The Truth Behind Natural hair Dyes

Since reports of hair dyes being a cause of cancer in human body have come out, there has been a clamor over safer alternatives hair-dye-crazy people can use. This is to be expected since hair is considered as one’s crowning glory and seeing it go from beautiful, lustrous colored hair to salt-and-pepper gray must be hard to accept. Most people associate hair to one’s age and gray strands are truly a standout among your age group hence the need to cover up regularly. It seems that the fight against graying hair signifies the long-standing battle of human and aging.

Chemical based hair dyes are known to damage hair and not only that, the chemical in it somehow manages to enter your system through the scalp’s pores which will eventually cause cancer. This analogy certainly makes sense but what about those commercially sold hair dyes which boast of being organic and natural? Can they also make some damage or are they safe enough to be used?

The rule of thumb is always check the label, anything in there that you find hard to pronounce should be dumped at once! Steer clear of it also if it mentions coal tar as the substance was found to be a carcinogen too. The most popular among natural hair dyes are henna and those vegetable-based ones.

Unfortunately, natural hair dyes have their own share of mishaps. Henna is also known for its unpredictability even when used regularly. It has one thousand and one color spectrums that you’ll never really know until your hair dries up. For vegetable based hair dyes, it usually takes longer to prepare than the dye actually sticking on your hair.

Personally, I would rather go natural i.e salt-and-pepper gray if nature has it, than gamble with the unknown.

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Sweet Poison, Anyone?

Several years ago, lifestyle diseases became so popular that it actually gave birth to “healthier alternatives”, only these things are not so healthy afterall! One of the most popular inventions to ever hit mankind is the artificial sweeteners. Even today, you can see them even at the smallest of stores and they are being offered along with your coffee every morning. Except for strictly organic stores, artificial sweeteners are almost given out to customers for free.

Artificial sweeteners are primarily made for diabetics to help manage their sugar levels and for people suffering from obesity to help in their weight-loss management. Now, I wonder why these artificial sweeteners are made available to the public if they were meant to alleviate medical conditions. Maybe because there are people who would rather consume chemicals than feel guilty about their excess food consumption. Furthermore, it was suspected that the slew of supply is due to the fact that artificial sweeteners cut almost 50% of the production cost for manufacturers, making it a very ideal money-making venture.

Those artificial sweeteners you see in little packets are pure chemical, no natural-anything in there. The very first artificial sweetener cyclamate was even banned by the FDA because of its addictive components that are considered harmful by the authorities. Today, aspartame is considered as the most dangerous form of artificial sweetener which was found to have a strong connection with cancer.

There are many natural sweeteners you can use instead of artificial sweeteners. Granted, they are not to be used in excess or else, you risk getting fat again and it may be harder to wean yourself out of the artificial ones, not to mention the weird taste that most artificial sweetener addicts complain of, but in the long run, you’ll thank yourself for taking the initiative for better, healthier life.

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The Cancer That Is In Your Home Right Now

More aptly, the killer that is in your home right now and you might have used it this morning, dousing your family’s bodies with carcinogens without you even knowing it! If you haven’t had the chance to examine your skincare products closely—perhaps doing a little research about all those scientific terms that only the manufacturers could understand– then you might be a victim of consumer misinformation. Don’t fret though, since you are not alone.

When it comes to our families, we should know that safety should always come first before anything else. The problem is, due to the kind of life we are living now where stopping to smell the flowers is already considered a crime, we rely on the things we hear and see through media. More often than not, media tends to be a manipulating tool. Whenever there is manipulation, expect deceit to be in close proximity as well.

We have seen its effects, not only to our bodies but to the environment as well. To humans, if we are lucky, we get as little as a rash but to a compromised, vulnerable body, you get cancer—the most deadly condition to date. As we go suffering from these so-called “skincare products”, the environment has its own set of problems to contend with due to the usage of these chemical laden products. For one, most of these chemicals are nonbiodegradable which means their composition wouldn’t normally breakdown. Although they won’t clog your sewage system as they are miniscule in size, just imagine what it can do to our underwater friends. It’s like putting poisonous gas in the air you breathe. Here’s a list of commonly used skincare products at home:

·    Alcohol
·    Mineral makeups
·    Mineral oil
·    Synthetic colors and fragrances
·    Talc
·    Triclosan

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Nanotechnology Being Used In Products Despite Toxicity To Humans And Environment

When the nano technology was first introduced in the early 1980s, most of the people were amazed by this spectacular idea. Share holders invested a lot of money in nano based industries because they knew the next growing business is nano technology.
‘Nano’ means extremely small or mathematically it means one billionth (10-9) of a meter, so Nanotechnology is that knowledge and ability that can construct potent devices by engineering a single atoms until they are molecularly sized.
After only three decades the industries working on this technology is so much enhanced that we are fascinated at how technology is advancing and how efficient we can use the resources around us to make life easier. Nanotechnology is being used every day to develop new electronics and cosmetic products. However, are we really being environmentally friendly by producing and using these products?
The more the particles become small, the more it is a threat to human defense system. Today many leading multi-national cosmetic companies are manufacturing these nano-particle contained products that can be toxic to humans and their environment. Some bizarre facts about the harmful effects of nano particles are listed below:-
1.    In 1997, an Oxford scientist discovered that nano-particles found in sunscreen created free radicals that had damaged DNA.

2.    In 2004, British scientist Vyvyan Howard published initial findings that had indicated gold nanoparticles might travel through a mother’s placenta to the fetus.

3.    In early 2002, the University of California in San Diego revealed that cadmium selenide nanoparticles, also known as quantum dots, may cause cadmium poisoning in humans.

4.    In 2002, CBEN (Center for Biological and Environmental Nanotechnology) indicated that nanoparticles accumulated in the bodies of lab animals and fullerene could easily travel through soil and be absorbed by earthworms. This is a potential link up in the food chain to humans.

Nanotechnology may appeal as the wave of the future and advancement in skincare with the allure of warding off signs of aging but consumers must understand the damage these nano particles can do to the human body.

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Keep Your Skin Safe This Summer!

Summers are synonymous to the sun and, of course, the beach. What’s a summer without a trip to the beach anyway? For many, you mark a great summer by going to the beach as many times as you possibly can and get that awesome tan before the season is over. Unfortunately, it is not wise to expose your skin to the harsh sun especially with the ozone’s current state.

Your fun summer need not suffer with the threat the sun may hold since there are things you can do to make your summer as fun as it can be but at the same time, stay safe against too much sun exposure:
·    Avoid sun during those times when it’s intense usually at around 10AM-4PM. Basically, you can go out when the sun is not too “prickly” for your skin and avoid it when it stings.
·    If going out around these times is unavoidable, try wearing protective gears to ward off the sun. Sporting an umbrella never killed anyone before, so use them when necessary or if it’s too strenuous for you then try a wide brimmed hat. Use sunglasses to protect your eyes too.
·    Most swimsuit manufacturers came up with designs that are sun-protective. While they may cost higher than your regular bathing suit. It lessens the sun’s impact tremendously.
·    Be a shade-hugger. Staying out of the harsh sun will do you good, always remember that. If there’s none then bring your own beach umbrella to the beach.
·    Apply sunscreen before you step out of the house and reapply as per brand’s instruction. Lather up especially if you intend to lounge in the beach for a while. There are natural sunscreens that are free of all harmful chemicals. Do check them out.

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Natural Supplements for Skin Cancer Prevention

Poor eating habits contribute to many lifestyle diseases and cancer is no exception to the rule; in fact, skin cancer is found to be a result of poor nutritional habits developed overtime. Due to this factor, it is but normal for us to seek preventive health care measures the safest way we know of and that is through natural supplements. The body needs natural supplements; these are foods we eat everyday—nutritious, natural foods not those you grab in fast food chains. Natural supplements boost up your body’s natural defenses for skin cancer. Here are some of the most important natural supplements to keep skin cancer at bay:

·    Lycopene is the most powerful antioxidant to protect the skin from diseases and anomalies—one of the most convenient too since it can be found in your regular tomato sauce and ketchup.
·    Citrus peel can be used for teas and baked goods. This aromatic substance prevents free radicals from forming. Candied citrus peel is very popular amongst people who look after their cholesterol levels.
·    Turmeric is an antioxidant, anti-carcinogenic and most of all, has anti-inflammatory properties. All the things you need to ensure great, healthy skin.
·    Fish oils are not only good for your heart but also for your skin since it strengthens the immune system therefore fights free radicals from harming the body.

Natural supplements are your best bet in fighting your risk of getting skin cancer. When engaging yourself in a healthy living composed of natural, nutritious eating habits, you’ll be adequately protected from all damaging factors that affect the body.

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Sunscreens, Cancer in a Bottle?

Most people use sunscreens to avoid the harmful effects of the sun on the skin.  Indeed prolonged sun exposure can actually induce the early appearance of freckles and wrinkles.  But a study published in the British Medical Journal reports that sunbathers who use sunscreens with higher SPF have a higher risk of developing skin cancers.  This is because a chemical called Oxybenzone which is a standard ingredient in high SPF sunscreens can cause more harm than good.

Oxybenzone’s job is to filter ultra violet light on the surface of the skin, converting it from light to heat.  Once heat is absorbed in the skin, it has the potential to damage cells.  Once light is converted into heat, it can cause basal damage to growing cells which causes malignancy in growth and cause cancer.  Scientists at the Memorial Sloan Cancer Center in New York say that sunscreens are very effective in preventing sunburns and cancers like Carcinoma but not against Melanoma.

PABA or para-benzoic amino acid which works in the same way as Oxybenzone also has similar effects.  For sunbathers and sun worshipers it would probably be better to use the old and tried tested method of applying tin oxide which reflects the sun’s rays rather than absorbing it.  It is also widely used in wound dressings and is safe.  Calamine lotion which has a Zinc oxide base is colored pink and washes off easily can also be used as a substitute for PABA or Oxybenzone based sunscreens.

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FD&C Color Pigments

Colorful things are surely attractive especially for kids. For women, we choose colorful makeup and other cosmetic products to enhance our general appearance while kids prefer to use bubble baths and soaps with bright colors. With men, they find it necessary to cover up gray strands of hair thus the need to use hair dyes.

FD&C color pigments are usually made from tar and they can also cause irritation to the skin. They are most commonly found in eye makeup, lipsticks, hair dyes, nail polish and even with your colored medicinal tablets. These color pigments are for enhancing natural color to create a visual effect tempting enough for consumers to buy them.

Hair dyes contain coal tar and phenylenediamine, both are known carcinogenic that also causes inflammation of the scalp and in some instances, blindness. With regular use of hair dye products, the risk of developing bladder cancer is much higher than those who don’t use them. Bright nail polishes contain toluene, together with color pigments, they are more than toxic causing headaches, confusion and memory loss. Daily exposure to toluene may induce hearing loss.

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Triclosan

Triclosan is a toxic agent made popular these days due to its extensive antibiotic property which promises to eliminate all forms of bacteria both known and unknown to humans even at low concentrations. Environmental Protection Agency or EPA registered triclosan as pesticide which inhibits growth of tadpoles while it extinguishes all forms of life around contaminated area. Because of these factors, it poses great health risks to humans, animals and the environment as well.

Triclosan is now included in detergents, dish washing fluids, soaps, deodorants, and toothpastes and that is just naming a few. When mixed with regular tap water, it produces chloroform, a cancer-causing agent. But how else can you use these products without even coming in contact with tap water? Also, they are not soluble in water meaning they will not breakdown.

When triclosan enters your body, it settles within your body tissues and accumulates overtime since, again, they don’t break down. Therefore, it can easily access your cell membranes damaging the liver, kidneys and lungs. Bacteria and fungi are sustained by enzymes while triclosan works by poisoning this specific enzyme to successfully eliminate them.

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Imidazolidinyl Urea & DMDM Hydatoin

For dead humans, they won’t probably mind getting a good dose of formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is used in embalming and it is also emitted by imidazolidinyl urea and DMDM hydatoin. These two formaldehyde-emitting chemicals are found in most of our personal care products in the market today. This substance can be in liquid or gas form, colorless and with a very distinctive smell.

Initially, formaldehyde is used for synthetic resins and textiles. Nowadays, it can also be found with your makeup, lipstick, baby shampoos, and moisturizers. For personal care products, they inhibit bacterial growth thus prolonging shelf life. Other uses of formaldehyde are for waterproofing fabrics, enhancing dyes, production of adhesives and binding construction materials.

This substance is known to cause cancer. Aside from that, it can also induce skin blisters, skin inflammation or dermatitis, dryness of skin and severe breathing problems. When absorbed in large doses, it can cause cancer while if inhaled, it can induce serious irritation to the eyes, nose and throat.

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