Dangers of skin lightening creams are so many and many skin lightening creams cause cancer.

Skin lightening creams inhibits the production of melanin (kills body natural protection). The skin is more susceptible to skin cancer and uneven colour. Hydroquinone is a multi-organ toxic chemical that is rapidly and extensively absorbed through the gut and it may damage the liver, and also cause irreversible damage to the connective tissue in the skin and cartilage.

It results in a bluish-black discolouration of tissues and patched skin. The way forward for skin lightening creams: relevant regulatory agencies must be put in place to stop importation of these products and the government departments must investigate the different brands of skin lightening creams on the market.

The government should continue to carry out continuous campaigns to raise awareness, and a law should be enacted to shift the mandate of cosmetics from Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) and National Drug Authority (NDA) to another body such that the amount of cosmetics that enter Uganda can be regulated.

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