The NHS is set to introduce a £30 million scheme to treat the “most common and severe” blemishes in people aged over 65 with the most serious of conditions.
The programme, launched by the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive, will involve testing new vitamin and mineral supplements to help people with darker skin tones.
The NHS said: “A brightening cream containing vitamins and mineral powder will be available in the UK in 2019-2020.”
The Department of Primary Care said it was “committed to investing in people’s health”.
“Brightening products have been widely used by healthcare workers and patients, helping them to achieve healthier and brighter skin, and help reduce the risk of skin cancer,” a spokesperson said.
However, research has also shown that vitamin D supplements do not help the skin, but may increase the risk for the skin to grow more than normal. “
Brighteners are not only effective in preventing wrinkles but can also help people to shed excess skin pigmentation.”
However, research has also shown that vitamin D supplements do not help the skin, but may increase the risk for the skin to grow more than normal.
One study in the US found that patients with darker, blemished skin had a three-fold increased risk of developing skin cancer, with a five-fold increase if they had sunburned or dehydrated.
“We believe that the vitamin D we give our skin is important for its own protection and that it plays an important role in protecting us from skin cancer and its consequences,” Dr Mark Dreyfus, the British Medical Association’s chief medical officer, said.
The Department for Health said the NHS had already invested in “up to 400,000 Brightening products” in 2017, and “we’re continuing to invest in this area”.
“We have already introduced a Brightening Cream with Vitamin D for the UK to be available for use in 2019, and will be increasing the number of Brightening Products in 2018,” the spokesperson added.
“The aim is to find the most effective way to improve the skin of people over 65, as they age.”