Unraveling the mirage of fairness cream commercials: A cross-sectional analysis of commercials from South Asia

Background: Fairness products are an essential component of daily beauty routines for many individuals in subcontinental Asia. However, it is important to be aware that these products often contain ingredients that can be detrimental to the skin and are banned in several developed countries.Objective: Our study aims to analyze the content of fairness cream commercials in order to gain a deeper understanding of the information used to persuade and influence consumers to use these products.Methods: Fairness cream commercials originating from countries in subcontinental Asia, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal, were specifically searched and analyzed on the YouTube platform.Results: An analysis of 152 fairness cream commercials on YouTube identified 84.21% of commercials targeted female consumers, while only 15.79% targeted male consumers. 77.63% of commercials used celebrities in their commercials and 47.37% of commercials mentioned specific ingredients.Conclusions: Based on our findings, it is crucial for dermatologists to take an active role in educating patients and consumers about the potential risks associated with certain ingredients found in fairness creams. Dermatologists should emphasize the importance of prioritizing overall skin health rather than solely focusing on skin lightening.