Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker, Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Fitness vs. Sponsorship for this study was funded by a Transdisciplinary Center on Health Effects of Early Environmental Exposures P30 Core Center pilot grant (P30ES023515) at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Consult your pharmacist or the product labeling for more information. Khan, Y.-H. Wang, N. Mohamed, and A. Alexis have nothing to disclose. Dadzie OE, Petit A. (2018). However, surprisingly sparse information is available on the epidemiology of the health impacts of skin-bleaching practices among these populations. New oral and topical approaches for the treatment of melasma. 12 Medicines That Could Help, List Skin Bleaching Cream side effects by likelihood and severity. Common topical (applied to the skin) bleaching creams and lotions have historically contained hydroquinone, corticosteroids, and mercury compounds. and transmitted securely. If youre interested in oral skin lightening products, talk to your healthcare provider about your best options. Skin bleaching is a multibillion-dollar business, with an estimated 15% of the worlds population using skin lightening products. Mercury poisoning associated with beauty creamTexas, New Mexico, and California, 19951996. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Overview of skin whitening agents with an insight into the illegal cosmetic market in Europe. Bethesda, MD 20894, Web Policies Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. From a medical standpoint, theres no need to lighten the skin. Injectable skin lightening products are available, but the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) do not recommend them. In: Shroff, H., Diedrichs, P. C., & Craddock, N. (2018). Skin lightening can even out skin tone by minimizing areas of hyperpigmentation, such as sun damage. Guide to inspections of cosmetic product manufacturers: mercury compounds (codified at 21 CFR 700.13). (2014). (2015). Before using hydroquinone, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. While it is easier to focus just on newly emerging populations by geography, we should also examine the prevalence of this practice among other under-studied risk groups such as men, younger populations, and pregnant mothers. Hydroquinone is used to lighten the dark patches of skin (also called hyperpigmentation, melasma, "liver spots," "age spots," freckles) caused by pregnancy, birth control pills, hormone medicine, or injury to the skin.This medicine works by blocking the process in the skin that leads to discoloration. While skin-bleaching research has been heavily focused on darker-skinned African populations, it has become an increasing concern in Jamaica and other Afro-Caribbean countries [6, 8, 11]. Existing studies often employ a single-aspect design highlighting only one of three topic areas: (1) psychosocial implications, (2) dermatological health effects, or (3) an exposure assessment of the skin-bleaching practice. A doctor or dermatologist can prescribe a skin bleaching product based on your needs. Skin bleaching drug products for over-the-counter human use; proposed rule. To help you remember, use it at the same times each day. While these are all challenges that we must work on with these communities to overcome, from a research perspective, we still have a major difficulty in identifying patients with specific diagnoses resulting from skin bleaching because identifying cases requires an index of suspicion on the part of the clinician and specific inquiry into skin care practices, which may not be performed consistently or documented in the medical record [14]. Skin whitening agents: medicinal chemistry perspective of tyrosinase inhibitors. First, we must comprehensively estimate the prevalence of skin bleaching among both previously studied populations and populations, like those from Afro-Caribbean countries such as Jamaica, for which this practice is newly emerging at an alarming rate. Skin lightening cream induced dermatitis and atrophy. Third, we should identify all skin-bleaching products used and scientifically evaluate ingredients such as metals, hydroquinone, and the steroid composition of these exposures using specialized laboratory methods [37, 38]. Limited access to dermatologists among the population at risk may also contribute to under-detection of complications of skin bleaching. Learn more. Quantitative determination of alpha-arbutin, beta-arbutin, kojic acid, nicotinamide, hydroquinone, resorcinol, 4-methoxyphenol, 4-ethoxyphenol, and ascorbic acid from skin whitening products by HPLC-UV. Hamann CR, Boonchai W, Wen L, Sakanashi EN, Chu CY, Hamann K, Hamann CP, Sinniah K, Hamann D. Spectrometric analysis of mercury content in 549 skin-lightening products: is mercury toxicity a hidden global health hazard? It causes your body to excrete too much protein in your urine. It can be beneficial for those who want to minimize skin discoloration, such as: Some skin bleaching treatments may help fade acne scars. Skin color, cultural capital, and beauty products: an investigation of the use of skin fairness products in Mumbai, India. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Avoid getting this product in your eyes or on the inside of your nose or mouth. Newer alternatives that may have fewer or less serious side effects include: Some of the following are commonly recommended for homemade skin lightening products, but their effectiveness may be mixed: There are a number of products that can be taken orally (by mouth) to lighten skin. Results arent guaranteed and theres evidence that skin lightening can result in serious side effects and complications. Skin lightening is one situation when its best to follow the guidance of a medical professional. Two cases of allergic contact dermatitis due to skin-whitening cosmetics. To use a skin lightening cream, its advisable to follow the directions given by a doctor or on the packaging. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and include: Exogenous ochronosis (EO) is a skin disorder that causes blue-black pigmentation. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding. Charles CAD. The products were deemed not safe for human use based on a review of evidence. Ruelmaking history for OTC skin bleaching drug products. What should I know regarding pregnancy, nursing and administering Skin Bleaching Cream to children or the elderly? Keep reading to find out. The articles on Health Guide are underpinned by peer-reviewed research and information drawn from medical societies and governmental agencies. Stop using hydroquinone and tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: blistering, skin cracking, blue-black darkening of the skin. Alison Dalton. The site is secure. Because of this, the market for skin bleaching agents is huge. If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. This can result in lighter skin and a more even appearance to the skin. Inorganic mercury poisoning associated with skin-lightening cosmetic products. Nephrotic syndrome is a kidney disorder often caused by damage to the blood vessels in your kidneys responsible for filtering waste and excess water. Maneli MH, Wiesner L, Tinguely C, Davids LM, Spengane Z, Smith P, van Wyk JC, Jardine A, Khumalo NP. Skin bleaching: highlighting the misuse of cutaneous depigmenting agents. official website and that any information you provide is encrypted Products marketed as natural skin bleaching aids are not regulated by the FDA. The protective role of melanin against UV damage in human skin. Mercury poisoning linked to skin lightening creams. EU. The FDA does not consider OTC skin lightening products safe or effective. Desmedt, B., Courselle, P., De Beer, J. O., Rogiers, V., Grosber, M., Deconinck, E., & De Paepe, K. (2016). Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Barr RD, Rees PH, Cordy PE, Kungu A, Woodger BA, Cameron HM. We offer five new research directions, including investigating the known and under-studied health consequences among populations for which the skin bleach practice is newly emerging at an alarming rate using innovative laboratory and statistical methods. Hydroquinone and its analogues in dermatologya risk-benefit viewpoint. Some of these side effects can be very serious, including dermatitis, irritation, sensitivity, toxicity, kidney damage, and brain damage (Qian, 2020). What conditions does Skin Bleaching Cream treat. However, in the process, these products damage the melanocytes. Mercury exposure among household users and nonusers of skin-lightening creams produced in MexicoCalifornia and Virginia, 2010. Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). It can also help reduce the appearance of freckles. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. Apply this medication to the affected areas of skin, usually twice daily or as directed by your doctor. All rights reserved. Lemon juice and hydrogen peroxide can irritate the skin and eyes, and cause other side effects. Due to health concerns, some of these chemicals are regulated [1923]. Side effects can include irritation, infection, discoloration, brain damage, kidney damage, and more. All rights reserved. While these products are often effective, they can be dangerous to your health. Mercury has been banned as an ingredient in skin lightening products in the United States, but products made in other countries still contain mercury. Follow all directions on the product package, or use as directed by your doctor. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. It has no health benefits and has been linked to a number of very serious side effects. If youre considering skin bleaching, see your doctor or a dermatologist about the benefits and risks. Hormones, sunlight, and certain chemicals also affect melanin production. ODonoghue JL. Avoid prolonged sun exposure, tanning booths, and sunlamps. If the test area is itching, red, puffy, or blistering, do not use this product and contact your doctor. Al-Saleh I. Population-based inorganic mercury biomonitoring and the identification of skin care products as a source of exposure in New York City. Here's how to pick the best one for, While there's little scientific evidence that aloe vera can reduce the appearance of hyperpigmented areas of skin, many people report that it works to, Dark lips are often the result of hyperpigmentation. Steroid acne mostly affects the chest, but can also show up on the back, arms, and other parts of the body with long-term use of corticosteroids. Most skin lightening products are not recommended for darker skin tones and could cause hyperpigmentation. about navigating our updated article layout. Melanin is a pigment produced by cells called melanocytes. The exact prevalence of this practice among different population groups across different geographic areas is not known, and the existing estimates (e.g., 2567%) have most likely been underestimated, since some women may be reluctant to admit the practice because of the stigma surrounding these complexion-altering behaviors [6, 7]. Keep all medications away from children and pets. Second, besides the known dermatologic effects of skin bleach, such as dermatitis, exogenous ochronosis, and acne, we should also expand our focus to long-term health consequences such as cancer as well as interactions between physical and psychosocial health outcomes. Brenner M, Hearing VJ. Too much sun exposure, smoking, allergic reactions, and even lip sucking can lead to, Hydroquinone is a skin-lightening agent. Skin lightening creams are typically applied only to dark areas of skin once or twice a day. Potential health consequences of applying mercury-containing skin-lightening creams during pregnancy and lactation periods. They may also be absorbed into the bloodstream and circulate throughout the body, affecting areas besides the skin. People with darker skin have more melanin in their skin than people with lighter skin. Here are 18 of the best night creams for all skin types, plus how, Microneedling is a popular procedure using tiny needle pricks to treat acne scars, wrinkles, large pores, and more. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Although they currently appear to be effective and safe, more research is needed to determine if theyre safe for all people or when taken for longer periods. People with dark skin have more melanin. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch. Most existing studies focus on only one of the ingredients in these beauty products, which has hindered investigations of the health effects of exposure to mixtures from multiple ingredients. The authors would also like to acknowledge Ms. Richa Deshpande, a graduate research assistant at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, for her editorial assistance in the revision phase of the manuscript submission process. Before Skin bleaching is a personal choice that shouldnt be made lightly. Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. [Updated May 10, 2021]. But research the products carefully because of the potential side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Everything You Need to Know About Hydroquinone, Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT, The 17 Best Sea Salt Sprays for Every Hair Type & Budget, The 18 Best Night Creams for All Skin Types, Microneedling: Collagen Induction Therapy, applying the product sparingly using clean hands or a cotton pad, avoiding contact with your surrounding skin, eyes, nose, and mouth, avoiding touching the treated area against another persons skin, applying sunscreen to prevent skin damage from UV exposure. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. Mercury exposure among household users and nonusers of skin-lightening creams produced in Mexico California and Virginia, 2010 weekly. Sales of skin whitening agents increase annually, led by the Asian market. A well-designed, comprehensive integrative study would give researchers the latitude to investigate the underlying roots and epidemiologic status of skin bleaching while simultaneously providing evidence of exposure-outcome associations, which would serve as a necessary strategy if our ultimate goal is to develop efficacious interventions that can effectively reduce the health burdens of this practice. In fact, this topic has gained very little attention among clinical and translational researchers in the US, with existing studies primarily limited to investigations of outbreaks of Hg poisoning related to the use of skin-whitening products [2729]. There is not enough evidence that they work, and there may be health risks. Spectrometric analysis of mercury content in 549 skin-lightening products: Is mercury toxicity a hidden global health hazard? Skin bleaching is not uncommon in the US, and the health burden of skin-bleaching practices is not evenly distributed among the population. Kooyers TJ, Westerhof W. Toxicology and health risks of hydroquinone in skin lightening formulations. People who use it on large areas of the body or on the entire body are more likely to develop EO. FDA. All named authors meet the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) criteria for authorship for this manuscript, take responsibility for the integrity of the work as a whole, and have given final approval for the version to be published. National Library of Medicine A number of countries have banned the use of skin bleaching products because of the dangers associated with them. Skin bleaching treatments can reduce dark spots on the skin caused by sun damage, aging, and hormonal changes. This increases the risk of dangerous side effects and should be avoided. The amount of melanin in your skin is mostly determined by genetics. Skin diseases associated with the cosmetic use of bleaching products in women from Dakar, Senegal. (2018). If there is just mild redness, then treatment with this product may begin. FOIA Talk to your pharmacist for more details. McKelvey W, Jeffery N, Clark N, Kass D, Parsons PJ. Because of these harmful side effects, the cosmetic industry is now taking a different approach to skin lightening. Enguita FJ, Leitao AL. In a 2014 study of 549 skin lightening creams bought online and in stores, nearly 12 percent contained mercury. If you want to lighten or even out your skin color, there are effective skin bleaching products and procedures on the marketbut some pose very real risks to your health. Learn more sharing sensitive information, make sure youre on a federal Skin bleaching products arent regulated by the FDA. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. Mercury poisoning associated with a Mexican beauty cream. Benn EKT, et al. [Press release]. Before using, apply a small amount of this medicine to an area of unbroken skin, and check the area within 24 hours for any serious side effects. Well share 10 at-home treatments you can try, From lightening creams and OTC peels to laser therapy, there are many different treatments for hyperpigmentation. Adding night cream to your skin care routine can be a great way to boost moisture. Benn, B. Liu, I.A. Widespread use of toxic skin lightening compounds: medical and psychosocial aspects. Fourth, we should empirically compute the dose-response relationships between the aforementioned exposures and associated dermatologic outcomes across various usage patterns and durations, which also require using innovative biomarkers to assess short- and long-term exposures to skin-bleaching products. Sonthalia, S., Daulatabad, D., & Sarkar, R. (2016). CDC. Using skin bleaching agents over large areas of skin can cause premature aging of the skin by making the skin more fragile. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. Having fragile, damaged skin also increases your risk of skin cancer. Do not use it later for another skin problem unless told to do so by your doctor. Although theyre generally effective, these chemicals can have serious side effects, both on the skin area theyre applied to and throughout the body (Qian, 2020): Since traditional lightening agents come with some serious potential side effects, you may see other ingredients used instead.