Factors Associated with Voluntary Cosmetic Depigmentation in Schools in the Collines Department (Benin)

Skin depigmentation is a worrying practice that is gaining popularity, particularly among young girls. However, this practice poses health risks. It also reflects a negative view of black skin color. This was a cross-sectional study carried out between April and May 2023 which involved 1039 female students from schools and universities in the Collines department selected by stratified sampling. Data was collected during a face-to-face interview using a questionnaire providing information on the demographic, socio-cultural, and economic characteristics of the girls. The depigmentation products used were identified as well as the complications caused by the use of these products. Statistical analysis made it possible to calculate the frequencies and logistic regression made it possible to identify the factors associated with depigmentation. The prevalence of depigmentation among the girls surveyed was 78.2%. The main products used were soaps based on mercurial derivative and hydroquinone (21.6%) and lotions based on hydroquinone and corticosteroids (75.7%). The factors associated with the practice of depigmentation were the ethnicity of the respondents (OR = 2.52;95% CI = [0.47 - 13.33], p = 0.001);the average monthly income of the parents (OR = 3.26;95% CI = [1.71 - 6.09], p = 0.003);the opinion of the respondents on depigmentation (OR = 2.48;95% CI = [0.84 - 7.3], p < 0.001) and the value given to light skin versus black skin (OR = 3.41;95% CI = [2.32 - 5.01], p < 0.001). In conclusion, the prevalence of depigmentation among the girls surveyed is high. Consequently, reinforced awareness measures and stricter control of bleaching products are imperative to address this high prevalence of the phenomenon.

Situation of Artificial Depigmentation among Women in 2016 to Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso

INTRODUCTION: The artificial depigmentation (DA) is a practice that aims to reduce the natural pigmentation of the skin by the use of depigmenting products (DP). In Burkina Faso, few studies have been made on the issue and the last date of 2003. The objective of the study is to realize an overview of the DA phenomenon in women population in Bobo-Dioulasso City. METHODS: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study held from April 16th to April 30th 2016 including 437 women aged from 13 to 55 years old. A multi-stage random sampling was realized A chi-square test was used to compare groups with significant threshold of 5%. RESULTS: The prevalence of the use of DP (67.28% with IC95 = [63.52 - 71.03]). The mean age of users was 27.5 years old;the typical profile was women from 30 to 35 years old (85.7%), with elementary study level, (73.47%), housewife’s (75.19%) and monogamous (71.98%). the products used was those made of hydroquinone (81.6%), EDTA (8.33%), kojic acid (4.86%), mixtures (11.12%) or unknown products (14.58%). The origin of the product was doubtful for almost all the cases (98.96%). The monthly mean cost of this practice for a single user is 1710 CFA. Complications were reported in 62.5% of users, and the most found was dyschromia (85.87%), acne (17.39%) and burns (10.32%). DISCUSSION: The DA is in great progress in Bobo-Dioulasso (2 out of 3 women) compared to half, thirteen years ago. The hydroquinone was markedly the most frequent DP while there was an apparent lack of corticosteroids and mercuries replaced by the new depigmenting agent such as EDTA and kojic acid. This result contrasted with the classic combination hydroquinone-dermocorticoid-mercuries reported by previous studies. CONCLUSION: The low-cost of DP could explain the magnitude of the artificial depigmentation phenomenon. Other studies should be conducted in order to establish with precision the composition of these products and their causality in the occurrence of common complications. Research in cosmetology should make it possible to provide women with safe products that respect their deep needs.

Effect of An Atmospheric Plasma Jet on the Differentiation of Melanoblast Progenitor

Objective Melanoblasts are the cell source of regeneration for pigment restoration.The ability to differentiate into mature melanocytes is the essential feature of melanoblasts in depigmentation diseases.Cold atmospheric plasma is an ionized gas with near-room temperature and highly reactive species that has been shown to induce stem cell differentiation.The aim of the study was to explore the effect of cold atmospheric plasma on the differentiation of melanoblast progenitor cells.Methods In this study,melanoblasts were exposed to the plasma jet and the cell morphology was observed.The cell cycle and cell proliferation were detected.Furthermore,the cell immunofluorescence and the detection of melanin particle and nitric oxide were carried out to investigate the differentiation of melanoblast progenitor cells.Results Cells that were treated with the plasma had longer and more synaptic structures,and the G1 phase of cell cycle was prolonged in the treated group.More melanin synthesis-related proteins and melanin particles were produced after plasma treatment.Nitric oxide was one of the active components generated by the plasma jet,and the nitric oxide content in the cell culture medium of the treated group increased.Conclusion These results indicate that an increase in nitric oxide production caused by a plasma jet can promote cell differentiation.The application of plasma provides an innovative strategy for the treatment of depigmentation diseases.

Corticosteroid-Induced Adrenal Insufficiency in Africa: Report of Nine Cases at the Internal Medicine/Endocrinology-Diabetology Department of Pikine NHC

Introduction: Prolonged corticosteroid therapy is labeled as the main cause of corticotropic adrenal insufficiency. However, the current frequency of this complication remains unknown. The objective of our study was to assess its epidemiologic, diagnostic, therapeutic, and evolutionary aspects of our practice. Methodology: A 60-month retrospective study was performed from May 2014 to April 2020 in the Pikine National Hospital Centre. Data were obtained from the medical records of patients with corticosteroid-induced adrenal insufficiency. Epidemiologic, diagnostic, therapeutic, and evolutionary parameters, and data related to corticotherapy were recorded. Patients with basal plasma cortisol levels <50 ng/ml or a plasma cortisol level less than double of the basal cortisolaemia one H after administration of synachtene 250 were included. Results: Medical records were obtained from nine patients, comprising six women and three men. The mean age of the patients was 48 years. Long-term corticosteroid therapy was used for self-medication in six patients and artificial bleaching in the remaining three patients. Betamethasone was the most commonly used drug in four patients, followed by clobetasol in three patients. Corticotropic insufficiency was revealed as a result of acute decompensation in five patients. All patients presented with a pseudo-cushingoid pattern. Diagnosis of corticotropic adrenal insufficiency was confirmed by measuring basal plasma cortisol levels of <50 ng/ml in seven patients. A standard Synachtene test was performed on two patients. All patients benefited from hydrocortisone supplementation. In the short-term, the outcome was unremarkable for all patients. Medium and long-term progression could be assessed in only three patients. Two patients showed persistent suppression with a 6- and 9-month follow-up. One patient was readmitted after one month due to an adrenal crisis following voluntary discontinuation of hydrocortisone treatment. Conclusion: Post-corticosteroid therapy adrenal insufficiency remains a concern in our practice and is favoured by the non-compliance of providing rules by pharmacies and the parallel drug market.