Image enhancing drugs: A narrative review on the motivational risk factors influencing skin lightening use
Alaa A.-S. Anthony B. Ilaria D.L. Mariya P. Ornella C.
January 2021Elsevier Ltd
Emerging Trends in Drugs, Addictions, and Health
2021#1
Introduction: In societies that place a great emphasis on physical appearance and body aestheticism, the use of image enhancing drugs (IEDs) has become increasingly widespread. Of particular concern is the use of skin lightening drugs, which might contain undisclosed and harmful ingredients of potential adulterated nature. These products are frequently advertised on social media platforms and elsewhere and used without medical consultation. Methods: An explorative literature search was carried out in PubMed, Scopus, CINHAL, and ProQuest to better understand the motivational risk factors associated with skin lightening and assess their relation to body image, self-esteem, and other psychological disorders. All studies published until December 2020 were included in the review. Results: A number of non-psychological factors can be associated with this practice. These include: (a) sociocultural i.e., achieve different social and cultural benefits, and (b) skin conditions such as hyperpigmentation lesions. Conversely, psychological factors can be correlated to (a) low self-esteem, (b) body image disturbances, and (c) other psychological factors like history of trauma and depressive symptoms. Conclusion: Skin lightening remains a poorly studied and understood multifactorial phenomenon. More extensive research is needed to improve current clinical practice and raise public awareness on this dangerous practice.
“Body dysmorphic disorder” , “Body image” , “Image enhancing drugs” , “Psychological distress” and “Low self-esteem” , “Skin lightening”
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Department of Clinical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Life and Medical Science, University of Hertfordshire, College Lane Campus, Hatfield, United Kingdom
Dermatology, Barts Health NHS Trust & Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
Semey Medical University, Department of Personalised Medicine and Paediatrics, Kazakhstan
Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science, University of Trento, Italy
Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
Department of Clinical and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Dermatology
Semey Medical University
Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science
Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies
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