An international daily, recently reported the case of a 28-year-old coloured UK resident who used a steroid formulation, clobetasol for seven years. The formulation did not lighten her skin colour, instead she gained weight, had stretch marks on her body, bruised skin, hair growth on her face and could not conceive.
“The skin-lightening creams are usually high on steroids. Not all steroids like monetasane, fluticasone and hydrocortisone are harmful and can be used under medical supervision. But there are others, which can harm your system,” says Dr Parashar. Endocrinologists say that externally given steroids, which are synthetic hormones, can suppress the production of natural hormones. “The production of a natural steroid such as estrogen that maintains the skin’s vitality can get affected if an external steroid is given. This, in turn, can lead to development of facial hair, thinning of skin and can affect fertility,” says Dr Neeru Gera, endocrinologist.

So why are these hormone laden products still sought after? Should fairness creams come with a statutory warning? Dr Zaheer explains, “It’s not obligatory for the cosmetic industry to disclose all contents so one can expect very little or no transparency.”  

Despite the obsession, the fact remains fairness is just not in our genes. Genetically, there are five skin types, numbered from 1 to 5. Most Indians have Type 3, 4 or 5 skin, which generally tans and seldom burns. Typically, Kashmiris would have Type 3 skin and Dravidians would have Type 5. The rest—that’s roughly 80 per cent of the populace—would be Type 4. “Our type of skin is right for us, given our climatic conditions,” says Dr Parashar.
Yet to fulfil the Indian obsession with fairness, dermatologists recommend a sunscreen with an SPF 15.