Weak skin and acne, dark skin, freckles, melasma… are some of the common symptoms of heavy metal poisoning. And these signs are often mistaken for allergies and other common skin problems. Today’s article Websosanh will help you learn more in detail through the following article.
1. Causes of heavy metal poisoning of the skin
The cause can come from many different factors, existing both inside and outside the body. However, it will mainly include 4 main groups of actors as follows:
1.1 Using cosmetics
Some heavy metals, typically lead, are often used in the production of products such as lipstick, skin cream, hair dye… because of their ability to adhere well to the skin when combined with coloring chemicals. . Therefore, when the content of these substances exceeds the allowable limit, it will cause many negative effects on your skin and health.
Some heavy metals are very toxic, especially mercury, which can easily penetrate the skin or body just through contact or inhalation. People who work and live in environments containing many heavy metals are also highly susceptible to infection with difficult-to-diagnose signs.
1.3 Less skin care and exfoliation
Even if you use safe cosmetics with acceptable levels of heavy metals, there is still a possibility of poisoning due to not removing makeup thoroughly or washing your face incorrectly. Most heavy metals such as lead, Paraben, Corticoid… have a very high adhesion ability, so it is necessary to regularly exfoliate, purify and detoxify the skin for bright, smooth skin.
1.4 Diet
Mercury and lead may have certain residues in the food you are using. Research shows that many people have chronic mercury poisoning due to regularly eating marine fish contaminated with mercury such as tuna, red snapper…
2. Signs of heavy metal poisoning on the skin
2.1. Signs of skin lead poisoning
The first time you use skin care products or cosmetics containing lead, you will see your skin become noticeably whiter and smoother. However, after a while, some signs will begin to appear on the skin such as melasma, freckles, less elastic skin and many wrinkles and acne. Besides, your body often feels tired and doesn’t sleep well.
2.2. Signs of skin poisoning with mercury
Mercury poisoning in the skin often occurs when you use certain types of products such as whitening cosmetics. Ingredients will mainly include: Mercurous Chloride, Mercurio, Calomel… which penetrate directly through the skin, causing dangerous complications for the nervous system, excretion, weakness, depression, even multi-organ failure and dangerous to life.
2.3. Signs of Corticoid skin infection
Facial skin peeling and acne due to corticosteroid abuse
Corticoid is an active ingredient in toxic group B, often used in skin medications in very small amounts to soothe and prevent acne on the skin. However, overuse of this substance will cause redness, blisters, peeling skin and burning when you stop using the product. Many whitening and acne treatment creams also contain this active ingredient.
2.4. Paraben poisoning
Parabens are widely used in the cosmetics manufacturing industry such as shampoo, shower gel, lotion… and have quite good antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. However, at a reasonable dosage, when this threshold is exceeded, they will cause female hormone disorders, causing peeling and pimples on the skin.
3. Harmful effects of heavy metals on your skin
3.1. The skin is weak and getting thinner
When contaminated with heavy metals, the skin will become weaker and thinner due to erosion by toxic chemicals. Therefore, the skin will be very sensitive to factors such as temperature, sunlight and at the same time prone to acne, allergies…
3.2. Skin infection and acne irritation
Skin can become infected, ulcerated and acne-prone from heavy metal poisoning. Some cases also infect the blood and spread to many areas of the body.
3.3. Skin discoloration, darkening
When skin is contaminated with heavy metals, it often quickly becomes dull, dark, and purple. Most of these cases are caused by using cosmetics and skin whitening creams containing lead.
Because the skin has lost its elasticity, the pores will automatically expand, the skin surface becomes rough, wrinkled and many other signs of aging.
3.5. Other systemic effects
Not only do they affect the skin, especially dangerous heavy metals such as mercury and lead, when entering the body, also cause many other dangerous diseases such as headaches, liver and kidney failure, stomatitis, and leg tremors. hands… can even cause death immediately after exposure.
