WEESeeYou Sammy Sosa: WTF is going on with your skin?
Congratulations Sammy Sosa, you are an official contender for the Guinness Book of World Records for “Most Human Transformations in a single lifetime.”
Even Michael Jackson confined his transformations to skin coloration and plastic surgery. But through the use of steroids, you have transformed yourself from a skiny Dominican into an overweight albino.
Hattip to Sepia who broke the story of Sosa’s response. According to the New York Daily News, Sosa said:
I’m doing well, doing well, thanks to God. … I use a cream to keep my skin smooth and soft. I apply it before I go to bed. When I was playing for Chicago all those years, I was in the sun a lot for 1 o’clock games. The flashes (from the cameras) also made my skin look lighter.
He also went on disprove speculation that he is trying to become the next Michael Jackson by bleaching his skin:Not at all, I respect him very much. I’m not a racist. I’m not like that. I’m just a happy person.
A female associate described the transition as such…
[Sammy] use to be ‘sweet chocolate,’ but now he is a light-skin mongrel.
So, What’s Next Sammy???
How about an “Incredible Hulk” transformation…
or just go for broke–make the ultimate transformation–get a sex change…
and play Jackee Harry’s “Sandra” role on the 227 Revival.
Seriously though, what do you think is going on with Sammy Sosa?
Is it Vitiligo? Is it self-hatred? Is it product marketing?
Check the W.E.E. Peeps Poll-of-the-Moment and make your voice heard.
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November 12th, 2009
Dang…even as I look at that second pic afresh, it would appear that Sosa is going through a Michael Jackson-ish syndrome.
November 12th, 2009
Hi, Webb:
I may be wrong, but I don't think there is any product that can lighten your skin 5 or 6 shades. It is obvious to tell people who have vitiligo because the skin is almost pink. Vitiligo causes the complete absence of melanin, and the disease starts in spots or patches.
Outbreaks of vitiligo have been attributed to genetics and stress. I can tell you that people in my family are prone to have several 'dots' 3-4 shades lighter than their skin, on arms and legs – I have at least 5. However, my brother developed vitiligo and had to learn stress release techniques as well as undertake an exercise regimen, to stop the spread of the disease. The disease did not show up on his arms or legs, but on the top of his forehead approximately five or six years ago. The disease now appears to be in remission.
So, I guess I'm questioning the term “Micheal Jackson's So-called skin disease” as well as continuing the MSM foolishness about Sammy Sosa. We all know that YT doesn't know a d*** thing about black folk, and particularly how black folks manage skin care.
Having said that, it is possible that the steroids Sammy took has caused a chemical imbalance in his body and since some effects of these drugs really are unique to each individual, perhaps this is a side effect for people of color. Don't know – but I would be willing to bet the house note that this 'skin lightening' is not an intentional, purposeful act.
November 12th, 2009
BWA HAHA!!! Stop it, Webb! Sandra from “227″ LMAO!
Sorry Sammy, I won't begrduge you smooth, soft skin, but I think the skin whitening is intentional.
November 12th, 2009
Sagittarius,
A young guy from my home town has a light white looking patch of skin on his forehead. It's been that way for years. Is that what one would call vitiligo? No one else in his family has it but he has had it since a child.
November 12th, 2009
*dead* @ the 227 pic!
November 12th, 2009
Hi, SG2
I really can't answer that question. Vitiligo has to be diagnosed and untreated, will spread. It is possible that the patch on this young man's skin is completely unrelated to vitiligo.
I also forgot to mention that my brother took medication in addition to the other therapies mentioned in the original comment.
November 12th, 2009
I've noticed that some of my older relatives have those whitish dots on their legs. What exactly is that?
November 12th, 2009
Hey Sagittarius,
Thanks for enlightening me about Vitiligo and sharing you and your brother's personal story.
When I used the expression “so-called,” my intent was to refer back to Michael's claim and not deny the existence of the disease. Thanks for correcting me–the answer has been adjusted.
As for “continuing the MSM foolishness,” it's clear that the MSM is approaching the story from one angle, “Is Sosa trying to be like Michael Jackson?” when there are possibly more dimensions to the issue.
A greater question is how do W.E.E. regard the use of bleaching products in general, since that is what Sosa has now stated is the cause of his “rejuvenation.”
In any event, thanks for elaborating on it all!
November 12th, 2009
LoL, yes, the brotha needs to chill with the “transformations,” if he's really self-inducing his “rejuvenation.”
November 12th, 2009
Hi, Webb:
I appreciate your reply. Heck, I appreciate this website. We learn from and teach each other.
Re: bleaching products – again, I don't think there is any product that can cause such a dramatic change. And yes – I will go there; if there was or is a product that can lighten folks five or six shades, there are many, many, many black folk that would regularly use them. I will not say it is self-hatred, but I will say it may be a form of internalizing the larger societal message of not being 'good enough' in the skin they're in.
November 12th, 2009
Hi, Sepia:
Not sure. As I said, members of my family have these spots, as do I. It is also only on my mom's side though – my dad and his family don't have this condition.
November 12th, 2009
Ohh snap, you just went there!
if there was or is a product that can lighten folks five or six shades, there are many, many, many black folk that would regularly use them. I will not say it is self-hatred, but I will say it may be a form of internalizing the larger societal message of not being 'good enough' in the skin they're in.
Thank You Sagittarius, W.E.E. strengthen our community when we enlighten and engage each other. You strengthened us all this morning.
November 12th, 2009
Great post Sag.
One thing I read was that Sammy had laser facial treatments. I understand his skin was pretty blemished and he was willing to undergo facial peels with a laser. Those lasers can have varied effect on pigmented skin and perhaps that may be a factor in Sosa's loss of facial pigmentation.
I too, am unaware of any prescription products that would lighten a person's skin to such a degree.
Black Americans are not the only people who attempt to bleach their skin tones, colored people all over the world do. Bleaching cremes are a multi-billion dollar business.
I agree with you, in not viewing it as self hatred as well. I think it is the same as how men would process their hair or women get hair relaxers, people simply want to do what is 'fashionably' popular, whether it is hair, clothes, bling or bleaching cremes.
November 12th, 2009
http://www.pharmacymix.com/hydroquinone-creams.htm
Hydroquinone Creams
Everything You wanted to know
Hydroquinone is a skin-bleaching or skin lightening ingredient that may be used anywhere on the face or body to lighten areas of darkened or hyperpigmented skin such as freckles, chloasma (skin darkening caused by hormones), melasma (general skin darkening) and age spots (sometimes referred to as solar lentigenes).
Preparations containing hydroquinone are only available in certain countries. In most countries including the USA and New Zealand a 2% preparation is available without a presription. In Canada, however, hydroquinone is available as a 2% or 4% cream for topical application without a prescription and may be purchased from most pharmacies.
Hydroquinone is available in a number of skin lightening products including Lustra, Glyquin XM, Neostrata HQ and Ultraquin. All may be purchased as a dual sunscreen/skin lightening products. Lustra, Glyquin XM and Neostrata HQ have the added benefit of glycolic acid, an exfoliant that helps to increase the efficacy of hydroquinone by gently removing dead skin cells on the skin surface. Ultraquin does not contain an exfoliant but can be used in conjunction with one. Products such as MaMa Lotion (an alpha hydroxy acid preparation) and Green Cream (a retinol preparation) will complement the action of Ultraquin and other hydroquinone preparations.
How does hydroquinone cream work?
Hydroquinone works by decreasing the production and increasing the breakdown of melanosomes (melanin pigment granules) in the skin's pigment cells (melanocytes). Melanin and melanocytes are responsible for skin coloring. Hydroquinone does this by inhibiting the activity of tyrosinase, the enzyme needed to make melanin.
How effective is hydroquinone cream?
In most cases, some skin lightening will be apparent after 4 weeks of treatment. Though it may take longer to see complete results, generally within 8 to 12 weeks. If no skin lightening effect is seen after using a hydroquinone product after 3 months, then treatment should be discontinued.
November 12th, 2009
Webb, it is clear that you were having a lot of fun with the PhotoShop. You didn't have to do my girl Jackee' like that. LOL.
W.E.E. Peeps Thursday Link Sweep is up.
November 12th, 2009
I keep looking at the picture and I can't get over his ears. If it was from a facial peel, his ears would still be dark right?
I can't get over his ears. He needs to explain why his ears are so damn light….
C'mon Son!! *scrunched up Ed Lover face*
November 12th, 2009
LMAO!!! Your'e killing me, carolinagirl!