A recent study links the usage of fairness creams to kidney damage due to mercury in the ingredients. Researchers believe it leads to Membranous Nephropathy, a kidney condition that damages the kidney filter and causes protein leakage.
Indian society has gone through many evolutions, but its obsession with fair skin seems to be not fading away anytime soon. Industries take advantage of people's insecurities and market fairness creams all over the country with unclosed ingredients and fabricated claims.
A recent study published in the medical journal Kidney International has revealed that many fairness creams have high levels of mercury which can lead to several kidney issues among Indians.
The study highlighted the harmful ingredients of fairness creams and their effects on kidneys, such as Membranous Nephropathy (MN), a severe health condition in which kidney filters are damaged, leading to protein leakage.
Membranous Nephropathy (MN) is a kidney disorder in which the immune system starts attacking the glomeruli, the structure in kidneys that filters blood. This causes increased permeability which allows proteins to pass through it and leak into the urine.
One of the researchers, Dr Sajeesh Sivadas, Department of Neurology, Aster MIMS Hospital, Kottakkal, Kerala, talked about the harmful effects of fairness creams on X (formerly Twitter). He wrote, "Mercury gets absorbed through the skin, and wreaks havoc on kidney filters, leading to a surge in nephrotic syndrome cases."
"These creams, widely available in India's unregulated markets, promise quick results, but at what cost? Users often describe a disturbing addiction, as stopping usage leads to even darker skin," he added.
The study stated, "Most cases resolved on cessation of use of the inciting creams. This poses a potential public health risk, and it is imperative to spread public awareness about hazards of using such products and alert health authorities to curb this menace."
Dr Sajeesh also highlighted the role of social media influencers and actors in promoting such skin products to their followers and "perpetuating their use in a multibillion-dollar industry".
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