WOMAN
SKIN CREAM SPECIAL TROUBLE IN A TUBE
Doctors say they aren’t surprised at the FDA
crackdown on fairness
creams. Between the steroids, chemicals and heavy metals,
these
products send them an average of one patient a day
It’s the ultimate irony: The fairness creams and bleaches you
use to lighten your skin, make it softer or keep wrinkles away could be doing
you serious harm.
And not just to your skin. In addition to causing
discolouration, rashes and scarring, some of the chemicals and steroids in
these products can damage the kidneys, affect the lungs and heart, and lower
your resistance to infection.
This week, the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
prohibited two fairness creams — found to be steroid-heavy — from being sold in
the state, and is now planning a crackdown that will involve tests on a range
of similar products.
“We are in the process of testing fairness creams from major
brands for steroids, heavy metals and chemicals. If these aren’t mentioned on
the label, then we will take action against the companies,” says state FDA
commissioner Harshadeep Kamble.
Mumbai marketing executive Krupa Joseph*, 25, won’t be holding
her breath.
Two months ago, she used a fairness cream recommended by a
friend.
“I had enlarged pores and my friend said the cream would help.
Besides, I wanted to look fairer,” she says.
In five days, Joseph’s skin became dry and started peeling. She
also began to develop a rash on her face.
“Many fairness creams contain bleach, harmful chemicals such as
hydroquinone, steroids, and heavy metals like mercury. The heavy metals are
carcinogenic and cause skin discolouration. The steroids cause thinning and
ageing of the skin and acne eruptions. The mix of chemicals can also cause
allergies and dermatitis,” says dermatologist Dr Priyam Kembre.
The treatment prescribed for Joseph was simple — sunscreen to
shield her skin from UV damage until it recovered; and washing of the face at
least five times a day. Not all cases are such simple fixes. Take Delhi-based
chemical engineer Saurav Bisht*, 26. He began using a fairness cream after
being rejected by three ‘arranged matches’ because of his dark skin.
“My uncle suggested I use the cream, and I was frankly quite low
over the whole thing. It was affecting my selfesteem,” he says.
Far from helping him, Bisht ended up at a dermatologist’s office
three months later. His face had numerous red bumps that occasionally bled. It
took a course of antibiotics to treat his outbreak of rosacea or adult acne.
“People tend to develop photo-sensitivity, which means sun
damage that would normally kick in after a couple of hours begins within
minutes,” says Dr Sakshi Shrivastav, consultant dermatologist at Jaypee
Hospital in Noida. “The steroids in these creams can also lead to hair growth,
especially on the face.”
While side-effects sometimes kick in with the first use, others
may react following sustained use over months or even years.
“I get about one such patient a day, usually suffering from an
allergic reaction after having used a fairness cream,” says Dr Shrivastav.
Bablu Gupta, 32, for instance, used fairness creams daily for
over two years.
“I had never thought there was anything wrong with my skin. But
two years ago, most of my friends started using these creams. Plus, with TV
advertisements showing actors with glowing skin, I began to feel I needed to do
something to look better,” says the Mumbaibased fitness trainer.
Five months in, he developed pimples and oily skin. Two months
ago, when the pimples turned raw and painful, he threw away all his tubes. His
skin is now clear again.
The problem is far more rampant among young girls, doctors say.
“Of my patients, 15% are girls aged 17 to 25, who suffer from skin damage due
to random cosmetic use. They often get carried away by the marketing,” said Dr
Nitin Walia, senior dermatologist at Max Healthcare, Delhi.
“The truth is, any skin product that gives you instant fairness
results should make you suspicious,” adds Mumbai-based dermatologist Dr Apratim
Goel, who is currently treating Joseph. “The biggest problem is many of these
products don’t have proper labels; only permissible ingredients are mentioned.”
·
(With inputs from Abhishek Rawat. Joanna Lobo
& Rhythma Kaul HT13SEP15
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