Doctors warn that some fairness crème could alter hormones, trigger facial hair growth and leave permanent scars

xFor decades, fairness creams have sold dreams in shiny tubes — lighter skin, better jobs, faster weddings, and a guarantee of success. But behind the glossy promise lies a darker reality. Doctors across dermatology, endocrinology, and psychiatry now warn that these products are not only unsafe but also capable of altering hormones, triggering facial hair growth, and leaving permanent scars — on both skin and self-esteem. Dr Vaaruni Ravishan-kar, Consultant Dermatology, MGM Healthcare, Chennai, has seen this pattern repeatedly: “Steroids stimulate hair follicles in non-androgen-dependent areas, leading to thickened hair where women usually don’t grow it.”

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