The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning to six companies for selling unapproved and misbranded over-the-counter topical pain-relief products with higher-than-allowed concentrations of lidocaine, a local anesthetic. This warning is particularly relevant to those who regularly undergo microdermabrasion treatments, laser hair removal, tattoos, or piercings.
According to Jill Furman, director of the Office of Compliance in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, these products pose significant risks to consumers due to their excessive lidocaine content. Lidocaine can lead to serious side effects such as irregular heartbeat, seizures, and breathing difficulties when used on a large area of skin or irritated skin. To prevent adverse effects, the FDA recommends avoiding products containing more than 4% lidocaine, refraining from usage on large areas of skin, and avoiding wrapping the product with dressings or plastic wraps.
Some of the specific products mentioned in the FDA’s warning include TKTX Numb Maximum Strength Pain Reliever, NumbSkin Lidocaine Numbing Creams, and Signature Tattoo Numbing Cream. It is essential for individuals to be aware of these warnings to protect their health and well-being while undergoing cosmetic procedures. For more detailed information on these specific products mentioned in the FDA’s warning, interested individuals can refer to the official press release from the FDA.
The potential harm caused by using unapproved and misbranded over-the-counter topical pain-relief products can be severe. It is crucial for individuals who undergo cosmetic procedures regularly to take note of this warning and avoid using any such products that may contain excessive lidocaine content.
In conclusion, it is vital for individuals who regularly undergo cosmetic procedures like microdermabrasion treatments, laser hair removal, tattoos or piercings to be aware of this recent warning from the U.S Food and Drug Administration regarding certain over-the-counter topical pain relief products that contain higher than allowed concentrations of lidocaine. These warnings should help prevent potential harm caused by using unapproved and misbranded products that may contain excessive lidocaine content.
