The Pain of Skin Shaming

A Reflection on Colourism in South Asian Communities

Recently, I witnessed a deeply emotional moment that brought the issue of skin shaming into sharp focus. While my friend, who is of South Asian descent, was getting her nails done by a beautician — also South Asian — a comment was made that cut deeper than intended. The beautician laughingly remarked, “This colour won’t come off, even if you scrub,” referring to my friend’s darker skin tone. Though said in jest, the words carried the weight of a microaggression, a subtle yet painful reminder of how colourism persists, especially within our own communities. This moment of casual cruelty was particularly hurtful because it came from someone who shares the same cultural background — a painful irony that many South Asians will recognise.

Understanding the Roots of Skin Shaming

Skin shaming within South Asian communities has deep historical and cultural roots, influenced by colonialism, the caste system, and societal ideals of beauty. The preference for lighter skin, long ingrained in our societies, can be traced back to British colonial rule, where whiteness was equated with power and privilege. This colonial legacy intertwined with the caste system, reinforcing the notion that fairer skin signified higher social status. Historically…