If Skin-Lightening Cream Could Cause Nerve Damage, Would You Choose It? 

Who Wants Light Skin? 

Everyone wants lighter skin. What are the things to be noted when you are going for skin lightening? How effective are these procedures? In this article, we browse through some of the ways it can be used in case of going for skin lightening. Hence, we have delved into the depths of skin lightening. A blonde woman may want dark hair and suntanned skin. Here included are tips to get effective treatment with minimum side effects. Damage to the nervous system is often observed when the skin lightening product is used. Why is it so? 

In a case study, the doctors report that a skin-lightening cream from Mexico contained toxic mercury leaving a California woman with significant central nervous system damage.

According to the authors, many weeks after her initial hospitalisation the woman requires ongoing tube feeding for nutritional support and can’t speak or care for herself.

A form of organic mercury called methylmercury is found in the cream. in nearly 50 years, this is the first known case of methylmercury poisoning in the United States. 

What are the studies showing the use of creams with mercury ingredients? 

Study senior author Dr. Paul Blanc, of the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), and California Poison Control System, was commenting that intentionally tainted with inorganic mercury are the most harmful skin-lightening creams. Where the patient in this case used a skin-lightening product containing organic mercury that was far more toxic. 

He further says that organic mercury often causes profound damage to the central nervous system as also they may even worsen after the use ends. 

The case study reported that the woman first sought medical help for involuntary muscle movement and weakness in her shoulder and arms.

She was admitted to a hospital with symptoms that included blurry vision, unsteady gait, and difficulty speaking after two weeks of outpatient care. Confirming mercury poisoning was blood and urine tests. 

According to the case study that was published on Dec. 19 in the U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, her family told doctors that she had been using skin-lightening creams from Mexico twice a day for seven years. 

Her condition didn’t improve in spite of the chelation therapy, a treatment for heavy metal poisoning that the woman underwent. Where the test found that the skin cream that she used contained methylmercury, she was transferred to UCSF. 

Further, is there any treatment helpful for methylmercury poisoning? 

In a UCSF news release, Blanc said, as it typically comes on after weeks to months of exposure, central nervous system toxicity as in this case is the hallmark of organic mercury. Despite the removal of any further exposure, once manifested, it quickly progresses and often worsens. It has not been established to be efficacious for methylmercury as unfortunately, chelation therapy is effective in inorganic mercury poisoning. 

Study co-author Dr. Craig Smollin, of UCSF's emergency department and medical director of the California Poison Control System's San Francisco Division says that to protect themselves consumers can take several steps. 

Smolin advised checking that the product has a protective foil seal under the lid when buying skin creams. 

In the news release, he explained to avoid those with hand-made labels or without labels as you can purchase creams from well-known stores.

Directions and warnings should be in English as ingredients must also be listed. 

Chelation therapy or no chelation therapy, what should be considered in the event of methylmercury poisoning? 

It has to be considered carefully as mercury poisoning can happen to anyone who uses low quality, locally made products without safety testing labels. Make sure you have a look at the ingredients of the skincare products you are using. So now you can be sure you are safe when you use the creams that come from reliable brands that have been in the market for centuries together. Get your grandma’s advice when you choose herbal solutions for your skin as they come with a treasure trove of knowledge regarding the use of herbal ingredients. 

The Final Thoughts

Do not risk your health when you are all out for lighter skin. The darker skin is also attractive and is safe and sure that whatever be the colour of your skin, it is always beautiful as naturally as you are. Keep your natural skin colour on and you always find the glowing radiant skin with lesser cosmetics in this case. Be healthy and be beautiful. You are always attractive.