Although the risks of skin lightening products are well documented, many dark-skinned women, mainly Blacks and Asians, still continue to use them. However, there are new reports highlighting the dangers, after the case of a 28-year old morbidly obese woman came to light.

The doctors treating the woman found out that she has been using the skin bleaching cream, Movate. The unnamed woman has classic symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome; a hormonal disorder resulting from prolonged exposure to cortisol, a major ingredient in skin lighters. In addition, she was said to have “pigmented stretch marks over her body, thin, bruised skin, and mild hair growth on her back and face.”

Details of the case were published in the Lancet journal. The team of doctors who treated the woman included Drs. Tricia Tan and Tony Goldstone from the Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust at Hammersmith Hospital.

Skin lightening creams are known to contain harmful ingredients including steroids such as clobetasol propionate, and hydroxyquinone, a chemical that is similar to paint stripper.