But when does grooming go from simple hygiene to dangerous health hazards?
In truth, there are grooming habits that may just harm health. Check out this list of seven grooming habits that just might make a regular routine hazardous.
Hair Color
Who doesn’t like change their look on occasion? Hair color is a great way to gain confidence, hide grays and even take on a new persona. Unfortunately, hair color can come with risks all its own.
That’s because hair color contains carcinogens, which are chemicals known to cause cancer. Carcinogens can actually alter DNA, which can, in turn, increase the risk of cancer.
The National Cancer Institute reports that there are more than 5,000 chemicals used in hair dye. This can make it hard to tell which chemicals are actually harmful.
Studies show that carcinogens found in hair color can elevate the risk of developing both leukemia and bladder cancer. This is particularly true for hair stylists, who are exposed to harmful chemicals on a regular basis.
Don’t be afraid to ask the hair stylist about the safety of the hair color he or she uses. After all, it’s your health we’re talking about.
Douching
Sure, we all want to feel “fresh.” But douching is not the way to achieve this goal. That’s because douching is actually hazardous to vaginal health.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, douching changes the natural acidity and necessary balance of vaginal flora in a healthy vagina.
This happens when douching throws off the body’s balance of beneficial and harmful bacteria. The vagina's acidic environment is what protects it from infection and irritation, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Douching can encourage the growth of “bad” bacteria, which just may cause a yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis. If a vaginal infection is present, douching can push bacteria into the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. This can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease.
So call it quits with the douching. While you may feel fresher in the moment, it could lead to serious health consequences in the future.
Hairspray Without Ventilation
Hairspray is an indispensable tool for many women. However, it also comes with a serious risk -- hairspray poisoning.
Medline Plus says inhaling or spraying hairspray into the throat or eyes can result in hairspray poisoning.
Though this health issue is uncommon, it is possible. That’s why it’s important to spray hairspray in well-ventilated areas -- and to keep eyes closed if spraying near the face.
The next time you’re locking in that “perfect do,” remember to keep the door of the bathroom open. And if the bathroom isn’t well ventilated and the weather is nice, consider opening the windows.
Hair Straighteners
It’s no secret that hair straightening products can take hair from drab to fab in just seconds. But hair straighteners can come with a serious health risk.
So just what’s this health hazard? It’s a simple word with serious health consequences: formaldehyde.
In 2011, the United States Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), issued a hazard alert regarding hair smoothing products. The alert said that these products can contain formaldehyde.
“Formaldehyde is a highly reactive chemical that readily reacts with biological tissues, particularly the mucous tissues lining the respiratory tract and the eyes,” according to a warning letter issued by the FDA to a company with this chemical in its product.
“Adverse events have reported the following injuries associated with Brazilian Blowout: eye disorders (irritation, increased lacrimation, blurred vision, hyperaemia); nervous system disorders (headache, burning sensation, dizziness, syncope); and respiratory tract (dyspnea, cough, nasal discomfort, epistaxis, wheezing, rhinorrhea, throat irritation, nasopharyngitis). Other reported symptoms included nausea hypotrichosis, chest pain, chest discomfort, vomiting and rash.”
So read the labels of any hair straightening products that you use. And remember that formaldehyde can also be called methylene glycol.
Plucking Nose Hairs
The secret’s out: You love to pluck those crazy nose hairs. But don’t. At least, that’s what Dr. Oz says.
Leave it to Dr. Oz to teach the dandiest things. In fact, he says “If you go in there and pull that hair out, you get a little blood lost in there. Blood allows the bacteria in your nose to grow in there. Since veins in the facial area lack protective valves, the bacteria could theoretically enter your bloodstream and lead to infections elsewhere in the body. Don't ever pluck nose hairs.”
So what do you do instead?
Oz suggests cutting nasty nose hairs with curve-tipped scissors. (He chooses these because they won’t result in scary cuts.) Whatever you do, just don’t tweeze that hair.
Bleaching Cream
There’s nothing more frustrating than spots from sun damage and age. That’s why bleaching creams have become a popular skin saver. Unfortunately, these creams can come with risks all their own.
In 2012, the FDA issued a warning to consumers saying that some of these creams just might contain mercury.
“The products are marketed as skin lighteners and anti-aging treatments that remove age spots, freckles, blemishes and wrinkles,” says Gary Coody, national health fraud coordinator in the Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Regulatory Affairs, in an FDA consumer update. “Adolescents also may use these products as acne treatments.”
The FDA warns that creams like these are often sold in other countries or illegally in small shops in the United States. They have been found in stores in Latino, Asian, African or Middle Eastern neighborhoods and online.
“Even though these products are promoted as cosmetics, they also may be unapproved new drugs under the law,” says Linda Katz, M.D., director of FDA’s Office of Cosmetics and Colors, in an FDA consumer update. “FDA does not allow mercury in drugs or in cosmetics, except under very specific conditions, which these products do not meet.”
If you currently use any products that may contain mercury, stop using them immediately.
Antibacterial Soap
Cleanliness is important, but soap products may be just as important as cleanliness itself. In fact, the recent antibacterial soap craze has health officials concerned.
For starters, the FDA is concerned about potential hormone issues related to using antibacterial soaps on a regular basis. And it says there is nothing concrete that proves that these soaps are any better than traditional soap. In addition, these soaps may make bacterial resistance worse when it comes to antibiotic use.
Plus they contain a possibly dangerous ingredient that is used as a pesticide. “A large number of liquid soaps labeled ‘antibacterial’ contain triclosan, an ingredient of concern to many environmental and industry groups,” according to an FDA consumer update.
“Animal studies have shown that triclosan may alter the way hormones work in the body. While data showing effects in animals don't always predict effects in humans, these studies are of concern to FDA as well and warrant further investigation to better understand how they might affect humans.”
Replace antibacterial soap with regular soap. Doctors often recommend unscented Dove. But any brand will do.