Fairness at a Cost: The Hidden Dangers of Steroid-Based Skin Lighteners

Tesfamariam S, Bahta M, Weldemariam DG, Tesfamariam EH, Yemane H, Bahta I, et al. Awareness, perception, and utilization of skin lightening agents among females of Asmara, Eritrea: a cross-sectional study. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2023;16:1191–1202. Available from: https://www.dovepress.com/awareness-perception-and-utilization-of-skin-lightening-agents-among--peer-reviewed-article-CCID

Adedoyin AM, Arisoyin AE, Popoola H, Okereke OP, Urhi A, Babalola F, et al. Use of skin bleaching products in West Africa. J Adv Med Med Res. 2022;34(21):130–138. Available from: https://www.journaljammr.com/index.php/JAMMR/article/view/4604

Fasih S, Arif A, Amar A, Haque MU, Hameed F, Iqbal J. Misuse of topical corticosteroids on facial skin. Pak J Pharm. 2020;16(3):11–13. Available from: https://pjp.pps.org.pk/index.php/PJP/article/view/1239

Ahmed G, Mishra DK. A hospital-based observational study on the frequency of different skin diseases and patterns of topical steroid misuse. Indian J Drugs Dermatol. 2018;4(2):67–72. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.4103/ijdd.ijdd_27_18

Dey VK. Misuse of topical corticosteroids: a clinical study of adverse effects. Indian Dermatol Online J. 2014;5(4):436–440. Available from: https://www.idoj.in/article.asp?issn=2229-5178;year=2014;volume=5;issue=4;spage=436;epage=440;aulast=Dey

Saha I, Podder I, Chowdhury SN, Bhattacharya S. Clinico-mycological profile of treatment-naïve, chronic, recurrent, and steroid-modified dermatophytosis at a tertiary care centre in eastern India. Indian Dermatol Online J. 2021;12(5):714–721. Available from: https://www.idoj.in/article.asp?issn=2229-5178;year=2021;volume=12;issue=5;spage=714;epage=721;aulast=Saha

Neagu M, Constantin C, Jugulete G, Cauni V, Dubrac S, Szöllősi AG, et al. Langerhans cells—revising their role in skin pathologies. J Pers Med. 2022;12(12):2072. Available from: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4426/12/12/2072

Niculeț E, Bobeica C, Tatu AL. Glucocorticoid-induced skin atrophy: the old and the new. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2020;13:1041–1050. Available from: https://www.dovepress.com/glucocorticoid-induced-skin-atrophy-the-old-and-the-new-peer-reviewed-article-CCID

Zacharopoulou A, Tsiogka A, Tsimpidakis A, Lamia A, Koumaki D, Gregoriou S. Tinea incognito: challenges in diagnosis and management. J Clin Med. 2024;13(11):3267. Available from: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/13/11/3267

Al-Khenaizan S, Alwan IA. Topical steroid-induced Cushing syndrome. Ann Saudi Med. 2008;28(4):300–302. Available from: https://www.annsaudimed.net/doi/full/10.5144/0256-4947.2008.300

Hetta HF, Melhem T, Aljohani HM, Salama A, Ahmed R, Elfadil H, et al. Beyond conventional antifungals: combating resistance through novel therapeutic pathways. Pharmaceuticals. 2025;18(3):364. Available from: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/18/3/364

Chegeni R, Notelaers G, Pallesen S, Sagoe D. Aggression and psychological distress in male and female anabolic-androgenic steroid users: a multigroup latent class analysis. Front Psychiatry. 2021;12:629428. Available from: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.629428/full

World Health Organization (WHO). WHO fungal priority pathogens list to guide research, development, and public health action. Geneva: WHO; 2022. Available from: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240060241

Ahmed J, Modica de Mohac L, Mackey TK, Raimi-Abraham BT. A critical review on the availability of substandard and falsified medicines online: Incidence, challenges and perspectives. J Med Access. 2022;6:23992026221074548. Available from: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/23992026221074548