Jakarta - Illegal facial whitening creams containing mercury are still widely available on the market, offering the lure of instant white skin at a low price. In fact, the use of mercury in cosmetic products is very dangerous and can cause various serious health problems.
Mercury, also known as quicksilver or hydrargyrum , is a chemical element with the symbol Hg that belongs to the heavy metal group.
It is a liquid, silvery, and highly toxic substance. In cosmetic bleaching creams, mercury is used because of its ability to inhibit the production of melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color.
By suppressing melanin production, mercury can reduce skin hyperpigmentation and make the skin appear whiter in a short time. It is very interesting for women who want to appear white instantly.