Can a bubble bath be dangerous? Definitely! And so can eye and face makeup, hair color, dyes, permanents and straighteners, nail polish and remover, shaving preparations, suntan lotions, beauty masks, face and body powders and lotions, skin creams, deodorants, and perfumes.
There are over fifty thousand cosmetic formulations on the market today. Consumers snap them up at the tune of nearly $50 billion a year. The consumer products safety commission estimates that each year they cause more than 70,000 injuries to users hair, skin and eyes.
The Food and Drug Administration is charged with overseeing cosmetics. But unlike its authority with relation to drugs, the agency is not empowered to demand of manufacturers proof that the products are safe. Nor can the FDA require cosmetics makers to disclose their exact product formulas. Still, the agency and manufacturers say that most cosmetics are safe for most people when used properly.
Two products account for most of the injuries. Bubble baths can cause a host of problems, minor and serious, including itching and skin rashes, urinary tract, bladder, kidney, and genital disorders, eye irritations and respiratory problems. Children are particularly susceptible so dont suggest your grandkids take a bubble bath. Cosmetic experts advice? You should follow instructions on the products and dont use the sudsy powder and liquids to excess.
Eye makeup is the other big danger. Mascara, eye shadow and eye liner contain preservatives to prolong their shelf life, but eventually these protective chemicals break down, making the products ripe for contamination by bacteria. Continued use of the cosmetics can irritate or cause permanent damage to the eye. To protect yourself, follow these rules: Replace your eye makeup every three to four months if you havent finished using it up.Wash your hands before making upNever use friends eye makeup and avoid eye (and face) makeup testers at cosmetics counters. If you do, be sure to use the disposable q-tips and mini-spatulas provided. Even so, one recent study showed that more than half the demonstration supplies at the display counter were contaminated.Be especially careful to avoid scratching the cornea, which can cause serious damage. Some general cosmetics safety tips include: Keep containers tightly closed and store them in a cool place. Creams and lotions can be refrigerated to prolong their shelf life. Check the list of ingredients on packages to see if the product contains a substance to which you know you are allergic. With hair coloring and depilatories, do a patch test. Dont use cosmetic on already irritated skin.Dont smoke while applying cosmetics. Some products, for example, hair sprays and nail polish, contain alcohol, which is flammable.Dont mix half-used cosmetics or add water or saliva.Buy cosmetics in the small size. Date the container and use only for the next twelve month, maximum. Cosmetics can be a beautiful thing just use them wisely. Robin Westen writes about health for national magazines. See what others have to say about this story or leave a comment of your own.
