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Don’t dig too deep below the skin to enhance looks
Everyone wishes to look good and there is nothing wrong with that. But be aware of what falls within the ambit of a simple “appearance enhancing” measure and what would cause harm, major or minor, at the hands of non-qualified people dispensing medical procedures.
These are the words of caution by Consultant Dermatologists Dr. Chalukya Gunasekera and Dr. Indira Kahawita who, in a public awareness campaign, detailed the fine but dangerous line between the two in cosmetic-related matters.
The four areas the public should be conscious of are cream applications, tablets, injections and procedures, the Sunday Times learns.
Referring to ‘creams’, Dr. Gunasekera points out that doctors would apply bleaching cream on a circumscribed area, depending on the diagnosis of a disease. “We know the ingredients of these bleaching creams and prescribe them for very specific conditions.”
Warning against buying such creams off the shelves, Dr. Kahawita is quick to point out that “fairness” has now gone beyond the basics to the extremes of “whitening” creams. Bleaching creams are prescription medications and should not be used by individuals on themselves or on others. She quotes a recent World Health Organization (WHO) study which has revealed that fairness creams contain mercury and arsenic. Although Sri Lanka had not been part of the study, the Philippines had been and the disclosures could very well apply to our country as well.
Delving into the dangers of picking up such creams off the shelves, she stressed that they could be of dubious origin even copycat stuff which could cause serious short and long-term harm. When a doctor prescribes such a cream for the purpose of treating a disease, that cream is a registered product brought under the supervision of the Cosmetics, Devices and Drugs Regulatory Authority (CDDRA).
Even if the labels have the names of well-known companies producing beauty products, be wary. For those products would be very expensive and if they are found cheaply in the market question why, is her simple logic.
If someone, other than a doctor, is dispensing such creams, there may also be the possibility that medically-prescribed stuff is being misused and abused, the Sunday Times understands.
Dr. Gunasekera underlines the fact that when doctors use steroidal creams, on an individual patient-by-patient basis, a side-effect is whitening of the area adjacent to the diseased site of application. “This is the time we stop its application. However, some people use this side-effect to achieve a lighter complexion which is harmful.”
Dealing with the side-effects of many creams bought off the shelves, Dr. Kahawita says that the short-term ones would mainly be allergic reactions or an eruption of pimples, while the skin could also become dependent on such creams. However, the long-term effects are not known.
Usually what is needed for the skin is a general moisturising cream, says Dr. Kahawita, while Dr. Gunasekera adds that acceptable and CDDRA-registered sunscreens should be used. Anti-ageing creams which include proven retinoids, fruit acids and vitamins such as ‘C’ are acceptable.
Giving tips on safeguards when buying cream or anything for that matter, both doctors urge the public to read the small print on the labels. See whether it is from a reputed manufacturer and not a counterfeit and check the ingredient list, the dates of manufacture and expiry and how it has been stored. If when opened there is an odour, even slight, or the cream is hard and brittle, don’t use it.
No one other than a qualified doctor should prescribe any ‘tablet’ even vitamin tablets, both Dermatologists are categorical.
Certain vitamins are prescribed for certain conditions. It could be hair-loss, says Dr. Gunasekera citing an example, but cautioning that even some vitamins can get accumulated in the body and cause harm. Vitamins too should be prescribed with care, she says, pointing out that even Vitamins A and D if taken in excess can become toxic. When pregnant, one needs to be mindful of what one is taking and should do so only under the guidance of a doctor. Dr. Kahawita points out that no tablet which causes whitening of the skin is registered and advises strongly against buying such products on the web. Even the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States of America has sent out a strong warning against them.
Tablets taken to gain weight are also a definite “No, no”, according to both doctors.
Similar to tablets, ‘injections’ can also be administered only by doctors, the Sunday Times learns.
Whether steroidal or to whiten the skin, no person other than a doctor can give an injection, reiterated Dr. Kahawita.
The final category both Dermatologists deal with is ‘procedures’.
Appearance or beauty enhancement should be resorted to through simple applications which will not harm the individual, says Dr. Gunasekera, while Dr. Kahawita’s fervent plea is that no one should tamper with the structure of the skin which should not be changed at any cost.
Nothing should be done to the pigmentation, she says, adding that facials are fine as long as there is no disturbance of the pigmentation.
Another warning that comes from them is that acne treatment is specifically the domain of a medically-qualified person because acne is a disease.
The root cause for the eruption of acne has to be identified, be it a hormonal imbalance or something else and treatment targeted specifically, says Dr. Kahawita, as Dr. Gunasekera adds that blanket treatment is not acceptable.
Chemical peeling of the skin, cauterisation of warts, laser treatment and scar-surgery, however small, fall within the domain of doctors, particularly Plastic Surgeons or Dermatologists, the Sunday Times learns.
| Being dark has benefits, say both docs
The advantages of being dark are vigorously put forth by both Dr. Gunasekera and Dr. Kahawita. The effects of age are more on white skin than on dark skin and the melanin layer in darker people in fact protects them from skin cancer, it is learnt. While the chances of moles on white skins becoming cancerous are more, those on dark skins hardly-ever go that way, says Dr. Gunasekera. Don’t try to lighten your skin but protect it from the sun with a sunscreen, is Dr. Gunasekera’s advice. |