Abstract:Cosmetic skin lightening with unregulated topical products occurs in Canada. Dermatologists working in Canada need to be aware of this practice to provide appropriate directive care.
“…This study shows that the problem of the presence of toxic active agents at high concentrations in lightening products arises in all the countries we studied. Other studies have also reported that many lightening products sold in certain countries such as Ivory Coast, Mali, Senegal, and other lightening products used in some Canadian immigrant communities, contain many toxic active agents (Hamann et al, 2014, Mistry et al, 2011, Uram et al, 2010, Ake et al, 2007, Mahe et al, 2007, Mahé et al, 2004, Del Giudice et al, 2003, Mahé et al, 1993. Several of these studies have found very high concentrations of mercury in creams and soaps; notably, soaps purchased in Tanzania stand out for unknown reasons compared to those from other countries ( Table 2).…”
Section: Are Concentrations Of Toxic Ingredients Found In Skin-lightementioning
Skin lightening products are types of cosmetics (creams, gels, lotions and soaps) applied voluntarily on skin. Several of these products contain a variety of active ingredients that are highly toxic. Among those toxic agents, the present study focuses on mercury, hydroquinone, and clobetasol propionate. Out of the 93 lightening soaps and 98 creams purchased in large city markets in sub-Saharan West Africa and in small ethnic shops in Canada, 68-84% of all creams and 7.5-65% of all soaps exceeded regulatory guidelines for at least one active ingredient when considering different regulations. Mercury was found in high concentrations mainly in soaps, while hydroquinone and clobetasol propionate concentrations exceeded US FDA standards in some creams for all countries included in our study. Concentrations of the three compounds declared on labels of soaps and creams usually did not correspond to concentrations actually measured, particularly for mercury and hydroquinone. Overall, our results indicate that most studied skin-lightening products are potentially toxic and that product labels are frequently inaccurate with respect to the presence of toxic agents.
“…This study shows that the problem of the presence of toxic active agents at high concentrations in lightening products arises in all the countries we studied. Other studies have also reported that many lightening products sold in certain countries such as Ivory Coast, Mali, Senegal, and other lightening products used in some Canadian immigrant communities, contain many toxic active agents (Hamann et al, 2014, Mistry et al, 2011, Uram et al, 2010, Ake et al, 2007, Mahe et al, 2007, Mahé et al, 2004, Del Giudice et al, 2003, Mahé et al, 1993. Several of these studies have found very high concentrations of mercury in creams and soaps; notably, soaps purchased in Tanzania stand out for unknown reasons compared to those from other countries ( Table 2).…”
Section: Are Concentrations Of Toxic Ingredients Found In Skin-lightementioning
Skin lightening products are types of cosmetics (creams, gels, lotions and soaps) applied voluntarily on skin. Several of these products contain a variety of active ingredients that are highly toxic. Among those toxic agents, the present study focuses on mercury, hydroquinone, and clobetasol propionate. Out of the 93 lightening soaps and 98 creams purchased in large city markets in sub-Saharan West Africa and in small ethnic shops in Canada, 68-84% of all creams and 7.5-65% of all soaps exceeded regulatory guidelines for at least one active ingredient when considering different regulations. Mercury was found in high concentrations mainly in soaps, while hydroquinone and clobetasol propionate concentrations exceeded US FDA standards in some creams for all countries included in our study. Concentrations of the three compounds declared on labels of soaps and creams usually did not correspond to concentrations actually measured, particularly for mercury and hydroquinone. Overall, our results indicate that most studied skin-lightening products are potentially toxic and that product labels are frequently inaccurate with respect to the presence of toxic agents.
“…However, studies have found products containing the aforementioned ingredients with above legal limits, including products from the USA and European Union, where regulations are stricter and better implemented. In addition, access to a variety of legal and illegal skin-bleaching products—including prescription strength hydroquinone and topical corticosteroids—is made easy through online purchases, global travel, and immigration [17, 18, 24–26]. Fig.…”
Skin-bleaching practices, such as using skin creams and soaps to achieve a lighter skin tone, are common throughout the world and are triggered by cosmetic reasons that oftentimes have deep historical, economic, sociocultural, and psychosocial roots. Exposure to chemicals in the bleaching products, notably, mercury (Hg), hydroquinone, and steroids, has been associated with a variety of adverse health effects, such as Hg poisoning and exogenous ochronosis. In New York City (NYC), skin care product use has been identified as an important route of Hg exposure, especially among Caribbean-born blacks and Dominicans. However, surprisingly sparse information is available on the epidemiology of the health impacts of skin-bleaching practices among these populations. We highlight the dearth of large-scale, comprehensive, community-based, clinical, and translational research in this area, especially the limited skin-bleaching-related research among non-White populations in the US. We offer five new research directions, including investigating the known and under-studied health consequences among populations for which the skin bleach practice is newly emerging at an alarming rate using innovative laboratory and statistical methods. We call for conducting methodologically rigorous, multidisciplinary, and culturally sensitive research in order to provide insights into the root and the epidemiological status of the practice and provide evidence of exposure-outcome associations, with an ultimate goal of developing potential intervention strategies to reduce the health burdens of skin-bleaching practice.
“…Numerous cutaneous adverse effects (e.g., atrophy, striae, telangiectasias, acne vulgaris, allergic and irritant contact dermatitis, hirsutism, hypertrichosis, perioral dermatitis, steroid rosacea, dyschromias, ochronosis, and infections) and even systemic complications (e.g., Cushing’s syndrome, diabetes, hypertension, and ocular changes [cataract and glaucoma]) have been associated with the use of these products (Ajose, 2005, Dadzie and Petit, 2009, Giudice and Yves, 2002, Ladizinski et al, 2011, Lu et al, 2010, Mahé et al, 2003, Mahé et al, 2007, Mistry et al, 2011, Petit et al, 2006, Vashi et al, 2018). Even if consumers are educated on and advised to avoid potentially harmful components of SL agents, the packaging of SL products is often misleading (Petit et al, 2006).…”
BackgroundSkin-lightening (SL) products are common, especially in Africa. Adverse effects from these products represent a public health concern. Use of these products in Somaliland is unknown.ObjectiveThis study aimed to determine the prevalence of use of SL products among female health science students, beliefs about these products and practices, and adverse effects experienced.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional survey of a convenience sample of female health science students at Amoud University in Borama, Somaliland.ResultsOf the 400 students who were invited to participate, 265 completed the survey (response rate: 66%). Mean participant age was 21.1 years (standard deviation: 2.0 years). The majority of students were single (91.2%) with a Fitzpatrick skin type of 3 or darker (94.2%). Past or present use of SL products was reported by 25.6% of participants, and 52.2% admitted to current use. Compared with non-users, more SL product users agreed that lighter skin color gives a woman more confidence, helps a woman have better job opportunities, and increases chances of getting married. They also agreed that advertisements on television for SL products influence a women’s preference for a lighter skin tone (p < .05). More than 60% of participants were unsure what active ingredients were in their SL products. Only 9% denied any undesirable adverse effects, and the remainder reported an array of local and systemic adverse effects. The vast majority realize that SL products may cause undesirable local (92%) and systemic (89%) adverse effects.LimitationsGeneralizability is limited because a nonrandomized convenience sample from one university was studied. Response bias also may have skewed results.ConclusionUse of SL products among female health science students in Somaliland is common, and causes cutaneous and systemic adverse reactions. Use appears influenced by beliefs about the benefits of lighter skin color. Education is needed on the proper use of these products, how to avoid harmful products, and how to prevent complications.
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