People with dark skin have more melanin. All rights reserved. In: Shroff, H., Diedrichs, P. C., & Craddock, N. (2018). Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Weight Loss for Health and Longevity, Science Reveals How Red Meat Harms the Heart, Flavored Vapes Still in Stores Despite Federal Ban, New COVID Antiviral Pills: What You Need to Know, Dr. Whyte's Book: Take Control of Your Cancer Risk, WebMD Loses Cherished Leader Kristy Hammam, Health News and Information, Delivered to Your Inbox, Treating Opioid Use Disorder With Medications, Constipated? Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. Hydroquinone is used to lighten the dark patches of skin (also called hyperpigmentation, melasma, "liver spots," "age spots," freckles) caused by pregnancy, birth control pills, hormone medicine, or injury to the skin.This medicine works by blocking the process in the skin that leads to discoloration. 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. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Mercury exposure among household users and nonusers of skin-lightening creams produced in MexicoCalifornia and Virginia, 2010. This medication is for use on the skin only. All rights reserved. Mercury poisoning associated with beauty creamTexas, New Mexico, and California, 19951996. Natural skin-whitening compounds for the treatment of melanogenesis (Review). http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/, http://www.medengine.com/Redeem/C417F0602B717BF5, http://refhub.elsevier.com/S0731-7085(13)00552-9/sbref0015, http://www.fdagov/Drugs/DevelopmentApprovalProcess/DevelopmentResources/Over-the-CounterOTCDrugs/StatusofOTCRulemakings/ucm072117htm#Original, http://nytlive.nytimes.com/womenintheworld/2015/05/12/another-african-nation-bans-popular-skin-whitening-creams/, http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfCFR/CFRSearchcfm?fr=70013&SearchTerm=mercury, http://www.whoint/ipcs/assessment/public_health/mercury_flyerpdf. 2005-2022 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Skin-bleaching practices, such as using skin-lightening creams and soaps to achieve a lighter skin tone or to whiten skin, are common among non-White populations throughout the world, triggered by deep historical, economic, sociocultural, and psychosocial roots [15]. Particularly in India, China, and Korea, skin color is an important factor in social status: People with fair skin, especially women, may be more likely to be viewed by some as young, beautiful, or of a high social class (Schroff, 2018; Qian, 2020). Traditional lightening agents contain chemicals such as corticosteroids, hydroquinone, and mercury. Second, besides the known dermatologic effects of skin bleach, such as dermatitis, exogenous ochronosis, and acne, we should also expand our focus to long-term health consequences such as cancer as well as interactions between physical and psychosocial health outcomes. Accessibility Talk to your pharmacist for more details. An official website of the United States government. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. While their darker skin is considered to be protective of sun-induced skin cancer, the carcinogenic effect of melanogenesis inhibition resulting from skin bleaching remains to be explored [35, 36]. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the Others are purely anecdotal and could even be risky. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26953335/, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6374710/, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30133125/, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6010116/, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7271691/, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539693/, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5787082/, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27088927/, Arbutin and its derivatives kojic acid and nicotinamide, Polypodium leucotomos hydrophilic extract, Spots and melasma (darkened areas due to sun exposure). 21CFR70013. Before Khan, Y.-H. Wang, N. Mohamed, and A. Alexis have nothing to disclose. Desmedt B, Van Hoeck E, Rogiers V, Courselle P, De Beer JO, De Paepe K, Deconinck E. Characterization of suspected illegal skin whitening cosmetics. Having fragile, damaged skin also increases your risk of skin cancer. Do not share this medication with others. Careers, This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (, Clinical research, Dermatology, Environmental health, Skin bleaching, Skin of color. Enguita FJ, Leitao AL. Wang YH, Avonto C, Avula B, Wang M, Rua D, Khan IA. sharing sensitive information, make sure youre on a federal Skin bleaching creams that contain corticosteroids can cause steroid acne. When you apply a skin bleaching product to the skin, such as hydroquinone, it decreases the number of melanocytes in your skin. What should I know regarding pregnancy, nursing and administering Skin Bleaching Cream to children or the elderly? Consult your pharmacist or the product labeling for more information. Skin lightening treatments are also not recommended for use by children or people who are pregnant or nursing. People who use it on large areas of the body or on the entire body are more likely to develop EO. Juhasz, M., & Levin, M. K. (2018). This is inflammation of the skin caused by contact with certain substances. It causes your body to excrete too much protein in your urine. Alternative products may contain plant-derived agents such as arbutin, which comes from the bearberry plant, and its derivatives kojic acid and nicotinamide. What conditions does Skin Bleaching Cream treat. Existing studies often employ a single-aspect design highlighting only one of three topic areas: (1) psychosocial implications, (2) dermatological health effects, or (3) an exposure assessment of the skin-bleaching practice. Most skin lightening products are not recommended for darker skin tones and could cause hyperpigmentation. McKelvey W, Jeffery N, Clark N, Kass D, Parsons PJ. Laser treatment can be used to lighten areas of dark skin and to do overall skin bleaching. Enhanced content To view enhanced content for this article go to http://www.medengine.com/Redeem/C417F0602B717BF5. Charles CAD. Hormones, sunlight, and certain chemicals also affect melanin production. In fact, this topic has gained very little attention among clinical and translational researchers in the US, with existing studies primarily limited to investigations of outbreaks of Hg poisoning related to the use of skin-whitening products [2729]. Mercury has been banned as an ingredient in skin lightening products in the United States, but products made in other countries still contain mercury. Petit A, Cohen-Ludmann C, Clevenbergh P, Bergmann JF, Dubertret L. Skin lightening and its complications among African people living in Paris. The protective role of melanin against UV damage in human skin. Things to remember when you fill your prescription. Levin CY, Maibach H. Exogenous ochronosis. Avoid getting this product in your eyes or on the inside of your nose or mouth. (2014). The potential carcinogenic effects of this practice may not be solely limited to exposure to hydroquinone, a primary metabolite of benzene, which is not currently classified as carcinogenic to humans because of conflicting results, though recent evidence suggests that hydroquinone can generate DNA damages and immunosuppressive responses [18, 25, 26, 3034]. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. will also be available for a limited time. The 2004 New York City (NYC) local health and nutrition examination survey identified skin care product use as an important route of Hg exposure, especially among Caribbean-born blacks and Dominicans in NYC, with mean urine Hg concentrations 1.32.1 times higher than that of whites and other racial/ethnic groups [26]. This medication has been prescribed for your current condition only. Spectrometric analysis of mercury content in 549 skin-lightening products: Is mercury toxicity a hidden global health hazard? This medication may make the treated areas of skin more sensitive to the sun. Chan TY. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. If you want to lighten or even out your skin color, there are effective skin bleaching products and procedures on the marketbut some pose very real risks to your health. We avoid using tertiary references. While it is easier to focus just on newly emerging populations by geography, we should also examine the prevalence of this practice among other under-studied risk groups such as men, younger populations, and pregnant mothers. Mistry N, Shapero J, Kundu RV, Shapero H. Toxic effects of skin-lightening products in Canadian immigrants. Skin bleaching treatments can reduce dark spots on the skin caused by sun damage, aging, and hormonal changes. 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. Some home remedies for hyperpigmentation have been shown to be somewhat effective. There is no health benefit to skin bleaching. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company. (2010). Melanin is a pigment produced by cells called melanocytes. If it is used incorrectly, unwanted skin lightening may occur. (2006). Mild burning, stinging, redness, and dryness may occur. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Maneli MH, Wiesner L, Tinguely C, Davids LM, Spengane Z, Smith P, van Wyk JC, Jardine A, Khumalo NP. How does skin bleaching work, and what are the best and worst ways to do it? This would allow for a large-scale, methodologically rigorous approach that can simultaneously explore the psychosocial motivations underlying this practice, the toxicological risks, and causal relationships between skin-bleaching product-related exposures and health outcomes. FDA. Pregnant women should consult with their healthcare provider before using any skin lightening agent. Attention should also be given to potential increased susceptibility to skin cancer resulting from alterations of melanin production among those who practice skin bleaching, especially among populations living in tropical regions with strong UV radiation. Mercury poisoning linked to skin lightening creams. Different forms of this product have different storage temperatures. about navigating our updated article layout. In addition, skin bleaching is becoming more common among men and young adults, including teenagers [3, 5, 8]. Combinations of potent topical steroids, mercury and hydroquinone are common in internationally manufactured skin-lightening products: a spectroscopic study. They typically work by suppressing the activity of tyrosinase, a naturally occurring enzyme that helps to make melanin. Take $20 off a one month trial of custom skincare. Before using hydroquinone, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. Lyon, 1724 February 1998. They wont help with active inflammation and redness caused by a breakout, but they may reduce red or dark areas that linger after acne has healed. It can lighten everything from freckles and acne scars to post-inflammatory marks caused by conditions like. 2005 - 2022 WebMD LLC. Try our personalized prescription skincare from the comfort of your home. Here's how to pick the best one for, While there's little scientific evidence that aloe vera can reduce the appearance of hyperpigmented areas of skin, many people report that it works to, Dark lips are often the result of hyperpigmentation. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Potential health consequences of applying mercury-containing skin-lightening creams during pregnancy and lactation periods. If your doctor has prescribed this medication, remember that your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Ladizinski B, Mistry N, Kundu RV. Weve rounded up 18 of the best sea salt sprays around to help you find the perfect product. Tell your doctor if your condition lasts or gets worse after 2 months. Hamann CR, et al. Too much sun exposure, smoking, allergic reactions, and even lip sucking can lead to, Hydroquinone is a skin-lightening agent. Sonthalia, S., Daulatabad, D., & Sarkar, R. (2016). However, they are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Charles CAD. [Press release]. Hydroquinone and its analogues in dermatologya risk-benefit viewpoint. Benn EKT, et al. CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and include: Exogenous ochronosis (EO) is a skin disorder that causes blue-black pigmentation. Mahe A, Perret JL, Ly F, Fall F, Rault JP, Dumont A. Moreover, the underlying stigma surrounding this behavior might prevent these individuals from communicating their concerns to clinicians whom they perceive to have inadequate understanding of the cultural context. Guide to inspections of cosmetic product manufacturers: mercury compounds (codified at 21 CFR 700.13). Using skin bleaching agents over large areas of skin can cause premature aging of the skin by making the skin more fragile. This usually involves: Many of the skin lightening pills available on the market are taken once daily, though there is no evidence that these are effective. Nephrotic syndrome in adult Africans in Nairobi. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. A different medication may be necessary in that case. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: asthma, other skin conditions (such as eczema, psoriasis). In a 2014 study of 549 skin lightening creams bought online and in stores, nearly 12 percent contained mercury. A number of countries have banned the use of skin bleaching products because of the dangers associated with them. Fourth, we should empirically compute the dose-response relationships between the aforementioned exposures and associated dermatologic outcomes across various usage patterns and durations, which also require using innovative biomarkers to assess short- and long-term exposures to skin-bleaching products. Skin diseases associated with the cosmetic use of bleaching products in women from Dakar, Senegal. Do not double the dose to catch up. A doctor or dermatologist can prescribe a skin bleaching product based on your needs. If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. While skin-bleaching research has been heavily focused on darker-skinned African populations, it has become an increasing concern in Jamaica and other Afro-Caribbean countries [6, 8, 11]. Modifying skin pigmentationapproaches through intrinsic biochemistry and exogenous agents. These are newer treatments. Unfortunately, many of those products are dangerous and pose real health risks. Skin bleaching is not uncommon in the US, and the health burden of skin-bleaching practices is not evenly distributed among the population. Select a condition to view a list of medication options. Do not store in the bathroom. Cristaudo A, Dllio S, Gallinella B, Mosca A, Majorani C, Violante N, Senofonte O, Morrone A, Petrucci F. Use of potentially harmful skin-lightening products among immigrant women in Rome, Italy: a pilot study. If there is just mild redness, then treatment with this product may begin. You can buy OTC skin bleaching products in cosmetic stores and beauty counters at department stores. The amount of melanin in your skin is mostly determined by genetics. In addition, because self-mixing of a variety of chemicals (e.g., combining multiple commercial skin-bleaching products with hydrogen peroxide) is not uncommon, investigations of harmful chemical compositions in these home-made products should also be considered. (2018). DOI: Mayo Clinic Staff. Zhang L, et al. Because of these harmful side effects, the cosmetic industry is now taking a different approach to skin lightening. 1Department of Population Health Science and Policy, Center for Biostatistics, Institute for Translational Epidemiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY USA, 2Department of Dermatology, Skin of Color Center, Mount Sinai St. Lukes and Mount Sinai West, New York, NY USA, 3Department of Urology, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY USA, 4National Center for Natural Products, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS USA. Alison Dalton. 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. Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker, Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Fitness vs. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch. The authors would also like to acknowledge Ms. Richa Deshpande, a graduate research assistant at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, for her editorial assistance in the revision phase of the manuscript submission process. In summary, if we are to adequately care for clinically vulnerable, skin-bleaching subpopulations of the African and Afro-Caribbean immigrant communities, and other under-studied populations in the US, we must first understand the magnitude of the problem, draw valid causal inference about the harmful exposures from the skin-bleaching products and their resulting health problems, and subsequently provide culturally sensitive solutions that do not further stigmatize these populations. Skin bleachers representations of skin color in Jamaica. However, surprisingly sparse information is available on the epidemiology of the health impacts of skin-bleaching practices among these populations. To use a skin lightening cream, its advisable to follow the directions given by a doctor or on the packaging. 8600 Rockville Pike Sea salt sprays are a must-have for tousled beach waves. Some skin bleaching creams made outside of the United States have been linked to mercury toxicity. While these are all challenges that we must work on with these communities to overcome, from a research perspective, we still have a major difficulty in identifying patients with specific diagnoses resulting from skin bleaching because identifying cases requires an index of suspicion on the part of the clinician and specific inquiry into skin care practices, which may not be performed consistently or documented in the medical record [14]. Nephrotic syndrome is a kidney disorder often caused by damage to the blood vessels in your kidneys responsible for filtering waste and excess water. Skin lightening is one situation when its best to follow the guidance of a medical professional. HHS Vulnerability Disclosure, Help Qian, W., Liu, W., Zhu, D., Cao, Y., Tang, A., Gong, G., & Su, H. (2020). Barr RD, Rees PH, Cordy PE, Kungu A, Woodger BA, Cameron HM. Hydroquinone. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345. Skin bleaching refers to the use of products to lighten dark areas of the skin or achieve an overall lighter complexion. Hydroquinone: environmental pollution, toxicity, and microbial answers. Glutathione as a skin whitening agent: Facts, myths, evidence and controversies. IARC monographs on the evaluation of carcinogenic risks to humans/World Health Organization, International Agency for Research on Cancer 1999, 71(Pt 1):1315. Skin cells called melanocytes produce melanin (Desmedt, 2016). This can result in lighter skin and a more even appearance to the skin. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Schwartz, C., Jan, A., & Zito, P. M. (2021). 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. Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). Limited access to dermatologists among the population at risk may also contribute to under-detection of complications of skin bleaching. Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. Skin bleaching works by reducing the skins concentration of melanin (pigment). Simmons BJ, Griffith RD, Bray FN, Falto-Aizpurua LA, Nouri K. Exogenous ochronosis: a comprehensive review of the diagnosis, epidemiology, causes, and treatments. (2015). Skin whitening agents: medicinal chemistry perspective of tyrosinase inhibitors. CDC. Ruelmaking history for OTC skin bleaching drug products. DOI: Injectable skin lightening and skin bleaching products may be unsafe. They lighten skin tone either by blocking the growth of melanocytes or by interfering with melanin production. From a medical standpoint, theres no need to lighten the skin.
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