TITLE:
Assessment of Using Cosmetics Containing Hydroquinone among Sudanese Women
AUTHORS:
H. M. Osman, M. E. Shayoub, Munzir M. E. Ahmed, E. M. Babiker
KEYWORDS:
Cosmetics, Side Effects, Hydroquinone, Skin Lightening
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Cosmetics, Dermatological Sciences and Applications,
Vol.5 No.2,
May
28,
2015
ABSTRACT: Many countries in the world wide banned hydroquinone in cosmetics skin
lightening but it is still used in most of Africa countries, including Sudan.
Few studies were carried out on the side effect of hydroquinone on Sudanese
women. Therefore, the present study was carried out in Khartoum state in April
to May/2014 to assess the awareness of Sudanese women about using hydroquinone
and its probable risks. The results revealed that, highly using cosmetics
containing hydroquinone by women aged between 20 - 29 years (78.3%) as well as
by those classified as single (69.6%). The results also showed that the highest
percentage of women was using it during evening (81.2%) and a high percentage
of them was using it for skin lightening (65.2%), followed by elimination acne
(20.3%) and about 10.1% for both skin lightening and elimination of acne and
very little (4.3%) for freckle elimination. Moreover, the results showed a very
high percentage of women (94.2%) used the chemical without being prescribed by
doctors and about (85.5%) of them didn’t know its nature and risks on human
health. Consequently, (50.7%) of women have had sides effects, (44.9 %) used
more than one and (44.1%) used it regularly. In addition, the results revealed that
a wide range of products of this chemical was available in local market with
amalico (34.8%) being highly used. The study can conclude that the awareness of
Sudanese women about this compound was poor and needs to be raised by health
authorities.