Most women love wearing lipsticks, and for good reason. But the burning question is ‘are they good for you’? On this Lipstick Day, we’ll tell you all about why you must regulate the use of lipsticks, because they could have potentially harmful side-effects. Read on to know more.
Lipsticks are truly a woman’s best friend, or that’s what most of us have been made to believe! They instantly add colour to your face, and make you look ravishing within minutes. Let’s just say they work as the perfect pick-me-up, but are they good for you? Yes ladies, most of us have barely paid attention to this fact. After all, there has to be a reason why these long-lasting lipsticks stay on for SO long? Or why is it that the colours are so perfect?
These are some pertinent questions, and we’re here to tell you all. A study by the Berkeley School of Public Health at the University of California revealed that most lip glosses and lipsticks available today contain harmful levels of chromium, lead, aluminium, cadmium and several other toxic materials.
What’s more, the study also noted that continuous exposure to these levels could lead to a long-term health issue, especially in those people who apply lipstick more than two to three times in a 24-hour period. And with regular use comes the risk of receiving excessive amounts of chromium, which is linked to the occurrence of abdominal tumors.
Phthalates are harmful for the endocrine system.
The presence of lead causes several long-term health risks.
Polyethylene glycols are also present in cream-based products, and pose health hazards for your nervous system.
Parabens are commonly found in lipstick and can easily penetrate into the skin. They are known to cause several side-effects, including depression and diarrhea.
1. They cause toxicity in the body
By now we know the number of toxic ingredients in lipsticks, so it’s highly likely that your body will absorb these toxicities. In fact, without even realising, women sometimes ingest these materials. Always look at the ingredients before you buy lipsticks. It’s always better to be safe than sorry!
2. They are the cause of several skin allergies
Have you found yourself with a sudden rash on your lips or itchiness around the lip area? Well, now you know why! That’s because lipsticks have a chemical called bismuth oxychloride for preservation. This ingredient is carcinogenic, so beware!
3. They can even cause cancer
No, we are not kidding! Since most of the ingredients are carcinogenic in nature, the likelihood of getting cancer from lipsticks is high. In fact, the chemicals used to preserve lipsticks cause several health issues like coughing, eye irritation, wheezing and other allergies. In extreme cases, cancer can happen.
4. They cause changes in the endocrine system
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PERSONALISE NOWFor the unversed, lipsticks contain petrochemicals, which can cause major changes in the endocrine system. And if that happens, your body undergoes several issues in your cognitive and reproductive abilities.
5. They could cause renal failure
In extreme cases, renal failure can also happen, as a consequence of using lipsticks regularly. This is because of the large quantities of cadmium present in lipsticks. Stomach tumours are also another issue that can happen, due to the presence of this toxic chemical.
Dark coloured lipsticks have a higher content of these toxic chemicals
Always apply petroleum jelly before applying the lipstick. It can provide your lips with a layer of protection and minimise the damage
Try and go for toxin-free or natural lipsticks
Avoid wearing lipsticks during pregnancy. They can also cause miscarriage, when ingested
Do not wear lipsticks for more than 2-3 times a week
For centuries, women have been using a vast array of lipsticks, lip glosses, lip liners and other lip-enhancing cosmetics to make their lips appear as plump and luscious-looking possible. In ancient times, these cosmetics were made from natural materials, such as red berries, pulverized gemstones or dyes extracted from certain plants and flowers. It wasn’t until the 19th century that lipstick became available as a man-made commodity conveniently packaged for use by the modern woman and composed of mostly wax and artificial coloring.
Recently, however, research performed by scientists working for Berkeley’s School of Public Health at the University of California discovered that today’s lip glosses and lipsticks may contain potentially harmful levels of chromium, lead, aluminum, cadmium as well as several other metals toxic to the human body. Although previous studies have been conducted that examined the existence of metals in lipstick and other cosmetics, this is the first study that actually analyzed and quantified the concentration of metallic substances.
When the results were compared to how much of these toxic metals were being absorbed by typical users each day, the conclusion found that continuous exposure to these levels could pose as a long-term health problem, especially for individuals applying lipstick more than two or three times in a 24-hour period. The report further emphasizes that average use of certain lip glosses and lipsticks could lead to a person receiving excessive amounts of chromium, a known carcinogen associated with development of abdominal tumors.
Many name brand lipsticks contain lead, a proven neurotoxin that accumulates in the body because the body does not exhibit chemical processes necessary to break down and assimilate any amounts of lead. Abnormally high levels of lead have been correlated to miscarriages, infertility and cognitive issues. In addition, pregnant women using lipsticks containing lead and other toxic metals may be exposing their fetus to these harmful substances because metals can easily enter the placenta and find their way to the baby’s brain.
Found in mostly in lipstick colorants or ingredient byproducts derived from raw materials like mineral oil, petroleum or paraffin, lead amounts are not currently limited by the FDA. However, the FDA has put limits on other additives used to color lipsticks but these limits permit up to 20 parts per million of lead, an unacceptable amount according to research standards.
What makes using lead-based lip enhancers doubly dangerous is the fact that not only are the lips constantly absorbing these cosmetics but we are also ingesting lipsticks and lip glosses when we eat or drink. [blockquote author=””] Even though nearly 400 lipsticks were found to contain varying amounts of lead, FDA officials have concluded that the estimated amounts of lead entering the body via lip cosmetics does not present a health hazard. [/blockquote]In effect, they plan to leave the inclusion of lead in lipsticks unregulated and essentially, up to the company manufacturing the product.
Even minimal exposure to lead is unsafe and may lead to symptoms such as anemia, headaches, low energy and irritability in those who have too much lead in their system. As knowledge about the potential health risks of lipsticks and other cosmetics emerge in academic journals and newspapers, many women are choosing to enhance thin, nondescript lips with safe and effective injections of appropriate dermal fillers.
Following lip enhancement injections, lips immediately present a fuller, more plumped appearance that can be further emphasized by using organic lipsticks or making lipstick at home with all-natural ingredients such as beeswax, cocoa butter and organic beet root powder for coloring. Instead of poisoning your body with toxic metals, make an appointment with Mayoral Dermatology to experience the convenience and health benefits of lip enhancement techniques that give you the beautifully shaped lips you have always wanted.