How safe are tattoos? Is there anyone watching out for our health?

A 2006 study done by the Journal of American Academy of Dermatology showed that 1 in 4 Americans between 18 and 50 years old are tattooed. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) so far hasn’t regulated tattoo inks, so manufacturers aren’t required to list what’s in them. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), however, says that inks can contain aluminum, copper, iron, sulfur, titanium dioxide, barium, nickel, cobalt, chromium, and more. As a result of the AESI/Huck Spaulding lawsuit, the Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Irving Feffer required ink manufacturers to place a warning on their labels, saying, “tattoo inks and pigments contain many heavy metals, including lead, arsenic, and others. All of these heavy metals have been scientifically determined by the state of California to cause cancer or birth defects…”

Laser removal can trigger even more chemical reactions that generate carcinogenic by-products that the body must absorb. According to the U.S. News and World Report, German scientists showed that concentrations of toxins in tattoo inks increased up to 70-fold after laser irradiation. Even more concerning: Animal research found that pigment in ink penetrates the skin barrier and makes its way to the lymph nodes.

The Mayo Clinic warns that tattoos can also increase your risk of blood-borne diseases like HIV, hepatitis B, and tetanus (if the tattoo equipment is contaminated); skin disorders and excessive scarring (if the body reacts to the tattoo ink); allergic reactions, leading to swelling, irritation, or itching, which can occur even years after you get the tattoo; and antibiotic-resistant skin infections (if the tattoo artist doesn’t control for infection).

If you’re thinking about a tattoo and are willing to risk the health complications, take some precautions. Choose the facility carefully. Make sure it’s licensed and extremely clean. Find one that will let you watch them open new tubs of ink and packs of needles so you’re sure they haven’t been used previously. Make sure they have an “autoclave,” a heat sterilization machine that sterilizes all nondisposable equipment. Choose a small tattoo with limited colors that’s easier to remove if you change your mind, and get it in a place that you can conceal if you want to. Make sure your technician wears gloves and follows infection-control procedures. Finally, if you get an infection afterwards, see your skin doctor immediately.

Have you had a negative experience with tattoos? Please share.

Photo courtesy Gotch @ Harizanmai tattoo Studio via Flickr.com.

“The research demonstrated that almost all toothpaste products contain significant levels of lead,” said the American Environmental Safety Institute, “a heavy metal known…to be hazardous to human health by causing cancer and birth defects.” (Toxic Beauty, Samuel Epstein, p.164)

Proctor & Gamble agreed to reduce by 25 percent the levels of lead in its toothpastes. Meanwhile, metal isn’t the only thing to worry about. Many toothpastes contain triclosan, an anti-bacterial that’s been shown to be a hormone-disruptor in tests on animal and human cells. (Read labels to see if your toothpaste has it.) On top of that, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)—one of our ingredients to avoid—is in many brands to encourage foaming, but is a particularly harsh detergent that can irritate tender gums (especially when you’re going through chemotherapy). When ingested at high levels, it can be toxic to the liver and kidneys.

Want to know something else scary? Scientific research has suggested that SLS can increase your risk of…mouth ulcers! Study participants who brushed using SLS-free toothpaste reduced their number of canker sores—by as much as 81 percent. You definitely don’t need more mouth sores during treatment, so if your brand has this ingredient, throw it out!

Another harsh ingredient—hydrated silica. A “whitener” in toothpastes, it’s abrasive, and can wear down our naturally protective tooth enamel. If you’ve got sensitive teeth and gums, avoid this one.

Other toxic ingredients we have warned you about—like parabens and propylene glycol—may also be present in your formula. Colored pastes often contain dyes that have the potential to cause headaches, allergic reactions, and fatigue. And of course, most have fluoride. Dentists recommend it for preventing cavities, but fluoride comes from the element fluorine, and can be very toxic if you swallow it. When ingested, it can damage the brain, reduce the function of the thyroid, and may even increase risk of bone cancer (in one study). However, most dentists still believe that fluoride in your toothpaste—where you’re not supposed to swallow it—is beneficial to your teeth, as it does counter the effect of plaque and makes the tooth more resistant to decay.

We’ll let you decide whether or not you want to go for the fluoride, but as for the rest of the ingredients, we urge you to shop for brands that stay away from SLS, silica, triclosan, and lead—especially if you’re going through radiation or chemotherapy. For suggested brands, try Tom’s of Maine, Herbal Choice, or some of these other alternatives.

Have you adopted a toxin-free toothpaste? Tell us your thoughts.

Photo courtesy RedToque Photography via Flickr.com.

If you’re a candle lover, we’re not here to put out your light. We just want to warn you that it does matter what kind of candles you buy, as some can release harmful toxins.

Recent research from the South Carolina State University found that paraffin-based candles (paraffin is a by-product of petroleum) give off potentially toxic chemicals like astoluene and benzene. These substances are found in paint and varnish removers. The Environmental Protection Agency has labeled them to be probable carcinogens.

In addition to the danger of disease, other research has linked the smoke from scented candles to asthma and eczema. Though researchers said that lighting a candle now and then poses little danger, candles lit regularly—particularly in rooms with little ventilation like bathrooms and bedrooms—could be polluting the air you breathe. In fact, last year the American Lung Association issued a warning stating that candles are becoming one of the most common unrecognized causes of poor indoor air quality.

Besides the astoluene and benzene, some candles have metal-core wicks, which can release lead and other harmful toxins. Though candles with lead-core wicks have been banned in the U.S. since 2003, there are still some on the shelves, and many that are imported (from countries like China or Taiwan). “Some candle makers use metal-core wicks because cotton wicks are often limp and fall over into the wax,” said Jerome O. Nriagu, Ph.D., professor of environmental chemistry at the Universtiy of Michigan. The oils used in scented candles as well are often petroleum-based synthetics.

You can get around all these dangers by purchasing candles made of natural waxes like vegetable, soybean or beeswax, as they burn more cleanly. Watch the labels, as some candles may be only half beeswax and the other half paraffin. Be on the lookout for shiny metal wire inside wicks, and go for pure paper or cotton. Keep wicks trimmed to one-quarter inch, and avoid drafts, as they can blow more toxins into the air. Ask Dr. Sears recommends you avoid candles in jars as they don’t get enough oxygen and can cause toxic black soot. Finally, avoid heavily scented varieties and go for organic scented candles, which are typically scented by natural oils, not chemicals. Try Green Logic’s organic scented soy wax candles, or The Fine Cotton Company’s luxury organic candles.

Do you have a favorite brand of organic, toxin-free candles? Please let us know!

Photo courtesy funksphotos via Flickr.com.

Lead: a highly toxic metal found in small amounts in the earth’s crust…and in many common brands of lipstick.

Huh?

Chronic exposure to this metal can result in increased blood pressure, decreased fertility, cataracts, nerve disorders, muscle and joint pain, and memory or concentration problems. Lead is used in a variety of products, including paint, ceramics, pipes, gasoline, batteries…and cosmetics.

But never fear: According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, “Since 1980, federal and state regulatory standards have helped to minimize or eliminate the amount of lead in consumer products and occupational settings.”

Thank heavens. But wait. According to recent tests conducted by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, a whopping 61% of brand-name lipsticks contain detectable levels of lead, which can be toxic if ingested.

“If” ingested? Hello? The product is on our mouths. How can we avoid ingesting it?

Guilty brands included well-knowns in department stores and drug stores. One-third exceeded the FDA lead limit for candy—and many of these were the more expensive, supposedly “higher-quality” products. And you thought lipstick was the last thing you needed to worry about!

But surely these small, trace amounts aren’t going to hurt us? Mark Mitchell, M.D. and president of the Connecticut Coalition for Environmental Justice, says, “Lead builds up in the body over time and lead-containing lipstick applied several times a day, every day, can add up to significant exposure levels. The latest studies show there is no safe level of lead exposure.” Pregnant women, particularly, need to be careful to protect developing infants. And if you’re going through chemotherapy or radiation, lead is the last thing you want to apply on your possibly chapped lips. (Click hereto read our post on lip-care during treatment.)

The FDA is supposed to be following up on the Safe Cosmetics report, but so far no action has been taken. The old rules—which are no rules—still apply. The FDA doesn’t limit lead in lipstick, or any other cosmetic, for that matter. (Click here to read the “Toxic Truth” about our beauty industry.)

Why do manufacturers put lead in lipstick anyway? Apparently colorants used in lipsticks can contain lead, or lead may be introduced as a by-product from other ingredients, like mineral wax or paraffin, even mineral oil. (Read about the dangers of petroleum-derived ingredients). So companies don’t purposely put the lead in there, but it can form as a result of how they process and combine other ingredients.

Where does that leave you and your favorite shade? Since the Safe Cosmetics study didn’t cover all brands or all varieties, it’s a little tough to weed out the leaded from the lead-free, as lead certainly isn’t listed on the ingredient deck. The best option is for the laws to change, and the FDA to crack down on the amount of lead in cosmetics. “It’s unconscionable that women should have to worry about lead in lipsticks,” said Stacy Malkan of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.

In the meantime, the study did find that 39% of the products tested had no detectable levels of lead. (You can find those listed here.) Other companies are joining the bandwagon. Check out Gabriel Cosmetics (lead-free and formulated with chemical-free sunscreen), Zuzu Luxe (infused with herbs and essential oils), David Scott Cosmetics (includes lead-free glosses), and Aromaleigh (lead-free colors with botanicals). With a little research you can find more options, and enjoy luscious lips without the tasteless taint!

Have any great recommendations for lead-free lipsticks? Let us know!