The dark side of fairness creams: Dermatologist links them with awful side effects
Many fairness creams include strong steroids or other potentially harmful ingredients that can really mess with skin's natural state. While one might notice they seem to fade dark spots and brighten the skin at first, continued use can actually start to strip away the skin's natural defences.
New Delhi: Many people look for ways to get lighter, brighter skin, and that's why they often reach for fairness creams that claim to work right away. But here's the thing: experts are actually sounding the alarm about these products, particularly the ones with steroids. They say these can really mess with your skin and your health down the line. Sure, they might seem to make your skin look fairer at first, but using them for too long can actually cause problems like making your skin thinner, causing redness, making your veins more visible, leading to irritation, and even making your facial hair grow more.
In an interaction with TV9 English, Dr Shobhita Gupta, Consultant Dermatologist and Aesthetic Medicine, Silvertsreak Multispeciality Hospital, spoke about the hidden dangers of using fairness creams.
The Hidden Dangers behind Fairness Creams
Many fairness creams include strong steroids or other potentially harmful ingredients that can really mess with the skin's natural state. While one might notice they seem to fade dark spots and brighten the skin at first, continued use can actually start to strip away the skin's natural defences.
As time goes on, people using these products might start to see several concerning changes, such as:
- Their skin is becoming noticeably thinner, making it delicate and more easily damaged.
- More visible veins and redness are appearing, likely due to weakened blood vessels.
- Experiencing ongoing itching, burning sensations, and rashes.
- Unwanted facial hair growth is particularly common in women.
Their skin becomes more sensitive overall, leaving it more open to sun damage and infections.
These issues don’t just stop when you discontinue use. In many cases, people experience hyperpigmentation, acne, and extreme dryness after stopping, perpetuating dependency and reliance — developing a loop that is almost like an addiction.
Why Stopping Early Matters
Dermatologists strongly warn against the usage of steroid-based fairness creams without the supervision of a practitioner. Using the creams for a prolonged time may damage the dermal layers of the skin after application, causing permanent effects. Suddenly stopping and switching to a gentle, restorative skincare routine is important to minimise additional harm.
Steps to Protect and Heal Your Skin
Here are some steps to help protect and heal your skin, especially if you've been using certain types of creams. Experts suggest the following:
- First, stop using the creams right away.
- Next, switch to a gentle moisturiser that doesn't have any fragrance.
- Apply a sunscreen that contains zinc oxide multiple times a day to shield your sensitive skin.
- Use mild cleansers along with soothing gels that contain ingredients such as green tea, centella asiatica, or panthenol.
- Also, it's a good idea to get advice from a professional, as the healing process can take anywhere from three months to a year, depending on how much damage has been done.
The Bottom Line
Fairness creams promising quick results can leave behind long-term harm. Skin irritation, redness, and even excess facial hair are just some of the side effects caused by unsupervised use of steroid-based products. The safest approach is to avoid self-medication and consult a dermatologist for healthier, sustainable solutions. Your skin’s natural tone is unique and beautiful — protecting it should be your priority. Don’t compromise your long-term skin health for temporary fairness.