30% of South African women use skin-bleaching products despite serious risks – study

702's Bongani Bingwa interviews Professor Ncoza Dlova, Head of Dermatology at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

Listen below:

According to research by the International League of Dermatological Societies (ILDS), over 30% of South African women use skin-bleaching products, despite the serious health risks involved, including skin cancer.

Dlova clarifies that a separate study they conducted revealed two primary groups of people who use skin-bleaching products: those who seek to lighten their skin tone and those who use these products to treat various skin conditions.

Of those who bleach their skin, 30% do so for cosmetic reasons, while a significant 70% use the products in an attempt to address skin issues.

Dlova explains that many of these products contain hydroquinone, corticosteroids, and mercury.

"... patients are using compounds that contain corticosteroids because they are cheaper and easily available."

- Professor Ncoza Dlova, Head of Dermatology – University of KwaZulu-Natal

These substances pose a range of health risks, including chronic fungal infections, a particularly troubling concern given recent research showing an increasing resistance to common antifungal treatments.

In addition to fungal infections, the dangers of skin-bleaching products include:

• Skin cancer
• Thinning of the skin
• Permanent stretch marks
• Telangiectasias (small, visible blood vessels on the skin)
• Ochronosis (permanent blue-black or grey-blue pigmentation of the skin)

"We've had two or three cases in South Africa where we suspected skin cancer as a result of steroid abuse, of skin bleaching cream abuse."

- Professor Ncoza Dlova, Head of Dermatology – University of KwaZulu-Natal

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.