‘80% of Nigerian men want their women to be fair’ – Nollywood Actress Susan Maxwell on Why She Bleached

Nollywood actress Susan Maxwell is known for her role in Yoruba movies and also for side business as a skin care specialist.

In this interview with Nation newspaper she opens up on why she bleached her skin and why a lot of people seem to be going in that direction lately.

Read excerpts from her interview below.

On her movie career & turning to skin care: Movie making has been a part of me since childhood. I started from my church drama group. When I felt it was time to bring out what I had to people who know more than I do in the field, I joined a group in my area at Ipaja. A year later, I shot my first movie, Isawuru, in 2007, directed by Murphy Afolabi, and that was the movie that brought me to the limelight. The marketer approached me to do another movie and the same year we shot another movie called Nkan to ba gba, directed by Odunlabi Adekola. Later on, I got another vision for my skin care business which I started officially in 2010, but started in my house in 2009, and that pulled me out of the industry. Now this business pays me more than acting.

On her skin care business: When I started my skin care business, I thought it was for people who needed to brighten their skin. With time, I got clients with serious medical problems. In some cases, I’ve had to protect myself because of the severity. Some clients came to me after visiting several hospitals. I was their last resort and by God’s grace they used my products and the story changed for better. This has spurred me on. I started with a short formal training, and with personal research and talent; I have only had positive results. Many people are of the opinion that light-skinned ladies are more attractive, and everything they wear shows off better and that is why I am here to help people enhance their complexion. I used to be very dark; I never thought I could become as fair as I am. I did it because I want to practice what I preach. I want them to see me and be blown away, especially those who knew me when I was dark. Because what I’m giving people isn’t something that would damage their skin but repair their skin, I use it on myself as well. If I wasn’t in this line of business, I probably wouldn’t have toned my skin at all. I don’t call it bleaching. I call it skin restoration.

On black being beautiful: In Nigeria, people believe our weather doesn’t encourage them to maintain their dark complexions, often getting uneven skin tones because of the harsh rays of the sun. Most people believe when they are fair, rain or shine, they have something constant to maintain. Most of my clients are above 18, and if they want to be white, I give them what they want. Black is beautiful, but I have no qualms with enhancing your complexion. 80% of Nigerian men want their women to be fair. They want a lady that draws attention to them. I’ve worked with many married women who complain of their men staring at fair women and they say to me, “Susan, make me fair, I want to be attractive to my man!” Some women have said their sons want them to visit their schools because they want to show off their fair mother. Clients all over the world have asked for my products. Black is beautiful but there is nothing wrong with enhancing your complexion. Acting is my passion, skin care is my life. Acting has helped my business because people recognise me and are relaxed around me because they know I wouldn’t want to tarnish my image.

On getting respect: I have tried many businesses. Clothing, hair, makeup etc but skin treatment has brought me a lot of respect.