Beauty is pain, says those who are willing to jeopardise their health, just to satisfy their obsession for sylphlike waist and white radiant skin.
However, it is unfortunate to see that the concept is the most common perception of beauty that is fancied by Malaysian women and has built a strong market avenue for cosmetic and beauty industry.
Often, such image is tagged along with excessive and exaggerated claims, persuading consumers, especially women, who are easily influenced by cosmetic products’ advertisements to go out and splash out on them.
Driven to achieve optimum effects, many have fallen for its promises for flawless complexion or speed weight lose result, without even any hesitation or doubts.
However, are consumers really aware on its severe circumstances towards health?
The irony is that despite of knowing nothing about the substances and ingredients of these so-called ‘beauty’ products, consumers are still willing to take their chances and try these products which goes on to show that they prioritise beauty over safety — by assuming the testimonies of the products as equal to the opinions of experts.
What is mind-boggling about the scenario is that these harmful products are widely available in the market. Another thing more intriguing is how have they gotten the green light?
Whether online stores are allowed to sell medicines, in Malaysia, it is not an issue if the stores follow the Consumer Protection (Electronic Trading Transaction) Regulations 2012. However, under Section 13 of the Poisons Act 1952, it is against the law to sell or supply medicine without a licence. A seller can be fined up to RM3,000 or receive one-year imprisonment for the first offence.
According to pharmacist, Siti Norhajariah Julaihi, who works at a government clinic in Jalan Masjid, Kuching, the increase of online stores selling prescriptions is alarming due to consumer perceptions on the effectiveness.
“The growing online pharmacists opened up a marketing strategy selling cosmetic products that is very convincing, but yet poses high risks in health. Consumers are mostly attracted on how it can produce fast results that has been proven by the online testimonials,” she said.
Adopting these two methods, she stresses that the claims are the most weakest in clinical scientific research, which many scientists would definitely terminate and reconduct the test repeatedly.
Norhajariah explained that the prospering cosmetics and skincare industry have misled the consumers on the difference between cosmetics and medicines.
“The main challenge that we are facing today is to educate consumers on the difference between testimonials, and scientific experiments and trials. The short time that these products take to produce the desired outcomes prompt consumers to put their health in danger,” she told New Sarawak Tribune when contacted yesterday.
Highlighting the importance of knowing the difference between medicines and cosmetics, Norhajariah said that cosmetics are not registered products which can only be notified by the Health ministry.
“Previously, cosmetics were required to registered under the ministry. However, the ministry now only requires that cosmetic products to be notified to them in order to identify that the products had abide by the law.
“Drug control authority only approves medicinal product after it has been scientifically tested and evaluated for its safety, quality and efficacy. Medicines will then be given an 8-digit MAL registration numbers and a Meditag Hologram which can be found on its packaging”.
“As for cosmetics, they only feature a Notification registration number without the Meditag hologram. To verify the authenticity of medicine hologram, consumers can check by using decoders that are available at the pharmacy or visit the Pharmaceutical enforcement offices,” she elaborated.
It is understood that the prescription on high-risk medicines can only be prescripted by verified pharmacist and doctor. She also urged those who has severe disease, such as kidney disease, to seek advice and refer to their doctors before consuming any additional supplementary product.
“Individuals who undergoes health problems must seek advice and inform to their regulative doctors or pharmacists if they consume any additional supplement products.
“Unsupervised usage of products that contain dangerous chemicals may produce severe effects,” she warned, adding that, “the consequences are rather dire”.
Illustrating ‘fake’ slimming pills as an example, she pointed out the immediate effect is that they could lead to heart complications. “If the authenticity of the drug is doubtful, it can lead to serious health effects if it is taken without the supervision of a doctor or pharmacist.
“For example, most of the slimming pills contain Isotretinoin which is used to treat severe acne and erectile dysfunction.
“What concerns us the most is that those medicines sold online could be fake and unregistered, which perhaps explains why their price is lower than those sold at pharmacies,” she firmly informed.
Registration of Pharmacists Act 371 states that the authenticity of medicines and registration status can only be determined under the Health Ministry. Thus, making claims regarding medicines without any clinical proof is an offence.
“Consumers are longing for skin lightening. The standard of beauty has somewhat normalise the society to perceive the concept of beauty to be defined in a certain way,” Norhajariah lamented.
She also revealed that the content in skin-whitening products are adulterated with hydroquinone to treat blemishes and uneven skin tone.
“Among the dangerous chemicals include cadmium, chromium, lead, arsenic and mercury. These chemicals are banned by the ministry as the content inside the product is over the limits. A prolonged use of the products could result in skin cancer”.
Excessive hydroquinone chemical can cause skin redness, discomfort, discoloration, hypersensitivity and a gradual blue-black dark tone to the skin. “In short, it reduces the skin layers for protection when our skin are exposed to the sunlight and UV rays,” she added.
Although cosmetic products are notified by the Health Ministry, however, Norhajariah said this does not mean that the products contain the right amount of substances. “There are many cases where notified cosmetics have affected to the consumer’s health. Now imagine what if consumers use unnotified cosmetic products”.
To solve the issue, Norhajariah suggests consumers to play their role in making decision when purchasing cosmetics and medicines product.
“Consumers need to be aware and carefully evaluate before decide to purchase any cosmetic products. If there is any discrepancy, it is our responsibility to report it to the authority for immediate action”.
“But to question its availability in market, we can’t point fingers and put all the blame on one party. Personally, to solve this issue as for now, what we need is to raise the awareness and continue to assist the authority in monitoring cosmetic products once we receive complains by the public,” she added.
