Dangerous cosmetics seized in Malaysia

Dangerous cosmetics seized in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysian health officials have raided
beauty salons and seized dangerous skin-whitening cosmetics after
complaints from users, a report said on Wednesday.

The Sun newspaper said officers raided seven salons on the
outskirts of Kuala Lumpur on Monday after complaints from women
of peeling or irritated skin.

Some products contain hydroquinone, whose use in cosmetics has
been banned in Europe, Selangor state health official Yeap Ling
Soon was quoted as saying.

He said some users of the expensive products, which can cost
up to 400 ringgit (US$105) each, "claimed that their skin became
reddish and dark as if they were burned".

Yeap said a large quantity of hydroquinone in the body could
lead to muscular convulsions and even a coma. Skin-whitening
could also increase the risk of skin cancer in a tropical
country.