Derma Institute to train, equip skincare professionals with advanced technology

Nigerian skincare professionals will be undergoing training by the Tropics Derma Research and Training Institute TDRTI using advanced technological devices that can detect issues with the skin and give suggestions on treatments.

 

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The Minister of Innovation Science and Technology Uche Nnaji, who stated this during the signing ceremony of Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry and Tropics Derma Research and Training Institute said this was needed to get rid of harmful skincare products posing health risks to many Nigerians, particularly women.

 

He emphasized that the partnership offers innovative, science-backed skincare solutions to combat harmful practices and provide safer alternatives.

 

“The rise in the use of harmful skincare products, especially those containing substances like hydroquinone and steroids, poses serious health risks to many Nigerians, particularly women. The long-term effects of these unregulated products, such as hormonal imbalances and irreversible skin damage, are alarming”. He said.

 

The Minister noted that the initiative is being enhanced by the Institute’s commitment to train professionals and equip them with skills in cosmeceutical sciences and tropical dermatology.

 

This partnership also extends beyond consumer protection. It fosters local manufacturing and raises product standards through collaboration with key research institutions such as the Federal Institute of Industrial Research (FIIRO) and the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI). By encouraging local production, we aim to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on harmful, unregulated imports and build a safer, high-quality beauty industry.

 

Nnaji stressed that the collaboration exemplifies the transformative power of science, technology, and innovation in tackling public health challenges and promoting sustainable growth.

 

The permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Esuabana Nko Asanye welcomed the institute and their initiative which help in changing the African mindset of thinking their skin have problems and bleaching it to look like that of the whites.

 

She noted that the initiative will add value to the skin care raw materials locally manufactured in the country.

 

The Chief Executive Officer of Tropics Derma Research and Training Institute, Dr. Edith Gibson said that their newly innovative technology is designed to address skincare of Africans and will open a lot of opportunities in the beauty and health industry.

 

“The software can analyze skin, come up with data, analyze data and come up with treatment plan, and all we have to do is to teach professionals how to follow the treatment plan” she said.

 

She added that the skin bleaching pandemic affecting Africans is mainly an effort of those trying to treat their skin pigmentations ending up in the hands of unprofessionals suggesting bleaching alternatives as a means of skincare.

 

“As far as the cosmetics go, we were able to not only choose the right kind of active ingredients that will work for our skin but we were able to also introduce a specific delivery system which is of the nano technology and liquid encapsulation. So we are able to deliver active ingredients without causing any inflammation.” She noted.

 

Dr Gibson stressed that Africans naturally hyper pigment due to the nature of the climate in the region which makes their skin challenges unique and should deploy the suitable solutions for their skin rather than consuming foreign products not meant for them.