We all like to look our best, but did you know your beauty routine could be bad for you? From salon treatments to everyday beauty procedures, experts enumerate some beauty health hazards that are better avoided altogether.

According to the online portal, realbuzz.com, top on the list is eyeliner, which has been around for centuries and is popular with many women as a way to frame the eyes and make them stand out. An ophthalmologist, Dr. Yemisi Oye, says, ordinarily, eyeliner is no cause for concern; however, applying any product so close to your eyes can come with its risks. She notes that many eyeliners contain chemicals that can cause irritation, and applying them too close to the inner corners of the eyes can block the tear ducts. She counsels, “To keep your eyes healthy, use natural kohl eyeliner, avoid applying too close to the tear ducts, and replace your eyeliner every three months.”

Another health hazard noted by experts is how we wear our hair. Most women, for all sorts of reasons, wear wigs. Experts contend that wigs may look harmless in themselves, but when you also consider the tugging and pulling that go with combing the hair while wearing the wig, then you should be aware that you are pulling at the root of your hair.

Consultant Dermatologist and Medical Director, SkinHealth, Dr. Laide Pearse, says he keeps seeing mostly young ladies who have suffered severe alopecia because of extended wig-wearing period.

Pearse notes, “What we are saying here is that, however refined a wig is, it is unnatural and, because of our weather, even the finest of them soon goes hard after some time. As such, if your wig is sewn or gummed to your hair — as is the usual practice — whenever you apply the comb, you will be pulling hard at the root of your hair. This can strain the connective tissue in the scalp, leading to headaches, hair breakage and loss.”

The same issue applies when you wear your hair in a tight braid or when you wear tight headbands.

Another health hazard has to do with the use of hair dye. Just because of the youth culture, it has become rather difficult to age gracefully. So, people use hair dye to ‘correct’ the grey. Well, no doubt, shiny black hair looks youthful, beautiful and generally acceptable, but experts warn that much may be at stake! Professor of Anatomy, Prof. Oladapo Ashiru, warns that the chemical para-phenylenediamine is thought to be behind up to 80 per cent of allergic reactions to hair dye.

He notes that though most of the reactions are relatively minor, users may develop blisters and skin sores, while para-phenylenediamine has been linked to more serious conditions such as permanent hair loss, cancer and, in rare cases, even death due to severe reaction.

Hair-straightening products (hair perms) come next. In 2011, the U.S. Department of Labour’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued a health warning over the risks of exposure to the carcinogen formaldehyde found even in straightening products listed as formaldehyde-free. Whilst salon workers who regularly use these products are at the most risk, OSHA says it is wise to avoid the dangerous chemical.

Oye also notes that mascara can harbour bacteria that is transferred into the product after each application and which can reproduce in the dark, warm environment of the mascara tube, potentially leading to eye infections. “To help reduce the health risks associated with it, make sure you store your mascara in a cool place and replace it after three months. Also, avoid applying your mascara in the car or on a journey as the motion can cause scratches to the eye during application, which can also lead to infections.”

As beautiful as it is on the lips, lipsticks also took some bashing from experts. Statistics reveal that the average woman unwittingly swallows between four and nine pounds of lipstick in a lifetime. A 2004 study revealed that up to 28 per cent of lipsticks contain chemicals that can cause cancer; while another 2007 study by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics also found that more than 50 per cent of lipstick brands tested contained lead. Experts advocate natural, organic brands of lipstick, especially for pregnant ladies.

Not the least on the list are false nails. The dermatologist says when applied properly, they should pose little risk to user’s health. The problem is the long term use, or when one uses cheap acrylic or poorly fitted nails. He warns that these can damage the nail bed, lead to fungal infections between the false and natural nail and may also lead to natural nails coming off.

He also notes that some nail bars use acrylic nail products containing the chemical methyl methacrylate, which has been linked to respiratory problems and severe allergic reactions. Scientific researches have also suggested that over-exposure to the ultra-violet lamps used to fix artificial nails can also increase risk of skin cancer.

Source: Punch