Skin whiteners that connect the dots towards cancer

 CHEAP CREAMS THAT BRING CANCER

In Chinese acupuncture, pressure points on the body are selected for treatment and needles are inserted

• Recent findings reveal that many skin-whitening products contain mercury levels that far exceed the permitted limit
• Due to the use of cosmetics containing high levels of mercury 40 percent of the younger generation suffer from skin conditions
• In Pettah, a wide range of whitening creams is sold, but their durability and quality remain highly questionable
• Research shows that many young people are turning to Chinese acupuncture as a method of lightening their skin

OFFENSES PUNISHABLE BY LAW 

According to the Consumer Affairs Authority Act, traders who sell unauthorized creams can be prosecuted and punished. Violation of the provisions of the said Act is a punishable offense. According to the said Act, the section is explained as follows. If a dangerous unauthorized cream fails to meet its prescribed standards or if a sale is made in violation of the licenses of the Act for the sale of cosmetics, accessories, and medicines, it is a punishable offense under the Act. If these provisions of the Act are violated, the Consumer Affairs Authority is empowered by the Act to file a case in a Magistrate’s Court and confiscate the unauthorized goods

STATE OFFICIALS UNAVAILABLE FOR COMMENT

This newspaper contacted the Consumer Affairs Authority and the Ministry of Health to inquire into these issues, but no officials were available to provide a proper response due to engagements in emergency meetings

By Prageeth Sampath Karunathilaka

Many people strive to enhance their appearance during their youth, and today this trend is common among both men and women. As a result, young people have become accustomed to using cosmetics and pills marketed as beauty products. This has created a craze that often comes in waves. At one time, there was a belief among young people that everything they consumed should be natural. According to the Consumer Affairs Authority Act, No. 09 of 2003, cosmetic creams and lotions are permitted to contain no more than one milligram of mercury per kilogram.

However, recent findings reveal that many skin-whitening products contain mercury levels that far exceed this limit. Due to the absence of an effective regulation procedure, such cosmetics continue to be widely available in the market. Due to the increased use of cosmetics, containing high levels of mercury, approximately 40 percent of the younger generation now suffer from various skin conditions. Medical findings indicate that their skin is thinning, blood vessels are more visible, and the risk of developing skin cancer has increased. In Pettah, a wide range of whitening creams is sold, but their durability and quality remain highly questionable. Such products should only be used under medical advice and sold exclusively in pharmacies. The fact that these harmful cosmetics are openly sold in ordinary cosmetic shops in Pettah highlights a serious issue.

Several outlets raided

Recently, the Consumer Affairs Authority raided several outlets and seized cosmetic products. Investigations revealed that these products lacked proper standards and contained harmful substances such as steroids, retinoids, hydroquinone and mercury. When applied to the skin, the chemicals in these products interfere with the production and transportation of melanin, preventing its deposition in skin cells. Medical experts note that the whitening effect occurs due to the reduction of melanin and the pigment responsible for darker skin. However, this whitening is only temporary. To maintain it, users must apply the creams continuously, which in turn leads to further skin problems.

Dr. Prasad Desapriya, Director of Kalubowila Chinese Acupuncture Clinic says that Chinese princesses and queens used beauty treatments to maintain youthfulness and these methods included Chinese acupuncture

The Consumer Affairs Authority has recently confirmed that the skin-whitening cosmetics available in the market contain high concentrations of steroids. Prolonged use of steroids on the skin causes thinning, cracking, and irreversible damage, often leading to premature ageing. Thinner skin makes blood vessels more visible, reducing the skin’s radiance. Clinically, human skin colour is classified into six categories. Type 1 refers to very fair-skinned individuals, while Type 6 corresponds to the dark black skin tone typically found in African populations. The skin colour of Sri Lankans generally falls between Types 4 and 6, as we have brown complexions. The skin colour of humans is caused by melanin, the pigment in skin cells. Due to Sri Lanka’s location near the equator, the islanders are exposed to strong sunlight. When the melanin pigment is present in the skin, it prevents harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun from entering the body, thereby protecting against cancer-causing effects. Younger generations often overlook this natural protection. As a result, they may become increasingly vulnerable to various skin-related diseases in the future.

Medical guidance

Therefore, any attempt to whiten the skin should be undertaken only under proper medical guidance. Sri Lanka is home to several medical traditions, including Western medicine, Ayurveda, indigenous medicine, and Chinese acupuncture. Each of these systems has its own approaches to skin whitening or treatments to improve skin appearance, such as reducing wrinkles. In these systems, qualified practitioners follow appropriate methods when providing treatment. In contrast, the use of unregulated cosmetics sold in places like Pettah has now become a major cause of serious illnesses. Our research showed that many young people are turning to Chinese acupuncture as a method of lightening their skin.

This is because it does not rely on pills, decoctions, lotions, pastes, and other medicines to whiten the skin. Both young and older actors seek this method to whiten their skin and reduce wrinkles. Some of these actors also appear in advertisements promoting harmful cosmetic products while personally resorting to acupuncture for treatment. In Chinese acupuncture, pressure points on the body are selected for treatment and needles are inserted. The human body has around 700 acupuncture points, including about 200 points on the ear, as well as several points on the head and face. For skin whitening treatments, these specific points are targeted. This medical tradition has a history of more than 3,000 years. According to Dr. Prasad Desapriya, Director of Kalubowila Chinese Acupuncture Clinic and Media Director of Medicina Alternativa University, Chinese acupuncture has been practised through experiments, observations and conclusions. While the young generation in Sri Lanka seeks shortcuts to lighten their skin using methods that pose cancer risks, many countries around the world follow proper medical approaches. Countries such as South Africa, China, Japan and Korea serve as examples. Youth in these countries use Chinese acupuncture to maintain skin tone and preserve a youthful appearance. This method is also performed by highly skilled acupuncturists in Sri Lanka. It has gained international recognition, and according to Dr. Deshapriya, it has attracted patients from around the world.

Restoring wrinkled and sagging skin has become a popular practice these days

The system was popularised in Sri Lanka by Professor Anton Jayasuriya, who introduced this form of China medicine and trained the younger generation in its practice. Dr. Desapriya noted that a dedicated unit for Chinese acupuncture was established at Kalubowila General Hospital, which helped spread the practice of this medical system across the country. Restoring wrinkled and sagging skin has become a popular practice these days. Many people are eager to lighten their complexion. A variety of factors contribute to discoloration of the skin. If there is excess phlegm in the body, the sides of the nose will darken and dark circles will appear under the eyes. Diets rich in sugar and refined flour often lead to obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes. Severe obesity can also darken the sides of the neck. It may further cause varicose veins and joint pain. All of these conditions affect one’s appearance. Proper medical advice should always be followed when seeking treatment. Using cheap cosmetics from Pettah instead can cause serious harm.

In the past, Chinese princesses and queens used beauty treatments to maintain youthfulness and these methods included Chinese acupuncture. Gold needles were used in these treatments. Therefore, using beauty treatments is not inherently wrong—it is a personal choice. The issue lies in the methods being used. While proper skincare cannot prevent ageing, they can help a person appear younger than their actual age. This is considered the secret of beauty, and according to Dr. Deshapriya, Chinese acupuncture continues to follow this principle. Just for the sake of whitening, one cannot transform a darkskinned person into a fair-skinned one. Attempting this change requires the use of harmful creams and other topical applications on the body. However, this is dangerous. It increases the risk of developing cancer and also raises the likelihood of skin problems such as itchy rashes, scaly patches and sores. In the pursuit of becoming fair and beautiful, a person may end up as a patient within a year or two. As a result, these harmful creams are destroying the lives of young people in our country. If this continues, it will be unthinkable to even imagine a prosperous nation or a beautiful life for people. This is because it is mainly the youth who are turning to these harmful creams, lotions, and pills.

Chinese acupuncture is widely used worldwide for cosmetic purposes

In another five years, what this country will produce is a generation of cancer patients and those suffering from incurable skin diseases. And these issues will be caused by these toxic cosmetic products. University students, schoolchildren, and those working in garment factories, private sector jobs, and other occupations have become accustomed to using these products to enhance their appearance. However, in the end, this causes a severe impact on the future of the nation. Therefore, Dr. Deshapriya emphasised that Sri Lankans must all unite to realise the vision of a prosperous nation and a healthy, beautiful life. Many of these harmful cosmetics are produced without adhering to any standards. Investigations have shown that some of these products are manufactured by mixing chemicals obtained from Pettah. The result is substandard creams. Additionally, various oils, vitamins, and creams for hair and skin are marketed under different names. Young actors are frequently used in advertisements to promote these products, increasing social appeal for products. Some of the actors and actresses appearing in advertisements for certain creams have actually maintained their youth through Chinese acupuncture treatments. They have achieved results such as fairer skin and the removal of acne with these treatments. There are treatments, carried out under proper medical guidance that can lighten the skin. However, their results are not immediate. It takes about two years to achieve proper results from such treatments. When the skin and hair are treated correctly, the benefits appear gradually, as pointed out by Dr. Deshapriya. Many of the creams and oils available in the market at present are manufactured without proper standards and therefore should be banned. Some creams are imported and sold locally.

These products are manufactured according to the climatic and environmental conditions of the countries they come from, and suite users living in those countries. Once imported and marketed here, they bring no real benefit to local consumers. Certain cosmetics produced in Middle Eastern and European countries are simply not suitable for use in this country. Dr. Deshapriya emphasised that it is far more practical to carry out beauty treatments under proper medical methods. Chinese acupuncture is not solely used for cosmetic purposes. Historically, Mao Zedong employed Chinese acupuncture to treat malaria among the Red Army in China. In Sri Lanka, this method has also been successfully used to treat conditions such as psoriasis and arthritis. Today, however, Chinese acupuncture is widely used worldwide for cosmetic purposes. Therefore, Dr. Deshapriya further emphasised that the government should increasingly focus on this medical approach for carrying out beauty treatments under proper care.