Whitening creams have been frowned upon for some time now. Not only does it encourage the ‘gora complex’ in an already complicated society, but also disheartens men and women who have a dark complexion.
Many young individuals are rejected because of their skin colour, often driving them into depression and causing anxiety. They turn to such products, but little do they know that they are only inviting dangerous side effects.
Recently, a woman in the US went partially blind due to mercury poisoning, the same mercury which is present in whitening products at dangerous levels. Not only did she put her own life at stake, but she also exposed the children and other individuals in the household to the poison as well.
This problem has become such a huge crisis in recent times that social media is not shy to call out celebrities for endorsing such brands and products. In Pakistan, social media called out Alizeh Shah for endorsing a beauty (fairness/whitening cream).
Whitening Product Side-Effects
Skin whitening products lead to several complications, including:
- skin turning dark or too light
- thinning of the skin
- visible blood vessels in the skin
- scarring
- kidney, liver or nerve damage
- abnormalities in a newborn baby
- allergic reaction including rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, and trouble breathing
- mercury poisoning
Signs of Mercury Poisoning
The signs of poisoning include:
- hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Fatigue and numbness in the body
- slurred speech
- blurred vision
- difficulty walking
- Kidney failure
- Lung damage
- tremors, memory loss, and irritability
When used over time, skin whitening creams, especially those that are not legally authorized or sold in the open markets with chemicals and other harmful ingredients can be hazardous, even deadly.
Therefore, if you’ve been using a product that contains mercury, hydroquinone, or corticosteroids, you should stop using it immediately as there is no check and balance of many products in the black market.
Moreover, always read the label before making the purchase and don’t forget to consult with a dermatologist before using a new product.
It’s high time we reject the ‘gora complex’ culture and promote the fact that every skin tone and every person is beautiful just the way they are.
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