Skin whitening creams are dangerous for women to be careful of if you don’t want to ruin your face and skin. Especially homemade creams that contain prohibited substances, they can have even worse effects on your body than you think. Let’s take a look at the dangers of skin whitening creams, along with how to spot creams that you shouldn’t use.
Dangers of skin whitening creams, illegal creams, full of toxins!
From a study by the Institute of Dermatology, Department of Medical Services, which examined dangerous substances in cosmetics from patients who submitted for examination And from buying and selling through flea markets and online markets between 2018-2019. A total of 420 samples, it was found that most products called ” whitening creams “. Contain up to 25 percent of dangerous substances. Meaning that in every 4 boxes of whitening creams 1 box. Of dangerous substances will be found. Mercury is the most common dangerous substance, followed by hydroquinone and vitamin A acid.
The above dangerous substances have a mechanism that helps whiten the ยูฟ่าเบท skin, but also cause various side effects as follows:
1. Mercury
in whitening creams has a mechanism to inhibit the work of the enzyme tyrosinase, causing less melanin production, thus helping to whiten the skin. In addition, mercury also has the effect of killing some bacteria, thus preventing acne.
Side effects from use
Toxicity to the skin: Although mercury reduces melanin. It has been found that it can cause allergies, red rashes, dark facial skin. If used long-term, it will cause thinning skin, increase dark spots on the skin, permanent melasma, or in some areas, permanent skin blemishes.
Toxicity to the nervous system: Causes tremors, inflammation of the nerves, abnormal balance, convulsions, depression or hallucinations.
Toxicity to the liver and kidneys: Causes long-term hepatitis and nephritis. Risk of acute liver and kidney failure, leading to death.
Toxic to the blood system: causes anemia.
Toxic to the fetus: If used during pregnancy. Mercury will be absorbed into the baby. There is a risk of causing brain damage and mental retardation in the baby.
2. Hydroquinone Hydroquinone works
by inhibiting the chemical process of melanin-producing cells. When the amount of melanin is reduced, the skin becomes whiter. This mechanism makes hydroquinone used as a topical treatment for melasma, freckles, and dark spots. The FDA has specified that no more than 2% of hydroquinone can be used to treat melasma.
Side effects from overdose
Toxicity to the skin: There is a burning sensation, red bumps, and increased darkening. The skin in the area where it is applied. If used continuously for a long time, it can cause permanent blue-black melasma and increase the risk of skin cancer.
Toxicity to the nervous system: The drug will be absorbed into the bloodstream. And can cause the body to tremble or have seizures or cause an allergic reaction to the drug.
3. Vitamin A acid (Retinoic acid)
This type of acid interferes with the melanin-producing process, stimulates cell division, and accelerates the shedding of skin cells in the epithelial layer. It also inhibits the activity of the enzyme tyrosinase, which is used to create melanin. It also prevents the formation of acne, which is the cause of acne.
Side effects from use
Toxicity to the skin: Causes skin irritation, peeling, inflammation, and easy sensitivity to sunlight. It may cause temporary vitiligo or darkening of the skin and may harm the fetus.
4. Steroids
inhibit the production of melanin, making the skin whiter. Steroids are substances that are prohibited in cosmetics. They are often used as a formula mixed with other drugs. Such as hydroquinone or retinoids, to treat melasma, freckles, and dark spots. Steroids will enhance the effects and reduce the side effects of hydroquinone and retinoids. Side effects
from use Using
high concentrations of steroid creams, if used incorrectly and for a long period of time, can cause side effects such as skin burning, white stretch marks, redness, rashes, thin skin and dilated blood vessels. If applied to the face or areas with a lot of sebaceous glands, it can cause acne, which is harder to treat than general acne. And when thin skin is exposed to anything. It is easily allergic and has a higher risk of skin cancer.
How to identify dangerous creams
1. No labels or incomplete labels
The correct label will be in Thai and contain all mandatory information, including the name and type of product, ingredients, how to use, name of the manufacturer, date of manufacture, and net amount. If any skin whitening cream does not have these details, it is best to avoid it.
2. Fast results but cheap
If it is cheap and works to whiten the skin quickly, you have to assume that it is a dangerous cream. This is because many brands of skin whitening creams have taken good chemical ingredients and cream textures and mixed them with mercury, hydroquinone, and steroids to reduce production costs. This is because quality whitening ingredients such as Alpha-arbutin are very expensive, making the cost expensive.
3. The appearance of the cream changes after opening.
Self-stirring creams are bought by manufacturers from various sources and mixed without controlling the quality. What is often clearly observed is that when left for about 1 month. The cream will change color, the water and texture will separate, and the packaging will change color or easily corrode.
4. The seller does not provide detailed information.
Try asking the seller questions such as: Do you use it yourself? Where is it made? How long can it be stored? Then consider whether it is reliable, transparent, and ready for inspection. Importantly, if the skin whitening cream is dangerous, the seller will not dare to use the cream.
5. Test the cream on your arm.
Apply the cream on your forearm, then cover it with a plaster. Then apply another plaster to the skin nearby. Wait about 5 hours, then peel off the plaster.
6. Test with detergent.
Dissolve the detergent in water. Use a concentrated solution. Then use a cotton swab to wipe the cream. Dip the cream in the detergent solution. Leave it for 1-2 minutes. Then take it out and check. If the cream turns brown or cocoa, it means there is an excess of hydroquinone.
7. Makes the skin sensitive to light.
If the product causes the skin to be sensitive to light. Thins the skin is exposed to hot sunlight, the skin will feel irritated. A rash will appear, freckles will appear. The heart will beat abnormally, and you will feel dizzy even though you have had enough rest.
8. Use a kit to test for prohibited substances in cosmetics and food.
If you want to be sure and easy, we recommend using a kit to test cosmetics and facial creams, whether from the Department of Medical Sciences, Ministry of Public Health, or the Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, such as a mercury test kit. A hydroquinone test kit, or an acidity test kit. Although it costs hundreds.