Whitening creams can be dangerous, Thai expert warns

[webfact]

COSMETICS
Whitening creams can be dangerous, expert warns
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- CERTAIN WHITENING agents, including one that is being widely advertised on social media, can result in blindness or skin cancer, a senior government dermatologist warned yesterday.

Pills, liquids or cosmetics offering to whiten the skin usually contain a high amount of AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) and should ideally be prescribed by qualified dermatologists, Dr Jinda Rojjanamethin, acting director of the Public Health Ministry’s Institute of Dermatology, said.

The doctor went on to explain that users of these so-called whitening liquid doses could experience a burning sensation, flaking or inflammation of the skin or they might become far too sensitive to sunlight. These products could contribute to skin cancer if used over an extended period and even cause blindness if applied too close to the eye, he added.

Instead, the doctor said, people wishing to whiten their skin should go to qualified dermatologists, who will prescribe licensed ointments or lotions that contain the acceptable amount of AHA-based agents and do not harm the skin. They will also specify the correct usage of the product and the duration.

Manufacturers and sellers of whitening agents that have not been endorsed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) can be subject to six months in prison and/or a fine of Bt30,000, he said.

Dr Paisarn Dunkum, FDA deputy director-general, explained that all cosmetics or skin-treatment agents had to be registered with the FDA and those being sold without a label or description would automatically be considered illegal. Those who produce or sell these agents could face imprisonment, he warned.


-- The Nation 2013-09-03

[CelticBhoy]

Dangerous for the husbands too as it costs us a bloody fortune.

[theblether]

I feel your pain CB

Note no mention of the brand(s) involved. That's the Thai defamation laws at work there. Name and shame is a powerful tool denied to the Thai public. That in itself is shameful.

[RickeyParkany]

You are /never/ white enough, even amongst WASPs...this is the nub of the social aspects...it'll kill ya, trying, though, on the biologics... ;-} rap.

[Yunla]

I suppose killing you into a dead skeleton or ghost, still counts as 'whitening' though, in legal terms. I am willing to bet money that there is a legal team have already worked on that Defence just in case.

[lee b]

I suppose its the same as a white person sitting on the beach all day to get a tan, not too good for you either

[allan michaud]

"Those who produce or sell these agents could face imprisonment, he warned."

...unless they are married to someone important or have paid off the right people first.

[Katipo]

I simply wouldn't date a girl who is overly concerned with the colour of her skin.

[johnlandy]

"Dangerous!" well we know that Thai's are slow thinkers but whitening products have been the biggest selling pharmaceuticals sold in Thailand for at least the past 20+ years.

[TackyToo]

I grew up as a "brownie" in a white country and an ultra white community. Yeah, I had some tough times over this. However, I don't understand people poisening themself with mercury enriched products, to become what?

My advice: Be proud of the color of your skin, your origin and yourself as a human being!

[TackyToo]

I simply wouldn't date a girl who is overly concerned with the colour of her skin.

In this case you should avoid dating in a racist country...

[historyprof]

"Dangerous!" well we know that Thai's are slow thinkers but whitening products have been the biggest selling pharmaceuticals sold in Thailand for at least the past 20+ years.

Lipitor is the highest selling drug in Asia Pacific.

[topt]

I grew up as a "brownie" in a white country and an ultra white community. Yeah, I had some tough times over this. However, I don't understand people poisening themself with mercury enriched products, to become what?

My advice: Be proud of the color of your skin, your origin and yourself as a human being!

The mercury used can affect more than just the users apparently according to a WHO report on Indian cosmetics -

"The global health watchdog pointed out that mercury in soaps and creams is eventually discharged into wastewater. The mercury, then, enters environment, where it becomes methylated, and enters the food chain as highly toxic methylmercury in fish. Pregnant women who consume fish containing methylmercury transfer the mercury to their fetuses that can later result in neurological deficits in children."

from here http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-06-05/health/32055036_1_mercury-salts-creams-soaps

and a WHO report if you are interested - http://www.who.int/ipcs/assessment/public_health/mercury_flyer.pdf

[circusman]

"Dangerous!" well we know that Thai's are slow thinkers but whitening products have been the biggest selling pharmaceuticals sold in Thailand for at least the past 20+ years.

Lipitor is the highest selling drug in Asia Pacific.

Are we supposed to take YOUR word for it ?

[Suradit69]

I suppose its the same as a white person sitting on the beach all day to get a tan, not too good for you either

But you have to admit it makes white women irresistible and white men more ... more something.

[Suradit69]

"Dangerous!" well we know that Thai's are slow thinkers but whitening products have been the biggest selling pharmaceuticals sold in Thailand for at least the past 20+ years.

" ...well we know that Thai's are slow thinkers ..."

Odd that the fast thinking farang seem to be perpetually complaining about all the slow thinking Thai women who manage to separate them from their money no matter how many Cialis or Viagra the farang take in order to increase blood flow to their brains.

[kamahele]

I have had numerous conversations with my boyfriend about this. He is naturally on the dark side as is his entire family who come from farming stock.. Thais have been brainwashed into thinking white is beautiful and I tell him constantly that the majority has to finally stand up and say "brown is beautiful" and being a farmer is not an insult. If it wasn't for farmers, this country would be shit (or worse than it is now). I get a kick over the fact that he buys whitening deodorant so his pits can be white to stand out against the rest of his dark body! And this is a man that was educated abroad. sigh.

[Katipo]

I simply wouldn't date a girl who is overly concerned with the colour of her skin.

In this case you should avoid dating in a racist country...

Certainly it doesn't make things any easier, but it is not an impossibility

[DocN]

Instead, the doctor said, people wishing to whiten their skin should...have their head checked, because their "too dark" complexion might be an effect of having it way up their...

[Cuban]

Should use that white faced lady that hung around Soi8/Beach Road in Pattaya as poster girl for this campaign.

[marell]

I simply wouldn't date a girl who is overly concerned with the colour of her skin.

Do you get lonely?

[Katipo]

I simply wouldn't date a girl who is overly concerned with the colour of her skin.

Do you get lonely?

I was waiting for this reply

[Andre0720]

I simply wouldn't date a girl who is overly concerned with the colour of her skin.

You will remain single in Thailand...

[Spare]

"Whitening creams can be dangerous". Really?

What about the Blackening creams from New Zealand that I usually use?

At least it looks good for my shoes.

[attento]

Has it ever occurred to Thai ladies that very few men (none?) go to Thailand desparately seeking a white skinned girl ? For those men who care about this issue, the opposite is more likely. The caucasian men could have saved themselves the airfare.

[angelbat]

While living in Thailand I had to be really careful when purchasing skin care products since practically everything on the shelves was whitening! I have a friend who works in the Asia Pacific region for one of the cosmetics/skincare industry giants, and she told me that most skin whitening products don't work anyway - it is just a marketing ploy.

[historyprof]

Has it ever occurred to Thai ladies that very few men (none?) go to Thailand desparately seeking a white skinned girl ? For those men who care about this issue, the opposite is more likely. The caucasian men could have saved themselves the airfare.

Has it ever occurred to you that almost no Thai women want a non Thai man?

[StarrTV]

I am a white woman living in America and want every Thai girl to know that, generally speaking, most people consider Asian women to be the most beautiful on the planet. Be proud of your skin color and learn to use makeup to highlight your charms. Poisonous whitening cream can harm your health and can do damage to your face that can never be fixed.

[noisyboy]

Snow Lotus. If you don't know what that is, ask your wife/gf. I've heard women say "it ruins the skin in the long run, but it does whiten so I'm buying it...". Sigh.

[Bagwan]

"Dangerous!" well we know that Thai's are slow thinkers but whitening products have been the biggest selling pharmaceuticals sold in Thailand for at least the past 20+ years.

" ...well we know that Thai's are slow thinkers ..."

Odd that the fast thinking farang seem to be perpetually complaining about all the slow thinking Thai women who manage to separate them from their money no matter how many Cialis or Viagra the farang take in order to increase blood flow to their brains.

Cialis and Viagra are not designed to increase the blood flow to the brain. Of course you are too Thai, or trying too hard to be so, that you wouldn't know that. I would contend that worldwide women have persuaded,cajoled or outmanoeuvred men since the beginning of time. Nothing to do with nationality.