Chronic hydroquinone poisoning of the skin from skin-lightening cosmetics. A South African epidemic of ochronosis of the face in dark-skinned individuals.

Attention is drawn to the widespread use of bleaching preparations by Black women. These products often contain hydroquinone. They act efficiently as bleaching agents, but chronic oversaturation of the skin with hydroquinone eventually produces ochronosis. This complication has reached epidemic proportions in the Transvaal. Although the assay of hydroquinone in cosmetic products has not yet been standardized, we present some provisional results. The clinical, social and industrial aspects are also significant.