Cancer warning over skin bleaching treatment

Trendy skin bleaching jabs are "potentially dangerous" and could even lead to skin cancer, tops doctors have warned. Leading dermatologists issued the warning as skin whitening is becoming increasingly popular among both young women and men.

Dr Ophelia Dadzie, consultant dermatologist at The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust,, told the BMJ: "Skin bleaching is a cosmetic procedure that involves lightening constitutive skin colour, and one such agent used is glutathione, an antioxidant that can be administered orally or intravenously." Dr Dadzie said there has been a shift from using skin lightening creams to intravenous treatments. She said: "It is through my patients that I learnt about the increasingly use of intravenous glutathione for skin lightening."I cannot explain why this particular practice is on the rise.

"I have a special interest dealing with skin and hair problems in the UK′s ethnic minority groups and I have seen skin bleaching in both men and women, although in my experience it is predominantly in women. "It is a practice taking place in those with darker skin tones, those of African, Afro-Caribbean and South Asian origin in the UK." Dr Dadzie said that treatment is usually provided at beauty salons and can be administered by non-medical practitioners. "The cost of this treatment can be very high," she said. "Yet there is no explicit approval for the use of glutathione for skin bleaching."

The practice can come with an array of nasty side effects, said Dr Dadzie. It can cause toxicity of the nervous system, kidney and liver; transmission of infections such as HIV; headaches; rare skin conditions and even skin cancer. Dr Dadzie said: "There is a lack of authoritative public health information in the UK about the efficacy and safety of this practice. "No published clinical trials have evaluated the use of glutathione for skin bleaching, and no published guidelines exist for appropriate dosing regimes, or guidance for treatment duration." In contrast, both the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Dermatology Society in the Philippines - where the practice is common - have issued advisory warnings about the treatment.

Dr Dadzie added: "Clear public health information and advisory warnings in relation to this practice - from governmental agencies such as the Medicines Health Regulatory Agency - are needed in the UK."

Most Read

★How to Do Face Cleansing at Home?

★Mushrooms could prevent risk of Dementia, scientists say

★4 Totally avoidable gym mistakes

★Plum goodness for your hair!

★5 foods for healthy skin

★Growing Propagating and Using Aloe Vera

★Five foods that can cause problems if consumed on an empty stomach!

★Top Foods for Calcium and Vitamin D

★Daily consumption of tea protects the elderly from cognitive decline

★Top 3 Core Exercises While Pregnant

★Does ginger gene offer key to younger looking skin?

★Face Open Pores

★Eat more fruit and veg for a longer life

★Natural Herbal Gummies

★Haryana girl Nishtha Dudeja wins Miss Deaf Asia 2018 crown

★A Beginners Guide to Sun Salutations

★Top Fitness Stars Share Their Most Common Workout Habits

★How to Gain Weight in 7 Days to Get Rid of the Skinny You

★Learn How To Do Pearl Facial At Home To Get Naturally Glowing Skin Instantly

★10 Surprising Things That Can Cause You to Lose Muscle

★Can Eating Bananas Help You Lose Weight?

★What dangers are hidden in your pillow?

★5 Common Mistakes that May Ruin Your Skin

★Breathe Right to Live a Healthier and Better Life

★Is there a way to combat greying?

★Breakthrough drug restores more than 90% of lost hair in most patients

★23 foods that contain NO calories

★Dandelion Benefits Biodiversity, Soil and Your Health

★Top Natural Body Care Tips for Women

★Acne sufferers likely to live longer than people with flawless skin

★5 Ways to Dry Herbs

★Healthy food that tastes good too

★3 Must Try Face Yoga Exercises For Glowing Face

★The best effective and natural plants for a good memory

★10 Ways To Use Sesame Oil For Beautiful Skin

★The amazing and healthy benefits of meditation!

★Mans lips exploded after he became 'addicted' to fillers

★Working It Out: The future of work and digital

★How to Set Weight-Loss Goals You Can Actually Achieve

★The Brilliant Food Combo That Helps You Burn More Fat

★Those who consume fruit and vegetables have a 40% lower risk of an incurable lung disease

★Why You Probably Shouldnt Take Diet Advice from Your CrossFit Coach

★Daylight Savings Time: That miserable time of year when many mourn loss of one-hour sleep

★Do you want to be paid for sleeping well at night?

★Scientists found effective dandruff treatment

★How To Achieve The Perfect Nail Shape

★Humans evolved to benefit from fermented foods

★5 Hot Yoga Poses For Rapid Weight Loss

★Why You Need to Start Combining Avocados and Peaches

★5 Reasons Cheese is Actually Good For Your Health


©2025 All rights reserved. shapesnfitness.com