Social media users, beware of this in UAE

  DUBAI – Efforts are underway to track down social media influencers who promote skin whitening creams that should only be prescribed by a doctor, the Ministry of Health and Prevention said. The ministry on Saturday also warned the public against using such skin whitening products that are potentially “grave health hazards”. Some of these products could cause permanent skin damage, including facial bleaching and occurrence of dark spots, the ministry warned. Many ads on social media are misleading and promote products that are not medically proven to be safe or effective, said Dr Ameen Hussain Al Amiri, the ministry’s assistant undersecretary for Public Health Policy and Licensing. The assistant undersecretary said that many of these products are illegally sold online without prescription. “Among the shocking preparations we came to notice in a video that was posted by a lady was her use of a facial skin whitener containing Dermovate cream, which is the most powerful corticosteroid used in the market to treat cases of eczema and severe psoriasis," said Dr Anwar Al Hammadi, head of dermatology society at Emirates Medical Association. "I hope there would be a legislation to incriminate those who misuse medicines, particularly when damage is sustained by children and teens,” Al Hammadi added. To combat the illegal sales and promotion of such products, the ministry has formed a team to monitor the content of social media accounts for suspicious activity. Residents are encouraged to report misleading or suspicious health or beauty advertisements by calling 80011111. DAJ/Expat 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