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Parabens in Pap Smears May Cause Cell Mutation and Irritation

12/11/2009 in Health, Product Reviews | 1 comment

Having just visited the gynecologist for a yearly examination, I noticed an overwhelming ill feeling a few hours after leaving the doctor’s office.  For the rest of the day I had a mix of a headache, abdominal cramps, nausea, fatigue, and an upset stomach.  The symptoms would come and go without pattern.  I generally just fell unwell.  I have had this feeling after every doctor visit where lube is used vaginally to insert some instrument (or someone’s hand).  They squirt out that nasty lube and smear it all over their hand or tool before sliding it in.  I had to know what was in that stuff.

Methylparaben

The only active ingredient listed in the most common lube used in paps, Femglide, was Methylparaben. After switching cosmetics, cleaning supplies, soaps, etc  to non toxic, all natural products, the last thing I wanted was a paraben being generously applied to my vagina where it is quick to be absorbed into my bloodstream.  A little research lead me a long way:

Methylparaben, designated as food additive E218 in Europe, is a preservative that inhibits the growth of bacteria and fungi in many products, but it is frequently used in cosmetics. 1

Femglide and SlipperyStuff is touted as “sperm friendly” and one of the least harmful personal lubricant available.  Methlyparaben in Femglide is a know mutagen, causing cells it contacts to mutate.  Why that is considered “sperm friendly” evades me.  Methylparaben, which is currently banned in the EU is also a skin irritant and is known to cause allergic reaction in humans.  That would explain why I felt like crap after the doctor used a half cup on her hand.

The EWG states that “one or more animal studies show brain and nervous system effects at moderate doses.”  Methylparaben is also known to cause cancer, endocrine disruption, and interference with gene expression. (I think the sperm are doomed at this point).  It is is considered by the EWG a high health hazard with the ability to cause cancer, toxicity of the stomach, digestive tract, respiratory tract and cardiovascular system.

Armed with this information, it would be safe to caution against using personal lubrication when trying to conceive if you want live, healthy sperm.  Also, if you have issues with yeast infections, using a personal lubrication with Methylparaben in it is not advisable because it may kill the healthy bacteria in the vagina.

Femglide and personal lubes are not the only products in the US containing the chemical Methylparaben.  Sun screens, lotions, conditioners, hemorrhoid creams and get this: spermicides are just a few product types that may include Methlyparabens.  See an entire list here.

Did I mention that Methlyparaben is not the only nasty ingredient in Femglide?  Yes, there is PEG-4.  I’ll let Treehugger.com explain why this chemical is so toxic:

“Polyethylene glycol, better known by its acronym, PEG, isn’t a single ingredient but a class of ethylene glycol polymers that moisturize, keep products stable, and enhance the penetration of other ingredients, both good and bad. PEGs are typically followed by a number correlating to how many units of ethylene glycol they comprise, in the form of say PEG-4 or PEG-100; the lower the number, the more easily the compound is absorbed into the skin.

While PEGs can be mild irritants, they’re less than desirable primarily because they help traffic funky chemicals across your epidermis, including a slug of impurities they’re often contaminated with. According to a report in the International Journal of Toxicology by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review, pollutants found in various PEG compounds include ethylene oxide (used to manufacture mustard gas), 1,4-dioxane, polycyclic aromatic compounds, and heavy metals (lead, iron, cobalt, nickel, cadmium, arsenic).” 3

The EWG says that PEG-4 is restricted in cosmetic use and is not safe for application on damaged or broken skin.  Have a slight tear downstairs during your papsmear ladies?  Well, why not smear PEG-4 all over it?  PEG-4 is a human carcinogen and has been banned in Canada, yet the FDA allows it’s use in food products.  You won’t see it listed as PEG-4 in your food, rather it is called POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL when placed on a food lable. 4

So for my next papsmear, I am officially allergic to Methylparaben.  “No thanks doc, I’ll pass on the paraben-chemical goop, but thanks for asking.”

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Sources:

1. ACS Chemistry

2.  EWG

3. Treehugger.com

4. EWG on PEG-4

Skin’s healthy glow comes from inside, not outside

11/25/2009 in Health | No comments

Have you ever noticed how people who eat only junk food and sit at a computer all day, never getting exercise have an unattractive hue to their skin? Of course there is your classic world-of-warcraft shut-in who’s diet consists of doritos and ice cream. What is it about their skin that makes them unattractive?

Research out of Bristol and St. Andrew’s, UK has shed light on the link between an attractive skin color in humans and the lifestyle that goes with it. As no surprise to the health nut, maintaining a nutritious diet and getting regular exercise determines the attractiveness of one’s skin tone.

“We knew from our previous work that people who have more blood and more oxygen color in their skins looked healthy, and so we decided to see what other colors affect health perceptions. This has given us some clues as to what other skin pigments may relate to a healthy appearance.”

Science has already clued us into the harmful damage sun exposure does to the skin cells.  Also, with the recent findings in other studies suggesting that spray-on tanning may cause lung cancer, it is perhaps fitting to revisit the basics of human health.  Your skin is a walking billboard of your internal health.  So don’t fry your integument in the sun and don’t spray chemicals on it either.  If you eat healthy, clean foods and get exercise you won’t have a need to change your skin color artificially.

Read more at Science Daily

Spray on Tanning and Spray-on Suncreen may cause cancer

11/20/2009 in Health | 6 comments

Every time I go to a new gym, I become familiar with the resident “orangies” who are perpetually tan, most of them bordering on the orange spectrum.  For weight trainers like myself there is something to be said for being buff AND tan.  Spray on tans are by far the most common alternative to frying your skin in the cancer coffin on a regular basis.  I’ve tried the spray tan booth a few times myself and was hard pressed to avoid breathing in the spray.  Holding your breath for 15 seconds while being doused with dye.  I inevitably inhaled the stuff.

Researchers at UCLA’s Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center have conducted studies on nano particles found in paint, vitamins, tanning sprays, spray-on suncreens, cosmetics, toothpastes, etc.  Their focus especially was on titanium dioxide nanoparticles.  Results suggested that continual exposure whereby the nanoparticles were allowed to enter the body (through digestion or inhalation) caused cancer in mice.  They also suggested that the nanoparticles are not able to penetrate the skin, but upon entering the body, they are able to move around freely causing oxidative stress and cell death.

“It could be that a certain portion of spontaneous cancers are due to this exposure,” Schiestl said. “And some people could be more sensitive to nanoparticles exposure than others. “I believe the toxicity of these nanoparticles has not been studied enough.”

The studies warrant further research on the effects of nanoparticles on the body.  Until then, think twice when stepping into that tanning booth, spraying on the sunscreen or powdering your face.  You may be flirting with lung cancer.

Find out more at Science Daily.

Nothing works! The Do-Nothing method to natural, healthy skin

08/31/2009 in Environmental, Health, Product Reviews, Sustainable Living | 1 comment

Are you at the point with your skin blemishes that you just feel like giving up and saying “Nothing works”?  Take a step back and consider that your skin did not evolve to deal with harsh soaps, twice daily washes, makeup clogging up pores.  These things strip away the skin’s natural defenses.  If you are at the point where you have no idea if you have dry or oily skin, you have tried so many acne treatments you want to cry or you are just feeling like giving your skin a break, the “Do-Nothing” method may work for you.  10 easy changes.  Try it for 3-4 weeks.  “Natural”, “Nothing” and “Free” don’t make anyone money, that’s why you’ll hardly hear of someone advocating this method.

1. Nothing works!

For your daily face regimen, simply do nothing. No makeup, no scrubs, no washes, nothing. Let your skin regulate itself by producing natural oils that protect the skin and keep it moisturized. Washing your face strips your skin of it’s natural defenses, leaving it dry and vulnerable, often leading to an overproduction of oil that causes acne breakouts. It is a vicious cycle. Go cold turkey and see what “nothing” can do for you! The day you start this method, use a mild scrub (see below) and steam the follow day to start the cleansing process.

2. Cold showers, short showers

Hot water strips away the natural oils in your skin, leaving it dry. If you can’t stand a cold shower, take a warm shower (not hot) and turn the shower handle to cold at the very end when you rinse your face. If there are very oily spots on your face, go ahead and gently rub them with your fingertips, but on most days just a cold rinse should be enough.

3. Never pop a zit!

That white puss that forms on a zit is your skin’s way of cleansing out the inflamed area. The puss is actually filled with white blood cells, and repairing components that clean and heal the infected pore. By “popping” it, you are stripping that natural healing method away and opening up a wound that will take longer to heal and may leave behind a pock mark. Once you get a pussy zit, leave it alone, let it works its magic and it will “pop” and go away on its own. The key is to avoid getting zits in the first place, but once you have a puss filled zit, best to leave it to repair the damage already done rather than causing more damage by popping it.

4. Wash your makeup brushes

If you do need to use makeup to occasionally cover embarrassing blemishes or just to add some color to your eyes, be sure to wash your makeup brushes once a week with warm water and an all natural paraben-free shampoo (the one you use for your own hair of course). Dirty makeup brushes harbor bacteria. Don’t let that build up or you will just be rubbing that grime all over your face! If you must use makeup, use a mineral makeup like Bare Minerals and apply as little as possible. For eyeliner and mascara use a natural, organic product like HoneybeeGardens.

5. Exfoliate Once a week

Sluffing off those dead skin cells is necessary at least once a week. You can buy a natural product with no parabens and a very fine granule like Hugo’s Sea Fennel Scrub. A cheaper and more natural alternative is to use organic coffee grounds from your morning brew.  Coffee grounds not only exfoliate, but the caffeine helps tighten your pores giving you smooth skin. If you have dry skin, you can add a tablespoon of cold-pressed coconut oil to a handful of coffee grounds and use to exfoliate.

6. Massage the lift into your face

When you scrub your face once a week, give yourself a mini facial massage to increase circulation to your skin. Facial massages help reduce wrinkles by loosening the muscles of laugh lines and tension areas in your face.

7. Steaming for acne

A weekly steaming can help open your pore to flush out toxins.

Use a small pot of water (add lavender, thyme or chamomile if desired). Bring the water to a boil, reduce the heat and let simmer for a few minutes. Form a tent over your head by draping a towel over your head and lean your face over the steaming pot. Let the steam hit your face without getting too close (to avoid scalding yourself). Steam for 5 minutes, then immediately rinse your face with cool water to close your pores.

8.  The Hair on Your Head

Since we spend about 8 hours a day with our faces on a pillow, it is important to consider what sleep situations may do to our skin.  If you have long hair, put your hair up in a binder before hitting the sack to keep the oils and product in your hair off your pillow and off your face.  Using a hairnet also works for those who have shorter hair or don’t like their hair tied up all night.  It is also important to evaluate what is in your hair products, as these are the closest in proximity to your face and scalp.  Check your shampoos, conditioners and hair products for parabens such as Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and known human carcinogens, such as triclosan.  If you find any of these things in your product, throw them away and start fresh.  A big factor in your skin’s health can be the laundry detergent you use.  Bed linens and clothing rub on us all day.  Buying a natural detergent and staying away from dryer sheets can help clear up acne, yeast infections and skin irritations as well as keep harmful carcinogens out of your system.

Health food stores sell all natural cosmetic and beauty products that will be gentler on your hair and better for your overall health.  Look for ingredient lists that are short and do not contain words you cannot pronounce or chemical names you have never heard of.  Less is more in this case.  Keep this healthy practice with all your cosmetics, cleaners, and soaps and you will have less chance of coming in contact with harmful chemicals and carcinogens throughout your day.  Our favorites are Hugo shampoos and conditioners and Dr. Bronner’s liquid hand and body soaps.

9. Exercise

Healthy skin is tied in with healthy living. Eating fresh produce, meats and avoiding processed sugars, corn syrup and parabens goes hand in hand with regular exercise. Exercise aids in carrying nutrients to all cells in the body and carrying out toxins that build up in our cells. Our bodies are not built for sitting on the couch or at the computer all day.

10. Avoid sweets

Avoiding sweets and refined sugars is the best way to avoid zits and aging. Glycation is a process by which sugar bonds to a protein or lipid molecule without the controlling action of an enzyme contributing to the deterioration of collagen in your skin. Collagen is responsible for that young, tight skin look we all strive for. Not to mention, avoided sweets and eating healthy will make you feel better and look better!