© Anna Efetova - Getty Images Mercury in skin lightening cream linked to Minnesota woman's partial vision loss due to mercury in the product.- A Minnesota woman suffered partial vision loss, among other symptoms, after being exposed to mercury in a skin lightening cream.
- Mercury, a chemical that blocks melanin production, was not listed on product labels.
- Health officials say the vision loss is irreversible.
In the world of beauty, many strive not only for healthy skin, but also for a glowing and radiant complexion, often using products such as brightening serums and eye creams. But what if the ingredients in your beauty products have harmful side effects? A Minnesota woman recently suffered partial vision loss in addition to a host of other troubling symptoms linked to the use of mercury-containing skin lightening creams, CNN reports.
Multiple doctor visits and clinical findings led to a thorough investigation by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), which found high levels of mercury in the woman's home, including in linens, towels, bedding and the children's bedrooms.
Officials have identified cosmetic creams, particularly those marketed as skin lighteners, as the likely cause of the symptoms. The labels of the products, which the woman said were purchased outside the country, did not indicate the high content of the toxic chemical in the formulas. Despite this, as reported by CNN, the woman is unlikely to be able to recover her sight.
When added to topical creams and lotions, mercury is said to lighten the skin "because it inhibits the production of melanin," says Marissa Garczyk, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at the Manhattan Board of Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery in New York. "Despite this, the [Federal Drug Administration] (FDA) has limited the amount of mercury in skin lightening products to less than 1 ppm of mercury, while other countries have banned the use of mercury in skin lightening products."
Skin lightening practices, especially those involving mercury, are risky and harmful for several reasons, Dr. Pot: In addition to irritating the skin, these products can also be absorbed through the skin and cause kidney and nervous system problems, including tremors, vision or hearing problems, numbness and tingling, and more.
“It is especially important for pregnant women to avoid excessive exposure to mercury. The level and degree of exposure may be related to the severity of the exposure," said Dr. Horszyk, "Family members can also be exposed to mercury through close contact and sharing mercury-contaminated towels or wipes, which can be especially problematic for young children. ”, for example, in the case of Minnesota.
“No one wants to intentionally harm themselves or their family members. But it's outside and you can't see it, you can't smell it," Erin Batdorf, a medical toxicologist who examined the woman at home, told CNN. "Consumers have no way of knowing if there's [mercury] in the ice or not because it's not on the labels."
The best way to protect yourself from harmful chemicals in personal care and beauty products is to carefully research products, consult with a board-certified dermatologist, and buy products from authorized retailers, especially when it comes to skin lightening products. - said Garshik. "It is also best to avoid products imported from other countries if you are not sure of the ingredients, if they are not labeled, or if they are sold illegally in the United States," adds the doctor. Gorszyk added:
Unfortunately, this isn't the only time mercury has been linked to skin lightening products. "The use of skin lightening is currently a public health crisis in the Somali community and other communities of color," Amira Adawe, founder and CEO of the Beautywell Project, told CNN. "I've met women who have used these products for 10 to 15 years ... [and] I still get calls from people struggling with the side effects of mercury."
If you're looking for a lighter color, there are many other avenues you can follow, the doctor notes. Garshick, but it's best used under the guidance of a board-certified dermatologist, especially ingredients like hydroquinone.
If you think you have a bad reaction to an ingredient or formula in a cosmetic product, be sure to see your doctor.
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