Skin Lightening Products Cause Complications for Those of African Descent

A study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology revealed that skin lightening products are creating serious complications for men and women of African descent.

In this study, a group of 46 people were evaluated for various complications resulting from skin lightening.

Researchers identified insufficient adrenal gland function that was likely due to use of a [tag-ice]clobetasol[/tag-ice], a skin lightening product.

Of this group, others demonstrated hyperpigmentation, stretch marks, degeneration of the skin, and, in what may be the most troubling finding of all: many of the people in this study reported that they were not able to stop lightening their skin, even though they wanted to.

Stated another way, skin lightening may be addictive.

In this group, most people had been using skin lighteners for an average of 14 years, and were using at least two products in combination, usually glucocorticoids (use of which could lead to diabetes and high blood pressure) as well as hydroquinone or [tag-tec]clobetasol[/tag-tec].

Nine people in the study termed skin-lightening as a "true drug", and, frequently, patients would seek out stronger and stronger skin lightening treatment to combat side effects like hyperpigmentation.

More study is needed to determine a true medical link between skin lightening and physical health, but it is clear that skin lightening has important psychological and epidemiological facets which must be examined more fully.