title: Skin lightening and its complications among African people living in Paris.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Complications caused by skin lightening practices have not been systematically studied in Europe.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Our aim was to assess the complications of skin lightening among people of African descent living in Paris.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a descriptive study. All patients presenting with complications from skin lightening procedures underwent a complete clinical examination and were questioned about their practice.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-six patients from various African countries (39 women, 7 men) presented with skin changes suggestive of side effects from skin lightening practices. The complications seemed mainly related to the use of clobetasol and hydroquinone.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The selection bias does not allow assessment of uncomplicated skin lightening.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Complications arising from skin lightening practices represent a significant health problem for people of African descent living in Paris.
authors.affiliation: Dermatology Service, Hôpital Saint Louis, Paris, France. antoine.petit@sls.aphp.fr
authors.forename: Antoine
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Petit
authors.forename: Cécile
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cohen-Ludmann
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Clevenbergh
authors.forename: Jean-François
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Bergmann
authors.forename: Louis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dubertret
mesh_terms: D000309:Adrenal Insufficiency / Q000139:chemically induced*; D000328:Adult; D000349:Africa / Q000208:ethnology; D044383:Black People; D002990:Clobetasol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D003358:Cosmetics / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D006873:Hydroquinones / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010297:Paris; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D012880:Skin Pigmentation / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D003358:Cosmetics; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D006873:Hydroquinones; D002990:Clobetasol; C031927:hydroquinone