Skin whitening cream may contain mercury, and lipstick may contain chromium and nickel, Indian study shows
BMJ 2014; 348 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.g1330 (Published 05 February 2014) Cite this as: BMJ 2014;348:g1330
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This is a worrying, but consistent finding of what is now a global phenomenon. Adulterating cosmetics with heavy metals as melanosuppressive agents in non-Caucasian regions of the world that are, not uncharacteristically, plagued with lax regulatory bodies is music to manufacturers' ears. In the past decade and a half, the systemic penetration of American brands into South Asian, Latin American and African countries and a boom in domestic cosmetic industries is for all to see. From sponsoring of beauty pageants where winners are cherrypicked from target markets to total usurping of all advertising with messages that have banked on and encouraged an obsession with lighter skin in all these cultures, one wonders if heavy metal toxicity is really a hidden global health hazard, a concern shared by Hamman and colleagues after a recent comprehensive analysis(1). Directed government intervention is the need of the hour to retard the unfettered profiteering taking place with zilch concern for the unnecessary health risks and undesirable skin images these companies are exposing millions of unsuspecting people.
1. Hamman CR, Boochai W et al. Spectrometric analysis of mercury content in 549 skin-lightening products: Is mercury toxicity a hidden global health hazard? J Am Acad Dermatol. 2014 Feb;70(2):281-287.e3.
Competing interests: No competing interests
Re: Skin whitening cream may contain mercury, and lipstick may contain chromium and nickel, Indian study shows
The hypnotizing effects of advertisements, the craze for a chiseled body and longing for a beautiful body have made youngsters health conscious. There are hundreds of body building gyms, aerobic centers providing physical facilities coupled with health experts and beauticians to offer guidance. In a growing global pandemic of obesity such centers kindle an interest in keeping one's physique in shape. Yet exploitation by the cosmetic industry with claims that they have creams and powders that can cure everything from pimples to pot-bellies flood the market. The safety of these products do get tested, yet the findings of pathological levels of mercury and other metals question the validity of those tested results. We cannot stop cosmetic industries from selling their products. Yet we can scrutinize their safety and help avoid poisoning our youngsters who want to take care of their physique and health.
Competing interests: No competing interests