Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41269655›Full record

ReviewJournal of racial and ethnic health disparities2025

Changing Skin: The Prevalence, Impact, and Risks of Skin Bleaching Among African Women.

Samuel Kofi Tulashie, Vanessa Ackom, Emmanuel Boafo Baidoo, Grace Acquah, Bridget Fialor, Enoch Mbawin Alale

Abstract readReview
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Review in Journal of racial and ethnic health disparities, 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

6 authors.

Samuel Kofi TulashieIndustrial Chemistry Section, Department of Chemistry, School of Physical Sciences, College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Central Region P.M.B. University Post Office, Takoradi - Cape Coast Rd, Cape Coast, Ghana. stulashie@ucc.edu.gh.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6744-2917
Vanessa AckomIndustrial Chemistry Section, Department of Chemistry, School of Physical Sciences, College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Central Region P.M.B. University Post Office, Takoradi - Cape Coast Rd, Cape Coast, Ghana.
Emmanuel Boafo BaidooIndustrial Chemistry Section, Department of Chemistry, School of Physical Sciences, College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Central Region P.M.B. University Post Office, Takoradi - Cape Coast Rd, Cape Coast, Ghana.
Grace AcquahIndustrial Chemistry Section, Department of Chemistry, School of Physical Sciences, College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Central Region P.M.B. University Post Office, Takoradi - Cape Coast Rd, Cape Coast, Ghana.
Bridget FialorIndustrial Chemistry Section, Department of Chemistry, School of Physical Sciences, College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Central Region P.M.B. University Post Office, Takoradi - Cape Coast Rd, Cape Coast, Ghana.
Enoch Mbawin AlaleIndustrial Chemistry Section, Department of Chemistry, School of Physical Sciences, College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Central Region P.M.B. University Post Office, Takoradi - Cape Coast Rd, Cape Coast, Ghana.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

The practice of skin bleaching, while historically rooted in ancient civilizations, has become particularly prevalent among African women, influenced by a complex interplay of social, cultural, and economic factors. This review examines the prevalence, effects, and impacts of skin bleaching on African women. The paper then explores the social dynamics that perpetuate the use of skin-lightening products, including colorism, media representation, and economic motivations. Also, the health implications of skin bleaching are a result of harmful agents such as mercury, glutathione, hydroquinone, kojic acid, and other harmful toxins that lead to severe dermatological and systemic health issues. Additionally, it considers the psychological and social impacts, including issues of self-esteem, identity, and the perpetuation of racial hierarchies. Efforts to address the problem are also discussed, including regulatory measures, public health campaigns, and the role of activism in promoting the acceptance of natural skin tones. The review concludes by emphasizing the need for a multi-faceted approach to tackle the practice of skin bleaching, advocating for stronger regulations, increased public awareness, and a shift towards embracing diverse standards of beauty. Through this comprehensive analysis, the paper aims to shed light on the urgent need to address the widespread and damaging practice of skin bleaching among African women.

Indexed as

AfricaBleaching agentsChemicalsSkin bleachingToxins

Identifiers

PMID41269655

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
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.