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National alert over dangerous skin lightening creams (18 January 2016)

Date: 18/01/2016
Duncan Lewis, Legal News Solicitors, National alert over dangerous skin lightening creams

The Local Government Association (LGA) is warning consumers to be wary of skin lightening creams, which may increase the risk of skin cancer.

In a national alert, the LGA says that skin lightening creams may include poisonous chemicals – local councils have seized dangerous creams in recent raids on supermarkets and shops.

Trading Standards teams fear that banned products could be on sale at low prices online – and at car boot sales and market stalls.

Many of the toxic creams contain the bleaching agent hydroquinone – described as the biological equivalent of paint stripper – while others can include potentially deadly levels of mercury.

However, the banned products often fail to list their ingredients correctly, putting consumers at risk.

Hydroquinone can remove the top layer of skin and the body's natural defence against infection and the sun. It can also increase the risk of skin cancer and cause fatal liver and kidney damage.

Mercury can cause similar life-threatening health problems.

Skin-lightening products are largely marketed at men and women from black and minority ethnic groups – but may also be used to lighten blemishes and scars.

They can be bought from high street stores and online, but prescription-only skin lightening lotions must only be used under the supervision of a doctor.
Because genuine skin lightening creams can be expensive to buy, illegal, toxic versions are flooding the market, say Trading Standards, as they are cheap and relatively easy to create.

Trading Standards teams have recently seized banned skin lightening creams from shops and prosecuted retailers, with West Sussex County Council seizing nearly 1,000 jars of highly toxic skin lightening cream at Gatwick Airport, with a retail value of £14,000.

Enfield Council has prosecuted a shop owner and his company, who were ordered to pay £16,000, after selling skin lightening products containing mercury and hydroquinone.

Birmingham City Council has also prosecuted a supermarket, which was ordered to pay more than £6,000, after stocking cosmetics containing potentially lethal lead and mercury.

Northamptonshire County Council has also seized skin lightening creams containing hydroquinone from local shops.
Councillor Simon Blackburn, said:

“Beauty routines shouldn't come with the risk of ruining your looks forever –cosmetic products such as skin creams should be safe to use, but banned lotions containing toxic formulas could seriously damage your health and even kill you, so they should be avoided at all costs.

“If the price looks too good to be true, then it probably is. Consumers should always check the ingredients of their skin creams and never use a product containing hydroquinone.

“If the product doesn't display the ingredients at all, then consumers are also advised not to use it.

“Councils have been targeting rogue retailers selling these banned creams –
and the large fines they have received should deter others from selling these dangerous products.

“Anyone who has purchased a cream they think could be banned should stop using it immediately and report it to their local Trading Standards team.

“It is vital that people report any concerns, so that our officers can take action to prevent anyone being harmed or scarred for life.”

Duncan Lewis Personal Injury Solicitors – No win no fee Faulty Goods Claims

Duncan Lewis personal injury solicitors can advise those who have suffered injury as a result of faulty cosmetic products or procedures on how to make a no win no fee claim for compensation, including claims involving:

• Anti-wrinkle treatments
• Cosmetic dentistry
• Cosmetic surgery
• Cosmetic treatments
• Electrolysis
• Hair loss therapies
• Implants
• Laser therapy
• Liposuction
• Piercings and tattoos.

Personal injury claims have to be made within three years of injury or diagnosis of injury.

For expert legal advice on no win no fee Faulty Goods Claims, call Duncan Lewis personal injury solicitors on 0333 772 0409.

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