Caretaker Health Minister of Punjab Dr Jamal Nasir has said that the injections and creams used to whiten skin in beauty parlors are spreading diseases.

In an interview with Geo News, the minister said that several beauty parlours have developed their own skin-lightening creams that are not certified by the authorities concerned.

“Many beauty parlors are earning millions of rupees by inoculating people with whitening injections. These injections are not registered in Pakistan and are not allowed to be imported as well,” he said.

Nasir said that the government would come up with a policy against illegal skin-lightening injections and creams, and that parlours that use such creams and injections would be sealed.

The health minister said that local serums and creams are easily available at low prices in Lahore’s local markets.

Dr Nasar added that illegal skin-lightening creams and injections can cause several diseases, including skin and kidney problems.

He added that a crackdown on illegal beauty parlors and clinics would begin in Lahore and Rawalpindi — but did not specify when.

On the other hand, shopkeepers told Geo News that the trend of whitening cream has increased among women to look fair and attractive. “75% of women buy whitening creams,” they added.