Fairness creams causing dangerous kidney diseases in India: Study

A recent study found that the use of skin-fairness products is leading to a rise in renal diseases in India.
India has a huge market for skin fairness creams, driven by society’s obsession with fair skin. However, the large amount of mercury in these creams is known to cause harm to the kidneys.
The increasing use of fairness creams with high mercury content is leading to cases of Membranous Nephropathy (MN), a disorder that damages kidney filters and causes protein leakage, according to research published in the medical journal Kidney International.
Nephrotic syndrome, a kidney illness causing the body to excrete too much protein in the urine, is caused by MN, an autoimmune disease.
“Mercury gets absorbed through the skin, and wreaks havoc on kidney filters, leading to a surge in nephrotic syndrome cases,” one of the researchers, Dr. Sajeesh Sivadas, Department of Nephrology, Aster MIMS Hospital, Kottakkal, Kerala, stated in a post on X.com.
He added, “These creams, widely available in India’s unregulated markets, promise quick results, but at what cost? Users often describe a disturbing addiction, as stopping usage leads to even darker skin.”
The study examined 22 cases of MN recorded between July 2021 and September 2023.
Dr. Sajeesh further criticized social media influencers and actors for “championing these creams” and “perpetuating their use in a multibillion-dollar industry”.
He stated, “This isn’t just a skincare/kidney health issue; it’s a public health crisis. And if mercury applied to the skin can cause such harm, imagine the implications if consumed. It’s time for immediate action to regulate these harmful products and protect public health.”