)
)
Kenyan social media personality Liebe Kiki has announced she is “in the final stages” of reversing the skin bleaching treatment she once underwent, citing childhood trauma as the catalyst behind her decision to significantly lighten her skin tone.
Kiki first emerged online promoting a glamorous lifestyle, captivating audiences with striking visuals and bold fashion choices.
Over time, her skin progressively lightened. A transformation that sparked widespread speculation and scrutiny.
Initially silent about the change, she recently broke her silence in an emotional Instagram post, explaining the deeper motivations behind her bleaching journey.
In her candid revelation, the influencer reflected on how her relationship with her mother affected her self-image.
I was traumatised by how my mum chose to live her life. And I tried to do everything different than how she did. I did it to answer the child in me, she had so many questions growing up. Like, why would you, of all the people, tell me not to call you mum?
Now, Kiki has shifted focus and is taking steps to restore her natural complexion.
READ ALSO: 5 harmful effects of bleaching you probably didn't know
In her update, she reassured followers,
I’m almost there, y’all can breathe now. I got the answers I needed, just had to go crazy lengths to find them
This is a pointed signal that her journey is nearly complete and that she is regaining both her skin tone and self-acceptance.
Her decision to publicly reverse the bleaching process is notable not only for its transparency but for its rarity in a culture often driven by the pursuit of near-perfect aesthetics.
In the same post, Kiki addressed the pressures of maintaining appearances.
Parents can traumatize you sometimes. PS: I was serious about looking good in both shades.
This frank acknowledgment underscores the emotional baggage tied to beauty ideals.
Bleaching, whether through skin‑lightening creams, chemical peels, or other treatments carries well-documented risks: skin irritation, increased UV sensitivity, and long-term pigment damage.
Experts frequently caution against its use for cosmetic purposes.
READ MORE: I bleached after a TV station rejected me for being dark – Bridget Achieng
In acknowledging these dangers, Kiki’s reversal highlights an important aspect of self-care: undoing harmful habits, even at personal cost.
Liebe Kiki’s story resonates in multiple ways.
On one level, it is a cosmetic reversal; on another, it is a narrative of healing from generational and familial wounds.
By placing her social media followers at the center of this process, she invites her audience to bear witness to the reclamation of her natural identity.
It remains to be seen how this journey shapes her content and public image going forward, but her commitment to reversing the bleaching procedure signals a significant personal transformation.
READ ALSO: Common causes of dark undereye circles, ways to reduce them
Liebe Kiki’s announcement is a stark reminder: appearance is often deeply intertwined with emotional history, and undoing the damage, whether physical or psychological, can be a journey worth sharing.