You may do all sorts of things in the name of anti-ageing wellness, but at what cost to your overall wellbeing? As it turns out, some of the treatments and beauty decisions you take in the name of looking younger, cooler and more attractive may in fact be dangerous to your health. Wellness expert Linda Thrasybule shares common skin treatments that aren’t worth the risk.
1. Tanning
Thrasybule notes, ‘Despite the serious health risks linked with indoor tanning, many Americans, particularly teens, still sit under sunlamps and tanning beds to get a bronzed look, according to a recent study. Indoor tanning beds and sunlamps emits ultraviolet (UV) radiation that can damage the skin, which can lead to premature skin aging, skin burns, eye damage and skin cancer. Nearly 28 million people tan indoors in the United States annually, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Of these, 2.3 million are teens. Moreover, frequent exposure to UV light may lead to an addiction to tanning. A 2010 study in the journal Clinical and Experimental Dermatology found that females, and those who are start tanning at a younger age may be particularly vulnerable to developing a compulsive desire to tan.’
2. Tattoos
‘The number of tattoos a person gets is linked to an increased risk of Hepatitis C, a 2010 study suggested,’ Thrasybule details. ‘Especially if the needle used to create your tattoo is contaminated with infected blood. Hepatitis C is caused by a virus that attacks and inflames the liver, which can lead to cirrhosis, or scarring, of the liver tissue, liver cancer and liver failure, according to the Mayo Clinic. People who get tattoos are also prone to skin infections, causing redness, swelling and pain. Moreover, tattoo dyes that are red, green, yellow and blue can cause allergic skin reactions, such as an itchy rash at the tattoo site.’
3. Botox Injections
‘Botox injections have become the quick fix for facial wrinkles,’ Thrasybule points out. ‘Botox, a medicinal form of botulinum toxin type A, relaxes muscle for several months. The toxin is produced by Clostridium botulinum, a bacteria that causes botulism, a rare but serious illness. Although the injections are generally safe, side effects and complications can occur, including pain and bruising at the injection site, headaches, nausea and temporary muscle weakness. In 2009, the US Food and Drug Administration approved Botox for cosmetic use, but with a boxed warning label that states a risk of the toxin spreading to other areas of the body, causing symptoms similar to those of botulism, including difficulty swallowing and breathing and even death. But these symptoms have mostly been reported in children with cerebral palsy who are treated with Botox for muscle spasticity, a use of the drug that has not been approved by FDA.’
4. Skin Bleaching Creams
Thrasybule cautions, ‘Some cosmetic products, including skin-lightening creams, contain high levels of mercury, according to the FDA. Mercury is used in skin-lightening creams because it blocks the production of the skin pigment melanin, reported NPR’s Health blog in March. High levels of mercury can also be found in some soaps, lotions and anti-aging products that are manufactured overseas and sold illegally in the US, the FDA said. “Exposure to mercury can have serious health consequences,” said Charles Lee, M.D., a senior medical advisor at FDA. It can damage the kidneys and the nervous system, and interfere with the development of the brain in unborn children and very young children. The FDA recommends checking the label of any skin lightening or anti-aging products. If you see the words like mercurous chloride, calomel, mercuric, mercurio, or mercury, stop using the product immediately.’
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