Kanebo Cosmetics Inc. said Friday it has confirmed that 4,000 more people in Japan have suffered from white blotches after using its group's now-recalled skin-whitening cosmetics, bringing the total number of sufferers to 13,959.
Of the total as of Sept. 29, 4,906 have serious symptoms, with more than three blotches or blotches at least 5 cm in diameter. Of these, 907 have particularly serious symptoms, with obvious white blotches over large areas, including their face or hands.
Another 5,946 have less severe symptoms, while the remaining 3,107 are recovering or have already recovered, the company said.
Kanebo also said there were 72 cases reported overseas, including in Taiwan, and they added the number of sufferers may yet rise.
The products, which Kanebo recalled starting July 4, contain a substance called 4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-butanone, dubbed Rhododenol.