Skin Bleaching as a Dermatologic Intervention

Combinations of potent topical steroids, mercury and hydroquinone are common in internationally manufactured skin-lightening products: a spectroscopic study

“…Skin-lightening products are used cosmetically to lighten skin colour or clinically for the treatment of dermatological conditions such as melasma and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation. [1][2][3] They may contain a number of active ingredients, including hydroquinone (HQ), mercury (Hg), topical steroids and others, acting either alone or in combination. 4,5 Many skin-lightening active compounds target melanin synthesis, often by inhibiting tyrosinase, the rate-limiting enzyme involved in melanogenesis.…”

The skin bleaching epidemic: Reply to “Regulation of skin lightening agents in the United States and implications for public health”

“…For example, a previous study reported that lighter skin tones are associated with increased socioeconomic opportunities and access to health care. 2 However, the argument of complicity notes the importance of nonmaleficence: physicians have a macro-level moral responsibility to reject beliefs that are rooted in racism. If dermatologists participate in skin bleaching practices for their patients, they are complicit with the practices of structural racism.…”

Next Time, Save Mushrooms for the Pizza!

“…Tyrosinase inhibitors have been marketed and used for the ethically dubious inhibition of constitutive pigmentation, otherwise referred to as skin lightening or skin bleaching. Ethical arguments have been advanced that the use of these products for this purpose perpetuates racial bias and disparities, leading to "macro-level harm" (Imadojemu et al, 2013) beyond any individual harm incurred through their use (Eagle et al 2014). Let's hope that other advances in civilization will ultimately follow the scientific advances described in Mann et al 2018, Figure 1.…”