Fairer skin tone is valued more highly in society than other skin tones. Fairness creams, which are frequently sold as a means of achieving lighter skin tones, have become extremely popular worldwide. Nonetheless, a lot of customers are unaware that these products contain dangerous substances like mercury. It is well recognised that mercury, a hazardous heavy metal, is bad for human health, especially when it enters via the skin. The symptoms of mercury poisoning include irritability, tremors, changes in vision or hearing, memory problems, depression, numbness and tingling in hands, feet or around the mouth, and kidney damage. It is important to encourage everyone to love their skin tone and address the social stigma associated with darker skin tones. Let us understand in detail the damages caused by the application of skin-lightening creams that are laden with heavy metals.

How the Use of Fairness Cream Is Posing Health & Kidney Hazard

 

 

Do you know that mercury (Hg) can enter the human body not only through the respiratory tract and digestive system but also through the skin? Mercury salts cause lighter skin tone by inhibiting the formation of melanin. Hence, mercury laden skin care products and fairness creams can cause mercury build-up in the body, causing high levels of mercury in the blood and urine (mercury toxicity), damage to the kidney (nephrotic syndrome and nephropathy), skin rashes, renal damage, neurological disorders, and even cognitive decline.

 

Extended mercury exposure from fairness cream use can have detrimental long-term effects on health, as listed below:

1)     Damage to kidney: There is a strong association between the increased use of fairness creams with high levels of mercury and the development of membranous nephropathy (MN), a disorder that damages the kidney filters and causes protein leakage. Membranous nephropathy (MN) causes your body to attack your own kidneys because of damage to your filters.

Products that lighten skin are very popular, especially in many Asian, African, and Caribbean nations. Certain creams have mercury concentrations higher than the 1 mg/kg or 1 ppm level. High mercury levels in creams get deposited in the kidneys, where the immune system recognises it as a foreign object and starts attacking its own kidneys.

 

2)     Allergic Reactions and Skin Irritation
A lot of fairness creams include harsh ingredients and chemicals that can irritate the skin and cause allergic reactions. Sensitive skin types are more susceptible to these side effects, which might include dermatitis, swelling, redness, and itching. It also causes a reduction in the skin’s resistance to bacterial infections.

3)     Dependency and psychological effect
The constant search for lighter skin tone through the use of fairness creams can lead to a dependence on these products and have detrimental psychological impacts, including depression, low self-esteem, and problems with body image. The cycle of dependency and discontent is further exacerbated by the pressure from society to live up to unattainable beauty standards.

The Need for Regulation of Fairness Creams

The desire to have lighter skin shouldn't outweigh the possible health hazards connected to fairness creams, particularly those that contain mercury. In order to stop the spread of these dangerous items and safeguard the public's health, regulatory bodies need to act quickly. There should be stricter laws and more public awareness initiatives to counteract the growing threat posed by mercury-containing skin-fairness cosmetics.

A comprehensive strategy to mitigate the risks associated with fairness creams should include:

• Tighter Rules for Product Safety: Tighter rules are essential to guarantee the security of beauty items and completely remove mercury from fairness creams.
  
  
• Public Awareness Campaigns: These initiatives can inform customers about the risks associated with these creams and encourage a positive, healthy self-image that embraces a range of skin tones.
  
  
• Social media networks: Social media platforms and celebrities should be held responsible for promoting potentially hazardous items and unrealistic beauty standards.
  
  
• Sensitize physicians: The physicians should be guided about the health hazards posed by contaminated skin creams to effectively treat the patients.
  
  

Hence, by putting public health first and supporting the beauty of nature, we can work towards a culture that prioritises health over flimsy ideals.

We have learned so far that many skin-lightening creams pose health issues because they contain high levels of mercury, which can eventually damage our kidneys. It's critical to pay attention to the various ingredients used in beauty products. As buyers, it is our responsibility to become aware of any possible hazards related to the items and make wise decisions about what we put on our bodies. When adding new items to your beauty routine, the best approach is to be informed, read product labels, and consult with healthcare professionals. If you have any concerns about your skin, see a dermatologist.

Ask a Doctor facilitates online consultation-24x7, you can send your questions to a doctor and they will reply within minutes. You can also send in your questions to Ask a Specialist on all health related matters. Ask now!