Assessment of Using Cosmetics Containing Hydroquinone among Sudanese Women

H M Osman,Munzir M E Ahmed,E M Babiker,M E Shayoub

doi:10.4236/jcdsa.2015.52009

H M Osman, Munzir M E Ahmed + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4236/jcdsa.2015.52009

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Abstract

Many countries in the world wide banned hydroquinone in cosmetics skin lightening but it is still used in most of Africa countries, including Sudan. Few studies were carried out on the side effect of hydroquinone on Sudanese women. Therefore, the present study was carried out in Khartoum state in April to May/2014 to assess the awareness of Sudanese women about using hydroquinone and its probable risks. The results revealed that, highly using cosmetics containing hydroquinone by women aged between 20 - 29 years (78.3%) as well as by those classified as single (69.6%). The results also showed that the highest percentage of women was using it during evening (81.2%) and a high percentage of them was using it for skin lightening (65.2%), followed by elimination acne (20.3%) and about 10.1% for both skin lightening and elimination of acne and very little (4.3%) for freckle elimination. Moreover, the results showed a very high percentage of women (94.2%) used the chemical without being prescribed by doctors and about (85.5%) of them didn’t know its nature and risks on human health. Consequently, (50.7%) of women have had sides effects, (44.9 %) used more than one and (44.1%) used it regularly. In addition, the results revealed that a wide range of products of this chemical was available in local market with amalico (34.8%) being highly used. The study can conclude that the awareness of Sudanese women about this compound was poor and needs to be raised by health authorities.

Highlights

Cosmetics are care substances used to enhance the appearance or odor of the human body
The results revealed that cosmetics were highly used by women aged between 20 and years (78.3%) followed by the other two groups having nearly equal percentages; 11.6% for those aged between and years and 10.1% for those aged - 50 years
The increasing prevalence of using cosmetics was in this order; 69.6%, 26.1% and 4.3% for the single, married and divorced women, respectively while regarding the time of the day it was in this order; 81.2%, 15.9 and 2.9% during evening, afternoon and in the morning, respectively

Summary

Introduction

Cosmetics (colloquially known as makeup) are care substances used to enhance the appearance or odor of the human body. They are generally mixtures of chemical compounds, some being derived from natural sources but many are synthetic compounds [1]. Hydroquinone is an aromatic compound derived from phenol Hydroquinone is benzene-1,4-diol belonging to the aromatic organic phenol compounds having the chemical formula C6H4(OH). Hydroquinone is benzene-1,4-diol belonging to the aromatic organic phenol compounds having the chemical formula C6H4(OH)2 It is one of the most effective inhibitors of melanogenesis and is widely used for the treatment of melanosis and other related disorders of hyper-pigmentation. Hydroquinone is used in many skin bleaching creams and lotions [3]

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