The beauty and health industry in Pakistan is
finding alarming levels of skin diseases as a result of prolonged use of skin
whitening creams. Most of these have been found to contain steroids and toxic
metals. Media reports are urging quality control to safeguard public health.
Few months back it was reported that Clarins
of US was going to focus on Asian consumers for its skin whitening cream.
Unfortunately, there is less awareness among Asian consumers of the potentially
serious harm that can be caused to skin as a result of many skin whitening
creams.
Most skin
whitening creams contain hydroquinone that reduces melanin production in skin.
In some mainstream products it is used to help reduce the appearance of various
types of hyperpigmentation problems like sun spots, age spots and acne
markings.
Many studies on skin whitening creams have
shown that consistent and widespread use of hydroquinone can result in some
pretty serious skin problems, as well as more serious health problems. One
researcher found that whilst hydroquinone will initially lighten the skin as it
is meant to, over time and with prolonged use an oxidation process can start to
take place – due to a reaction between the chemicals and sunlight. This results
in the skin becoming darker; leading a person to use even more hydroquinone
based products to counter the side effects.
Another serious aspect emerged over time the
skin began to appear weaker and thus, the hydroquinone was able to go into the
bloodstream more readily, thereby reaching the organs (such as the liver and
kidneys) easily.
One study by TJ Kooyers and W. Westerhof on “Toxicology
and health risks of hydroquinone in skin lightening” stated “that possible
long-term effects like carcinogenesis may be expected.”
US FDA considers hydroquinone a potentially
dangerous substance, though many dermatologists feel that the ingredient is
safe in small amounts when not used for the purpose of bleaching the skin all
over the face, neck and body. EU has banned hydroquinone for over the counter
sales.
Due to the health risks, many companies have turned
to other ingredients, like arbutin with kojic acid, in place of hydroquinonebut
there are no reliable studies on the safety of these, especially arbutin that
is a derivative of hydroquinone.
Echoing health concerns, New York Times had earlier highlighted the concern
of dermatologists who were noticing side effects from the frequent use of skin
whitening creams like Fair & White and other stuff sold by beauty shops and
online sites.
Due to attractive profit margins on such
products, many unscrupulous suppliers, especially through online sites, have
started selling counterfeit versions with undisclosed ingredients – such
counterfeit versions have also turned up in stores.
Herbally Radiant has been highlighting the
risks from whitening creams, and has found that its natural organic beauty
formulations have safer and effective results.
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