Cosmetic whitening and lightening products: scientific, cultural and regulatory aspects
Résumé
Background: This topic concerns cosmetic whitening and lightening products of the skin which are widely used in almost the regions of the world. Indeed, it is a booming market leading the development of parallel market with products that can cause serious damage to health.
Purpose: We took stock of ingredients with whitening and lightening properties. We also explored the socio-cultural aspects of the different populations using these products.
Methods: It has been shown that this practice, called voluntary depigmentation, associated with the use of these products not only concerns individuals with hyperpigmentation but also those with hypopigmentation in order to standardize the color of their skin.
The various effects claimed by these products, whitening, brightening, or the combination of the two are often classified as similar in the consumer's head. These products have in fact, a slight lightening and non-whitening effect on the skin due to the low percentage
of active ingredients added to the cosmetic formula.
Results: The real depigmenting molecules are, for their part, for the vast majority reserved for the pharmaceutical. Moreover, their use in the treatment of certain diseases requires appropriate medical monitoring. Nevertheless, these same molecules are also contained in products that are often misused and /or counterfeited in some countries with disastrous consequences caused by voluntary depigmentation and encouraged for the most part by media still very influential.
Conclusion: It is very important to inform health professional about side effects of these products. The development of global public heath campaigns becomes an urgency in order to educate population especial in some country.