The Ugly Side of Your Beauty Regime

Whether we're slapping on beauty products, spraying on deodorant, or slathering on the hair dye, we all strive to look and smell good on a daily basis.

However we often do it without even a second thought to what we are actually putting into or on to our bodies.

A recent study from biochemist Richard Bence suggests that women who use makeup every day are flooding their bodies with as much as 5 lbs. of chemicals each year.

So what are the hidden consequences of our product-rich beauty regimes. We investigate ...

Lipstick
It's tempting to apply lipstick several times a day, but do we ever stop to think about where it actually magically disappears to? Could it be that the sweet treat we scoffed for lunch was accompanied by a petroleum-laced lipstick coulis?

"The average woman will eat two pounds of lipstick in her lifetime," says Ruth Wallerius, founder of www.purelynatural.net. "Most lipsticks contain petroleum derivatives so try brands based on beeswax, plant oils or vitamin E."

Old Makeup
Despite recommendations that eye makeup should be thrown away after six months, a shocking 92 percent of women admit they keep their mascara for longer. And two-thirds of us use eye makeup that's over two years old.

Dr. Susan Blakeney of The College of Optometrists, explains why we shouldn't. "Mascara can be a breeding ground for bacteria," she says. "Nearly half of women suffer from itchy, watery and red eyes when they are keeping makeup for so long and sharing it among their friends."

Hair Dye
Those who use permanent hair dye are 2.1 times more likely to develop bladder cancer (as are their hairdressers) according to the International Journal of Cancer.

Both ammonia and paraphenylenediamine (PPD) -- a chemical substance widely used in dyes -- can cause allergic reactions too. Hairdresser Karine Jackson says she's switched to organic dye after investigating the alternatives.

"When a client who'd recently had cancer asked if there was a chemical-free option, I realized there wasn't much out there that didn't contain ammonia," she reveals. "I found a British company, Herb UK, who make an organic coloring system that contains no ammonia and only 0.4 percent PPD -- as opposed to the usual 7 percent."

Toothpaste
You've been faithfully brushing twice daily since childhood, but some pastes contain sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) -- known to cause recurrent mouth ulcers. It's been prohibited in bubble baths because it can cause rashes and infection.

Teeth-Whitening Kits
A pearly white smile is obviously appealing, but teeth-whitening kits can have their pitfalls too.

Dr. Phil Stemmer, dentist to Jude Law and Patsy Kensit, reveals, "Over-the-counter whitening kits use chemicals with a low pH which are highly acidic.

"Acid softens and dissolves tooth enamel, which can mean your teeth could end up weaker and looking more yellow."

Sanitary Products
You are likely to already know about the dangers of Toxic Shock Syndrome, a rare but potentially fatal disease, linked to tampon use.

But some pads may contain chlorine-bleached wood pulp.

Chlorine bleaching produces an unwanted byproduct called dioxin, which has been linked to cancer, endometriosis and immune system suppression.

Antiperspirant
Aluminum in antiperspirants has been highlighted after tests on women who've had mastectomies found high levels of metal in their outer breast tissue. Research has showed that metal could cause cancer and tests suggest parabens -- chemicals in beauty products and toiletries -- are also linked with the killer disease.

Antibacterial Soap
Around 79 percent of liquid soaps and 29 percent of bar soaps contain triclosan -- an antibiotic designed to kill a wide variety of germs.

However it seems this trend for cleanliness could actually be too effective and lead to bacterial resistance. This in turn can contribute to incidence of MRSA.

Friends of the Earth's Safer Chemicals Campaigner, Mary Taylor, recently commented, "This chemical is an unnecessary addition to most products and retailers should phase out such products as soon as possible."

The Pros and Cons
So is it really worth the risk of using chemically-loaded cosmetics?

"I believe you can cut your chances of breast cancer if you cut out synthetic chemicals that you apply to your hair and skin, Dr. Paula Baillie-Hamilton, author of "Toxic Overload," says.

"When you put a product onto your skin, it will be absorbed into the bloodstream. Parabens essentially mimic female hormones and can trigger cell division or cell growth.

"So cut back on chemicals and go for natural brands which are free of synthetic fragrances and preservatives."

Source: Daily Mirror. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. Powered by Yellowbrix.