Skin cream abuse exposes women to cancer, damages natural hair —Expert

Omidiora Oluwatosin, a dermatologist and hair care specialist, is the Director of Splendor Natural Glams, which has been at the vanguard of campaign against abuse of skin and hair creams in Nigeria. She speaks with IMOLEAYO OYEDEYI on ways to curtail the ugly trend of skin and hair cream abuse in the country, among others.

AS someone who specialises in hair care, how does hair styling crystalises the beauty of a woman?

As we all know that the hair of a woman is her crown, it has to be kept clean and beautifully gorgeous. Hairstyling gives additional beauty to a woman, and makes her look extraordinarily confident. The truth remains that if you want to be a stunning woman, you should always have a beautiful hairstyle. But the question has always been the kind of hairstyle to do. A hairstyle, hairdo, or haircut refers to the styling of hair, usually on the human scalp. Sometimes, this could also mean an editing of facial or body hair.

The fashioning of hair can be considered an aspect of personal grooming, fashion, and cosmetics, although practical, cultural, and popular considerations also influence some hairstyles. But generally, it is expedient that a woman takes adequate care of her hair. Hair care is an overall term for hygiene and cosmetology involving the hair which grows from the human scalp, and to a lesser extent facial, pubic and other body hair. Hair care routines differ according to an individual’s culture and the physical characteristics of one’s hair. Hair may be coloured, trimmed, shaved, plucked or otherwise removed with treatments such as waxing, sugaring and threading.

As Nigeria boasts of many hair styling companies, what are the unique solutions you offer with your beauty outfit?

Women who rock the natural afro style often find it difficult to care for their hair, and they finally resolve to relax it, thereby destroying the nature of the hair. But we at Splendor Naturals provide a long lasting solution in maintaining and taking care of the natural hair. We are also discourage ladies and women from using skin damaging creams by providing a natural solution to their skin care kit. At Splendor Natural Glams, we offer hair styling and hair care services in the form of creating products that really help natural hair to grow rapidly. They include: Hair Growth butter, Hair shampoo, deep conditioner, rinse out conditioner, natural hair gel, leave in-conditioner, hair growth oil, anti-dandruff oil, etc. We also offer body glowing services which include: Body butter, Body and face Scrub, Herbal soap. We make fashion products also. Such as headband, Autogele, fascinators, and female wear.  Our customers give us mind-blowing reviews every time and we can’t wait to hear yours too, when you patronise us.

Many a time, some ladies go into skin transplant and refurbishing and use all kinds of cream in a bid to appear very radiant and spotless, what is your take on this and what are the side effects?

Yes, they have side effects, which include cancer. For me, I believe every confident lady should be content with the way she has been created in God’s image. Trying to refurbish your shape is as a result of self-insufficiency or low self-esteem. These reshaping processes have their own side effects which would leave only the person involved to hear. Those who cheer you up for your shape won’t be there while you are going through that. Be wise!

According to Dr Rachna Jagia, a senior consultant, dermatology & aesthetics, Venkateshwar Hospital, New Delhi, there is a lot of misuse of creams taking place, especially with those using fairness creams.  Doctors prescribe creams or ointments for a specific period of time, but after seeing the results of the steroids, patients continue to use these products even beyond the prescribed period.

Self-administering of creams causes patients more drastic harm than they can imagine.  Products are used for extended periods of time with repeat prescriptions, resulting in a lot of damage to the skin. This practice is common among youngsters and middle-aged women who want to look their best at all times.

Meanwhile, people should be mindful of the kind of herbal creams they use for their air and skin, because steroids may come masked in so-called herbal products. Some companies claim their products are ‘ayurvedic’, but you don’t actually know whether everything in their products is natural, according to Dr Raghunatha Reddy, a dermatologist at Mathapitha Skin Clinic, Bengaluru and a professor at MVJ Medical College and Research Hospital, Bengaluru.

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