As is well-known, beauty comes at a cost. However, sometimes the price is too steep. According to dermatologist Natalia Makhneva, certain beauty procedures can significantly harm health, and addressing the consequences can take a considerable amount of time and money, as reported by Tengri Life.
The specialist notes that one of the key factors to pay attention to when visiting a beauty salon is the cleanliness of the premises and the sterility of the tools. This is important whether it’s a manicure, eyelash extension, or makeup application.
"Unsterilized scissors can introduce numerous dangerous diseases into your body, ranging from fungi to hepatitis. The insidious nature of many fungal infections is that their symptoms often appear only a couple of years after infection, as fungal spores reproduce slowly," says the specialist.
Surprisingly, a seemingly harmless beauty procedure – gel nail coating – poses considerable danger.
"This coating needs to be dried using special ultraviolet lamps, and this procedure can adversely affect your health. Researchers at the University of California, San Diego found that the lamps used to dry the polish can damage cell DNA and provoke cancer. In just 20 minutes, the lamp could destroy 20 to 30 percent of live cells. After an hour, it could eliminate 65 to 70 percent. Additionally, specialists from the medical genetics center Genotek discovered that UV lamps are particularly dangerous for certain individuals. This concerns carriers of a mutation in the MC1R gene, which significantly increases the risk of melanoma," notes the dermatologist.
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Furthermore, the process of removing gel polish gradually thins the nail plate. The expert recommends taking breaks and allowing your nails to rest from the coating.
With eyelash extensions, things are not so straightforward either. The glue used by technicians can trigger allergic reactions.
"Even more concerning is if your lash technician does not adhere to hygiene rules. In this case, there is a risk of developing demodicosis – a skin condition caused by a parasitic mite. Treating it can be long and tedious. Furthermore, an eyelid injury could ultimately affect vision sharpness. Additionally, women with eyelash extensions are advised against washing their faces, which can also harm natural lashes," warns the specialist.
Photo: depositphotos
As noted by scientists from the Georgia Institute of Technology, artificial eyelashes are typically much longer than natural ones. While natural lashes are about one-third the width of the eye, the much longer false and extended lashes do not protect the eye from dust and debris, but rather exacerbate it. This can lead to dry eye syndrome.
Roshini Rajapaksa, an associate professor at New York University School of Medicine and medical editor for Health magazine, also advises against eyelash extensions. The sharp tweezers used by technicians can damage your natural lashes. Additionally, poorly applied extensions risk resulting in a corneal or eyelid infection.