Skin whitening hazardous

Taking advantage of popularity of skin whitening products among women in South Asia, the Middle East and Africa, many sellers are now using online platforms to market such products. While retailers can easily send a product, if given an order, the buyers have no idea about what it is. Even if it is authentic, skin whitening product is not good for health. Whitening creams contain ingredients that slow down growth of melanin in skin cells. Mercury, another common ingredient in skin whitening product, can damage skin, eyes, lung, kidney, digestive and nervous system, according to medical science. As these are available in Bangladesh, healthcare practitioners and community leaders should raise voice about risks of toxic cosmetics.

Nashid Zaman Piash,

East West University, Dhaka