Vanity can be deadly!

Vanity can sometimes be deadly.

The Philippine Dermatological Society (PDS) yesterday warned the public against indiscriminate use of some beauty products which can be harmful and even deadly.

PDS president Dr. Elizabeth Tiangco revealed that some skin preparations, particularly those unregistered and dispensed by corner beauty parlors can do more harm than good to the skin.

Tiangco cited cases of two women who reportedly succumbed to kidney toxicity after opting for a skin peeling from a corner beauty parlor.

"They went to a beauty parlor to have skin peeling and the beauticians used chemicals with salicylic acid that proved to be toxic for the customers," Tiangco said.

According to Tiangco, some skin preparations cannot be used indiscriminately and should be utilized only with proper medical supervision.

"The public should be more cautious in patronizing corner beauty parlors and derma clinics because most of these establishments are not really allowed to do such delicate procedures," Tiangco explained.

She added that corner beauty parlors and derma clinics ordinarily dispense solutions that they do not even know, just for profit.

"They are not doctors but they dispense solutions that are commonly not for proper treatment of skin problems," Tiangco pointed out.

Filipinos, Tiangco said, do not have to resort to skin whitening products because they have a beautiful brown skin.

"There is nothing wrong with brown skin but Filipinos are made to believe that we have to whiten our skin," she lamented.

Most Filipinos, Tiangco said, are not so well educated on how to take good care of their skin that PDS will soon embark on an education campaign.

One does not have to use various beauty products to have beautiful skin, Tiangco said, as she advised the public to have adequate liquid, rest, avoid smoking to have it. — Mayen Jaymalin