Dermatologists have warned patients about a TikTok trend that encourages women to buy prescription skincare products on the black market as they threaten their fertility and health.
With the proliferation of social media skincare accounts, most recently TikTok, users are being recommended treatments that require medical advice before prescribing to patients, and vendors are taking advantage of people’s insecurities by illegally offering prescription products.
DR said Jane Ravenscroft of the British Association of Dermatologists I: “Buying prescription products in this way poses a real public health risk as online vendors and drugs cannot be properly regulated.”
The prescription drug tretinoin, a member of a group of powerful drugs called retinoids, is commonly used to treat acne, but is also popular among younger women for its ability to lighten dark spots and improve the appearance of wrinkles.
It went viral on TikTok and social media, with social media users touting its benefits and uploading several videos boasting that it can be bought without a prescription.
It is against the law in the UK to advertise prescription drugs, sell them outside of legitimate supply chains, or allow patients to sell prescription drugs to others.
However, I understands that in the UK patients buy such medicines without consulting a doctor and in some cases suffer the consequences.
Estheticians and dermatologists are sounding the alarm about the dangers of acquiring effective skin care products this way, with side effects ranging from worsening skin care problems to psychological and fetal abnormalities.
Dr Ravenscroft said there are particular concerns about the popular tretinoin, which is only available by prescription in the UK “for good reason”.
“They should only be used under the supervision of a doctor who can advise you if they are the right treatment for you and educate you about possible side effects,” the doctor said. Ravenscroft. “Retinoid creams, such as tretinoin cream, can aggravate breakouts in the early stages of treatment, often leaving the skin red and inflamed.
“Treats may interact with each other or with other procedures, and this is information that your doctor can provide you with. For example, mundane procedures such as facials can cause problems for people who use retinoid creams, including tretinoin.
This was shared by Dr. Anjali Mahto, Self London consultant dermatologist, who prescribes daily prescription drugs. I“This trend is incredibly scary and I urge anyone considering it to exercise extreme caution.”
Dr Mahto said he was “deeply concerned” that people could access prescription drugs without first consulting a doctor.
Where can I get professional advice on skin problems?
Dr Jane Ravenscroft of the British Association of Dermatologists says: “If you have skin problems, don’t look on social media for an answer. It is important to get an accurate diagnosis before undergoing any treatment, so the first thing you should do is contact your pharmacist or general practitioner.
Here are some reputable websites that people with skin problems can turn to for information on how to treat acne effectively:
- DGD
- British Association of Dermatologists
- talk about health
- CUTE
“One of the most important things to report about tretinoin is that it should absolutely not be used if you are trying to conceive or are pregnant. This type of information needs to be discussed in the consultation and will be ignored if someone is shopping online,” she added.
Dr. Ravenscroft also warned that taking tretinoin without consultation could have serious consequences for the mental and physical health of the user. “Retinoid drugs such as isotretinoin taken by mouth can cause a wide range of side effects and are associated with mental health problems. They are also teratogenic, meaning they can cause fetal abnormalities if taken during pregnancy. It is also not recommended to use retinoid creams during pregnancy.”
Buyers of black market skin care products can not only be exposed to the side effects of real drugs, but they can also be tricked into buying counterfeit products.
“Another problem with buying skin care products and prescription drugs online is that some websites sell counterfeit products. You may not even get what you think you are getting,” the doctor said. Ravenscroft. “Some products labeled as medicated herbal creams and purchased through these channels have been shown to contain steroids, which, if abused, can cause serious side effects and worsen existing skin conditions such as acne.”
Although she did not treat patients who bought tretinoin illegally on the Internet, Dr. Mahto to correct the advice given to people who turned to Internet sites for the treatment of their skin diseases.
She said: “Last week at the clinic I had a man who was given an online prescription for acne, but when I looked at his skin and did a full consultation, he did have rosacea, and the acne prescription will probably eliminate the worsening of his symptoms. .”
TikTok has been contacted for comment.
Source: I News
I’m Raymond Molina, a professional writer and journalist with over 5 years of experience in the media industry. I currently work for 24 News Reporters, where I write for the health section of their news website. In my role, I am responsible for researching and writing stories on current health trends and issues. My articles are often seen as thought-provoking pieces that provide valuable insight into the state of society’s wellbeing.