title: "The fairer the better?" Use of potentially toxic skin bleaching products.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Skin bleaching is a widespread phenomenon in spite of their potentially toxic health effects.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to determine if such products are used in Sweden in particular by pregnant women, furthermore to explore immigrant women's view skin bleaching.
  
  
  METHODS
  455 pregnant women completed a questionnaire, which were statistically analysed. Focus groups and individual interviews were conducted with immigrant women, content analysis was used to assess the data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Skin bleaching products were used by 2.6% of pregnant women, significantlly more by women born in non-European countries. Motivating factors were associated with the concept of beauty together with social and economic advantages. The women had low awareness of the potential health risks of the products. Regulations on the trade of skin bleaching products have not effectively reduced the availability of the products in Sweden nor the popularity of skin bleaching.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is need for further research especially among pregnant women and possible effects on newborns. Products should be tested for toxicity. Public health information should be developed and health care providers educated and aware of this practice, due to their potential negative health implications.
authors.affiliation: Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Sweden; Public Health and General Practice, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Darj
authors.affiliation: Public Health and General Practice, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.
authors.forename: Jennifer J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Infanti
authors.affiliation: Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Sweden.
authors.forename: Beth Maina
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Ahlberg
authors.affiliation: Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Sweden.
authors.forename: Jecinta
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Okumu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D044466:Asian People / Q000208:ethnology; D044383:Black People / Q000208:ethnology; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D011247:Pregnancy; D036301:Qualitative Research; D062327:Skin Lightening Preparations / Q000633:toxicity*; D012880:Skin Pigmentation / Q000187:drug effects*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden
chemical_list: D062327:Skin Lightening Preparations
keywords: Skin bleaching; harmful practice; pregnancy