Temporalities in Depigmentation Practices

Abstract

This text proposes an analysis of the temporalities involved in voluntary depigmentation practices. The study took place in the district "Sokoura" of Bouaké city, Côte d'Ivoire in 2016. Semi-structured individual and focus group interviews were conducted with a variety of social actors: practitioners of depigmentation, nonpractitioners, former practitioners, sellers and manufacturers of lightening products, pharmacists and dermatologists. Research shows that practitioners use specific methods of application of products, depending on time. Representation of body interacts with a representation of the toxicity of lightening products, which in turn contributes to the unequal mobilization of time by the user in his "body techniques".