Colorism Can Lead to Use of Potentially Harmful Skin Lightening Products

FightAcne.com Interview with:
Roopal V Kundu, MD
Associate Dean for Admissions
Jacob R. Suker, MD, Professor of Medical Education
Professor of Dermatology (Medical Dermatology and Medical Education

FightAcne.com: What is the background for this study? What is ‘colorism”

Response: The study stemmed from patient interactions in clinics where some patients were coming in requesting to lighten their skin. In trying to understand this better, we learned that colorism – a type of shadeism – in which people of a certain ethnic group are treated differently based on their darker skin color – was a psychosocial and socio-cultural factor effecting skin tone preferences.

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