He said cosmetic shop owners are earning huge profits by selling spurious cosmetics, particularly skin bleaching creams and ointments to females. He said these cosmetics are imported from neighboring countries by the profiteers without realizing their side-effects. Resultantly, various skin diseases are on the rise.

He said beauty salons and beauty parlour are opened at every nook and corner of the city, which offer bleach, mask and other facilities to women for instant fairness within knowing the fact that whether these spurious cosmetic products are suitable for their skin or not, he added.

He said unbranded and spurious cosmetic products like soaps, henna, fairness creams, shaving creams, lotions, shampoo and other products are easily available in cosmetic shops. He said owners of these cosmetic shops can earn profit with a margin of 200 to 300 percent as compared to certified and branded products which provide them 10 percent profit. Resultantly, shopkeepers prefer to sell non-certified and unbranded cosmetic products.

He said spurious cosmetics products containing chemicals, hydro-contains, steroids for quick advantages are sold openly but their frequent use generally leads towards serious skin infections.

He said cosmetology is the subject of dermatology and women should consult with specialist doctors before applying any cosmetic product in order to avoid its side-effects.

Secretary General Pakistan Medical Association Center Dr Mirza Ali Azhar said selling of counterfeit and spurious cosmetics products is common in local market due to non-implementation of laws.

He urged the authorities concerned to strictly implement the laws about registration of cosmetics and take action against those who sell fake products.