Vodafone’s multiple award-winning TV programme, Healthline has enlightened viewers on the side effects of skin bleaching.
The 11th episode of Healthline Season 8 also discussed body enhancement and dispelled some myths surrounding plastic surgery.
Speaking on the show, Dr Mark Seadey, a Dermatologist at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, educated viewers on the harmful substances in some bleaching products and how they affect the skin.
“In our part of the world, the most common bleaching soaps and creams contain hydroquinone, steroids and mercury, which are considered very deadly. It is therefore important to check the labels on these products before purchasing them.
“Bleaching makes the skin thinner and this delays healing when you have a wound or cut. These products can also cause chronic kidney failure, cataract, diabetes, osteoporosis, and skin cancer, in the end.
“Bleaching can also affect pregnancy since some of these substances are absorbed through the skin into the bloodstreams and then to the fetus. ‘’
Dr Opoku Ware Ampomah, a season Plastic Surgeon, who spoke on plastic surgery and body enhancement said:
‘’Patients undergo reconstructive surgery to correct a body defect and others go in for cosmetic surgery to enhance some body parts.
It is, however, important that they do all the required medical tests to confirm if they can go ahead; and also ensure that the procedure is carried out by a professional”
Dr. Ampomah also used the Vodafone Healthline platform to disabuse the myth that women with breast implants could not breastfeed.
Vodafone Ghana, through its Healthline programme, has educated and demystified various myths on health-related conditions.
It has supported and transformed the lives of hundreds of Ghanaians who have undergone various surgeries for life-threatening conditions including hydrocephalus, hernia, fibroids and heart-related problems.
Season 8 of Vodafone Healthline shows on UTV on Mondays at 9 pm; TV3 on Sundays at 3 pm; Adom TV on Saturdays at 8:30 pm; TV Africa on Saturday at 7:30 pm, and on Family TV on Sundays at 8 pm.