Minister Zartaj Gul announces crackdown against hazardous fairness creams

• Federal Government decides to take action against fairness creams. 

• The decision has been taken owing to health implications. 

• These creams have mercury as the main ingredient, which is cancer-causing. 

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Minister of State for Climate Change Zartaj Gul announces to target fairness creams, which are causing a high potential threat to people. As post-colonial hangover clings on and obsession with white skin continues, these fairness creams have built a large customer base among the uneducated masses who are unaware of what they are putting on their skin.

Majority of these cosmetic companies, due to no check and balance and little awareness among people, have been putting excessive mercury in them.

“The creams you sell for ten rupees, you play with our skins through these creams,” the minister said, adding that they are peeling our skin to whiten it.

“We will be legislating in this regard by December 31 and then we will crack down on you,” Zartaj Gul sent out a clear and loud warning to the cosmetic companies.

56 out of 59 fairness creams in Pakistan found highly toxic:

56 out of 59 skin whitening creams being used in Pakistan are highly toxic due to high mercury levels. They had more mercury content than the permissible limit Of 1 ppm. This can lead to long-term, permanent damage to your skin as well as the nervous system.

Here are the brands that have been declared unsafe for use:

Majority of these whitening creams have melanin inhibitors, steroids, and mercury. Mercury gives temporary results in the form of skin whitening, in the longer run, it can lead to discoloration, allergies, and scarring. The mercury can even lead to kidney damage.

Also See: 

Leishmaniasis – A Skin Disease With No Vaccine Targeting Children In Our Tribal Areas

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