Skin lightening agent users have significantly higher composite colorism scores than nonusers<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n
By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter<\/b><\/p>\n
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WEDNESDAY, July 19, 2023 (HealthDay News) — Among skin of color (SOC) individuals, use of skin lightening (SL), involving the use of chemicals to lighten the skin, is prevalent, and those using SL agents rarely consult a medical provider before using the products, according to a study published in the October issue of the International Journal of Women’s Dermatology<\/em>.<\/p>\n Karishma Daftary, M.D., from the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, and colleagues examined SL habits among SOC individuals in the United States. A cross-sectional survey was administered to SOC individuals and data were collected on demographics, rates of SL, SL habits, and perceived colorism among SL users and nonusers.<\/p>\n Four hundred fifty-five participants completed the survey. The researchers found that 21.3 percent of participants reported using SL agents: 73.2 and 26.8 percent for treatment of a skin condition and for general SL. Before using the products, only 22.6 percent of SL users consulted a medical provider. Overall, 45.4 percent were unaware of their SL product ingredients and 35.1 percent reported use of hydroquinone-based products. Compared with nonusers, SL users had significantly higher composite colorism scores (20.03 versus 18.20 percent).<\/p>\n “These findings underscore the important role of dermatologists in addressing skin tone and pigmentary concerns with their SOC patients, as patients may be using SL agents for a variety of reasons: most commonly for self-treatment of a skin condition but also for general SL,” the authors write.<\/p>\n