Mailisa caught in scandal: Doctor warns of risks from poor quality melasma treatment cream

The cosmetics smuggling case involving Mailisa beauty salon has made many customers worried because they had bought melasma treatment and skin care creams that were advertised as high-end. Doctors warn that low-quality products can cause melasma, dark spots and long-term skin damage if not treated promptly.

The case involving a cosmetics distribution company for a famous beauty salon chain that was exposed by the Ministry of Public Security is attracting great public attention. According to the initial investigation results, from 2020 to 2024, the subjects involved were accused of importing cheap, poor-quality cosmetics from abroad and then falsifying documents to turn them into products originating from other regions. These shipments continued to be smuggled into Vietnam, advertised as high-end cosmetics and sold at high prices to make big profits.

The scale and sophistication of the scam make it particularly worrying. While consumers are waiting for test results, the regulatory agency has decided to recall more than 160 related products. However, the reality shows that many customers are confused after spending a lot of money to buy the widely advertised anti-melasma and whitening creams. Many people said they experienced irritation, skin darkening or rashes after using the products, making them even more worried when they know that the origin of the products may not be verified as advertised.

The pressure on appearance in the age of social media makes many people easily believe in promises of "fast whitening" and "melasma removal in 7 days". A 28-year-old office worker is a typical example: her skin improved quickly in the beginning, but only a few days after stopping use, her skin became dark, melasma spread and freckles appeared densely. The prolonged treatment made her have to cover up carefully and feel self-conscious in communication. A 35-year-old woman, despite being used to expensive products, also experienced dryness, cracking and rapid aging after using a cosmetic set considered "high-end".

According to a specialist at the Dermatology Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, many beauty products are advertised as luxurious but contain unsafe ingredients, even exceeding the permitted threshold. Active ingredients such as parabens, hydroquinone or corticosteroids can whiten quickly but pose great risks, including dilated blood vessels, acne, and permanent pigmentation disorders. Every day, the hospital receives many cases of complications from cosmetics of unknown origin, from mild irritation to serious infections.

A doctor at Thong Nhat Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City said that the most dangerous thing is that users are almost incapable of recognizing the toxicity level of floating products. Many mixed creams use cheap chemicals, are not tested, and complications often appear late, causing users to be subjective, continue to use them for a long time and lead to more serious damage.

When you discover that you have used a questionable product, the first thing to do – as recommended by a dermatologist – is to stop using it immediately if you see any unusual signs such as itching, redness, peeling or rapid darkening. Then, the user should go to a dermatology hospital to have the extent of the damage accurately assessed and receive appropriate treatment. Arbitrarily buying creams online will only make the situation worse.

Doctors advise consumers to keep invoices, packaging and product information, as these are important bases when making complaints, requesting compensation or reporting to authorities. People can send information to market management units or health departments so that the product can be inspected and handled according to regulations.

From a legal perspective, experts in the field of criminal law said that smuggling of high-value goods can be handled under current regulations, with penalties of up to decades in prison. If consumers suffer damage to their health or property due to using poor-quality products, they have every right to request compensation and request to be identified as victims in the case.

The incident once again shows that the demand for beauty is growing but also entails many risks. In the context of the market having many products of unknown origin, consumers need to be careful, prioritize buying genuine products, and at the same time seek medical specialists for treatment products to protect long-term health.