[Artificial depigmentation practice of the skin in women of Dakar and analytical study of the cosmetic products used].

This survey which involved 6 salesman and 159 women, allowed us to carry out a study on the different cosmetic products used by women in Dakar to artificially bleach their skin. An analytical study has been conducted on those skin bleaching products through colorimetric identifications of hydroquinone, corticoids and mercurial derivates and the dosage of hydroquinone by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). It was established that those products were essentially corticoids and hydroquinone based products and could induce serious dermatological troubles to users. This phenomenon, known in Wolof "xessal", and motivated by various factors, is facilitated by easy access to skin bleaching products available in the town market places. It affects an important part of the female population of all ages (educated, illiterate, married and single). In view of the importance of the phenomenon, emergency actions must be taken to eradicate it.