Does mercury darken skin?

So if mercury can be so toxic, what the heck is it doing in skin-lightening creams? Well, melanocytes are the reason why most people are not actually completely “white.” These little cells in your skin can produce melanin, a pigment that makes your skin darker. Mercury salts can stop this formation of melanin.

Can whitening products damage your skin?

Hydroquinone, described by the LGA as “the biological equivalent of paint stripper”, can remove the top layer of skin, increasing the risk of skin cancer, and cause fatal liver and kidney damage. Mercury can cause similar life-threatening health problems.

What is the side effect of using skin whitening creams?

Side effects of skin-lightening creams can include:

• redness and swelling (skin irritation and inflammation)
• a burning or stinging sensation.
• itchy and flaky skin.

Does mercury whiten skin?

Mercury salts inhibit the formation of melanin, resulting in a lighter skin tone (6, 7). The Minamata Convention on Mercury establishes a limit of 1 mg/kg (1 ppm) for skin lightening products (8), yet many cosmetic products contain mercury levels higher than that amount to increase whitening effect (9, 10).

How do you know if cream has mercury in it?

Since mercury doesn’t have a distinctive smell or color, the only way to tell if it is in a product is to read the labeling. In the US, all cosmetic products are required to list their ingredients. Skin care containing mercury is often marketed as anti-aging and/or lightening or whitening.

Does hydroquinone contain mercury?

Hydroquinone has been used for decades as a skin care ingredient to help lighten pigmentation. In fact, they were found to contain other substances like mercury which is extremely harmful to the skin.

When should I stop using hydroquinone?

To avoid such problems, I recommend that after no more than five months of hydroquinone application, all patients should cease using this drug for two to three months.

What does mercury do to your face?

Mercury is a highly toxic heavy metal. Mercury exposure can cause kidney damage, skin rashes, skin discoloration and scarring, as well as a reduction in the skin’s resistance to infections.