Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, the Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan.
Int J Dermatol. 2010 Apr;49(4):414-20. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-4632.2010.04463.x.
The use and misuse of skin-lightening products among women living in Arab communities have not been documented previously. This study investigates the determinants, the prevalence and users awareness associated with the use and misuse of skin-lightening products among women living in Jordan.
Female customers arriving at selected pharmacy stores were randomly asked to complete a questionnaire.
A total of 318 women completed the questionnaire, of which 60.7% reported the use of skin-lightening products. Users included women from different age and economic groups. Main reasons for use were preference of lighter skin tone, the treatment of hyperpigmentary disorders or both. More than a third of the users were not aware of the potential side effects of these products. A significantly larger proportion of skin-lightening product users believed that lighter skin tone plays a role in self-esteem, perception of beauty and youth, marriage and employment opportunities when compared with nonusers.
Skin lightening is a common practice among women living in Jordan. It is reinforced by the association of lighter skin tone with a number of perceived benefits including perception of beauty, job and marriage opportunity. User's awareness regarding the safety of skin-lightening products and instructions for proper use are important considerations when developing interventions to control the misuse of these products.
居住在阿拉伯社区的女性使用和滥用皮肤美白产品的情况此前尚未有记录。本研究旨在调查约旦女性使用和滥用皮肤美白产品的决定因素、流行情况以及使用者意识。
在选定的药店，随机邀请女性顾客填写问卷。
共有 318 名女性完成了问卷，其中 60.7%的人报告使用过皮肤美白产品。使用者包括不同年龄和经济群体的女性。使用的主要原因是喜欢肤色更浅，以及治疗色素沉着过度或两者兼有。超过三分之一的使用者不知道这些产品的潜在副作用。与非使用者相比，皮肤美白产品使用者中，有相当大比例的人认为肤色较浅在自尊心、美感和青春、婚姻和就业机会方面发挥作用。
皮肤美白在约旦的女性中是一种常见做法。与肤色较浅相关的许多感知益处，包括对美的感知、工作和婚姻机会，进一步强化了这种做法。在制定控制这些产品滥用的干预措施时，使用者对皮肤美白产品安全性和正确使用说明的认识是重要的考虑因素。
