By Ayesha Ahmed & Sarah B. Haider
The liaison of Pakistani woman and a flawlessly fair complexion is nothing new and shouldn't come as a surprise to any of us. Time and again, we have read innumerable news stories, blogs and articles discussing our women having a fetish withgora rung and how it is imperative for the kind of society we are raised in.
While some women are naturally gifted with a fair skin, others resort to artificial means for that perfect complexion. However, in a country like Pakistan, the yearning for light skin has more to it than a mere wish -it has become a psychological problem for womenfolk. From cheap whitening creams and facials to the most expensive skin-lightening treatments, Pakistani women are ready to go to any length to get rid of their natural skin tone.
There are many underlying factors which have led to this frenzy of obtaining a fair skin, the foremost being the stigma surrounding dark complexioned women. Hundreds of girls, despite having symmetrical faces, good figures and impressive personalities, are considered 'unfit' for marriage solely because Pakistani men deem girls with fair complexions compatible. So, women are compelled to try every feasible method to get married.
Owing to the principle of demand and supply, fairness cream manufacturers flood the markets with different varieties of quick-fix remedies that work overnight but take their toll on the skin, in the long run. This particularly pertains to creams that are easily affordable and accessible.
In the ceaseless rat race of getting the 'white' skin colour, women keep experimenting with various creams and lotions to reduce the melanin content of their skin. And one such addition in their list of solutions is the magical 'formula cream'. Invented by some self-styled beauticians, a decade back, this concoction promises to transform any dark skinned plain Jane into a fair complexioned beauty queen.
Being sold like hot cakes off the beauty parlour shelves, this popular formula cream is an amalgamation of four different creams -a renowned bleach cream, a well-liked fairness cream, a so-called pearl cream and a famous ointment (used for treating skin irritation). The cream is applied overnight and upon daily applications, for almost two weeks, astoundingly 'good' results are procured. Many girls have testified that the mixture is incredible and the best part about it is that all the ingredients of the cream are available without causing a dent in their wallets. Though the formula cream facilitates women in achieving their dream complexion, most women are entirely oblivious to the repercussions of this 'unbelievable mixture'.
Dr Rabia Shafiq, a dental surgeon by profession, has been using this formula cream for the past four years. "Earlier, my skin colour was dull, but ever since I started applying the mixture, my skin started glowing, and within a month I accomplished the fair complexion that I had always longed for." However, Dr Rabia complains that though the cream gave her the desired skin colour, within no time, there was a considerable increase in her facial hair growth. Also, regular usage of the cream worsened the condition of her acne-prone skin, especially during summer.
Even though, a doctor herself, Rabia never bothered to consult a dermatologist prior to using the cream. "I knew that one of the constituents of the formula cream contains steroids which would play havoc with the inner layers of my skin. But I am happy with the way my skin colour has changed. However, I will have to continue using it forever, because as soon as I discontinue, the dullness comes back within a week."
Rabia's condition was nothing compared to Hira's (name has been changed), a civil engineer by profession. She also belongs to the same lot of women who admire clear complexions and hence used this cream religiously to look her best on her wedding day. However, she ended up with a burnt face.
According to Dr. Khurshid H.Alvi, a dermatologist "Women come to us only upon reaching such extreme stages. The contents of the products used to make this cream are quite hazardous with betamathasone, a topical corticosteroid, being the deadliest. Being a corticosteroid hormone, it reduces symptoms such as swelling and allergic-type reactions and should not be used for more than four days, and that too under a doctor's supervision. However, with prolonged use of betamethasone, there is a high probability of systemic absorption of corticosteroids which, in turn, can result in skin atrophy (thinning of the skin), appearance of facial spider veins around the eyes, nose and cheeks (a condition called Telangiectasia), as well as a decrease in the production of collagen in the skin tissues due to which the skin loses its suppleness. Other side effects include outbreak of acne or rosacea with redness, bumps and pus-filled pimples and dryness of the skin. Therefore, long term use of this medicine should be avoided whenever possible."
The use of steroids for a long time causes the skin to become soft and thin, which increases the skin's absorptive capability and the contents of the formula cream are absorbed faster. Hence, the bleaching and fairness properties of the formula cream tend to be more effective, and it, consequently, gives off a radiant skin tone.
The cuticle layer of the human skin acts as a barrier and plays an instrumental role in protecting the skin against foreign agents, harsh environment and bacterial infections. Unfortunately, prolonged application of the formula cream destroys the cuticle layer, thereby, decreasing the skin's immune response against harmful substances.
White is certainly beautiful, but getting it at the cost of your health is definitely not worth it! The formula cream can surely make you a potential catch for your future husband and in-laws but what's the point of having a skin which is ugly from within? So, the next time you overhear a lady talking about the wonders of the miraculous formula cream, burst their bubble and reveal the facts.
The original article was published here.
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