About Us Portfolio Press Careers Sitemap Advertise Contact Us Make this your Homepage

Custom Search

Register

Sign In

Sign In Using Facebook

Home » Research News

Skin Lightening Creams a Problem in Senegal

by Sreeraman on May 28, 2009 at 5:57 PM Research News

Skin lightening creams containing steroids or hydroquinone are slammed by dermatologists as a real public health hazard, but there is no shortage in Senegalese markets where they continue to seduce clients.

Skin Lightening Creams a Problem in Senegal

Related Links

According to a 2003 study by French and Senegalese dermatologists, the use of such creams is widespread among women in many Sub-Saharan African countries where an estimated 25 to 67 percent are regular users.

For 20 years, Mrs. Diop faithfully applied lightening cream to her face every night before bed to make herself "prettier" -- until unsightly dark spots started appearing two years ago.

Fifty-year-old Mrs. Diop, who said she was too embarrassed to give her first name, had been warned of the risks but like many Senegalese women chose to ignore them.

"I liked lightening my skin because people say you look better, you're prettier like that," she said.

After her two-decade ritual, Mrs. Diop found it hard to stop, even when the spots appeared.

"To be able to stop I had help from a friend who supported me. Without her it would have been difficult," she said.

"My friend showed me magazines with pictures of women who were suffering from the effects of the creams, I saw the pictures and told myself I really have to stop."

The creams are notably popular in Senegal's bustling capital of Dakar.

At the Sandaga open air market in the city's center, vendors say they daily sell entire cartons of potions with names like X-White and Clear and White.

Page 1

Page 1 | 2

Next

Mouse Genome Unplugged

Russell Crowe's 'Body of Weight' After the Movie,'Body of Lies'

More News on: Hives, Pemphigus, Scleroderma, Behcet�s Syndrome, Pruritus, Vitiligo, Fairness Cream for Men - Does it Work?, Sleep Problems in Children, Skin Self Examination, Pityriasis rosea

Comment & Contribute

Be the first to comment!
Comments should be on the topic and should not be abusive. Comments are normally moderated and are reviewed after they are posted.
* Your comment can be maximum of 2500 characters
	Notify me when reply is posted I agree to the terms and conditions
Your comments are automatically posted once they are submitted. All comments are however constantly reviewed for spam and irrelevant material (such as product or personal advertisements, email addresses, telephone numbers and website address). Such insertions do not conform to our policy and 'Terms of Use' and are either deleted or edited and republished. Please keep your comments brief and relevant.This section may also have questions seeking help. If you have the information you are welcome to respond, but please ensure that the information so provided is genuine and not misleading.

Medwonders Health Network

Support Groups Members Discussions

Total Members - 54989
Support Groups - 445

Health News Index

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Latest News Most Popular Most Commented

Organ Damage in Inflammatory Genetic Disorder Arrested by Rheumatoid Arthritis Drug

Kids' Gadget Perplex 1 In 6 Parents

Immune System Regulation Directly Affected If Raised on a Farm

Shortly, Memory- Impaired Patients to Get Smartphone 'Prescription'

Sporting Activity in Excess Could Mar Long-Term Success of Hip Resurfacing

News Archive
Date :
Category :
Keyword :

Quiz on Skin
How much do you know about the human skin? Please take this quiz and find out.

News Quick Links

	News Central			Health Watch
	Latest Health News			Health In Focus
	News Category (500+)			Breaking Health News
	Popular News			Celebrating Life
	Health News and Press Release			Medindia - Exclusive
	News Photo Gallery			India Special
	News Video Gallery			Lifestyle and Wellness
	News From Other Resources

News Categories:


»	Imogen Thomas Seeks Hypnotherapy To Get Rid of Cake Addiction

»	Amitabh Bachchan to Undergo Minor Abdominal Surgery

»	Lady Gaga Battled Eating Disorders During Childhood

»	Acid Attack Survivor Katie Piper's Eyesight Restored After Stem Cell Surgery

»	I Will Draw Inspiration from Armstrong in Battling Illness: Yuvi
More Celebrity News

Research Related News
»	Organ Damage in Inflammatory Genetic Disorder Arrested by Rheumatoid Arthritis Drug	»	Immune System Regulation Directly Affected If Raised on a Farm
»	Shortly, Memory- Impaired Patients to Get Smartphone 'Prescription'	»	Sporting Activity in Excess Could Mar Long-Term Success of Hip Resurfacing
»	Spread of Clostridium Difficile in Hospitals Probably Not by Contact With Infected Patients	»	Study Finds Cognitive Performance Decline After Natural Disasters
»	Study Provides Evidence of Malaria's Impact on Fetal Growth	»	Research Sheds Light on Usefulness of Bubble-Propelled Microrockets

Read More >>

Accident and Trauma Care Support Group	Acupuncture Support Group	Albinism / Hypopigmentation / Albinos Support Group
Alcohol abuse / Alcohol dependence / Alcoholism Support Group	Aromatherapy Support Group	Avian Influenza / Bird Flu Support Group
Ayurveda Support Group	Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Support Group	Birth Defects - Metabolic Defects Support Group

Skin Lightening Creams a Problem in Senegal

Medwonders Health Network

Research Related News

Consumers

Medical Professionals

Medical Students

Directories