Review of Skin Depigmentation Practices and Cutaneous Malignancy.

Publication/Presentation Date

5-1-2026

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between skin bleaching agents and the development of cutaneous malignancy.

METHODS: A scoping literature search was conducted in the PubMed and Google Scholar databases to identify studies and reports that included both skin depigmentation practices and development of cutaneous malignancy. Articles published in English and French were considered for review.

RESULTS: To date, reports are limited to a relatively small number of case reports in Africa. The most common skin bleaching agents used were topical clobetasol and hydroquinone with a duration of at least 15 years. Most patients had a reported skin phenotype of Fitzpatrick VI, and the most common skin cancer reported in patients was squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The majority of these lesions were large, invasive, and/or ulcerated lesions in chronically sun-exposed areas. The most common site of metastasis was the lungs, and the mortality rate was high.

LIMITATIONS: This is a literature review; information included is limited to what is available in the literature.

CONCLUSION: Skin bleaching agents have a powerful presence among a broad population, yet the consequences of their use in skin of color are poorly understood and potentially dangerous. Based on the available literature, there is potential for skin bleaching practices to be implicated as the causative agent for cutaneous SCC, especially in darker skin phenotypes. Therefore, there is a growing need for dermatologists to address this topic as a major public health concern with high morbidity and potential mortality to prompt further investigation.

Volume

19

Issue

5

First Page

43

Last Page

49

ISSN

1941-2789

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences

PubMedID

42459248

Department(s)

Department of Medicine, Fellows and Residents

Document Type

Article

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