Have you ever skimmed through a Vogue magazine? Then you must have seen pictures of Kim Kadarshian or Zendaya with seemingly perfect bodies, skin, and hair. While glancing at the pictures of models and celebrities, you must have wished for what they have: flawless skin, sleek hair, and a fit physique.
As much as you desire to have them, so do celebrities. Sad to say, pictures published in magazines are heavily photoshopped before publication. Those retouched images have created unrealistic beauty standards. Influenced by this, women are adopting beauty routines and using products that might not be safe.
Underneath the glossy allure of many beauty products lurk harmful chemicals that can pose significant health risks. In this blog post, we’ll discuss some look-good products and their impact on your health.
Nail Polish
Sleek, shiny, and polished nails—who doesn’t love that? Nail polishes have always been in vogue, but they can harm your health. Toxic substances like dibutyl phthalate (DnBP), formaldehyde, and toluene are found in nail polishes.
DnBP, a member of the phthalate family, is an endocrine disruptor. You might experience health issues like thyroid irregularities, diabetes, and hormone changes due to exposure to it.
Formaldehyde is a well-recognized carcinogen. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified it as “carcinogenic to humans” since it can cause leukemia and nasopharyngeal cancer. A Science Direct report has observed a positive link between formaldehyde exposure and sinonasal cancer.
Toluene, a toxic substance, is added to nail polishes to make the coating tough and resilient. Exposure to this chemical can irritate the throat, nose, and eyes. You might even experience dizziness, headache, anxiety, or confusion.
To mitigate these risks, choose nail polishes that are free from these harmful chemicals. Look for products labeled “3-free,” “5-free,” or “10-free.” These are formulated without toxic compounds.
Hair Straighteners and Relaxers
For women with curly or unruly locks, straighteners, and relaxers are godsends because they straighten the follicles. Chemicals in hair straighteners and relaxers can tame frizzy locks but at the expense of your health.
A recently published article in Scientific American has disclosed that hair relaxers and straighteners might be harmful to health. They might lead to reproductive diseases and cancers in women. Another study has found a link between the use of straighteners and relaxers and uterine cancer.
Did you know that Black women are at greater risk of uterine cancer? Researchers of Black Women’s Health Study discovered a link between long-term use of chemical hair relaxers and an increased risk of uterine cancer among postmenopausal Black women.
Since researchers have revealed the potential dangers of straighteners and relaxers, hundreds of women have filed lawsuits against cosmetic brands. They, in the hair relaxer lawsuit, blame the hair relaxers of the brand for causing uterine cancer. Big names like L’Oreal, Dark & Lovely, Motions Hair, Softsheen-Carson, and African Pride (Godrej Group) are sued in the lawsuit.
All those who have used hair straighteners, hair relaxers, or other similar hair products and developed uterine cancer subsequently qualify for the lawsuit, explains TorHoerman Law.
When choosing hair straighteners or relaxers, go for those labeled “formaldehyde-free” to minimize your risk of uterine cancer. You must also apply these products in a well-ventilated area to reduce your risk of inhaling the harmful fumes.
Lipsticks
Women wear lipsticks to enhance their appearance; they feel confident when they add colors to their lips. Not surprisingly, you’ll find them in almost every woman’s handbag.
Lipsticks help you freshen your look. But have you ever thought about their effects on your health? Unfortunately, these lip products could harm your health. Lipsticks contain aluminum, chromium, cadmium, and lead.
South China Morning Post’s recent feature has disclosed that Chanel, Estee Lauder, and Giorgio Armani are some big brands whose lipsticks contain at least one allergenic heavy metal known to cause skin irritation. Brands like Lancome, Bobbi Brown, MAC, and NARS have not one but two to three heavy metals in their lipsticks.
Charlotte Tilbury, Tom Ford, Chanel, and L’Oreal Paris lipsticks were found to have higher-than-average levels of heavy metals.
Continuous exposure and ingestion of heavy metals can lead to long-term health issues, including neurotoxicity and reproductive problems. Besides heavy metals, most lipsticks contain parabens, which have been linked with hormonal disruption. Recently, there have been concerns about their potential association with breast cancer.
To be on the safe side, always use lipsticks that are free from heavy metals and parabens. Even better, opt for lipsticks formulated with natural or organic ingredients. ILIA, 100% PURE, and Juice Beauty are some brands you can consider if you seek non-toxic lipsticks.
Winding up, look-good products might enhance your appearance, but they could also impact your health in the long run. The presence of harmful chemicals in these products makes them toxic, leading to serious health issues. These range from skin irritations to respiratory problems and cancer.
When you shop, pay attention to the ingredients list and buy only those that are formulated without toxic substances. That way, you won’t have to pay the price for your beauty with your health.
