6 beauty habits bad for your health

The quest for eternal beauty can sometimes backfire on us. We primp and preen, we fix this or that and before you know it, we just might be putting ourselves into a beauty health bind.

To protect yourself and avoid this unfortunate scenario, here are some tips on how to still be beautiful but more importantly safe:

1. Throw out old eye makeup

Using old eye makeup is just asking for an eye infection. Even healthy eyes are home to bacteria that can cause infections. Using mascara and eyeliner will touch our eye area and some of the bacteria can be transferred to those cosmetics. Bacteria levels can build up over time increasing your chance of developing an infection or allergic reaction. The rule of thumb is to change your mascara and eyeliner every four to six months. Eye shadows can last up to a year before needing to be replaced. It you develop conjunctivitis or pink eye, throw out any makeup that has come in contact with our eyes.

2. Treatments to straighten hair

All of us curly haired women (or men) have at one point in our lives admired the looks of straight, sleek hair. What we wouldn’t give to have our hair behave on a humid, windy day. Have you ever thought of using a hair straightening product? Beware as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has found that some of these straightening products contain formaldehyde or release formaldehyde at unsafe levels putting you at risk of possible eye irritation, bloody noses, rashes, coughing, and wheezing. In addition, formaldehyde is a known carcinogen. If you absolutely must have straight hair, check with your hair salon about formaldehyde free products. Or just feel very lucky you were blessed with naturally curly hair.

3. Tanning beds

I’d be surprised if there is someone out there who still thinks using a tanning bed is a good idea. Apparently many still do as around 10 million Americans willingly take the risk of using a device that is a known carcinogen just to brown their skin to that perfect tan. The United States Department of Health and Human Services have shown research indicating that UV light from tanning beds can increase the risk of squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma and deadly melanoma. Even one indoor tanning session can increase a user’s risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma by 67 percent and basal cell carcinoma by 29 percent. Don’t risk it – there are safer ways to get that bronzed glow without risking your life.

4. Wearing high heels

Sky high heels lengthen and make our legs look great but at what cost? Many women’s foot problems are due to wearing high heels. One in ten women wear high heels at least three days a week which can lead to overworked or injured leg muscles, osteoarthritis of the knee, plantar fasciitis, and low back pain. Stuffing your feet into high heels can also seriously damage your feet. Those pointy, cramped toe boxes can cause bunions with the downward pressure. The awkward angle of the foot can cause metatarsalgia or severe pain in the ball of the foot and don’t forget stress fractures in the foot are possible too. Choose shoes with low heels and a wide heel base wearing soft insoles to reduce impact to the knee. If you do wear high heels, wear them on days that require limited walking or standing.

5. Heavy handbags

Those oversized, heavy purses women wear can pack a lot of things in them but all that weight also packs a punch to shoulder and back pain. Carrying heavy handbags shifts your center of gravity in the direction of the handbag to where you subconsciously compensate by leaning in the opposite direction which can lead to strains and possible stress injuries to your shoulder, neck and upper back …even headaches. Tote no more than 10 percent of your body weight – any purse weighing more than 5 pounds when empty is a bad choice. Choose sensible yet still stylish handbags - your body will breathe a sigh of relief.

6. Bikini waxing and shaving

If you have ever thought – and many women already do– of getting a Brazilian bikini wax, rethink it. Many gynecologists will tell you it’s not normal to rip the hairs down there in a place as sensitive as the vagina. But a lot of women aren’t listening as 50 percent of young women (18-24 years of age) admit to removing pubic hair, usually for sexuality or aesthetic reasons. Complications can occur that may result in serious health complications including genital burns from waxing, severe skin irritation leading to post inflammatory hyperpigmentation, vulvar and vaginal irritation and infection and the spread of sexually transmitted infections. Less serious complications can include epidermal abrasion, ingrown hairs, folliculitis, vulvitis, or contact dermatitis. Is it worth it? Have a frank conversation with your gynecologist who can advise safer practices of hair removal in the vaginal area.