Are lightening creams dangerous?

Are lightening creams dangerous?

Fact sheet for the general public. Recent tests in Minnesota show that some skin lightening products have dangerous levels of mercury. Being exposed to the mercury in these products could cause serious health problems.

Why are skin lightening products bad?

Some skin-lightening products sold in Canada contain alarming levels of harmful ingredients, including mercury, hydroquinone and steroids, a CBC Marketplace investigation has found. Mercury and hydroquinone, in particular, are possible carcinogens and can cause severe skin issues with prolonged use.

What does lightening cream do to the body?

Skin lightening creams, also known as skin brightening creams, are designed to lighten skin color. They work by decreasing the amount of melanin, which is a pigment produced by skin cells and determines how light or dark our skin appears. These products can be used as spot treatment or for a lighter complexion overall.

What are the dangers of hydroquinone?

Hydroquinone dangers include:

• Hydroquinone is carcinogenic and mutagenic. [1]
• It’s toxic to various organ systems.
• Exposure to Hydroquinone worsens symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
• Long-term use can result in a skin disorder called exogenous ochronosis.
• Hydroquinone can cause allergic reaction and irritation to skin.

Is skin lightening safe?

Some people apply skin lightener to their entire body to change their complexion, but this can be very risky. The active ingredient in some skin lighteners is mercury, so bleaching can lead to mercury poisoning. Mercury is a toxic agent that can cause serious psychiatric, neurological, and kidney problems.

Which cream make skin white permanently?

Skin Lightening Cream: Try these skin lightening creams for a blemish-free skin

Is hydroquinone safe on face?

To date, hydroquinone is deemed safe in the United States. There isn’t any clinical evidence currently to suggest that hydroquinone is harmful to humans. However, minor side effects are still possible. It may cause a temporary uptick in redness or dryness at first, especially if you have sensitive skin.

Can vitamin E lighten skin?

Does vitamin E lighten the skin? Some people use vitamin E with lemon juice or other ingredients to bleach the skin. There is no evidence that this works, and these products can cause side effects that include: damage to the skin.

What are the side effects of skin lightening cream?

Skin Cancer: Compounds used in skin lightening creams such as Hydroquinone, mercury, and steroids have carcinogenic properties. This means that they have the potential to cause cancer when used for long. Liver, kidney or nerve damage: The long-term use of creams containing mercury and its compounds can lead to severe organ damage.

What are the harmful effects of skin bleaching creams to your health?

9 Harmful Effects Of Skin Bleaching Creams To Your Health 1 Cancer. Studies have shown that one of the contents of most bleaching creams in Nigeria,… 2 Vulnerability to skin infection. The use of skin bleaching products especially steroids can cause… 3 Vulnerability to injury. Due to the skin stretching and thinning causes by the use…

Are skin lightening treatments with toxins dangerous?

Around the world, skin lightening treatments with dangerous toxins are often used to whiten complexions due to fear of prejudices against darker skin tones. Skin lightening has been common for centuries, so it’s not surprising that there are many reasons for why people seek skin lightening and what treatments they try.

Does skin lightening cream contain mercury?

Though skin creams containing mercury are illegal to sell in the United States (as well as throughout most of the developed world), a number of U.S. consumers report purchasing skin lightening creams that have tested positive for mercury in the lab. In response, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is cracking down on these alarming incidents.