LES PRATIQUES COSMETIQUES DEPIGMENTANTES DES FEMMES A LOME (TOGO)

Bleaching cosmetic practice by women in Lome (Togo) The cosmetics use of bleaching agents by African’s women was become a social phenomena. The purpose of this survey was to determine the prevalence of this practice in Lome and its socio-economic factors. 910 women from 15 to 56 years (mean age 28,5 ± 2 years old) were questioned during the survey. Among these women 536 (58,9%) use bleaching cosmetics. The principal agents were merc u ry derivatives 166 cases (30,9%), hydroquinone 134 cases (24%) topical corticos t e roid 99 cases (18,5%), and products of unknown composition 137 cases (25,6%). Bleaching cosmetics use was particularly frequent in young women (65,9%), unmarried women (82,9%), literate women (68,6%) female students (62,5%), salaried employed (70,8%) and retailers women (61%). Dermatological side effects were observed in 371 women (69,2%) among 536 whose use these cosmetics. The results of this survey suggest that bleaching cosmetics use are common in Lome’s women. The socioeconomic factors were associated with this practice.

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