It’s a popular belief that it can sometimes be painful to be beautiful (bikini waxes, anyone?). And generally, as long as it’s done by a professional, most beauty treatments are considered to be safe.
This said, some of today’s popular treatments aren’t regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and could potentially do a great deal of harm, especially if not administered correctly.
Some of the top potentially-hazardous beauty treatments include:
Brazilian Blow Out
Kinky, frizzy hair is considered, by many women, to be difficult to manage. Which is why Brazilian blowouts have become so popular, helping to smooth out that frizz while making hair sleeker and easier to style. However, as part of this process, the chemical formaldehyde is commonly used at high levels.
The problem? Formaldehyde has been linked to a number of cancers after prolonged use.
Laser Hair Removal
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There are many different hair removal treatments out there. Using a laser light, laser hair removal promises a more long-term solution by destroying hair follicles. Anyone who’s ever had this done this knows that this procedure…hurts. Sometimes a lot. Which is why many laser hair removal facilities offer numbing medications, including creams and injections.
The problem? In 2005, a woman named Sheri Berg was given the cream Laser Gel 10-10 by her spa, prior to her laser hair removal treatment. This prescription compound contains two anesthetics: 10 percent Lidocaine, 10 percent Tetracain. After falling into a coma, Berg died, and her family, as well as some doctors, said the cream was responsible, citing that there weren’t adequate label warnings, and that the spa didn’t warn her of potential side effects.
It’s important to note that, in the wrong hands, laser hair removal can also damage your skin. So be sure to have the procedure performed by someone who is medically-trained, preferably a dermatologist, and talk to your doctor before using any pain treatments.
Botox
Who hasn’t heard of botox? But…what is it?
Essentially, botox is a neurotoxin that helps reduce wrinkles by cutting off the connection with the nerves and muscles. For cosmetic purposes, the FDA originally approved Botox to lessen vertical frown lines between the brows. And in 2013, it was also approved for crow’s feet.
The problem? Botox has also been used for many procedures that have not been federally approved. Botox can potentially have long- term effects on the brain, nervous system, and muscles. Also, just some of the side effects can include breathing and vision problems.
