Coronation Street fans 'will be shocked' by a harrowing storyline that will highlight the dangers of 'skin bleaching' products.
Corrie bosses have taken the decision to show the effects of these products after 14-year-old Asha Alahan looks to bleach her skin so that she looks whiter.
Played by 16-year-old Tanisha Gorey, Asha will buy and try the cream after making the decision that she no longer wants to have an Indian appearance.
What Asha doesn't realise is that the illegal cream contains harmful chemicals that could poison her.
The dangers of skin bleaching will be coming to Weatherfield after Corrie bosses wanted to highlight the upward trend of British teenagers using the products.
The creams work by breaking down the skin's natural defence to UV light and experts have warned that this can lead to severe blistering and burns, within days of using them.
Those who have used the products on a long-term basis have faced the prospect of kidney and liver failure.
This can happen if the harmful chemicals seep through from the skin and into the bloodstream.
ITV is working closely with the British Skin Foundation in the hope of portraying the harsh realities of the cream, with the storyline planned to start in August.
Speaking to The Sun on Sunday, a source said : “In the coming months Asha will return from India and decide that she doesn’t want to be Indian any more."
This will lead to to Asha "bleaching her skin in secret with a cream she has brought home from India."
Asha will then continue to buy the cream online as the storyline follows "the negative effects of her choice as time goes on."
It has been reported that Asha will 'pay a high price' for her actions.
The source continued to reveal that "Corrie bosses felt that this was a really important issue to highlight,"
as the use of the products are becoming "increasingly prominent."
The source added: “Many youngsters do resort to experimenting with these creams, without being aware of the risks involved."
While not all creams on offer are illegal, the message from Corrie bosses will be that is not worth risking your life in pursuit of lighter skin.
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