Internationally renowned dermatologist, Patience Johnson, has raised the alarm that Nigerians should beware of their usage of uncertified cosmetic products because of their harmful effect on vital body organs.
Johnson, who is the founder and chief consultant at Derma Contour Aesthetic and Beauty Clinic, with headquarters in Germany, and a Nigerian branch, located in Federal Capital Territory, Abuja raised the alarm while being honoured with an award of excellence in Abuja by National Association of Northern Nigeria Students (NANNS).
“Certain dangerous chemicals are offloaded into the market without care for the unsuspecting consumers who may be ignorant of the inherent danger. Some of these products may lead to liver, kidney, heart or even brain damage and cancer. Most of these products do not specify the many ingredients used in production. Sometimes, when they specify it is not genuine.
“My experience in the past 20 years of hard work in this field, including since the clinic was founded in Germany and the four years we have operated in Nigeria, has revealed to me that an average Nigerian has kidney or liver dysfunction knowingly or unknowingly. However, most choose to keep this information to themselves. Some will prefer you treat the outside of the skin while the inside continues to degenerate.
“You cannot treat every skin disease with cream. Some skin problems could be as a result of dysfunctional organs like liver, heart, kidney, thyroid glands or Polysistic ovarian syndrome and will defy such treatment.
“Sometimes when things are not right on the inside, like if there is dysfunction in the liver, kidney, thyroid glands or even heart, it can also manifest on the skin,” she said.