Cosmetic use of skin‐bleaching products and associated complications

Pitché, P.; Kombaté, K.; Tchangaï-Walla, K.

doi:10.1111/j.1365-4632.2005.02811.x

Cited by 32 publications

(36 citation statements)

References 4 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Reported use among participants was high at 65%. The finding of a high prevalence of skin lightening is consistent with literature and similar to prevalence found in studies in West Africa, namely, Dakar, Senegal (52.7%) 15 ; Lome, Togo (58.9%) 7 ; and Bamako, Mali (25%). 31 The high prevalence of hypopigmentation suggests the use of highly effective products like very potent corticosteroids or high concentration of hydroquinone.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

“…[1][2][3][4] Skin lightening remains a common practice among men and women within some countries in Africa, Asia, and North and South America using different varieties of cosmetics, toiletries, and other depigmenting agents. [5][6][7][8] The active ingredients in these cosmetic products are hydroquinone, mercury, and corticosteroids, and the concentrations exceed the recommended values. 9 Most of the skin lightening agents consist of a benzene derivative, which has well-known carcinogenic properties, 9 and others such as hydroquinone, which is fetotoxic in humans 10 and animals.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Use of skin-lightening products among selected urban communities in Accra, Ghana

et al. 2016

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of skin-lightening products among selected urban communities in Accra, Ghana

et al. 2016

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…46 Unfortunately governments cannot address the issue through policy changes alone. [46][47][48][49] suggested that in order to initiate real change, destigmatisation of dark skin needs to be advocated, and subsequent studies acknowledging the realities of these motivations are needed. Others suggest that more pressure on corporations to change their concept of beauty may be influential in discouraging skin bleaching.…”

Section: Policies and Recommendationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

phenomenon of skin lightening: Is it right to be light?

Davids¹,

Wyk²,

Khumalo³

et al. 2016

S. Afr. J. Sci.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Chemicals capable of lightening the skin – variously known as skin-bleaching, skin-lightening, depigmenting, skin-evening and skin-brightening agents – are among the most commonly used skin preparations in the world. Globally, Africa reportedly exhibits a high prevalence of skin lightener use. In this review, we provide both clinical and social perspectives on skin lightener use in Africa, with particular emphasis on South Africa. We narratively explore the timeline associated with skin lightener use in South Africa and attempt to interweave the social rhetoric of this specific paradigm. Despite the risks associated with exposing the skin to known constituents of these formulations, such as hydroquinone and mercury, chronic use continues. In spite of legislation banning hydroquinone and mercury in cosmetics in South Africa, these ingredients are present in widely available products. We recommend better implementation of policies and greater ethical responsibility of multinational cosmetic companies in addition to the initiation of a system of random product testing and penalties that could improve industry compliance.

show abstract

“…17 Currently, skin bleaching continues to have an impact on dermatological practice in many sub-Saharan African communities, with prevalence rates of this practice in community and clinic settings documented to be between 26% and 67%. [7][8][9][18][19][20][21][22] This estimate is based on descriptive studies and surveys on the cosmetic use of cutaneous depigmenting agents conducted in community-and/or hospital-based settings via questionnaires and/or interviews. In fact, most of the knowledge acquired about the practice and complications of skin bleaching originates primarily from such studies performed in sub-Saharan African countries.…”

Section: Africamentioning

confidence: 99%

Skin bleaching: highlighting the misuse of cutaneous depigmenting agents

Dadzie

Petit

2009

Acad Dermatol Venereol

100

130

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Hydroquinone and other cutaneous depigmenting agents are widely used by dermatologists to treat pigmentary disorders. On 29 August 2006, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published a monograph in the US Federal Register proposing to ban all hydroquinone products that have not been approved via a New Drug Application process. Reports in the scientific literature on the occurrence of exogenous ochronosis, in relation to the use of hydroquinone, was one of the concerns expressed by the FDA in relation to this agent. However, a review of the English-language scientific literature reveals that most of the reported cases of hydroquinone-induced exogenous ochronosis occurs in Africa, where the cultural practice of skin bleaching is highly prevalent. Skin bleaching is the practice of applying hydroquinone and/or other depigmenting agents to specific or widespread areas of the body, the primary function being to lighten normally dark skin. This practice typically occurs in men and women with Fitzpatrick skin phototypes IV to VI. It is a dangerous practice associated with a diverse range of side-effects, including mercury poisoning. Thus, this current discussion within the dermatological community on the safety of hydroquinone provides a unique opportunity to raise awareness about skin bleaching.

show abstract

Cosmetic use of skin‐bleaching products and associated complications

Cited by 32 publications

References 4 publications

Use of skin-lightening products among selected urban communities in Accra, Ghana

Use of skin-lightening products among selected urban communities in Accra, Ghana

phenomenon of skin lightening: Is it right to be light?

Skin bleaching: highlighting the misuse of cutaneous depigmenting agents

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About