The Downside To Cosmetics - Cosmetic Allergy

By: Charlene J. Nuble -

The American Academy of Dermatology has revealed that on the average, adult Americans use at least seven various cosmetics or cosmetic products daily.

The thing is that products like shampoos, colognes, deodorants, moisturizers and other cosmetics have become part of people’s daily personal routines and they are considered necessities these days.

Cosmetics are primarily used to enhance beauty and some people have become so dependent on them that they become part of lifestyles.

Without any further explanation, it is apparent and very much understood that there are several specified ingredients in such cosmetics that function like antigens or trigger substances for allergic reactions, like fragrances and preservatives.

Cosmetic allergies are not so common. However, experts and studies found that on the average, about 10% of the country’s population is expected to form or experience a form of cosmetic allergy within their lifetime.

But it would be logical to assert that women are more prone to experience cosmetics allergy than men.

Symptoms of cosmetic allergy

Basically, there are only two major skin reactions that will clearly indicate the onset of cosmetics allergy. These are allergic contact dermatitis and irritant contact dermatitis.

The most common manifestation of allergies from cosmetics is inflammation in the infected skin area. The affected spot would exhibit redness and swelling, and most of the time, those two symptoms are carried out with mild to severe itching.

Basic and primary symptoms for cosmetics dermatitis immediately show up or develop after the skin has taken contact with cosmetic products.

Symptoms for cosmetic allergy occurs when the skin breaks down after contact with identified harsh substances. Upon contact, those substances or allergens immediately and directly affect and injure the skin’s outer layer, thus the onset of symptoms.

Like any other form of allergies, cosmetics allergy should not be considered a disease. Rather it is just a normal reaction as the body’s protective immune system throws out or rejects foreign and harmful substances.

Treatment of cosmetics allergy

Creams and ointments specifically manufactured to treat cosmetics allergy are available without prescriptions through retailers and drug stores.

Most of these medications contain cortisone in the form of hydrocortisone acetate and hydrocortisone. Cortisones help curtail redness, swelling and itching during the onset of cosmetics allergy symptoms.

In severe cases, doctors prescribe extra-strong medications and ointments that can effectively and immediately relieve the allergy. Antibiotics are needed if blisters in the skin, which is caused by cosmetics allergy, cracks and becomes infected.

How to prevent cosmetics allergy

There are some recommended measures that can help you prevent contracting cosmetics allergy. Take note of the following ways.

- Before using any cosmetic products, read its labels. Look out for active ingredients that can obviously trigger an allergic reaction to your skin. Find products or alternatives that do not contain such ingredients.

- Perform mini-patch tests to determine if a new cosmetic product is too strong for your skin. It is done by rubbing your wrist with the products and observing for any redness or recatio within 24 hours.

- When buying cosmetics, pick up those that contain very simple cosmetic formulas.

- When wearing perfume, apply it on your clothes, not in your skin.

It would do you no harm if you take several precautions to avoid getting cosmetics allergy. Prevention is much better that treatments. Remember, cosmetic allergy, just like any other allergies, is only treatable, not curable.

Natural Mineral Cosmetics: Flawless Dusting

by Sherry Frewerd

The Product

Virtually no allergy risk, natural mineral cosmetics allow skin to breath. Talc free, chemical free, and dye free natural cosmetics recommended by plastic surgeons and dermatologists, are created from powdered minerals. Their consistency and mineral content act together to calm the most sensitive skin.

Over time mineral cosmetics actually improve your skin. Since your skin is allowed to breathe through the mineral foundation, no oily barrier preventing oxygen from reaching your skin, the texture and tone of your skin improve. Microscopic fibers fill up those tiny lines in your skin and give your complexion a natural healthy glow.

The best part of natural cosmetics is their ability to add a youthful glow while protecting your skin from harmful solar rays. Consisting of mica, titanium dioxide, iron oxides, ultramarine, zinc oxide, mineral foundation is particularly well suited to use as a sunscreen. Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are both used in high quality sun blocks. These cancer fighting sun-blocking agents are both in most mineral make up products.

Mineral cosmetics are ideal for anyone suffering from acne or post surgical skin procedures. In most instances acne improves after extended periods of using mineral make up because titanium dioxide does not promote the growth of bacteria as some cosmetics may. Due to the dry formula of mineral cosmetics, ingredients such as talc, dye, and perfume are not added. Therefore mineral cosmetics offer a chemical free option to popular cosmetic choices.

100 percent natural cosmetics provide excellent coverage, staying power, and creaseless beauty all day long. Natural anti-drying agents help to seal in moisture and prevent clogged pores. Mineral cosmetics dusted on liberally with special high quality brushes fill tiny lines and hide blemishes, leaving a soft healthy glow and sun protections. Because they don't have to be reapplied during the day, they reduce stress and increase the happy factor in your life.

The Application

Foundation gives your face a flawless silky glow that reflects health with fine texture and uniform color. A little goes a long way. It is always best to start your make up application with clean fresh skin. If you choose to use moisturizer, it must be fully absorbed before applying mineral cosmetics.

To conceal any flaws: Lightly brush mineral foundation over any areas where flaws exist. Light layers cover better than one heavy layer; so go lightly.

Mineral foundation should be applied to dry skin, moisture will make it cake and appear uneven on your skin. Using a brush to apply the foundation in circular motions results in flawless coverage.

Blusher or bronzing powder should be applied as a highlighting accent to your face and completed with a finishing powder to set your make up.

Eye shadow can be applied either wet or dry, using a shadow brush, apply lightly and add more as needed. A bit of bronzer is an excellent eye shadow choice for daytime wear.

Using a light touch and the right brushes will help you achieve that dewy glow of youth and good health. These products are inexpensive and long lasting, making them an excellent choice for everyday cosmetic needs.

My experience with beauty laser

I worked at a medical equipment distributor which has Aesthetic Division. This division sells all kinds of laser for beauty treatment. So, I was familiar with some of the machines and know a little bit of the trend in beauty laser. There were laser hair removal, laser for skin tightening - the most popular trend was using radio frequency, laser for treating capillaries, and many more. The technology grows very fast.

I was a guinea pig to my colleague when she trained a physician using the laser. I have tried three types of laser hair removal machine. All of them were for my legs. All of them were different in technology. I remember, it was the second laser was the most painful of all. I felt like I was electrocuted every time my friend shot the laser.
The advantage was there was no side effect. In order to get smooth skin, we must attend several sessions. I didn't though, but until now my legs has very fewer hair as the effect of that guinea pig treatment.

Another function of getting this beauty laser treatment is having laser tattoo. This of course to remove the unwanted tattoo. Some colors in your tattoo are difficult to remove. That means, you need to go through several sessions. Don't forget the pain! Oh no. I'd suggest, when you are thinking of having tattoo, better think it over, choose the right picture and the right spot to put.

Skin Clinic has medical assistant too

There are many skin clinics in Jakarta. If you need to treat skin disorders, choose the one that has skin specialists or dermatology physician as consultant or supervisor or as the one who handles the treatment directly. With this tip, you’ll get more safety compare to beauty clinics only.

I have been to several big skin centers. They are very professional in terms of service and representation of the clinics to the public. The medical assistants there dress up and are pretty. Such a good strategy since they are promoting a skin center. There are several jobs that medical assistant takes care of: arrange patient appointments, filing patient records, assisting dermatologist during treatment, prepare equipments to be used by dermatologist.

Of course, after they graduate from medical assistant schools, they were trained specifically to handle situation in skin clinic. Every medical discipline has different characteristics. In order to bring high standard service to patients, these clinics invest on staffs trainings.

I always get satisfaction whenever I get the treatment in my favorite skin clinic.

WEARING PINHOLE GLASSES FOR TREATING SIGHT DISORDERS

I have been wearing eyeglasses since I was in high school, because I can’t see far objects (myopia). The condition didn’t get better, but so far the diopter size stays the same: -3.25.

I wore contact lens for five years (1995-2000) because I was an athlete and wearing eye glasses was troublesome. But because I have allergy, after sometimes, my body rejected the contact lens. My eyes got redden and itchy. Now I can only wear daily contact lens only for 5 hours maximal in a day.

I was considering getting LASIK treatment, but I heard negative effects of it from some of my friends. I guess the effect isn’t caused by the technology, but because if the level of physician’s skill.Several days ago, I found this product on the internet. It’s called pinhole glasses. Basically, pinhole eyeglasses are based on the principle of natural reflexes as the same effect is achieved when you squint to try and see more clearly. Your eyelids close around the top and bottom of your eyes, filtering out light rays reaching your pupil from these angles. This make sense to me. One of the good things about it that if my diopter size changes, I can still wear the pinhole glasses because it’s designed to suits some refractive condition (myopia, hyperopia, presbyopia, astigmatism, computer vision syndrome or cataracts). It is strongly recommended that pinhole glasses are used in good lighting conditions, as the amount of light entering the eye is reduced.

What makes more interesting is that the technology has been there for thousands years ago. Wow……In the 5th Century BC, the ancient Chinese people discovered that light passing through a tiny pinhole makes an image on the background it falls upon. Aristotle, the Greek philosopher, had study on pinhole imagery.

This unique eye glasses may be the answer to my pray, yippie…!