The Washington Post has revealed that 400 lipstick brands were laced with lead, which can affect major body processes and is poisonous to all the major organs in the human body. (Note: studies show that that there are higher traces of lead in foods than in cosmetic lipstick.) The fact remains, however, that any exposure to the mineral can be mortally harmful and consumers should be careful what they put on their lips.
Gloss
Petroleum jelly is what makes lip gloss shiny, but it's also a byproduct of oil drilling. Throughout her lifetime, the average woman will inadvertently rub and consume over seven pounds of the gunk. The European Union has banned petroleum jelly products due to cancer concerns. As it turns out, women with breast cancer test for twice the levels of contaminants found in the jelly as cancer-free patients. Overprotective or not, this study shows that the EU ban may save the lives of a lot of women.
Spray tanning is advertised as the safest method for tanning... or it was until a report stated that the principal chemical of the spray, DHA, can damage cells and ultimately lead to cancer. The chemical agent responsible for turning your skin brown is safe when used externally, but as a spray, it tends to get inhaled, and once in your system, becomes toxic. Although no conclusive studies have been performed on humans, doctors are still concerned that the spray can cause birth defects. Which might help to explain the Jersey Shore phenomenon.
When the active ingredient in nail polish, DBP, was discovered to be potentially damaging, the offending ingredient was removed. The thing is, many nail polishes still contain formaldehyde, the chemical scientists use to preserve the dead, which has been known to cause asthma and cancer. Some doctors believe the concern over both DBP and the formaldehyde traces is overblown, as nails tend to be impermeable.
An Environmental Working Group report claims that a Vitamin A compound found in 40 percent of sunblocks accelerates skin damage, and thus cancer, especially when exposed to — of all things — sunlight. Beachgoers should note, however, that the study was conducted on mice, which are more susceptible to skin cancers than humans. Also, they don't look as good in a bikini. Apparently when human subjects were used, the sunscreen did exactly what it was supposed to: block the sun.
Since the 1960s, there have been increasingly popular speculations that ingredients in antiperspirants are bad for the human body. While more comprehensive studies suggest that antiperspirants do not increase one's chances of contracting breast cancer, elements in the product could raise estrogen levels, which promotes growth of breast tissue. An excess of growth can, in turn, cause a cancerous growth.
BKTs are popular among American women because they promise shiny, voluminous or straight hair, no matter the type. The magic of the treatment is attributed to the protein keratin, but experts believe the real chemical behind the curtain is formaldehyde. Additionally, BKT releases noxious fumes during its application, so everyone in the vicinity, including the woman getting a BKT, is at risk. M&M International, Inc., a manufacturer of BKT, points out that formaldehyde is not on the FDA's forbidden ingredients list.
Those who cannot afford, usually emulate. That is why the imitation or cheap jewelry industry is such a powerhouse, especially when it concerns teenage girls on a budget. But a whole host of highly toxic chemicals such as lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury have been detected in jewelry pieces found in teen-friendly stores. Of 99 pieces tested, one-fourth were said to contain harmful levels of the above toxins, some of which were linked to impaired learning and cancer. Big box retailers have issued statements about their stringent jewelry screening processes.
The dangers of girdles are luckily something relegated to textbooks. But according to leading neurologists, just as girdles were harmful to women's bodies, tight clothing, like skinny jeans, Spanx and corsets can also be hazardous. Tight clothing can cause blood clots and bladder infections. In some cases, those very jeans used to improve figures, are known to disfigure them in a condition known as lipoatrophia semicircularis, which causes skin depressions on thighs.
People actual massage their faces with a needle-studded roller? Those brave enough to undergo Microneedle treatments are purportedly rewarded with healthier looking skin. But the procedure might be dangerous, as some who have tried it report damaged skin. Even more alarming is experts' warnings that salons' attempts to sterilize needles between customers have proven to be insufficient. Salons assert that they use a new roller for every customer, but the claim has not been verified by a third party.
The trouble with beauty nowadays is that no one can ever be beautiful enough. Breasts implants, one of the most popular body modifications (10 million women have donned them), are the perfect example of high beauty standards with which we live. But some women, like porn actress Sexy Cora, have died while in operation. Ruptures, scarring, severe pain, and fatal infections have also been known to inflict women who go under the blade. (The enhancements are considered safe by the FDA.)
Morning beauty routines aren't exactly something most people look forward to doing. That is why "permanent" makeup has become a trend in some parts. "Permanent" makeup, also known as dermal pigmentation, is essentially cosmetic tattooing. Like tattooing, it can be performed by qualified professionals under safe conditions, but the FDA has noted incidents of swelling, extreme scarring, and even skin cancer. Saving twenty minutes a morning might not be worth losing a life.
While most tattoo parlors are governed by state and local laws, little is done to strictly enforce regulations. Therefore, the risk for allergic reactions, chronic skin ailments, and contracting HIV, syphilis, and Hepatitis B and C is elevated. It is also concerning is that the FDA does not regulate the tattoo industry. While the beautification is common enough to be relatively harmless, one should keep in mind that researchers from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School show that tattooing may be the "number one distributor of Hepatitis C."
Although new chemicals are all tested, there is no way to know their long-term effects until they have been around for the long term. That is why news stories keep coming out about harmful ingredients in everyday products. The latest culprit: phthalates. According to Environmental Health Perspectives, phthalates, which are found in nearly every type of cosmetic from lipstick to nail polish, can lead to an increased risk of diabetes. Some cosmetics are labeled so cautious consumers can avoid this risk, but not always. |
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