[Skin lightening products are a part of everyday life in many parts of the world. Corticosteroids, hydroquinone and mercury are common ingredients]. / Hudblekningsprodukter en del av vardagen i stora delar av världen - Kortikosteroider, hydrokinon och kvicksilver vanliga ingredienser.

ABSTRACT

During the past decade, attention has been drawn towards the globally increased usage of skin-lightening (bleaching) products which are manufactured and sold, particularly in Africa and Asia, but also via the internet and in local shops all over North America and Europe. The active ingredients include hydroquinone, mercury and potent corticosteroids which can have severe health effects.  After investigating a patient at our clinic where the symptoms and findings could be linked to the use of bleaching products, we started to search the literature for similar cases. We found a global epidemic of health disorders related to skin lightening products. With this article we want to increase the awareness among Swedish physicians of this growing and harmful cosmetic trend.