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Skin lightening can carry (serious) risks for the unborn child…
Pigmentation problems and scarring, cutaneous atrophy, but also diabetes, cancer, etc – skin lightening cosmetics come with serious risks for those who use them, whether male or female. In the front line is one group of people we often forget about: women of reproductive age and their unborn children.
Skin lightening cosmetics often contain substances that are dangerous to babies when they are exposed to them while still in the womb. Some are teratogens, ie they can cause malformation of the embryo. This is the case with tretinoin. Mercury salts too are problematic – they can lead to cataracts, renal disorders and pulmonary hypertension. And that’s not all. Many skin-lightening creams also contain dermocorticoids and we know little about the risks these pose when they are used cosmetically. And added to these uncertainties about the health of the unborn child are the undesirable effects for the mother, which include stretch marks, delayed healing of caesarean scars and risk of infection. So, if you have concerns about any of these issues, go and see your doctor … without delay.
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