Misuse of Topical Corticosteroids for Cosmetic Purpose in Antananarivo, Madagascar

Abstract

This cross-sectional study was conducted in Antananarivo, Madagascar, from June to September 2012. We aim to evaluate the misuse of TC on the face for cosmetic purpose and the adverse effects due to its application. A questionnaire-based analysis was done among females who use topical corticosteroids on the face for cosmetic purpose. Of the 770 women questioned, 384 (49,8%) used topical corticosteroids for cosmetic purpose whose mean age was 38 years (range 16–73 years). Two hundred and sixty-one females (68%) used TC combined with handcrafted cosmetics, and 123 (32%) used TC alone. “Pandalao,” which contains salicylic acid, peppermint oil, lanolin, powder of Juanes de Vigo (mercury powder), and Vaseline, is the most handcrafted cosmetic combined with TC in our study (used by 29,4% respondents). Only one (0,26%) had obtained the TC by physician's prescription, 234 (61%) from cosmetic retailers, 92 (23%) directly from local pharmacies, 49 (12%) from beauticians, and 15 (4%) from unspecified sources. Lightening of skin color was the main reason for using TC in 44,8% of respondents in the absence of any primary dermatosis. Pigmentation disorders (63,2%) and cutaneous atrophy (52,1%) were the most adverse effects noted.

The Use of Topical Clobetasol among the Women in Hail Region, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-sectional Study on Knowledge and Practice

“…Craving towards the use of TCs was profound among young females which was also reflected in the findings of other studies [6,10]. The main reason for using TC was to have aesthetic effect [14]. Majority of the participants had higher secondary and graduate level of education as found in a previous study [15] (Table 1).…”

“…Craving towards the was profound among young females which was also reflected in the findings of other studies [6,10]. The main reason for using TCs was to have aesthetic effect [14]. Majority of the participants had higher secondary and graduate level of education as found in a previous study Although participants got motivated from various sources such as relatives, friends, pharmacists, physicians, nurses, beauticians, and internet; relatives and friends were the leading inspiration toward using TCs (Fig.…”

“…The latter study found friends or relatives recommending in about one-third cases, pharmacists (one and internet (less than ten percent) which are even higher than that found in this study [13]. Study by Sendrasoa et al also supported the findings [14]. However, there was extreme lack of knowledge among the users about harmful effects of TCs.…”

Misuse of topical corticosteroids in women in Hail region Saudi Arabia

“…Unfortunately, this side effect is being used by some people to lighten skin pigmentations or to lighten their natural colour or to lighten hyper-pigmentations. [3][4][5] This phenomenon was also found to be used in Saudi for the same purpose. 6 The objective of our study is to assess the misuse of topical corticosteroid on the face among the women in Hail.…”

Use of topical steroids on the face among university students in Saudi Arabia

“…Unfortunately, this side effect is being used by some people to lighten skin pigmentations or to lighten their natural color or to lighten hyper-pigmentations [4][5][6]. This phenomenon was also found to be used in Saudi for the same purpose [7].…”