Facts Don't Lie: Petition for Safe Cosmetics

Did you know many of the ingredients found in the beauty products we all use every day including childrens' personal care items may be dangerous?
There are more than 10,500 ingredients found in these products and only 11% have been tested for safety.[4] The Environmental Working Group provided startling information from a recent study:

• 33% contain ingredients linked to cancer.
• 45% contain ingredients that may be harmful to the reproductive system or to a baby's development.[1]
• 60% have ingredients that can act like estrogen or disrupt hormones.

Women who use hair color have a 50% higher risk of developing a cancer known as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, The National Cancer Institute reported.
The FDA investigated talcum powder, an ingredient widely used in cosmetics. They found of the 40 tested 39 contained asbestos, a known carcinogen.[2]

So, what are your thoughts thus far? Is it really worth it? Some years ago cosmetologists began complaining of memory loss, headaches, asthma, and other respiratory problems. The government evaluated & studied 2,983 chemicals, finding 884 to be toxic. They found:

• 314 chemicals cause biological mutations
• 218 chemicals cause reproductive complications
• 778 chemicals cause acute toxicity
• 146 chemicals cause cancer tumors
• 376 chemicals cause skin and eye irritations[3]

Not much was done to help protect the men and women making a living in the beauty & health industry. There was even less done to protect consumers! Every day we apply these harmful and toxic ingredients unknowingly.

Why Aren't They Safe?
The guidelines used to regulate cosmetics were developed over 40 years ago. Then, scientists didn't believe what we applied to our skin was significantly absorbed if at all. Now, scientists very well know our body absorbs quite a bit, which is why we have medications, lotions, and other topical treatments. Many of them used because of the speed at which our skin will allow these products to enter.
The Cosmetics Office of the FDA is incredibly understaffed and underfunded. The man-power needed to search out the dangerous toxins in our products is just not there.[2]

Real Regulations.
The European Union, not being as limited as the FDA, did the research and discovered the many dangerous ingredients in their cosmetics and other personal care items. In fact, they banned hundreds of ingredients that were known or at least highly suspected to cause cancer, birth defects or genetic mutations.
Now, I don't know about you, but the fact that other countries around the world banned these products is enough for me to be upset that we are still being sold these items expecting to think our purchase was safe because it says "organic" or "herbal".

I have found through the website of safe cosmetics many startling facts that have got others moving to petition congress for safer ingredients in our products. I signed the petition and am hoping you will as well.


Petition Congress for Safe Cosmetics

Please join the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics by signing this petition. We'll use it to tell our representatives in Congress that we need safer products and smarter laws to protect us from toxic chemicals in personal care products!

Chemicals linked to cancer, birth defects and other adverse health effects do not belong in products we use on our bodies. Major loopholes in federal law allow the $50 billion cosmetics industry to put unlimited amounts of virtually any chemical into personal care products with no required safety assessment, no required monitoring of health effects and inadequate labeling requirements.

Sources:

1. Malkan, S. Not Just a Pretty Face: The Ugly Side of the Beauty Industry. British Columbia, Canada: New Society Publishers ; 2007

2. Winter, R. A Consumer's Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients. New York: Three Rivers Press; 1999

3. Dadd, D. Home Dafe Home. New York: Putnam; 1997

4. Environmentsal Working Group. Skin Deep: Cosmetic Safety Database. 2007. Available at www.cosmeticdatabase.com.

This information was also taken from a brochure found at x1tools.com

New Device For Acne

Amazing. CLARO from CLRS technology received FDA approval for treatment mild to moderate inflammatory acne. This is the first hand-held device to use IPL (intense pulsed light) that you can use to treat acne in the comfort of your home!
Available by prescription only CLARO sends a series of light pulses in 6 seconds which safely penetrate into the skin reducing inflammation and ridding the area of acne causing bacteria. The company is also claiming the device is painless, has no side effects, or excessive dryness.

I have worked with doctors and know that one of the better treatments for inflammatory acne is having a series of IPL treatments. Seeing the results I became a firm believer and recommended the treatment for patients I knew would not get far with what I could do for them.

What is IPL?
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is clinically-proven and is regarded as one of the most important advancements in acne treatment. IPL uses Heat and Light for a fast and effective treatment in treating acne. IPL has been used for decades by physicians to treat acne. Shown through clinical studies, IPL treatments are as good as if not more powerful than prescription antibiotics.

Want more on this? Visit CLARO!

Permanent Cosmetic Q & A's

I have been getting a lot of questions about permanent makeup and thought I should address some of the most common questions.

I'm Afraid of Pain Does Permanent Makeup Have to Hurt A Lot?
New topical anesthetics have been developed especially for permanent makeup. These creams and gels are applied to the desired area before and during the procedure to assure you of the most comfortable experience possible. Some people describe the sensation as a "tingling" feeling. Most people experience some discomfort, especially during lip color procedures. It is common to hear there was not as much pain as was expected. As the numbing begins to wear off cold packs are very soothing to the area.

How Will I Look After My Procedure?
You'll look like you have had a good cry for several hours following the eyeliner procedure. It is advised to apply ice for 10 minutes at a time during these first few hours. Also, it is important to wear sunglasses, as your eyes may be temporarily sensitive to light.
Eyebrows will have the least swelling.
Lip color involves temporary swelling. Lips will look puffy and much brighter than desired color. Let your technician know if you have a history of fever blisters so your doctor can prescribe the proper medication.

How Long Will My Permanent Makeup Last?
Permanent makeup is long lasting. However, as you become accustomed to your new makeup, it is not uncommon to want more. You will want to freshen up your new makeup every couple of years. The darker the color, such as black, the longer it will stay unchanged in your skin. Natural, delicate colors are often times more vulnerable to the effects of the sun, swimming, skin care products and break down by the body. No pigment is FDA approved for tattoos. Both organic and inorganic colors may be used to achieve the desired color.