Dermatologist warns against dangerous skin lightening products you MUST avoid
Societal pressures and insecurities may lead to people trying to lighten their skin... with devastating consequences.
Picture: Roman Odintsov via Pexels
CapeTalk’s Clarence Ford speaks with Dr Dilshaad Asmal, dermatologist at Mediclinic Cape Town.
Listen below:
Skin bleaching is a relatively common practice people use to change their appearance.
However, it can be extremely dangerous.
Using products such as hydroquinone creams, corticosteroids, mercury-based products, and unregulated IV drips can cause irreversible damage.
Asmal says these products are easily accessible in the informal sector, despite them being outlawed because of their risks.
“No person is going to go into every corner shop or spaza shop to see that they do not stock the product.”
- Dr Dilshaad Asmal, Dermatologist at Mediclinic Cape Town
Some of the risks include skin thinning, redness, and even damage to your kidneys or neurological system.
In some cases, the user may get the opposite of their desired effect and end up with paradoxical darkening or ochronosis.
Ochronosis, a blue-black or gray-blue discolouration of the skin, cannot be reversed once it has happened and it is extremely difficult to treat, Asmal continues.
RELATED: 30% of South African women use skin-bleaching products despite serious risks – study
If you do want to brighten your skin or even your skin tone, Asmal recommends Vitamin C, azelaic acid, or niacinamide.
Additionally, she recommends using a high-quality sunblock - especially on your face.
Scroll up to the audio player for more.