Posts Tagged ‘beauty’
Cancer and Make-up: Is There A Link?
The cosmetic industry is a huge business around the world that makes billions off consumers every year. Probably each and every one of us use a number of cosmetic products such as soaps, body cleansers, moisturizers, and make-up on a daily basis. In fact, according to a 2004 study conducted by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, women use an average of 12 cosmetic products a day. When we are applying these products on and all around our bodies, we’re probably not thinking about the tearless shampoo we have in our hands as a possible danger to our health. Shockingly, recent studies have shown that a large percentage of common household cosmetic products that a lot of us probably have in our homes right now contain a substance that can be harmful to our health and cause cancer.
1,4-Dioxane is a petroleum-derived contaminant that is thought to be a probable human carcinogen according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. And according to the National Toxicology Program, it is a known carcinogen in animals. It is listed on California’s Proposition 65 list of chemicals that are either suspected or known to cause cancer and birth defects. 1,4-Dioxane is a byproduct that appears during the manufacturing of cosmetics. Although it can easily be taken out during the manufacturing process for pennies, it is often not. The Food and Drug Administration does not require companies to list it as an ingredient on their labels because it is produced during the manufacturing process.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t end there. Jeanne Rizzo, R.N., the executive director of the Breast Cancer Fund and a founding member of The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics stated, “Regrettably, 1,4-Dioxane contamination is just the tip of the iceberg…Because the FDA does not require cosmetic products to be approved as safe before they are sold, companies can put unlimited amounts of toxic chemicals in cosmetics.” Incredibly, the FDA has no legal authority to require safety standards on cosmetic manufacturers and has only been able to ask companies to remove the chemical on a volunteer basis.
The FDA has known about 1,4-Dioxane since 1979 and has given very mild guidelines and recommendations to manufacturers that their products should not contain greater concentrations of 1,4-Dioxane than 10 ppm, or parts per million. Even with this lenient guideline, some 15% of the products tested exceeded this limit. Some of the products that contained the highest level of 1,4-Dioxane that were tested included: Clairol Herbal Essences Rainforest Flowers Shampoo, Oil of Olay Complete Body Wash with Vitamins, Johnson and Johnson’s Watermelon Explosion Kid’s Shampoo, Hello Kitty Bubble Bath, Disney Clean as a Bee Hair and Body Wash, and Gerber Grins and Giggles Gentle & Mild Aloe Vera Baby Shampoo.
If this is alarming to you, beware, because the list doesn’t end there. Until the cosmetics industry is more regulated, consumers must exercise caution while shopping. A greater knowledge of ingredients and their effects will keep you and your families safe.
An Overview of Cosmetic Procedures
Cosmetic surgery this and cosmetic surgery that. To truly understand cosmetic surgery, one needs to get a grasp of the various cosmetic surgery procedures available.
An Overview of Cosmetic Procedures
Cosmetic surgery is one of the most talked about topics in the media today. People from all walks of life – from celebrities to soccer moms – are going under the knife to have their faces and bodies modified. If you’re considering having a surgical cosmetic procedure performed, you might be wondering what cosmetic surgery procedures are available to make yourself look and feel better. Well, the technology of body modifying surgery has been steadily evolving over the last 50 years, and now there are more cosmetic surgery procedures available than ever.
One of the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures that is performed on a regular basis is liposuction. Liposuction is the process of removing excess fat deposits under the skin by using a vacuum. A small incision is made in the skin of the area that you wish to remove fat from, and then a thin tube called a cannula is inserted. In order to aid the suction, fluid may be pumped under the skin that includes an anesthetic. Another option is to use an ultrasound probe to break up the fat deposits. The liquefied fat is then suctioned through the cannula. Since there is only a small cut made in the skin, recovery is relatively easy, and the procedure usually leaves only tiny scars or no scars at all.
Another cosmetic surgery that is performed routinely is a rhinoplasty. Rhinoplasty comes from the Greek words for “nose” and “to shape” and it is the medical term for a nose job. In rhinoplasty, surgeons reshape the nose by removing and transforming the cartilage in the nose, as well as changing the shape of the skin around the nostrils and smoothing out the tip of the nose. Surgeons can perform these types of cosmetic surgery procedures with only a small incision at the base of the nose, or some will do a “closed” procedure where there is no incision required. Nose jobs have become commonplace among many different age groups and social groups, and many people elect to have this surgery to correct bumps and crooked appearance of the nose that was either present at birth or caused by an accident.
A third popular procedure is one that most people think of when cosmetic surgery procedures are mentioned. Breast enhancement surgery is very popular and one of the most performed procedures. The use of silicone implants, however, has been banned for some time. Enhancements are now done with saline solution implants or some derivative. With improvements in technology, however, silicone implants are about to become available again.
There are many more cosmetic surgery procedures available for those who wish to modify different parts of their body and face, such as face lifts, tummy tucks, and even buttocks implants. Cosmetic surgeons today specialize in helping to create a new look for patients who have small imperfections or large amounts of correction needed – and the field is still evolving.
An Insight Into Colored Contacts…
Since they were first developed as hard glass lenses in the 1950s, contacts have gone through many transformations and technical improvements in quality, look and feel.
Today, with the modern advancements of disposable lenses and toric lenses, more and more people are changing from spectacles and enjoying the benefits of corrective eye lenses.
The latest, exciting development and daring innovation in the contact lens industry, however, is the fabulously varied colored contacts that are now widely available and gaining in popularity.
Gone are the days when contact lenses were worn as a sight correction device. They are far more than just functional corrective eye wear – they’re now funky, fun and an outrageously theatrical fashion statement!
Colored contacts let you suggestively enhance the color of your eyes on a permanent basis or just for an occasional night when you want to accessorize with a particular outfit.
Now – whatever the occasion you can make a truly unforgettable ‘eye catching’ appearance and show off your extraordinary ‘eye catching’ style!
There are four different types of colored contacts for you to choose from – visibility tints, enhancement tints, opaque-color tints and light-filtering tints.
But the best thing of all is most of these come in styles that can be worn by people who do not necessarily need corrective eye wear. These style contacts are known as plano form lenses.
Visibility tint colored contacts have a practical application. They have a light blue or green tint that, although not visible when being worn, allows you to see them when you are inserting or removing the lenses. And when (not if!) you drop them they are much easier to find!
In contrast, enhancement tint colored contacts have a translucent but darker tint to them. These lenses are not meant to alter or change the shade of your eyes but rather to enrich and enhance your existing eye color – hence, their name.
The Opaque color lenses with their dazzling array of colors have the most dramatic impact and can completely change your eye shade from brown to blue, blue to purple, etc. Wear them as a fashion statement or just for a change of mood if you want.
Light-filtering contacts also have a practical application. When wearing these they will greatly enchance certain colors in your field of view, making them easier for you to see.
Having trouble driving that tiny little golf ball down the fairway? Wearing a pair of these performance lenses will make that golf ball stand out and easier for you to hit. These performance tested lenses will be the next step forward in corrective eye wear.