Zimpapers Logo

Some of the women are pencil-slim and have flat backs while others have big tummies and bulging waistlines that make them appear pregnant.
But despite their differences, one thing attracts the women to the shop: they are all looking to alter their present appearances.

While in the past some women bought and took pills to enhance their appearances – if they were not the gym-going or dieting type – now women have another tool in the seemingly endless quest to look “good and attractive”.
The shop mentioned above has become a hive of activity as many women jostle to lay their hands on the newest weapon in the war to keep young and attractive.

The shop has in stock a plethora of soaps and creams that promise everything from instant virginity to hip and bum enlargement.
Products such as “virginity” soap, “massaging” soap, “active bums enlarging” cream, “lift hip-up”, “slimming” gel, ‘breast firming’ cream and a male performance-enhancing ‘big boy’ soap are in stock and are going for between US$4 and US$17.

The products are said to be manufactured in France, Thailand and Dubai.
An employee at the shop said women were rushing to buy the products.
“Our stock does not last long. You are lucky to get them because we have just purchased new stock.

“Women are trying by all means to look attractive that is the reason they are going for these products,” he said.
He added that his customers were not buying one but many products.
“You see,” he intimated, “they want to try everything and if the beauty can be holistic the better for them.”

He said there were now regulars at the shop.
“The response has been overwhelming and you find the customers coming over and over again,” he said.
He said that he had not received any complaints of side effects of these products.

And a cursory look at the products provides mouth-watering prospects for those desperately looking for beauty.
‘Virginity’ soap, which is manufactured in Thailand is said to be able to tighten the women’s private parts.
It is inscribed, “A mild but effective cleansing soap for tightening vaginal muscle, refreshing and killing bacteria effects.

“It contains natural herb extracts for cleansing women’s most sensitive area without irritation.
“It helps relieve and protect skin from bacteria infections, inflation itching and unpleasant odor. You will feel cleansed and fresh plus tighter inside.”
The ‘breast-firming’ cream, also manufactured in Thailand, has Soya and Ginseng extracts.

It claims: “Enrichment by herbal extracts substances of Alfalfa, Flavosterone and Genistin which maintain and improve breast firming as a young and most effectiveness to enhance nourishing, support firmness and lift up breast.
“Regular use will stimulate metabolic activity and strengthen connective tissue.”

The “7 Days” slimming gel is said to reduce cellulite of skin and burn fatty acids effectively and easily.
According to the manufacturer it ‘helps to lose weight without strenuous exercise and without giving up favourite foods.’
One woman said she had been using the slimming gel for the past two months and there had been some change in her figure.

“Maybe it is only a perception of mine because I’m looking forward to slimming but I think it is working although not as claimed on the product.
“I will continue using it and see what comes out,” she said.
Another woman said she had bought the male performance soap just to try it.
“It worked,” she claimed.

“I now buy it regularly and my partner loves it.”
However, there has not been any joy for one woman who identified herself as Joyce.
Joyce, an Avenues resident, said she bought the so-called breast-firming cream.
“It never worked; after all how can a mere cream cause the breast to firm?

“My doubts have been confirmed. These things won’t work and it’s all about companies trying to dupe people into losing their hard-earned cash.”
Looking at the products, which all call for regular use, it would seem that this fear is not unfounded.
On the other hand, all those who used the products said that they did not know the possible side-effects of the products.
Authorities are worried.

In an interview with The Herald, Health and Child Welfare deputy Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora said Government was coming up with a policy to regulate these products.
Some of these products, said Dr Mombeshora, needed to be registered as they are classified as drugs because of their components (ingredients).
“Products like this slimming gel, massaging soap and lift hip up need to be registered as drugs.
“Some of their ingredients are drugs and drugs interfere with metabolism of the body. Drugs have different types of effects on the body.

“Some drugs have side effects and the problem with these products is that they don’t state the quantities (how many milligrams used) of the drugs involved,” he said.
On ‘Virginity’ and ‘Big boy’ soaps, Dr Mombeshora said the problem was that the manufacturers did not state the ingredients as well as the side effects of the products.
“These soaps do not fall into the drugs category. The problem is that we are not aware of the components.
“The problem comes when somebody uses it and complains about irritation then the best solution would be to stop,” he said.
Dr Mombeshora said the Traditional Medicines Practitioners Council (TMPC) had been assigned to look into the products.

“We want to regulate these products and they need to be looked into and we have assigned TMPC to do that.”
He noted that these products were being smuggled into the country making it difficult to regulate them on the market.
“We must really come up with a policy to control these products but people continue to smuggle them.

“Imagine licensed pharmacies smuggle medicines into the streets what more of these products?” he said.
Dr Mombeshora, however, questioned why people bothered themselves using these products.
“These products have challenges and why do people scramble for them?

“How do you shrink your breast without a chemical action?
“Do women want to be virgins by using these soaps?

“What I know is that in places like Europe, some women undergo surgical reconstruction of the hymen when they are about to get married because it’s their culture and in our culture I do not see the reason why women are buying these products,” he said.

Many people seeking to become “eternal teenagers” are not likely to be as wary.
Already there is a range of drugs that are being abused for the purposes of enhancing beauty and body shape.

The most pervasive of these is a drug called “Apetito” which is available for only a dollar for a packet of the pills.
The drug is used to treat migraines.

It states that it can cause “minor weight gain” due to increase in appetite and it is this aspect that is being sought by some women leading to the drug’s abuse.
Social commentator and television talk show host Rebecca Chisamba says it would seem that Zimbabwe is back to the Stone Age again as people are failing to heed advice against abuse of drugs to purportedly gain beauty.

“It shows that we have debased ourselves and now believe that one can not be beautiful without artificial enhancements.
“We are a nation with civilisation but when people do such degrading things it actually shows we lack that civilisation,” she said.

She urged women to appreciate their natural beauty.
On the other hand, the popular commentator expressed dismay over the laxity in the system whereby these products were allowed onto the market.

“Where are the law enforcement agents when the country is being flooded with such products?
“Authorities must do their jobs,” she said.