Together with journalist Alizée Lambin, we decided to travel across Senegal from south to north, following the coastline and meeting women aged between 12 and 70 to understand why they chose to practice skin bleaching.

Through these conversations, we discovered that the motivations behind the practice varied significantly depending on the region. While some women spoke of beauty ideals, marriage prospects, and social acceptance, others highlighted economic factors, family influence, cultural traditions, or the desire to conform to local standards of femininity. This journey revealed the complexity of skin-lightening practices in Senegal, showing that they cannot be reduced to a single explanation but are deeply connected to each community’s history, social dynamics, and perceptions of beauty.