Skin-Lightening Product Use Among South Asian Americans: Cross-Sectional Survey Study

Background:Despite their potential for adverse health effects, skin-lightening products remain popular among South Asian Americans.Objective:This study investigates attitudes toward skin tone and the prevalence and adverse effects of skin-lightening product use among South Asian Americans.Methods:We conducted a cross-sectional study, recruiting and surveying 175 women or nonbinary individuals meeting the following inclusion criteria: (1) lived in the United States, (2) identified as South Asian, and (3) were raised by parents born in South Asian countries.Results:Of the 175 participants, 55 (31%) respondents used a skin-lightening product before. Parental pressure to use skin-lightening products and decreased time spent in the United States were significantly associated with skin-lightening product use (odds ratio [OR] 8.51, 95% CI 3.33-21.78, P