A number of breakthrough lotions formulas are being released in the market. There are different variants of bath lotion for dry skin, oily skin, and normal skin. There is also what’s is called milk bath skin lotion That every one can use to maximize that nourishing effect. Choosing the right lotion for your skin is essential to ensure that perfect glow. Just know your skin type and match it with the lotion you are to buy.
We don’t know much about the safety of hair dyes during pregnancy. It’s likely that when you apply hair dye, only a small amount is absorbed into your system. So very little chemicals, if any, would be able to get to your baby. In the few animal and human studies that have been done, no changes were seen in the developing baby. Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns.
Lead acetate is used as a color additive in “progressive” hair dye products. These products are put on over a period of time to produce a gradual coloring effect. You can safely use these products if you follow the directions carefully. This warning statement must appear on the product labels of lead acetate hair dyes:
“Caution: Contains lead acetate. For external use only. Keep this product out of children’s reach. Do not use on cut or abraded scalp. If skin irritation develops, discontinue use. Do not use to color mustaches, eyelashes, eyebrows, or hair on parts of the body other than the scalp. Do not get in eyes. Follow instructions carefully and wash hands thoroughly after use.”
You should follow these safety tips when dyeing your hair:
- Don’t leave the dye on your head any longer than needed.
- Rinse your scalp thoroughly with water after use.
- Wear gloves when applying hair dye.
- Carefully follow the directions in the hair dye package.
- Never mix different hair dye products.
- Be sure to do a patch test for allergic reactions before applying the dye to your hair. Almost all hair dye products include instructions for doing a patch test. It’s important to do this each time you dye your hair. Your hairdresser should also do the patch test before dyeing your hair. To test, put a dab of hair dye behind your ear, and don’t wash it off for two days. If you don’t have any signs of allergic reaction, such as itching, burning, or redness at the test spot, you can be somewhat sure that you won’t have a reaction to the dye applied to your hair. If you do react to the patch test, do the same test with different brands or colors until you find one to which you’re not allergic.
- Never dye your eyebrows or eyelashes. An allergic reaction to dye could cause swelling or increase risk of infection in the eye area. This can harm the eye and even cause blindness. Spilling dye into the eye by accident could also cause permanent damage. FDA bans the use of hair dyes for eyelash and eyebrow tinting or dyeing even in beauty salons.
Source: Office on Women’s Health
in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The decision to change your hair color may be a hard one. Some studies have linked hair dyes with a higher risk of certain cancers, while other studies have not found this link. Most hair dyes also don’t have to go through safety testing that other cosmetic color additives do before hitting store shelves. Women are often on their own trying to figure out whether hair dyes are safe.
When hair dyes first came out, the main ingredient in coal-tar hair dye caused allergic reactions in some people. Most hair dyes are now made from petroleum sources. But FDA still considers them to be coal-tar dyes. This is because they have some of the same compounds found in these older dyes.
Cosmetic makers have stopped using things known to cause cancer in animals. For example, 4-methoxy-m-phenylenediamine (4MMPD) or 4-methoxy-m-phenylenediamine sulfate (4MMPD sulfate) are no longer used. But chemicals made almost the same way have replaced some of the cancer-causing compounds. Some experts feel that these newer ingredients aren’t very different from the things they’re replacing.
Experts suggest that you may reduce your risk of cancer by using less hair dye over time. You may also reduce you risk by not dyeing your hair until it starts to gray.
If you want to use AHA products, follow these safety tips:
- Always protect your skin before going out during the day. Use a sunscreen with a SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 15. Wear a hat with a brim. Cover up with lightweight, loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts, and pants.
- Buy products with good label information:
- a list of ingredients to see which AHA or other chemical acids are in the product
- the name and address of the maker
- a statement about the product’s AHA and pH levels
The first two have to be on the label. The third is one is by choice. You can call or write the maker to find about a product’s AHA and pH levels.
- Buy only products with an AHA level of 10 percent or less and a pH of 3.5 or more.
- Test a small area of skin to see if it is sensitive to any AHA product before using a lot of it.
- Stop using the product right away if you have a reaction, such as stinging, redness, or bleeding.
- Talk with your doctor or dermatologist (a doctor that treats skin problems) if you have a problem.
Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) come from fruit and milk sugars. They are found in many creams and lotions. Many people buy products with AHAs, because they claim to reduce wrinkles, spots, sun-damaged skin, and other signs of aging. Some studies suggest they may work.
But are these products safe? FDA has received reports of reactions in people using AHA products. Their complaints include:
- severe redness
- swelling (especially in the area of the eyes)
- burning
- blistering
- bleeding
- rash
- itching
- skin discoloration
AHAs may also increase your skin’s risk of sunburn.
To find out if a product contains an AHA, look on the list of ingredients. By law, all cosmetics have ingredients on their outer label. AHAs may be called other names, like glycolic acid and lactic acid.
Source: Office on Women’s Health in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Hypoallergenic (hy-po-al-ler-gen-ic) cosmetics are products that makers claim cause fewer allergic reactions than other products. Women with sensitive skin, and even those with “normal” skin, may think these products will be gentler. But there are no federal standards for using the term hypoallergenic. The term can mean whatever a company wants it to mean. Cosmetic makers do not have to prove their claims to the FDA.
Some products that have “natural” ingredients can cause allergic reactions. If you have an allergy to certain plants or animals, you could have an allergic reaction to cosmetics with those things in them. For example, lanolin from sheep wool is found in many lotions. But it’s a common cause of allergies too.
Source: Women’s Health
You may not be able to use eye make-up, such as mascara, eyeliner, and eye shadow for as long as other products. This is because of the risk of eye infection. Some experts recommend replacing mascara three months after purchase. If mascara becomes dry, throw it away. Don’t add water or, even worse, saliva to moisten it. That will bring bacteria into the product.
You may also need to watch certain “all natural” products that contain substances taken from plants. These products may be more at risk for bacteria. Since these products contain no preservatives or have non-traditional ones, your risk of infection may be greater.
If you don’t store these products as directed, they may expire before the expiration date. For example, cosmetics stored in high heat may go bad faster than the expiration date. On the other hand, products stored the way they should be can be safely used until they expire.
Source: Women’s Health
Some products can be both cosmetics and drugs. This may happen when a product has two uses. For example, a shampoo is a cosmetic because it’s used to clean the hair. But, an anti-dandruff treatment is a drug because it’s used to treat dandruff. So an antidandruff shampoo is both a cosmetic and a drug. Other examples are:
- toothpastes that contain fluoride
- deodorants that are also antiperspirants
- moisturizers and make-up that provide sun protection
These products must meet the standards for both cosmetics (color additives) and drugs.
Some cosmetic makers use the term “cosmeceutical” to refer to products that have drug-like benefits. FDA does not recognize this term. A product can be a drug, a cosmetic, or a combination of both. But the term “cosmeceutical” has no meaning under the law.
While drugs are reviewed and approved by FDA, FDA does not approve cosmetics. If a product acts like a drug, FDA must approve it as a drug.
Source: Women’s Health
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