Be careful when using cosmetics

Doctor Nguyen Thi Kim Tuyen examines a patient's skin disease.

Doctor Nguyen Thi Kim Tuyen examines a patient's skin condition. Photo: H. Dung

Specialist Doctor I NGUYEN THI KIM TUYEN, Department of Aesthetics, Dong Nai Dermatology Hospital, said that fake cosmetics are products of unknown origin, do not have full active ingredients, and contain many substances harmful to the skin.

Unforeseen consequences

* Can the doctor explain the harmful effects of using fake cosmetics that do not guarantee quality?

- If you use fake, poor quality cosmetics, any skin area that comes into contact with the cosmetics will have symptoms such as: itching, redness, burning, dryness, dilated blood vessels, acne, peeling skin, even oozing, skin infection. If used for a long time, harmful substances penetrate the skin causing infection, skin necrosis, skin cancer; penetrating into the blood will cause systemic symptoms, especially for people with high blood pressure, diabetes can cause thromboembolism.

Does the hospital accept any patients with the above symptoms, doctor?

- The hospital receives and treats many female patients with contact dermatitis and pustules due to using fake cosmetics or cosmetics that do not meet quality standards. These patients have the habit of buying cosmetics without labels or unclear ingredients on social networks. These cosmetics often contain substances such as formaldehyde, arsenic, lead, mercury, corticoids, etc. Corticoids are pigment inhibitors. If used for the first 2-3 weeks, the skin will be noticeably whiter. But over time, symptoms of skin atrophy and dilated blood vessels will appear. When the skin is exposed to sunlight, it will be red, itchy, stinging, dark, melasma, and acne. There are patients who have only used cosmetics bought online for one day and have developed symptoms of facial redness, leading to lupus erythematosus.

If there are unusual skin symptoms, people should go to medical facilities with dermatology departments or dermatologist clinics for examination, treatment, and guidance on proper skin care.

* How are these cases treated, doctor?

- These patients will be examined by a doctor, prescribed a skin scan, and necessary tests. At the same time, the doctor will advise the patient to immediately stop using the cosmetics they are using and take care of their skin, wash their face with saline, mild cleanser, moisturizer, and mineral spray. Usually, patients with contact dermatitis caused by cosmetics must be treated for a long time. Some patients are persistent, but others are not. Some people buy corticosteroids to take. Using this medicine incorrectly as prescribed by the doctor will eventually lead to adrenal insufficiency and edema.

Choose safe cosmetics wisely

* Recently, public opinion was quite upset when Hanayuki Sunscreen Body product listed on the label an SPF of 50 but the test result was only 2.4. So what harm does using low-quality sunscreen or sunscreen with a low SPF cause to the skin?

- Using sunscreen that does not contain enough sunscreen ingredients is first of all ineffective in protecting the skin. Meanwhile, users are confident that they have applied sunscreen with high SPF, so they will go out in the sun without any other protective measures, leading to melasma, dark spots, freckles, skin aging, and over time, brown spots will appear, the skin will be sunburned acutely, and can lead to skin cancer.

* What do doctors recommend to people in choosing and using cosmetics?

- People should choose cosmetics with clear origins and quality inspection by health authorities. When buying, check the label, stamp, and ingredients of the product. If you see ingredients such as arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, mercurous, etc., you should not buy them because these ingredients can corrode the skin, penetrate the skin, and cause systemic symptoms.

Before using cosmetics for a long time, you should test it on a certain area of skin on the body. If there are any unusual symptoms such as itching, redness, peeling, you should stop using it and see a dermatologist immediately. Do not use fast whitening products, products without packaging, seals or barcodes.

* What should people pay attention to when protecting themselves from the sun in the summer?

- When going outdoors, exposed to intense sunlight, people should use sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Sunscreen should be applied every 3-4 hours; avoid going out in the sun from 10am to 2pm every day because UV rays are strongest at this time. If you have to go out, you should wear sun-protective clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses. When you get home, remember to wash your hands thoroughly with soap, bathe with mild cosmetics, and use moisturizer after bathing to limit skin inflammation.

People who regularly work in air-conditioned rooms and are not exposed to direct sunlight should also apply sunscreen to protect against blue light from electronic devices that can cause skin aging.

* Thank you doctor!

Hanh Dung (performed)

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/dong-nai-cuoi-tuan/202506/can-trong-khi-su-dung-my-pham-18500ed/