Retailers' Knowledge and Attitudes Regarding the Consequences of Using Depigmenting Products In 2022

¹Department of Dermatology, Teaching Hospital of Treichville; Felix Houphouët-Boigny University of Cocody, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire

²UFR Santé, University of Thiès, Senegal

³Department of Dermatology and Venereology, National Hospital of Donka, Conakry, Guinea

*Corresponding author: Gbandama Koffi Kouamé Pacôme, Department of Dermatology, Teaching Hospital of Treichville; Felix Houphouët-Boigny University of Cocody, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire; Email: [email protected]

Received Date: March 27, 2024

Publication Date: April 5, 2024

Citation: Gbandama KKP, et al. (2024). Retailers' Knowledge and Attitudes Regarding the Consequences of Using Depigmenting Products In 2022. Dermis. 4(2):12.

Copyright: Gbandama KKP, et al. © (2024).

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Depigmenting products are often marketed without proper consideration of the risks they pose to users. This study aimed to evaluate retailers' knowledge and attitudes regarding the potential consequences of using depigmenting products. Patients and Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. Any person selling depigmenting products in public markets who had given informed consent was included in the study. Results: Seventy-five out of 125 shopkeepers agreed to take part in the study. The majority of participants were female (84%) and the sex ratio was 0.19. The mean age were 32.2±8 years with the dominant age range being between 20-30 years. Most shopkeepers had secondary education (32%) and no cosmetology training (89%). Lightening products were defined as 'a product that makes the skin clear' by 64% of participants. Hydroquinone was the most commonly used product, counting for 40% of the cases. Retailers reported that depigmenting products were associated with complications in 84% of cases. The most common complications were stretch marks (40%), cosmetic acne (24%), and exogenous ochronosis (12%). In response to these complications, 25% of retailers recommended consulting a health professional. Some retailers wanted to ban the entry of products containing hydroquinone, as they were considered dangerous (21%). Conclusion: The phenomenon of depigmentation is still very present in our society. Although aware of the dangers of the products they sell, retailers do not envisage an end to this activity. Raising awareness among these players could help limit the extent of this phenomenon.

Keywords: Bleaching agents, Commerce, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice