The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning against injectable products marketed to whiten or lighten the complexion, saying that they are potentially unsafe and ineffective, and may contain unknown harmful ingredients or contaminants. There are currently no FDA-approved injectable drugs for skin whitening or lightening.
“These products pose a potentially significant safety risk to consumers. You’re essentially injecting an unknown substance into your body—you don’t know what it contains or how it was made,” says FDA pharmacist In Kim. “We have noticed a number of online companies marketing injectable products for skin whitening and are concerned that these products and their ingredients may cause serious harm to consumers.”
Such products may contain ingredients such as glutathione, vitamin C, collagen and human placenta.
In addition to potential harm from the product itself, the FDA warns that improper or unsafe injection practices may transmit disease, cause infection and result in serious injury.
To report an illness or injury you believe to be related to the use of these products contact: 800.332.1088, www.fda.gov.
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