Pretty Poison or Harmless Cosmetic?


When you cover your blemishes, give yourself a sunless tan, or straighten your hair, the likelihood is that you employ a product with an extended list of ingredients. But are those ingredients safe? Headlines proclaiming the risks of beauty products are often supported hype, so WebMD takes a glance at the science. and that we offer some alternatives for those that want to scale back their use of chemicals.

Concern: Keratin Straighteners


Salon-based keratin hair treatments can deliver silky, smooth locks with no frizz. These treatments are often marketed as formaldehyde-free, but Oregon's OSHA found high concentrations of the chemical in additional than half samples. Long-term exposure to formaldehyde can cause cancer. Getting your hair straightened or "smoothed" once every few months won't put you over OSHA's exposure limits. But there might be a true risk to your stylist.

Option: Conditioner and Flat Iron


Conditioner can assist you fight frizz by neutralizing the impact of electricity. And while the results will only last until your next shampoo, a flat iron can get the kinks out of most naturally curly hair. employing a hand blower is a smaller amount effective than a flat iron for smoothing hair, but your stylist might show you a couple of good techniques, combined with safe hair products, to tame a frizzy look.

Concern: Permanent hair coloring


Research connecting hair coloring to cancer has had conflicting results. Some studies suggest that ladies are slightly more likely to urge leukemia or lymphoma if they use permanent hair dyes, particularly darker colors. But other studies have found there's no increased risk. Most research watching hair coloring and carcinoma has found no link. there's also no evidence suggesting hair coloring poses a threat during pregnancy, although some health care providers recommend waiting until the trimester to be extra cautious.

Option: Plant-Based Hair Dyes


Plant-based hair dyes, including henna and vegetable dyes, can change hair color without harsh chemicals. But there are some drawbacks. Most won't end in a dramatic color change, and therefore the results tend to fade before with permanent dyes. A second option is to urge highlights at a salon. A special cap or foil hair wrappers prevent the dye on your tresses from touching your scalp, therefore the chemicals aren't absorbed by your skin.

Concern: Crazy Contacts


Colored or patterned lenses that do not correct your vision can assist you to change your look. But avoid any lenses that are sold without a prescription, often available at salons, costume shops, or online. Contact lenses require proper fitting, cleaning, and care, even for a brief wearing. If you do not look after them properly, you run the danger of eye injuries or infections which will cause vision loss.

Option: Rx Colored Lenses


If you are feeling Mother Nature gave you the incorrect eye color, ask a licensed eye care professional about colored contact lenses. albeit you've got sharp vision, you'll still need an eye fixed exam. The doctor can prescribe for you and show you ways to require care of the lenses properly. Buy lenses from a prescription-only source. Follow the doctor's directions to avoid injuring your eyes.

Concern: Prescription Eyelash Serum


Latisse may be a prescription that will temporarily offer you long, flirty eyelashes. You daub the serum onto your upper lash line a day and wait about four months for results. you'll love the lashes, but it is vital to notice a little risk of side effects, some permanent. The drug may darken the skin around your eyes or turn the colored a part of your eyes (the irises) brown.

Option: Eyelash Extensions


False eyelashes or eyelash extensions can offer you that long-lashed look without a prescription. But that does not mean they're risk-free. The adhesives can irritate the eyelids or cause an allergy. And watch out for permanent eyelash tints that promise thicker-looking lashes. they need been linked to serious injury, including blindness. No permanent dyes are FDA-approved to be used on the lashes.

Concern: Hydroquinone


Hydroquinone may be a skin lightener that's available by prescription or during a less potent strength over the counter. Dermatologists often recommend it for reducing age spots or dark patches referred to as melasma. Overuse of hydroquinone can cause skin discoloration. Animal studies have also linked the chemical to cancer, though the danger to humans is unclear. Scientists are currently studying hydroquinone safety.

Option: Laser Skin Resurfacing


Laser skin resurfacing uses a special sort of laser to get rid of the highest layer of skin. The procedure, which is completed by a dermatologist, can minimize age spots and even out the complexion without the long-term use of a chemical lightener. Drawbacks include the expense, pain, the downtime while your skin is healing, and a little risk of scarring or discoloration.

Concern: Tanning Beds


No matter what you've heard about the security of tanning salons, here's what the research says: frequent use of tanning beds raises your risk of melanoma, the foremost deadly sort of carcinoma. additionally, tanning beds mainly emit UVA rays, which contribute to premature aging – wrinkles and brown spots. albeit tanned skin looks good to you, tanned skin is damaged skin.

Option: Sunless Tanning Products


It's easy to fake a tan. Sunless tanning lotions typically contain DHA, a color additive that reacts with amino acids within the skin's surface to make a short-lived "tan." DHA is FDA-approved for external application, but not to be used in commercial spray tanning booths. These booths may cause you to inhale a number of the spray or catch on in your eyes. make certain to use sunscreen even once you have a sunless tan. It doesn't protect your skin.

Concern: Nail Salon Hazards


Manicure products contain a good range of chemicals, including formaldehyde, phthalates, acetone, or toluene. Their fumes may irritate the skin, eyes, nose, and tract. These reactions are more common in salon workers than in clients. Manicures and pedicures also can end in fungal or bacterial infections – particularly if the equipment has not been sterilized properly.

Option: Minimize Risks


Before having a manicure or pedicure, inspect the salon's cleanliness. Leave if you doubt the standard of the salon's sanitation or disinfection practices. Don't shave your legs before a pedicure, and avoid the nail salon if your skin is cut, nicked, or broken. If you are a salon worker, make sure that your salon obeys laws designed to guard workers' safety.

Concern: Phthalates


Phthalates are chemicals wont to make products more pliable. They're found in toys, food packaging, and a few beauty products, including nail enamel, shampoo, and soap. Two studies suggest phthalate exposure during pregnancy may cause abnormal development in male infants, including low hormone levels and little genital size. But the FDA says there's not enough evidence to conclude that phthalates pose a health risk.

Option: Phthalate-Free Products


If you're concerned about phthalates, search for phthalate-free beauty products. you'll check the ingredients for the term phthalate (dibutyl phthalate, dimethyl phthalate, diethyl phthalate, etc.), butyl ester, or plasticizer. it is vital to notice that phthalates also are found in flooring, shower curtains, food packaging, and lots of other staples of recent life. But using phthalate-free cosmetics and skin-care products can reduce your overall exposure.

Concern: Parabens


Parabens are the foremost common preservative found in cosmetics, including makeup, moisturizers, and hair care products. One study found parabens in breast tumors, but didn't indicate that parabens caused the cancer. Other researchers have concluded it's "implausible" that the number of parabens in cosmetics could lead to cancer.

Option: Paraben-Free Cosmetics


If you're concerned about parabens, you'll find paraben-free beauty products. Cosmetics tend to spoil without preservatives, but parabens aren't the sole option. Some products use vitamin C (ascorbic acid) or vitamin E (tocopheryl acetate) as preservatives.

Does Makeup Expire?


If you're hanging onto your glittery disco-era eye shadow, toss it now. Preservatives within the makeup may break down over time, allowing bacteria to grow. Experts offer the subsequent "use by" guidelines:


  • Foundation - one year
  • Blush/powder/shadow - two years
  • Lipstick - one year
  • Mascara - 3-4 months

Throw out eye makeup immediately if you've got an eye fixed infection.

Is Mineral Makeup Better?


Mineral makeup contains fewer irritating fillers and preservatives than regular cosmetics. But it can still contain allergens, so people with sensitive skin should search for products with as few ingredients as possible. Although mineral makeup often has built-in sunscreen, like titanium oxide or flowers of zinc, don't believe this as your sole protection from the sun. it is best to use mineral makeup over your regular sunscreen.

Sunscreen Safety


The ingredients in sunscreen are used for several decades and are considered safe. the important danger is selecting a sunscreen that's too weak. to guard against both UVA and UVB rays, choose a product labeled "broad spectrum" and choose SPF 30 or higher to scale back the danger of carcinoma and early skin aging.