain European countries. A preliminary study in Zimbabwe reported a prevalence of 20% among university students, while another study found a prevalence of 31.15%. In South Africa, a similar prevalence of just above 30% was reported. These studies also highlight the importance of continuous awareness and comprehensive strategies to address the health threats associated with skin bleaching.

Frequently asked questions

During the "Basketball Wives" reunion, OG accused Malaysia Pargo of bleaching her skin. Malaysia responded to the accusation by posting a side-by-side photo of herself as a child and an adult, showing that her complexion hasn't changed.

Malaysia Pargo responded to the bleaching accusations by posting a photo on Instagram, showing herself as a young girl and in a present-day selfie, both wearing Gucci tops. She captioned the photo, "Baby M vs grown up M".

It is unclear if OG reacted to Malaysia Pargo's response as there was no mention of a reaction from her on social media as of the next day.

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