A couple of digitally altered movies promoting a meant skin-whitening serum were seen hundreds of thousands of occasions by way of Fb customers within the Philippines in posts that falsely declare the beauty product was once recommended by way of well-known native docs. The docs featured within the movies informed AFP they’d now not recommended the product — which isn’t registered with the rustic’s Meals and Drug Management. A dermatologist additionally warned that unregistered merchandise would possibly worsen the outside and reason hurt.
One video promoting the skin-whitening product was once shared on Fb right here on July 15, 2022 with the name “CASH ON DELIVERY BUY 1 TAKE 1 PROMO”.
The publish additionally contains purported quotes from Filipino beauty doctor Dr Vicki Belo — who based the Belo Clinical Staff — and her husband Dr Hayden Kho Jr endorsing the product, “Angel Underarm Whitening Serum”.
The video connected to the publish has been seen greater than 2.5 million occasions.
Within the video, Dr Belo and Dr Kho seem to be answering a query on the right way to whiten the underarms.
After giving some recommendation on the right way to save you the underarms from darkening, the physicians speak about whitening choices.
On the video’s 42-second mark, an ad for “Angel Underarm Whitening Serum” is proven as Dr Belo starts to discuss a product introduced by way of her corporate.
This occurs once more on the video’s one-minute, 25-second mark as Dr Kho talks about “Angel Whitening”.
Screenshots from the false Fb video, captured on November 29, 2022
The product was once additionally marketed in different Fb movies right here and right here that have been shared in November. Those movies characteristic some other doctor Dr Krizzle Luna — who discovered status by way of giving scientific recommendation on social media — additionally speaking about tactics to lighten underarm pores and skin.
Feedback at the posts counsel some customers believed the declare and sought after to buy the product.
“Hi document Vicki Belo and document Hayden, can this be shipped in another country?” one consumer requested.
Any other enquired, “How a lot is it and the way do I order?”
The docs, alternatively, have now not recommended the product.
‘Pretend’ product endorsement
A consultant for Dr Belo and Dr Kho informed AFP the posts are “faux”.
“Please be told that Belo Clinical Staff, Dr. Vicki Belo and Dr. Hayden Kho don’t seem to be by any means affiliated with this product. We’ve notified our group about this faux commercial,” the consultant stated on November 23.
Dr Luna additionally informed AFP on November 24: “I don’t endorse this product.”
The clip of Dr Belo and Dr Kho was once taken from a video revealed on Dr Belo’s YouTube channel on Might 5, the place the pair responded questions from their fans.
Under is a screenshot comparability of the altered video used within the false posts (left) and the unique video posted on YouTube (proper):
Screenshot comparability of the altered video used within the false posts (left) and the unique video posted on YouTube (proper)
A assessment of the pictures discovered the 2 by no means recommended “Angel Underarm Whitening Serum”.
They simply promoted their health center’s personal underarm whitening cream that has been accepted by way of the Philippine Meals and Drug Management (FDA) and their “Angel whitening” laser remedy.
The clip of Dr Luna was once taken from a longer video revealed on her TikTok account on March 11, the place she additionally mentioned tactics to lighten underarm pores and skin.
Under is a screenshot comparability of the altered video used within the false posts (left) and the unique video posted on TikTok (proper):
Screenshot comparability of the altered video used within the false posts (left) and the unique video posted on TikTok (proper)
A assessment of the TikTok video discovered Dr Luna by no means discussed “Angel Underarm Whitening Serum”.
As an alternative, she promoted an FDA-approved emblem of deodorant.
Unregistered beauty product
A key phrase seek of the FDA’s registered beauty merchandise database didn’t yield any effects for “Angel underarm Whitening Serum” as of November 29.
Dr Jarische Lao-Ang, a dermatologist from the Philippine Dermatological Society, warned in opposition to the use of unregistered pores and skin merchandise.
“Unregistered merchandise have dangers of frustrating the outside, inflicting extra hurt,” she informed AFP on November 28.
“For customers, it is best to talk over with board-certified dermatologists for correct steering.”
AFP in the past debunked posts that include fabricated endorsements from docs right here, right here, right here, right here and right here.
