A number of digitally altered movies promoting a supposed skin-whitening serum have been seen hundreds of thousands of instances by Fb customers within the Philippines in posts that falsely declare the beauty product was endorsed by well-known native docs. The docs featured within the movies advised AFP that they had not endorsed the product — which isn’t registered with the nation’s Meals and Drug Administration. A dermatologist additionally warned that unregistered merchandise could irritate the pores and skin and trigger hurt.
One video promoting the skin-whitening product was shared on Fb here on July 15, 2022 with the title “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 Medical Group — and her husband Dr Hayden Kho Jr endorsing the product, “Angel Underarm Whitening Serum”.
The video hooked up to the publish has been seen greater than 2.5 million instances.
Within the video, Dr Belo and Dr Kho seem like answering a query on easy methods to whiten the underarms.
After giving some recommendation on easy methods to stop the underarms from darkening, the physicians focus on whitening choices.
On the video’s 42-second mark, an advert for “Angel Underarm Whitening Serum” is proven as Dr Belo begins to discuss a product provided by her firm.
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 additionally marketed in different Fb movies here and here that had been shared in November. These movies characteristic one other doctor Dr Krizzle Luna — who discovered fame by giving medical recommendation on social media — additionally speaking about methods to lighten underarm pores and skin.
Feedback on the posts counsel some customers believed the declare and wished to buy the product.
“Hiya doc Vicki Belo and doc Hayden, can this be shipped overseas?” one person requested.
One other enquired, “How a lot is it and the way do I order?”
The docs, nonetheless, haven’t endorsed the product.
‘Pretend’ product endorsement
A consultant for Dr Belo and Dr Kho advised AFP the posts are “faux”.
“Please learn that Belo Medical Group, Dr. Vicki Belo and Dr. Hayden Kho aren’t in any approach affiliated with this product. We have now notified our crew about this faux commercial,” the consultant stated on November 23.
Dr Luna additionally advised AFP on November 24: “I don’t endorse this product.”
The clip of Dr Belo and Dr Kho was taken from a video printed on Dr Belo’s YouTube channel on Could 5, the place the pair answered questions from their followers.
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 overview of the footage discovered the 2 by no means endorsed “Angel Underarm Whitening Serum”.
They solely promoted their clinic’s personal underarm whitening cream that has been authorized by the Philippine Meals and Drug Administration (FDA) and their “Angel whitening” laser treatment.
The clip of Dr Luna was taken from a longer video printed on her TikTok account on March 11, the place she additionally talked about methods 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 overview of the TikTok video discovered Dr Luna by no means talked about “Angel Underarm Whitening Serum”.
As a substitute, she promoted an FDA-approved model of deodorant.
Unregistered beauty product
A key phrase search of the FDA’s registered cosmetic products database didn’t yield any outcomes for “Angel underarm Whitening Serum” as of November 29.
Dr Jarische Lao-Ang, a dermatologist from the Philippine Dermatological Society, warned towards utilizing unregistered pores and skin merchandise.
“Unregistered merchandise have dangers of irritating the pores and skin, inflicting extra hurt,” she advised AFP on November 28.
“For customers, it is best to seek the advice of with board-certified dermatologists for correct steerage.”
AFP beforehand debunked posts that comprise fabricated endorsements from docs here, here, here, here and here.
