2008/03/28 by Yetunde Mercy Olumide, Ayesha Akinkugbe, Dan Altraide +5 · 253 citations
Medicine · #Acne #Body Contouring and Surgery #Cosmetics #Depigmentation #Dermatologic Treatments and Research #Dermatology #Medicine #Nail (fastener) #Ochronosis #Pathology #Scars #Skin Protection and Aging #Surgery #Traditional medicine
paper · doi:10.1111/j.1365-4632.2008.02719.x
published in International Journal of Dermatology 47(4), 344-353 (Wiley)
openalex publication_date 2008/03/28 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/15
Skin lightening (bleaching) cosmetics and toiletries are widely used in most African countries. The active ingredients in these cosmetic products are hydroquinone, mercury and corticosteroids. Several additives (conconctions) are used to enhance the bleaching effect. Since these products are used for long duration, on a large body surface area, and under hot humid conditions, percutaneous absorption is enhanced. The complications of these products are very serious and are sometimes fatal. Some of these complications are exogenous ochronosis, impaired wound healing and wound dehiscence, the fish odor syndrome, nephropathy, steroid addiction syndrome, predisposition to infections, a broad spectrum of cutaneous and endocrinologic complications of corticosteroids, including suppression of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. In this era of easy travels and migration, African patients with these complications can present to physicians anywhere in the world. It is therefore critical for every practicing physician to be aware of these complications.