Injection for whitening?

Colombo, Oct. 16 (Daily Mirror) - Dermatologists warned that no country including Sri Lanka, has ever approved or registered any injection or multivitamin for skin whitening.

Speaking at a media briefing held at the Health Promotion Bureau, Dr. Indira Kahawita of the National Hospital stressed that such products are illegal, unsafe, and can cause irreversible damage.

"These injections are only approved for treating nutritional deficiencies and not for cosmetic use. Many so-called ‘vitamin injections’ promoted online have no manufacturer details, no medical approval, and no safety verification,” she said.

She revealed that hospitals continue to receive patients suffering from blackened fingers, patchy whitening, discoloured nails, and even permanent skin and tissue damage caused by these unregulated treatments. Some creams and “botanical” or “natural” whitening products have also been linked to a 5% increase in cancer risk, she added.

Meanwhile, Dr. Nayani Madarasingha, President of the Sri Lanka College of Dermatology, noted that only qualified and SLMC-registered doctors are permitted to carry out dermatological procedures.

“Unqualified beauticians cannot legally perform medical aesthetic treatments,” she said.

As such, she urged the public to verify doctors’ credentials via the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) website before undergoing any cosmetic treatment.