Hydroquinone Belum Diharamkan
|
FDA
Proposes Hydroquinone Ban
Medical
Author: Melissa
Conrad Stoppler, MD
Medical Editor: Jay
W. Marks, MD
On
August 29, 2006, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposed a
ban on over-the-counter sales of cosmetic products containing hydroquinone,
a skin-bleaching (lightening) ingredient. According to the FDA,
approximately 65 companies sell over 200 different types of
skin-lightening products containing hydroquinone in the U.S. Currently,
products that contain up to 2 percenthydroquinone may be sold in the U.S.
without a prescription, and prescription skin-lightening products may
contain up to 4 percenthydroquinone. Examples of prescription products
containing hydroquinone are Lustra,
Tri-Luma,
and EpiQuin
Micro.
Hydroquinone
products are popular for their skin-lightening properties in Asian and
African cosmetics markets. In the U.S., they also are marketed for
reducing age spots and blemishes.
The
reason cited for the proposed ban is that studies in rodents show
"some evidence" that hydroquinone may act as a carcinogen
or cancer-causing chemical, although its cancer-causing properties have
yet to be proved in humans. Hydroquinone also has been linked with the
medical condition known as ochronosis
in which the skin becomes dark and thick. Dome-shaped yellowish spots and
grayish-brown spots also are observed in ochronosis among black women and
men in South Africa, Britain, and the U.S. Ochronosis has been observed
in conjunction with hydroquinone use even in persons who have used
hydroquinone-containing cosmetics for a short time. Some studies also
report abnormal function of the adrenal glands and high levels of mercury
in people who have used hydroquinone-containing cosmetics. For these
reasons, hydroquinone has already been banned in Japan, the European
Union, and Australia.
Any
skin-lightening products containing hydroquinone would be considered new
drugs, according to the proposed FDA regulations. The products would
require FDA approval before being sold to the public and would only be
available with a doctor's prescription.
Following
the proposed ban, a four-month comment period is in effect regarding the
proposed changes in regulations during which time physicians, skin care
companies, and consumers may voice their opinions and concerns about the
proposed ban. It is not yet known if and when the proposed ban would take
effect.
|
|
|
|
|
Tiada ulasan:
Catat Ulasan
Nota: Hanya ahli blog ini sahaja yang boleh mencatat ulasan.