Text by: Jennifer Manongdo
Photo by: Prof. Zypher Jude Regencia

Zypher Jude Regencia, Ph.D. is set to receive the prestigious SSEA Jeffrey Jensen Arnett Dissertation Award in June 2025 in the U.S. for his dissertation on how Skin Lightening Practices (SLP) influences the mental health of its users. 

Using skin lightening products (SLP) is associated with decreased levels of depression and reduced stress among Filipino emerging adults or young Filipino adults aged between 18 to 29, a new study from the University of the Philippines (UP) Manila revealed. 

Authored by Zypher Jude Regencia as part of the requirements of his Ph.D. program in Health Sciences at the College of Medicine – UP Manila, the study was meant “to shed light on the role of colonialism in the success of the Filipino SLP industry.” Results of the study support the idea that colonialism and globalization influenced the way people look at a lighter complexion. Many people among colonized countries believe that “white is beautiful” and social privilege and prioritization existed for people with lighter skin. 

A nationwide online survey was conducted between Oct. 2022 and April 2023 among 3,127 Filipino emerging adults or young Filipino adults between the ages of 18 to 29 regarding SLP use. Majority of the respondents or 64% were aware of the active ingredients in SLPs and believe that there are benefits to having lighter skin tones. Thirty four percent of the participants use SLP at least once a day, and 28% once a week.  

“Poor mental health conditions, including symptoms of depression and trauma, may drive the use of more SLPs. For some, there exists a positive perception regarding skin lightening. It increases self-esteem, makes one healthier, and expands social engagements,” the dissertation, titled “Effect of Body Image Perception and Skin Lightening Practices on Mental Health of Emerging Filipino Adults: A Mixed Methods Approach” revealed. 

Interestingly, the study pointed out that “the frequency of SLP use suggests being related to anxiety levels in which high frequency of use increased anxiety levels; once-a-week use of SLP may decrease the stress levels among the participants.” 

The author warned that SLP may lead to fragile skin, poor wound healing, scarring, and the need for corrective surgery owing to exposure to hazardous chemical agents which may be present in SLPs. Government campaigns in addressing the health risks and harms associated with skin-lightening are more effective than commercial approaches, Regencia also said. 

The dissertation is slated to receive international recognition from the SSEA Jeffrey Jensen Arnett Dissertation Award in June 2025 in Charleston, South Carolina.

The term “emerging adulthood” was coined by Professor Jeffrey Jensen Arnett from the Department of Psychology at Clark University in Massachusetts, and refers to the period between the late teens until the twenties.#

*Link to the study: https://jphe.amegroups.org/article/view/9809/html

#FP8 #DiscoveryandResearch #UPManila