Use of skin‐lightening products among selected urban communities in Accra, Ghana

Background The practice of skin lightening has been reported from North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. In literature, some prevalence rates exceed 50%, and both sexes are involved. Common agents used include hydroquinone, mercury, corticosteroids, and caustic agents. The agents are easily access...

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Published in:	International journal of dermatology Vol. 56; no. 1; pp. 32 - 39
Main Authors:	Lartey, Margaret, Krampa, Francis D., Abdul‐Rahman, Mubarak, Quarcoo, Naa L., Yamson, Phaedra, Hagan, Paa G., Tettey, Yao, Gyasi, Richard, Adjei, Andrew A.
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	England Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01-01-2017
Subjects:	Adolescent Adult Adults Aged Aged, 80 and over Bleaching Color Communities Corticoids Corticosteroids Cross-Sectional Studies Data processing Drugs Female Fishing Fishing communities Food Ghana Humans Hydroquinone Hyperpigmentation - chemically induced Hypopigmentation - chemically induced Informed consent Male Mercury Middle Aged Ochronosis Ochronosis - chemically induced Photography Physical Examination Pigmentation Population studies Side effects Skin Skin Diseases, Infectious - chemically induced Skin Lightening Preparations - adverse effects Skin Lightening Preparations - therapeutic use Surveys and Questionnaires Time Factors Urban areas Urban Population - statistics & numerical data Young Adult
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Summary:	Background The practice of skin lightening has been reported from North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. In literature, some prevalence rates exceed 50%, and both sexes are involved. Common agents used include hydroquinone, mercury, corticosteroids, and caustic agents. The agents are easily accessible and affordable with very little regulation. Cutaneous and systemic side effects occur but do not appear to be a deterrent, as the notion of light skin as a surrogate for beauty is strong. In Ghana, anecdotal reports of high bleaching rates among certain urban communities resulted in a study supported by the Food and Drugs Authority to determine various facets of this practice. Methods A cross‐sectional study among adults in selected urban fishing communities of Accra was undertaken. Consecutive cases were enrolled after written informed consent. A questionnaire was administered, followed by physical examination and clinical photographs. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. Results Of the 555 participants from the three communities, prevalence was 279 (50.3%). Duration of use ranged from 2 months to 17 years. Approximately 212 (76%) used more than one product, and 231 (82%) used agents on their face and body. Dermatological features were hypopigmentation 270 (96.8%), other color changes including ochronosis 241 (86.4%), changes in consistency 141 (50.3%), striae 157 (56.3%), and infections 42 (15.1%). Conclusions The prevalence of skin bleaching was 50.3% in these communities, which is high considering the adverse effects from the practice. We recommend regulation of products by enforcing the law, more education, and a population prevalence study.
Bibliography:	ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23
ISSN:	0011-9059 1365-4632
DOI:	10.1111/ijd.13449