VietNamNet Bridge – More and more women are presenting themselves at doctor's surgeries and health centres after having used fake cosmetics.

Illustrative image.

Numerous cases have been reported around the country recently, as many women are desperate to have a fair complexion for as little money as possible, ringing alarm bells about the amount of dangerous cosmetics on the market.

According to Doctor Nguyen Minh Hang from the National Hospital of Dermatology and Venerology, the number of patients who have an allergy to cosmetics is rising.

"Out of the 50 patients who come to me to be examined every day, on average ten of them suffer from an allergic reaction, after using fake cosmetics", said Hang.

Quynh Tho, a third year student from the Viet Nam Trade Union University, was hospitalised when her skin started peeling off after using a cosmetic product, advertised on Facebook, for a week.

Tho regularly uses the internet and had bought a skin whitener which was advertised as being "made from natural herbs" via a Facebook fan page for VND400,000 (US$19).

"My complexion was getting fairer and I had less spots after using the whitener for a week. However, my skin started to peel off the following week and I had a terrible itch when I stopping using it," Tho said, adding that she was diagnosed as having an allergy due to the chemicals the product contained.

In another case, siblings Lien and Hoa (not their real names), living in Tu Liem District, Ha Noi, broke out in a rash then noticed that their faces had swollen up after earlier applying cheap cosmetics they had bought in the Old Quarter's night market.

According to Nguyen Thi Le, a doctor of dermatology and venerology from northern Thai Nguyen Province's Hospital 91, products that can whiten a user's skin often contain higher amounts of toxic chemicals.

"These toxins do not just poison the skin, they also seep through the skins pores and affect other organs in the body if used over a long period of time", said Thinh.

Despite the harmful effects, cheap cosmetics without origin are currently sold in many markets throughout the country and also on the internet.

For example, in Dich Vong night market, Cau Giay District, women and girls can find up to six shops selling cosmetic products.

Despite being labelled as famous brands, such as Mabelline, Pond's, Shisedo, and Olay, the products are very cheap.

For instance, a fake Shisedo lipstick sells for only VND40,000 (US$1) instead of VND450,000 ($22), the normal price of the genuine product.

According to a circular issued in January 2011 on cosmetics management, companies manufacturing and selling cosmetics products are supposed to ensure that their products are not harmful to human health, when used in normal circumstances and when following manufacturer's instructions.

Source: VNS