title: The concept of skin bleaching in Africa and its devastating health implications.
abstract: Africa is considered a continent of mystery and intrigue with absurd concepts and beliefs. Cosmetic dermatology is no less intriguing than other issues. While quick judgement may be passed condemning attitudes and misconceptions in this field, we need to analyze factors that contribute to such ideas. Acquiring a lighter skin forms the basis of Skin Care and Cosmetology in dark skinned people. This regrettably has far reaching devastating effects on health and individual finances. This in return has enriched unscrupulous stake holders. Help from the international medical fraternity and the pharmaceutical/cosmetology industry is required to end this evil.
authors.affiliation: Doctors Plaza, The Aga Khan University Hospital, 00202 Nairobi, Kenya. melmiy@nbi.ispkenya.com <melmiy@nbi.ispkenya.com>
authors.forename: Melanie Miyanji
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: de Souza
mesh_terms: D000349:Africa; D001505:Beauty Culture; D003357:Cosmetic Techniques / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000266:history / Q000523:psychology; D003358:Cosmetics / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000633:toxicity; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000633:toxicity; D004345:Drug Industry / Q000941:ethics; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D007880:Legislation, Drug; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D012880:Skin Pigmentation / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D003358:Cosmetics; D003879:Dermatologic Agents