[Complications of cosmetic skin bleaching in Africa].

Abstract

Use of cosmetic products to bleach or lighten the skin is common among dark-skinned women in some sub-Saharan African countries. Long-term use of some pharmacologic compounds (e.g. hydroquinone, glucocorticoids and mercury) can cause adverse effects including dermatologic disorders such as dyschromia, exogenous ochronosis, acne and hypertrichosis, prominent striae, tinea corporis, pyoderma, erysipelas, scabies, and contact dermatitis and systemic complications such as hypertension, hypercorticism or surrenal deficiency, and mercurial nephropathy.

• Authors: J J Morand, F Ly, E Lightburn, A Mahé
• Journal: Medecine tropicale : revue du Corps de sante colonial (Med Trop (Mars)) Vol. 67 Issue 6 Pg. 627-34 (Dec 2007) ISSN: 0025-682X [Print] France
• Vernacular Title: Complications de la dépigmentation cosmétique en Afrique.
• PMID: 18300529 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Cosmetics
• Dermatologic Agents
• Glucocorticoids
• Hydroquinones
• Salicylates
• Mercury
• hydroquinone

Topics

• Africa
• Black People
• Cosmetics (adverse effects)
• Dermatologic Agents (adverse effects)
• Glucocorticoids (adverse effects)
• Humans
• Hydroquinones (adverse effects)
• Mercury (adverse effects)
• Salicylates (adverse effects)
• Skin Diseases (chemically induced)
• Skin Pigmentation (drug effects)