Prime
Why you need to read labels on your beauty and cosmetic products
What you need to know:
- Caution. Do you ever read labels of skin care and beauty products before using them? Beatrice Nakibuuka explains why you should read the contents of every product.
- When Namatovu went to a dermatologist, she was told the cream which she was using was very deadly
At 23, she was about to graduate and wanted a clearer skin on her graduation day.
Joyce Namatovu had had a breakout of acne since the time she was an adolescent. She was ready to use any product anyone recommended that would help. She had used several skin products but they all did not seem to work.
Namatovu says: “A friend at campus recommended a cream which I bought from one of the supermarkets around town. I did not take trouble to read what was contained in it because she was using the same cream.”
A week later, Namatovu’s skin started clearing and got fairer each day she used it. She decided to buy another cream.
“It had done magic and I was becoming lighter.
But after two month, I started developing red patches on my cheeks and my blood vessels became visible. I got acne than I have ever had before,” she recalls.
When Namatovu went to a dermatologist, she was told the cream which she was using was very deadly.
“He said the cream contained corticosteroids and I was headed for skin tears on my face and inability to walk in direct sunlight. I was advised to stop using it immediately and start on treatment,” she says.
According to Dr Edward Ogwang, a dermatologist at Skin Specialist Clinic, steroids are one of the most dangerous ingredient people should look out for while buying cosmetic products.
He says: “Steroids can lead to thinning of the skin, visible bloodvessels, stretch marks, skin tears and break out of acne with very black heads and spots. They are also related to causing cancer of the skin.”
Parabens
According to Dr Ogwang, parabens are a type of preservative used to prolong shelf life in many health and beauty products, by preventing the growth of mold and bacteria within them.
Many times people are discouraged from using products containing paraben but it is because some people become allergic to them.
He says: “Many people recommend home remedies for people with acne but some remedies are dangerous to the skin and sometimes cause more acne in the long run.
Hydrogen peroxide
It kills bacteria living on your face but it damages your skin cells, including fibroblasts that make new tissue and heal wounds.
Avoid using it to clean cuts and scrapes. Use soap and water instead. Hydrogen peroxide might irritate your already fragile skin.
Lemon juice
Lemon is rich in vitamin C, which can brighten the skin and smoothen fine lines. But lemon juice is acidic and can cause irritation of the face.
Dr Ogwang says: “You may also develop a rash from phytophotodermatitis- a skin reaction that happens if you expose chemicals in certain plants and fruits to sunlight or other ultraviolet light.”
Hair dye
Colouring brows or sidebands using hair dye is not advisable. It contains peroxide which damages skin cells.
Toothpaste
Skin exfoliation can be done using toothpaste. Add a few drops of water to the paste and apply to the face or apply a pea sized amount of toothpaste on a pimple that has nipped out. Dr Ogwang says the paste may dry the area temporarily and provide a soothing effect because they are anti-inflammatory but it is not a conventional mode of treating skin problems such as acne. He advises people to seek professional care to treat their dermatological problems.
