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 clobetasol, 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 clobetasol.

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.

When we consider the topic of ethnic skin care, there is more too it than just considering color of the skin.

Different ethnic groups have distinctive skin type characteristics, and these characteristics determine what kind of skin care routines will work best.

For example, Asian skin, compared to other skin types, tends to be smoother, with a yellowish undertone.

The pores may be less visible over the face, but tend to be larger on the cheeks and around the nose. As a result, Asians are often prone to acne in these areas.

Asians are also prone to developing dark spots as they age, and their skin can benefit from exfoliation to reduce pore size and even out skin tone.

Asian skin tends to scar more easily than other types of skin, and it is prone to hyperpigmentation under most kind of laser treatments.

Asian skin tends to have the widest pigment range of all the skin types.

Interestingly enough, Asian American women have oilier skin than Asian women who have recently immigrated- this is thought to be linked to greater amounts of fat in the American diet.

Asian skin is also very prone to irritation from preservatives in cosmetics and cleaners. Extra care should be taken when using mineral or mineral based products.