Global Health Asia-Pacific September 2020 September 2020 | Page 70

Column
Veena Dansinghani
Researchers use this toxic chemical on laboratory
test subjects to irritate the skin to test out healing
products. Most noteworthy, studies have found that
SLS can penetrate into the skin and organs, leading to
in�ammation. On top of that, S�S can mimic the effect
of hormones, which can make the body produce more
than needed. This could easily put you at risk of breast
or ovarian cancer.
�ngine degreasers, garage car �oor cleaners,
and industrial detergents contain SLS, yet we place
this poison on our hair! SLS is also super toxic to the
environment.
Isopropyl Alcohol used in anti-freeze and wood
finishes, but applying on our skin?
�ou should avoid the ingredient isopropyl alcohol at
all costs. In fact, avoid any skin and haircare products
that contain alcohol. These chemicals dry out skin and
hair and simply aren’t good for the body.
Did you know that isopropyl alcohol is a key
ingredient in antifreeze, shellac, and wood finishes�
This type of alcohol is used to dissolve oils, so when
used on hair, it strips it of its moisture. Most hair gels,
volumizers, hairsprays, and root lifters use alcohol to
hold hairstyles in place, but you’re at the risk of hair
breakage. Consumer’s Dictionary warns that inhaling
or ingesting alcohol may cause a stream of negative
conditions� headaches, �ushing, dizziness, mental
depression, nausea, vomiting, narcosis, and even
coma.
Dimethicone
This is what chemists like to call a silicon-based
synthetic polymer. This silicone oil is extremely
popular in beauty products as an anti-foaming agent
and skin protectant. Dimethicone also coats the hair
(or skin) and seals in moisture by forming a barrier over
the skin.
However, it does this so well that it doesn’t allow
the skin to breathe or regulate temperature. This is
what irritates skin, hair follicles, shedding, sebum,
impurities, and skin acne.
Methylisothiazolinone (MIT)
If you can’t pronounce it, don’t use it� And that
couldn’t be truer for this preservative, which, when
exposed to lab rats for just ten minutes, caused brain
damage.
Many beauty manufacturers use MIT as a
preservative in products like shampoo. It allows
them to last for years on the shelf and in your
bathroom cabinets without becoming contaminated
with unwanted bacteria, bugs, and fungi. �ou can
also find it, in lower concentrations, in hair colours,
body washes, laundry detergents, bubble bath, and
dishwashing soaps.
Parabens
By now, most of us have heard of parabens,
methylparaben, and propylparaben. These are toxic
and carcinogenic, but almost every commercial
beauty product uses them.
They cause immune problems, mimic the hormone
estrogen, and can stimulate allergies and heavily
irritate the skin. In addition, they’re linked to cancer,
skin irritation, and reproductive problems. On labels,
parabens can be identified by words like butylparaben,
ethylparaben, and methylparaben.
In 200�, the �uropean Union banned the use of
parabens after studies linked it to breast cancer. A
study conducted by the �ournal of Applied Toxicology
in 2004 also found that 18 of 20 malignant breast
tumours showed a high concentration of parabens,
which are known to mimic oestrogen and affect the
growth of breast tissue.
Phthalates
Many nail polish, makeup, and deodorant products
use �hthalates as a preservative. This chemical is
thought to mimic the effect of hormones which could
potentially cause endocrine disruptions.
A study by the University of Maryland also found
that exposure to phthalates could cause reproductive
abnormalities, a decrease of testosterone in males,
and issues with male fertility.
Other harmful effects of phthalates include
infertility, decreased sperm count, breast cancer,
endometriosis, prostate cancer, ovarian cancer,
asthma, allergies, and obesity.
PHOTO: NAVEDA
68 SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2020 GlobalHealthAsiaPacific.com