Use Of Skin-lightening Creams Research Articles

EFFECTS OF COMMONLY AVAILABLE WHITENING CREAMS ON THE HAIR FOLLICLES OF GUINEA PIG SKIN

BACKGROUND: The trend of lightening the skin is becoming a serious problem. Depigmentation creams are widely available as nonprescription cosmetic preparations in many local markets and shops.
 OBJCETIVES: To determine the effects of over the counter available skin whitening creams on the hair follicles of guinea pig skin. To highlight the significance of awareness in general population about the use of non-prescription skin lightening creams.
 METHODS: Sample size of 48 adult, guinea pigs were used in this experiment. The animals were randomly divided into four groups. Group I (control group) this group was applied with no cream and group II, III and IV (experimental groups) all were applied with skin whitening creams A, B and C respectively once every day, six days a week for four and eight weeks duration. The skin specimens were examined at histological level.
 RESULTS: Microscopic examination after 4 weeks duration showed variable degree of increased size of hair follicles from 104.8µm in group l to the maximum of 130.5µm in group lll. The effects were exaggerated after eight weeks duration.
 
 CONCLUSION: The use of skin lightening creams caused varying degrees of side effects so damage the skin.

Self-use of skin-bleaching products among women attending a family medicine clinic: A cross-sectional study

Background: The use of skin-lightening creams is common and widespread in African, Asian, and North American colored no brown to dark. Use of skin-bleaching agents has been reported in Saudi Arabia. The long-term use of these products for several months to years may cause cutaneous or systemic side effects. Purpose: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of self-use of skin-bleaching agents among Saudi women as well as the level of awareness, attitudes, and practice toward the use of these agents. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted by the selection of systematic random sampling of female attending the Family Medicine Clinic at Prince Mansour Military Hospital. The data collected by a structured questionnaire included information about background variables and attitudes, awareness, and practice regarding the use of skin-bleaching agents. The data were analyzed using statistical software to yield descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: A total of 358 women aged between 18 and 55 years were included in this study. Nearly 25% of the women were current users of skin-bleaching agents, while 39.6% were only previous users. About a third of women used bleaching creams in the treatment of hypo or hyperpigmented skin and 29.4% used them for cosmetic purposes. Regarding the source of these agents, 38% of women obtained them by medical prescription and 27.8% were from pharmacy without prescription. The reason for using skin-bleaching creams varied: 51.6% of females used creams to increase beauty, 51% for making a new look, 6% for increasing self-confidence, and 4.3% to increase the stability of marriage. Almost 56% of the women reported that cortisone is the most dangerous component in the skin-bleaching agents. Nearly 33% of the women reported being willing to use a quick whitening agent from an unknown source. Higher education and higher income were associated with greater use of skin-lightening creams. Conclusion: The lifetime use of skin-bleaching agents was relatively high, divided evenly on cosmetic and curative purposes. The level of awareness about these agents is low because a considerable proportion of respondents agreed to use agents from unknown sources, in addition to the high use of skin-bleaching agents obtained without medical or pharmacist consultation.

Knowledge, pattern and determinants of the use of skin-lightening creams among University Undergraduates in Southwestern Nigeria

Background: Fair skin has been associated with beauty and sexual attraction. Aggressive marketing of skin-lightening products to unsuspecting members of the general population continues despite their numerous side effects. Aim: This study assessed the knowledge and pattern of the use of skin-lightening creams (SLCs) among undergraduates in Osun State, Southwestern Nigeria. Methods: This is a descriptive, cross-sectional study among University undergraduates. Three hundred undergraduates were selected using multistage sampling method. The research instrument used was a semi-structured, self-administered, pretested questionnaire. Data were analysed using the SPSS version 23.0 software. Results: The mean age of the students was 21.0 (±3.4) years. Most (283, i.e., 94.3%) of the students were aware of SLCs, with the Internet being the most common source of information. About 69.0% had good knowledge, while 67.0% had a poor attitude towards the use of SLC. Eighty-one (27.0%) respondents knew that SLC had side effects, 114 (38.0%) had ever used SLC, 69 (60.5%) still use SLC now, while 45 (39.5%) have stopped. Among those who had ever used, 108 (94.7%) said that they knew the chemical ingredient in SLC, 34 (29.8%) usually checked the label before use, 108 (94.7%) usually obtained SLC products from the supermarkets/shops. Predictors of the use of SLC in this study were female and age older than 19 years. Conclusion: Good knowledge but poor attitude characterised the significant proportion of SLC users under the study, and this underscored the need for improved public awareness in this regard and targeting this young, vulnerable population.

Use of skin lightening creams among female University students in Zimbabwe: a preliminary survey

Objective: To explore the prevalence and beliefs around use of skin lighteners among female university students at the University of Zimbabwe.
 Methods and Materials: We conducted a descriptive cross sectional survey to ascertain the prevalence and correlates of use of skin lightening creams among a sample of 138 female university students (mean age 22years, SD=1.73) who responded to self-administered questionnaires.
 Results: Prevalence of use of skin lightening creams among the respondents was 20%. Most of the women (83.3%) preferred lighter skin tone, and 93.3% perceived light skin as a symbol of beauty, 65% as a sign of wealth and 23.3% as symbolizing power.
 Conclusions: Results from this survey provide a preliminary evidential entry point for health promotion interventions in a potentially influential subgroup of society.

Use of skin lightening creams among female University students in Zimbabwe: a preliminary survey

Objective: To explore the prevalence and beliefs around use of skin lighteners among female university students at the University of Zimbabwe.Methods and Materials: We conducted a descriptive cross sectional survey to ascertain the prevalence and correlates of use of skin lightening creams among a sample of 138 female university students (mean age 22years, SD=1.73) who responded to self-administered questionnaires.Results: Prevalence of use of skin lightening creams among the respondents was 20%. Most of the women (83.3%) preferred lighter skin tone, and 93.3% perceived light skin as a symbol of beauty, 65% as a sign of wealth and 23.3% as symbolizing power.Conclusions: Results from this survey provide a preliminary evidential entry point for health promotion interventions in a potentially influential subgroup of society.

Self-use of Skin Bleaching Products among Female Attending Family Medicine Clinic at Prince Mansour Military Hospital, Taif 2017

Introduction: The cosmetic use of skin bleaching products is a common practice in colored-skinned women. The use of skin lightening creams is common and widespread in the African, Asian, and North American populations. Use of skin bleaching agents has been reported in Saudi Arabia. The long-term use of these products for several months to years may cause cutaneous or systemic side-effects. Aims: This study aimed was to assess the prevalence of self-use of skin bleaching agents among Saudi women as well as the level of awareness, attitudes and practice towards use of these agents. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted by selection of systematic random sampling of female attending family medicine clinic at Prince Mansour Military Hospital. The data collected by structured questionnaire included information about background variables, attitudes, awareness and practice regarding use of skin bleaching agents. The data were analyzed using statistical software to yield descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: A total of 358 women aged between 18-55 years old were included in this study. About 25% of the women were current users of skin bleaching agents, while 39.6% were only previous users. Thus, more than half of these women were either current or previous users, while 12% of them used creams previously and still use it currently. About a third of women used bleaching creams as treatment for hypo or hyperpigmented skin and 29.4% used them for cosmetic purposes. Regarding the source of these agents, 38% of women obtaining them by medical prescription and 27.8% were from pharmacy without prescription, while the remaining women obtaining them from the market. Reason of using skin bleaching creams was varying among females, 51.6% of females used creams for increase beauty, 51% for making a new look, 6% for rising self-confidence, and 4.3% to increase stability of marriage. About 56% of women reported that cortisone is the most dangerous component in the skin bleaching agents. About 33% of women agreed to use a quick whitening agent from an unknown source. Significant associations were detected between use of skin bleaching agents and each of education, income, and occupation, while the associations with marital status and age were not statistically significant. Conclusion: The lifetime use of skin bleaching agents was relatively high divided evenly on cosmetic and curative purposes. The level of awareness about these agents is low since a considerable proportion of them agreed to use agents from unknown sources. In addition to high use of skin bleaching agents obtained without medical or pharmacist consultation.

Potential health consequences of applying mercury-containing skin-lightening creams during pregnancy and lactation periods.

Many studies have highlighted the widespread use of skin-lightening creams containing mercury by women during and after pregnancy to remove dark spots. Women, especially pregnant and lactating mothers using these products are at risk of mercury poisoning because sometimes it has no clinical symptoms, particularly during early exposure. Studies have shown that prenatal and postnatal mercury exposure can cause permanent neurological damage in children. Furthermore, mercury can cause women infertility and birth defects. Even though several studies have examined the reproductive and/or developmental consequences of gestational and lactational mercury exposure from fish consumption and/or dental amalgam, no studies have assessed the possible effects of the long-term use of mercury-containing skin-lightening products by women of childbearing age on their pregnancy outcome and children's health. This commentary aims to collate information on the popular use of mercury-containing skin-lightening creams and sheds the light to the readers about the limitations of the available data on its impact during a prenatal and/or postnatal period. There is an urgent need to assess the adverse health effects of applying these products during pregnancy or lactation on child growth and development through birth cohort studies. Until data from these studies are available, women should be advised not to use topical skin-lightening creams during pregnancy and lactation.

Predictors of mercury (Hg) exposure in breast-fed infants

This study was designed to investigate potential factors that might affect Hg exposure in mothers and their breast-fed infants. Total Hg was measured in the urine and breast milk of 155 mothers (18-42 yrs) and 102 infants (2.5-12.8 mon) living in Riyadh, the Capital of Saudi Arabia. The median (25th-75th) of Hg levels in mother’s urine, breast milk, and infant’s urine were respectively: 0.98 (0.6-1.68?g/g-Cr), 1.08 (0.77-1.40?g/L), and 5.27 (1.97-10.09?g/g-Cr). 48% of mothers and 89% of infants had urinary Hg>1µg/g-Cr (the GerES reference value for adults and children without amalgam fillings). Though Hg in the urine of mother and their infants were correlated (P=0), borderline significant relationship was found between Hg in mother’s urine and breast milk (P=0.077). Bivariate analysis revealed that the use of skin-lightening creams was significantly associated with Hg in mother’s urine (P=0.029) and breast milk (P=0.048). The location of current residence was related to Hg in infant’s urine (P=0.002) and mother’s milk (P=0). Only Hg in infant’s urine was associated with smoking status (P=0.025). Urinary Hg levels were significantly higher in infants who are taking milk formula (P=0.022). No association was seen between the use of dental amalgam fillings or fish consumption and the levels of Hg in the urine or breast milk. Among demographic and socioeconomic factors, only parity (P=0.01), and the number of breast-fed children (P=0.005) had a negative effect on Hg in breast milk. Likewise, there was negative association between infant’s age and their urinary Hg levels (P=0.046). The results of the present study confirm the transfer of Hg from the mother to infants through breast-feeding. Though there might be other sources of Hg exposure that need further investigation, our current findings corroborate our earlier observation linking elevated levels in Hg to the use of skin-lightening creams.

Skin lightening cream induced dermatitis and atrophy

We present the case of a Malian woman who had been using skin-lightening creams for an excess of 5 years. On presentation to our clinic she had multiple areas of atrophy and striae with erythema. She had been using a topical estrogen cream over all effected areas for two weeks. We present this case to draw attention to the serious problem of widespread and unregulated use of skin lightening creams in Africa. Herein we include a review of the literature on the prevalence of the problem as well as associated side effects of commonly implicated medications.

Cutaneous annular sarcoidosis developing on a background of exogenous ochronosis: a report of two cases and review of the literature

Exogenous (cosmetic) ochronosis is caused by the long term use of skin-lightening creams containing hydroquinone. Three cases of systemic sarcoidosis with cutaneous sarcoidal granulomas, which developed on ochronotic skin were last described by Jacyk in 1995. Dogliotti and Leibowitz previously reported cases of granulomatous ochronosis with sarcoid-like histological changes but with no associated systemic sarcoidosis. We report two additional cases of cutaneous sarcoidal granulomas, which developed on a background of cosmetic ochronosis in patients recently diagnosed with systemic sarcoidosis.

The widespread use of skin lightening creams in Senegal: a persistent public health problem in West Africa.

The use of skin lightening creams is common in the female population of some African countries. The long-term use of certain products for several months to years may cause cutaneous adverse effects. From 1992 to 1993, we conducted an epidemiologic and clinical study in Dakar, Senegal. Women were questioned about the use of skin lightening creams and examined for potential adverse skin reactions. Six hundred and eighty-five Senegalese women participated in the study. Twenty-six per cent of women were using skin lightening creams at the time and 36% had used them at some time. The most common products used were hydroquinone and corticosteroids, but 25% of women had used products of unknown composition. Seventy-five per cent of women using such creams showed cutaneous adverse effects. Facial acne was the most common adverse effect. A major part of the female adult population of Senegal used skin lightening creams. The long-term use of these creams is responsible for a high rate of cutaneous adverse effects. This practice has also been reported in other countries from sub-Saharan Africa and suggests a widespread use in the African population.

Environmentally Induced Vitiligo (Leucoderma) from Depigmenting Agents and Chemicals

AbstractDepigmentation of the skin due to the melanocytotoxic or melanocytocidal properties of certain chemicals, particularly alkylated phenols and catechols, is now a well recognized and disfiguring occupational skin disorder. Recovery is often minimal. The chemicals responsible may be absorbed systemically causing widespread patches of depigmentation indistinguishable from natural vitiligo. Similar problems can arise from the injudicious use of skin lightening creams. The capacity of different melanotoxic chemicals to cause depigmentation varies and may be enhanced under certain conditions. The use and depigmenting properties of these chemicals are, therefore, discussed in depth together with methods of investigating and preventing environmentally induced vitiligo.

Levels of mercury in urine correlated with the use of skin lightening creams.

The pattern of use of mercury-containing skin lightening creams in a group of young healthy African women was strikingly reflected by the excretion of mercury in urine. Although the levels of mercury in urine frequently associated with manifestations of systemic toxicity were not observed, the mean concentration of mercury in urine, at random sampling, was significantly more than the acceptable upper limit of normal in the group of subjects using mercury-containing skin lightening creams at the time of study. When use of these preparations was discontinued, progressive reduction in mercury concentration in urine Was manifest. Continued use, however, resulted in a variable pattern of subsequent excretion of mercury in urine for which a probable explanation is presented. No definite evidence o of renal damage was obtained, and in particular there were no stigmata of the nephrotic syndrome. The previously published data concerning the association of the nephrotic syndrome with exposure to mercury is reviewed. It is felt that in this respect the subjects of this study constitute a vulnerable population.