clobetasol and hydroquinone

Topics: Africa South of the Sahara; Bleaching Agents; Clobetasol; Consumer Product Safety; Cosmetics; Dermatologic Agents; Drug Approval; France; Humans; Hydroquinones; Iodides; Mercury Compounds; Skin Pigmentation

Skin lightening products containing dangerous levels of chemicals pose a serious health concern for consumers. However, to date, the extent of these products in Europe has not been extensively studied. The aim of this study was to determine whether harmful skin lightening products are available for sale in Europe and what violations exist regarding their composition.. We queried the Rapex database, which is the Rapid Alert System for dangerous non-food products among 31 European countries, to identify skin lightening cosmetics reported between 2005 and 2018, and presented a detailed summary of these notifications.. In the years 2005-2018, of all violations regarding cosmetics, 26.3% concerned skin lightening products. In the database, 266 reports on skin lightening products were identified. Most of the notifications came from Germany (17.29%), France (17.29%), Portugal (15.41%), and the United Kingdom (11.65%). The majority of the registered products originated from non-European countries, mainly the Côte d'Ivoire (29.70%). The major reason for the violation was the content of hydroquinone, mercury, or clobetasol propionate.. Hazardous skin lightening products that are not in line with European cosmetics legislation are available on the European market. Most of the products are imported. The main risk associated with these products is the content of hydroquinone, mercury, and clobetasol propionate. It is important to bear in mind that this study focuses on the Rapex system and other sources of information may exist. Based on our findings, a more comprehensive evaluation by international authorities is justified.

Topics: Clobetasol; Cosmetics; Europe; Humans; Hydroquinones; Mercury; Risk Assessment; Skin Lightening Preparations; Skin Pigmentation

The cosmetic use of bleaching products is common among women from sub-Saharan Africa. The most frequently used products are highly potent corticosteroids (clobetasol propionate) and hydroquinone. Herein, we report 8 cases of SCC in women using skin bleaching products for cosmetic purposes. Our aim is to describe the epidemiological, clinical and pathological aspects of the carcinomas observed during the course of skin lightening.. We conducted a descriptive multicentre study from August 2005 to January 2016 in three dermatology units in Senegal. We included all patients consulting for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma associated with skin bleaching. Sociodemographic, clinical, paraclinical and therapeutic data were recorded.. A total of 8 female patients were included. The mean age was 48.1 years (37-63 years). Topical hydroquinone and highly potent corticosteroids were the main products used over the whole body, for an average duration of 20.3 years. No pre-neoplastic skin disease was found in our patients. The clinical aspects of tumours were as follows: cauliflower-like (n=4), ulcerated (n=3) and nodular (n=1). The average development time before consultation was 6.75 months. All the cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas were localized to lichenoid lesions or exogenous ochronotic lesions on photo-exposed areas: face (n=1), neck (n=3) or upper back (n=4). The most common histopathological type was the infiltrating form and there was one case of in situ carcinoma. The outcome was favourable in six of eight patients after surgical resection. Two deaths occurred: one through tumour recurrence and the other through haemorrhagic shock.. From 2005 to 2016, eight cases of cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas associated with cosmetic use of bleaching products were reported in Senegal. The mechanism was not fully elucidated and further studies are necessary. These observations provide an additional argument for combating this practice and including skin bleaching among known risk factors for squamous cell carcinoma.

Topics: Adult; Back; Carcinoma in Situ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Clobetasol; Face; Female; Humans; Hydroquinones; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Senegal; Shock, Hemorrhagic; Skin Lightening Preparations; Skin Neoplasms

Lymphomatoid papulosis is often regarded as a low-grade variant of cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL). Given the excellent long-term prognosis, recent consensus guidelines indicate that patients can be monitored off therapy. We report a case of a 67-year-old man who presented with lymphomatoid papulosis, with necrotic papules that have been intermittently present for over forty years.

Topics: Aged; Clobetasol; Glucocorticoids; Humans; Hydroquinones; Hyperpigmentation; Lymphomatoid Papulosis; Male; Skin Neoplasms; Watchful Waiting

The topical steroids betamethasone (BM) and clobetasol propionate (CP) are illegal in cosmetics. Hydroquinone (HQ) and mercury (Hg) are either illegal or allowed only in limited concentrations (2% and 1 ppm, respectively).. To investigate active ingredients and countries of origin of popular skin-lightening products available in Cape Town, South Africa.. In total, 29 products were examined; of these, 22 products were purchased from informal vendors, and 2 products (out of a total of 29) were purchased over the counter. HQ, Hg(2+) and steroids were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet spectrophotometry, inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, respectively.. Of the 29 products, 22 (75.9%), all imported and bought from informal vendors, contained illegal or banned ingredients: 13 (44.8%) contained steroids (9 CP, 4 BM), 12 (41.4%) contained Hg (30-2300 ppm), and 11 (37.9%) contained HQ. Sequentially, the products originated from Italy (27.3%, n = 6), India (22.7%, n = 5), the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) (22.7%, n = 5), Cote d'Ivoire (9.1%, n = 2), USA (9.1%, n = 2), UK (4.5%, n = 1) and France (4.5%, n = 1). Two products, one from India and one from the DRC, contained all four ingredients (HQ, Hg, BM, CP). Of the 12 products containing Hg, 10 also contained HQ and/or a steroid, yet none listed Hg as an ingredient. A significant proportion of the steroid-containing products (76.9%) also contained at least one other skin-lightening agent. Not all internationally available products were tested, which is a limitation of the study.. In spite of a European Union ban on skin lighteners, a third of the products tested were from Europe. Combinations of Hg and ultrapotent steroids were prominent. International law enforcement and random testing is needed to encourage industry compliance and help protect consumers.

Topics: Betamethasone; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Clobetasol; Hydroquinones; Mass Spectrometry; Mercury; Pyrones; Skin Lightening Preparations; South Africa; Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; Steroids

Skin lightening products are types of cosmetics (creams, gels, lotions and soaps) applied voluntarily on skin. Several of these products contain a variety of active ingredients that are highly toxic. Among those toxic agents, the present study focuses on mercury, hydroquinone, and clobetasol propionate. Out of the 93 lightening soaps and 98 creams purchased in large city markets in sub-Saharan West Africa and in small ethnic shops in Canada, 68-84% of all creams and 7.5-65% of all soaps exceeded regulatory guidelines for at least one active ingredient when considering different regulations. Mercury was found in high concentrations mainly in soaps, while hydroquinone and clobetasol propionate concentrations exceeded US FDA standards in some creams for all countries included in our study. Concentrations of the three compounds declared on labels of soaps and creams usually did not correspond to concentrations actually measured, particularly for mercury and hydroquinone. Overall, our results indicate that most studied skin-lightening products are potentially toxic and that product labels are frequently inaccurate with respect to the presence of toxic agents.

Topics: Africa, Western; Clobetasol; Environmental Monitoring; Hydroquinones; Mercury; Quebec; Skin Lightening Preparations

An important group of suspected illegal cosmetics consists of skin bleaching products, which are usually applied to the skin of the face, hands and décolleté for local depigmentation of hyper pigmented regions or more importantly, for a generalized reduction of the skin tone. These cosmetic products are suspected to contain illegal active substances that may provoke as well local as systemic toxic effects, being the reason for their banning from the EU market. In that respect, illegal and restricted substances in cosmetics, known to have bleaching properties, are in particular hydroquinone, tretinoin and corticosteroids. From a legislative point of view, all cosmetic products containing a prohibited whitening agent are illegal and must be taken off the EU market. A newly developed screening method using ultra high performance liquid chromatography-time off flight-mass spectrometry allows routine analysis of suspected products. 163 suspected skin whitening cosmetics, collected by Belgian inspectors at high risk sites such as airports and so-called ethnic cosmetic shops, were analyzed and 59% were classified as illegal. The whitening agents mostly detected were clobetasol propionate and hydroquinone, which represent a serious health risk when repeatedly and abundantly applied to the skin.

Topics: Belgium; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Clobetasol; Cosmetics; Dermatologic Agents; European Union; Glucocorticoids; Humans; Hydroquinones; Legislation, Drug; Mass Spectrometry; Skin Lightening Preparations; Tretinoin

A 42-year-old woman being treated with 5-fluorouracil for carcinoma of the sigmoid colon developed persistent serpentine supravenous hyperpigmented eruption (PSSHE), bilateral mottling of the palms and diffuse hyperpigmentation of the soles. To the best of our knowledge, such a combination of findings has not been reported earlier. Recognition and knowledge of this side effect are important as the dose of the drug need not be altered nor is there a need to replace the drug on worries about a serious adverse effect. However, changing the peripheral venous route to the central line can be useful in management of PSSHE.

Topics: Adult; Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; Antioxidants; Biopsy; Clobetasol; Diagnosis, Differential; Drug Eruptions; Female; Fluorouracil; Follow-Up Studies; Foot; Glucocorticoids; Hand; Humans; Hydroquinones; Hyperpigmentation

Complications caused by skin lightening practices have not been systematically studied in Europe.. Our aim was to assess the complications of skin lightening among people of African descent living in Paris.. 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.. 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.. The selection bias does not allow assessment of uncomplicated skin lightening.. Complications arising from skin lightening practices represent a significant health problem for people of African descent living in Paris.

Topics: Adrenal Insufficiency; Adult; Africa; Black People; Clobetasol; Cosmetics; Female; Glucocorticoids; Humans; Hydroquinones; Male; Middle Aged; Paris; Skin Diseases; Skin Pigmentation