CHAPTER 3
Enviromental Issues

Section 1 - WHAT WE DO KNOW
Section 2 - WHAT WE MAY NOT KNOW
Section 3 - SO WHAT ARE WE EXPOSING OURSELVES TO?
Section 4 - WARNING WARNING!!!
Why you will never find 1.4-DIOXANE on an Ingredient List
Section 5 - How to recognize 1,4-DIOXANE
Section 6 - PHTHALATES / DON'T RECYCLE
Section 7 - HOW TO RECOGNIZE PHTHALATES
Section 8 - SPREAD THE WORD!

CHAPTER SECTIONS

10 HOUR CE. for FLORIDA COSMETOLOGY

COSMETOLOGY COURSE CHAPTERS

The average person applies approximately 200 chemicals to their skin, hair, and nails daily.

The average person applies approximately 200 chemicals to their skin, hair, and nails daily.

What we do know.

The cosmetics industry is one of the largest and most profitable of all industries, spending more on advertising than any other trade. According to Business Wire it can readily afford its advertising budget as the Global Cosmetic Market yielded $460 billion in 2014 and estimates a 6.4% increase each year totaling approximately $675 billion by 2020.

The average person applies approximately 200 chemicals to their skin, hair, and nails daily. As beauty therapists, serving in various capacities we are in the trenches working with cosmetic products daily, increasing our exposure.

What we do NOT KNOW.

When we stumble upon the phrases: “our studies show” and “dermatologist tested” and other trusted statements, rarely do we know if the dermatologist involved in the study was on the payroll of the cosmetic company. Most of these trusted studies are not even done on humans; they are performed in a glass tube.

According to the Food and Drug Administration / FDA, it does not have the legal authority to approve cosmetics before they go on the market however; they do approve color additives, except coal tar hair dyes. To ensure the public’s safety, the FDA states that cosmetics must not be “adulterated” or “misbranded”, they must be safe for consumers when following the directions on the label, or used in a customary or expected way. Further, cosmetics must be properly labelled and the manufacturer has the legal responsibility for the safety and the labeling of their product.

The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Board (CIRB) is the regulating body that oversees cosmetic safety and only 10% of cosmetic ingredients have been analyzed by CIRB for health impacts. This leaves an overwhelming 90% untested. As for the FDA, in 68 years it has only banned 9 personal products.

So what are we exposing ourselves to?

Environmental Working Group; a nonprofit organization, released a study in regards to thousands of the best selling beauty products. Listed are some of their findings:

  • 50% of products contain synthetic penetration enhancers that increase the ability of toxic cosmetic chemicals to enter the blood stream.

  • More than 70 of the popular hair dye products contain ingredients derived from Coal Tar, a known carcinogen (bladder cancer & lymphoma)

  • Cosmetic companies have accused the informative media as alarmist yet, disease causing plastic components called phthalates are being found in urine.

WARNING, WARNING / 1, 4 - DIOXANE / SECRET KILLER

A Secret Killer 1, 4 - Dioxane

Found primarily in products that create suds (shampoo, liquid soaps) and hair relaxers, this deadly petrochemical is easily absorbed through the lungs, skin and gastrointestinal tract. (www.safecosmetics.org)

Test performed show indisputably that 1, 4-Dioxane causes cancerous tumor-promoting activity (Stickney et al. 2003). In fact, the Integrated Risk Information System, a U.S. federal regulatory agency, considers 1, 4-Dioxane to be comparable to pesticide (EPA 1992, 2000).

This human pesticide is even more dangerous within the treatment room as many therapist use warm water, a penetration enhancer, during their treatments! Particularly vulnerable are pregnant women, infants and teenagers.

WHY you will never find 1. 4 - DIOXANE on an ingredient list: SNEAKY SNEAKY!

1, 4-Dioxane is formed during a procedure used by formulating companies to give mildness to harsh detergent-like ingredients. This procedure uses a toxic chemical called ethylene oxide. Ethylene oxide makes 1, 4-Dixoane as a byproduct, during the chemical conversion of harsh- to- mild.

Because 1,4-Dioxane is not a primary ingredient physically used for the above-mentioned process, the U.S. Department of Agriculture does not require 1,4-Dioxane to be listed as an ingredient on product labels. (EPA)

HOW TO AVOID 1, 4 - DIOXANE

The FDA does not require this deadly ingredient to be listed as an ingredient, due to its production during manufacturing. If you want to avoid this sneaky chemical the Organic Consumer Association suggests that you look for cosmetics that are certified under the USDA National Organic Program.

HOW TO RECOGNOZE 1, 4 - DIOXANE

Because it is never listed as 1,4-Dioxane you must look for the ingredients that contain “eth” within their name. Ingredients which include “eth” most likely contain 1, 4-Dioxane. Here are a few:

Sodium laureth sulphate, (PEG) polyethylene glycol, oleth, myreth, ceteareth

Most products tested positive for 1,4-Dioxane are foaming cleansers (facial, hair and nails) with sodium laureth sulfate, ammonium laureth sulfate, or both, as the main ingredients.

PHTHALATES / DON'T RECYCLE

We are surrounded by phthalates (pronounced THAL-ates): PVC pipes, automobiles, earphones, phone cords, cooking and eating utensils, toys, shower curtains, water bottles, perfumes, hairspray, fingernail polish, body washes, fragrances and fragrant lotions! EVERYWHERE!!!

Though some media focus has praised phthalates for making our lives easier. Medical data proves that phthalates, especially when combined and exposure is constant, are toxic! Phthalates are proven to majorly disrupt reproductive functions in both women and men and may compromise the endocrine system.. Some specific medical conditions are as follows: polycystic ovarian syndrome, infertility and breast and testicular cancer

A study completed at the University of Puerto Rico, linked the use of phthalates in beauty products to early puberty in girls.

Most vulnerable to this menace are pregnant women and breastfeeding women. Some doctors recommend that pregnant women avoid new cars for the first trimester of pregnancy because of the toxic brew emitted from the hot dashboard and seats!

How to Recognize Phthalates

Most often hiding under the word FRAGRANCE

  • di-n-butyl phalalate – DBP- commonly found in nail polish

    di (2-ehtylhexyl) phalate- commonly found in perfumes

How to Avoid Phthalates

Read all labels and choose products without DBP. Beware of all and any products that list fragrance as an ingredient. Some nail products indicate “phalate free”.

SPREAD THE WORD!!!

As cosmetic industry professionals; it is not only our responsibility to protect ourselves but; action is needed from us in order to protect our clients. In the recent, past many bills have been put forth in congress to ensure that beauty practice and health practice may begin living in sync with one another.

Several professional and not for profit coalitions exists whose sole focus is to educate professionals as well as the public on the toxic nature of chemicals used and available.

SUMMARY

As beauty professionals; when deciding to embark in this wonderful and exciting career, the potential to be exposed to harmful chemicals would be greater than the average person. We now know some things to look for in an effort of avoidance when reading labels. By spreading the word to your clients about these hidden dangers your services will be valued even greater.

WORKS CITED