Systemic skin whitening/lightening agents: what is the evidence?
نویسندگان
چکیده
The human skin color is one of the most perceptible phenotypic variations among humans and is determined primarily by the type and amount of melanin synthesized within melanosomes and the pattern of melanosome distribution within the melanocytes. Getting a lighter skin tone always draws a lot of interest, as for centuries, fair or light skin color has been a symbol of prominence, superiority and higher social ranking. In India, attitudes towards skin color have developed over more than 2000 years and reflect considerations of class and caste. Women especially Asian women are obsessed with fair skin and they would go to the ends of the earth to lighten their skin color as in most cases their marriage prospects or career opportunities are dominated by the hue of their skin. Hence, skin whitening products are a half a billion dollar industry today capitalizing on the insecurity of these individuals and currently, skin lightening is one of the most common forms of potentially harmful body modification practices in the world.
منابع مشابه
Quasi-Drugs Developed in Japan for the Prevention or Treatment of Hyperpigmentary Disorders. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2010, 11, 2566–2575
One additional skin lightening or whitening quasi-drug (QD) has been developed and officially approved by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare of Japan. The active ingredient niacinamide should be included in this review [1]. Its mechanism of skin lightening is based on the inhibition of melanosome transfer from melanocytes to keratinocytes. Niacinamide is listed in Table 1, which classifi...
متن کاملMir-434-5p mediates skin whitening and lightening
Utilization of gene silencing effectors, such as microRNA (miRNA) and small hairpin RNA (shRNA), provides a powerful new strategy for human skin care in vivo, particularly for hyperpigmentation treatment and aging prevention. In this study, tyrosinase (Tyr), the rate-limiting enzyme of melanin (black pigment) biosynthesis, was served as a target for treatment of hyperpigmentation in mouse and h...
متن کاملIn Vitro Methods for Predicting Chemical Leukoderma Caused by Quasi-Drug Cosmetics
Skin care cosmetics frequently contain whitening or lightening agents. The present study aimed to establish in vitro methods for predicting chemical leukoderma caused by whitening agents in cosmetics. The risks of chemical leukoderma were predicted based on percutaneous absorption rates, toxic concentrations, and toxicity mechanisms. Thus, in vitro skin permeation rate and cytotoxic concentrati...
متن کاملOverview of Skin Whitening Agents: Drugs and Cosmetic Products
Depigmentation and skin lightening products, which have been in use for ages in Asian countries where skin whiteness is a major esthetic criterion, are now also highly valued by Western populations, who expose themselves excessively to the sun and develop skin spots as a consequence. After discussing the various possible mechanisms of depigmentation, the different molecules that can be used as ...
متن کاملMercury Levels in Locally Manufactured Mexican Skin-Lightening Creams
Mercury is considered one of the most toxic elements for plants and animals. Nevertheless, in the Middle East, Asia and Latin America, whitening creams containing mercury are being manufactured and purchased, despite their obvious health risks. Due to the mass distribution of these products, this can be considered a global public health issue. In Mexico, these products are widely available in p...
متن کاملذخیره در منابع من
با ذخیره ی این منبع در منابع من، دسترسی به آن را برای استفاده های بعدی آسان تر کنید
عنوان ژورنال:
- Indian journal of dermatology, venereology and leprology
دوره 79 6 شماره
صفحات -
تاریخ انتشار 2013