What are corticosteroid creams?
Corticosteroid and steroid creams are prescribed by doctors to treat inflammation from skin conditions like eczema, dermatitis and psoriasis.
These corticosteroid/steroid creams contain powerful ingredients like Clobetasol Propionate, Fluocinolone Acetonide or Betamethasone Dipropionate.
They come with specific usage instructions because of the potentially serious side effects.
Skin lightening is a side effect of steroid creams
Unscrupulous sellers sell steroid creams as skin bleaching creams because a known side effects of using steroid creams is skin lightening.
The mechanics behind steroid cream-induced skin lightening is not known. However, one theory is that steroids may reduce the number of melanocytes or melanocyte activity in the skin.
Black market bleaching creams pose a hidden danger
Given that the sale of steroid creams for skin bleaching is illegal, black market skin lightening products will not list steroids on their labels.
Therefore, most go undetected. The detection and removal of these harmful steroid skin lightening creams usually only occur after it is too late.
Examples of known skin lightening creams that contain corticosteroids |
| Bio Claire Lightening Body Creme contains the powerful steroid Clobetasol Propionate |
| Shalina Diproson cream and lotion contains two types of steroids, Betamethasone Dipropionate and Fluocinolone Acetonide |
| Esapharma Movate contains two types of steroids, Clobetasol Propionate and Fluocinolone Acetonide |
| Dermovate cream contains the powerful steroid Clobetasol Propionate |
Corticosteroid creams can lead to irreversible and devastating skin damage
Corticosteroid creams are almost unrivaled in their ability to quickly lighten skin color.
However, its short-term results are just that — short-term.
When these creams are discontinued, skin usually reverts back to its original color eventually. Meanwhile, prolonged use of the creams can lead to devastating skin damage that is usually irreversible.
Prolonged use may lead to many skin problems
- Thin and fragile skin
- Stellate spontaneous pseudoscars
- Strange stretch marks
- Folliculitis, inflamed hair follicles
- Skin rash, irritation
- Itchiness
- Raised bumps on the skin
- Excess hair growth
- Fungal or bacterial skin infections
Serious damage to health
Corticosteroids are absorbed through the skin and into the blood.
They are also more rapidly absorbed when applied to the face, increasing their danger as this is where most people would apply them in order to lighten their complexion.
- Corticosteroids appear in breast milk. Corticosteroids in breast milk can harm newborns by inhibiting their growth.
- Corticosteroids may lead to exogenous Cushing’s syndrome
I am just 17 years old,I have used different types of lotion bodycream but presently am using pure White Gold cream it has no much effect on me until I added a cream that I was told it removes stretch marks after mixing it the whole cream became brown and I applied it on my body on applying it my palms became brown and am feeling itches on my right breast. Please I need your help,I need a cream that will give me an even complexion.
Hi Olutade, I’m sorry to hear about what you’re going through. What is in the cream that you added in to remove stretch marks? If the mixture you created turned brown and your palms immediately turned brown after touching it, could it just be temporary staining? Certain dyes can stain the skin, but this will fade after a while. On the other hand, if the colour change came about from more than one application, then please bring along both creams to show your doctor for his advice.
I hope things improve for you soon. Take care.
Hessa