Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40755428›Full record

ArticleJournal of cosmetic dermatology2025

Knowledge, Perceptions, and Practices of Skin-Lightening Products Among Female Medical Students: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Hanadi Qeyam, Rula Al-Shami, Ahmed Al-Rusan, Mohannad Alnaimat

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of cosmetic dermatology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Hanadi QeyamDepartment of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0001-0689-774X
Rula Al-ShamiFaculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan.
Ahmed Al-RusanFaculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan.
Mohannad AlnaimatFaculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveThe use of skin-lightening products (SLPs) is a widespread phenomenon influenced by cultural, social, and aesthetic perceptions. However, the awareness of their potential dermatological and systemic risks remains inadequate, particularly among young women, including medical students. This study aims to assess the knowledge, perceptions, and practices regarding SLPs among female medical students.

methodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted among 305 female medical students at Jordanian universities. Data on participants' perception of skin color tone, knowledge of active ingredients, and the risks associated with the use of SLPs were collected and analyzed, in addition to exploring the prevalence and the pattern of the use of these products among them.

resultsParticipants exhibited good knowledge regarding SLPs, although their perceptions of lighter skin tones varied. 40.7% of participants reported using SLPs, with the majority having Fitzpatrick skin type 3. Vitamin C (72.4%) and niacinamide (38.3%) were the most frequently used active ingredients. The main reasons for SLP use were to treat facial hyperpigmentation (35.5%) and for general skin tone lightening (30.6%). Side effects included acne (30.3%), skin redness (29.4%), and color changes (16.8%). While 34.7% of users were satisfied with the results, 37.1% reported fractional improvement, and 28.2% were disgruntled. Only 43.5% consulted a physician or dermatologist before use, with many depending on social media and friends.

conclusionThe findings highlight a gap between awareness and practice, suggesting that social and cultural factors significantly influence behavior, potentially outweighing medical knowledge. This demonstrates the need for targeted educational interventions that address societal beauty norms, misinformation, and psychological dependence, as well as strengthening regulatory measures and promoting safe dermatological alternatives to reduce unsafe skin-lightening practices among future healthcare professionals.

Indexed as

Health Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticeSkin Lightening PreparationsStudents, MedicalAdultCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansHyperpigmentationJordanSkin PigmentationSurveys and QuestionnairesYoung AdultSkin Lightening Preparationshydroquinoneskin‐lightening productsskin tonevitamin C

Identifiers

PMID40755428
PMCPMC12319874

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.