Are cosmetics safe? Itâs a question you can hear quite often these days. People are concerned about their health and that concern extends to cosmetics. Women need to follow certain guidelines when theyâre applying makeup, or using any kind of cosmetics. In fact, itâs not just women now, with menâs cosmetics becoming increasingly popular. So cosmetics safety is important, and weâd like to help you out with some doâs and donâts. Take note.
Can looking good be hazardous to your health?
Cosmetics, for the most part, donât really pose any significant dangers. However, there are certain products that you need to be careful with. Probably the most obvious of these is the aerosol hairspray can.
At one point, the United States FDA (Food & Drug Administration) issued a consumer warning about these aerosol cans, cautioning users to keep them away from heat and fire, and not to use them while smoking. Youâd think that this was common sense, but there have been some instances of serious injuries and even deaths in situations involving aerosol hairspray cans.
Cosmetic powders pose another danger â from inhalation. Repeated exposure can damage the lungs.
Another possible cause of problems is artificial nails. If theyâre not perfectly placed and sealed, the cracks left can be a breeding ground for infection. And if that infection gets too advanced, you could even lose a nail â permanently!
Eye makeup application is a big cause for concern
Have you ever been driving down the road and seen a woman applying makeup as sheâs driving? Now thatâs just asking for a mascara applicator in the eye â not to mention a crash!
Eye makeup is the source of many eye injuries. Just a little misapplied mascara can result in an eye infection. And if you donât have it treated immediately, it can get worse, leading to real eye damage, or even blindness!
There are many women, too, who share their makeup. This probably happens more with the younger set, where they canât all afford their own. But bacteria can be passed on by a mascara applicator, so itâs not a safe practice to share eye makeup.
And donât ever use saliva to moisten your mascara applicator â that could make a bad situation even worse. The general rule, as with pretty well everything, is âbetter to be safe than sorry.â And one way to be safe is to always wash your hands before applying makeup.
Another safety tip for eye makeup is: don’t sleep with it on. Always take off your makeup before going to bed. Otherwise, you’re inviting all kinds of problems, like itching, scratches on your eyes, and infection.
It’s important to know, too, that eye makeup has preservatives in it that could be destroyed by exposure to sunlight. And if the preservatives aren’t there, you’re again inviting the possibility of infection.
And if you happen to get an eye infection, like pink eye for example, don’t put any makeup on, and throw away the makeup you’ve just used.
One more way you can ensure your safety as you use eye makeup is to throw away your mascara after 3 months, or if it dries up, whichever comes first. Remember that mascara has volatile preservatives that can be affected by a number of conditions, and you don’t want anything that isn’t antibacterial in your eyes, do you? That just wouldn’t be safe!
The FDA warns consumers about cosmetic issues...