Columnist Courtney Mihocik urges consumers to practice caution and be mindful of the products used every day because of chemicals and potentially dangerous side effects.
“Beauty is pain,” as the old saying goes. Does that really apply anymore? Some of our everyday beauty and personal care products are actually dangerous to us, and if not used correctly, pose a real threat. Things such as dry shampoo, makeup and hair straighteners have potential to hurt consumers.
For example, dry shampoo, a product that can be used temporarily in place of washing hair with water, uses talc as the main ingredient. Talc is normally used as a powder, absorbing oils and moisture where it’s applied, but if sprayed on the roots and hair too closely, too much or too often, it can clog the pores on the scalp, cause pimples and bumps and even lead to baldness with extended use.
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Certain makeup products need to be treated with caution as well. Mineral powders for foundation or a cover up are made up of small particles that fly in the air. These are inhaled when breathing and using the product, then the small mineral particles stick in the lungs, causing damage. Products used near the eyes, such as mascara, can become a breeding ground for bacteria such as staphylococcus and streptococcus if used for more than three months. Each time you use it after three months, the risk of an eye infection increases. Changing out mascara and being careful around mineral powders can help keep consumers safe.
Hair-straightening products used during treatments such as Brazilian blowouts and keratin contain chemicals such as formaldehyde. Although most products have relatively low concentrations of the carcinogen, anywhere from .20 to 8.8 percent, multiple treatments can ultimately be harmful to a consumer’s health.
Really, everything needs to be used in moderation and with caution. I’m not saying don’t straighten your hair or use some dry shampoo when you’re rushing out the door, but be mindful of the chemicals beauty products contain and look into products with very little or even no harmful ingredients at all.
Courtney Mihocik is a junior studying journalism. What beauty products do you think are harmful? Tweet her @CourtneyMiho or email her at cm674912@ohio.edu.
