Artificial Depigmentation of the Skin: Clinical and Pharmacological Aspects in Bangui, Central African Republic

Four types of depigmenting products are mainly used: hydroquinone, topical corticosteroids, mercurial derivatives and caustics. Many complications can appear, infectious or not. Our goal was to identify used products and their complications in Central Africa. This was a cross-sectional, analytical, randomized survey of people aged 15 to 75, lasting four months from March 2016 to June 2016. A prevalence was 46.2% (n = 502) with a sex ratio of 0.06. One quarter of the respondents used the products for more than 60 months. Mercurial derivatives (60%) were the most used. Respondents used product blends in 25.8% of cases. The common clinical features were: hyperchromia, exogenous ochronosis, poikiloderma and vitilligoid achromia. Vitilligoid achromia, exogenous ochronosis, stretch marks, acne and hyperpilosity were statistically associated with the use of hydroquinone and corticosteroids. Poikiloderma was correlated with the use of mercurial derivatives and hydroquinone. Only exogenous ochronosis, poikiloderma and vitilligoid-achromia were related to duration of use. Exogenous ochronosis, poikiloderma, vitilligoid achromia. The use of mixtures of products was a factor favoring the occurrence of complications. The practice of voluntary depigmentation of the skin is a health problem with several inherent complications. Strong public awareness and product control measures are needed to limit the damage.