Many controversies exist about lead in lipstick, especially over the past couple of years. As more research is released, the information found is enough to make any woman stop using their favorite lipstick brand. Lead exposure is severe and can cause some very grave health concerns. The dangers of lead in lipstick are real and should not be taken lightly.
It has potent neurotoxins that have serious health effects at high levels of exposure. It’s hazardous for children, and the National Institute of Health has recommended that no one be exposed to lead levels above 0.5 parts per million. That’s why a recent report from the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, which tested products like lipsticks and lip glosses, is raising alarm bells among consumers who want to buy safe products.
Lead has been phased out of many cosmetics due to its health risks in recent years, but it hasn’t completely disappeared. In the report released this week, “Get the Lead Out,” researchers found lead in more than half of the lipstick samples they tested — some had levels as high as 3.36 parts per million, or about 1,200 times higher than the level deemed safe by the NIH.
Effects of Lead: Lead can get into your body through the lips, or it can be ingested if you accidentally lick your lips after applying lipstick. And since lead tends to linger in fat tissue, it can stay in your system for a long time.
Lead poisoning is a severe condition that can cause lead to accumulate in the body. Lead causes numerous health problems, including developmental delays and behavioral problems in children. The familiar source of lead exposure is lead-based paint in homes built before 1978. Pregnant women need to take steps to reduce their lead exposure to reduce the risk of harm to their unborn babies.
Lead causes developmental delays and behavioral problems in children, including learning disabilities, ADHD, reading difficulties, aggression, and antisocial behavior. A pregnant woman’s exposure to lead may harm her fetus even if she has no symptoms of lead poisoning herself. Even at low levels, lead can affect fetal development. In addition, there are no safe levels of lead exposure for children.
How to Reduce Exposure to Lead: Here are three ways to reduce your exposure to lead while wearing lipstick:
Products Smell Like Paint: Never use a product that smells like paint or has a metallic taste/smell. If you are using an old product that has been stored for any length of time, smell it first to make sure it does not smell like paint.
Use safe Products: When using cosmetics such as lipstick or mascara, your child should not be allowed to put their hands in their mouth for at least 30 minutes after application. Make sure products do not contain lead or other toxins by researching before purchasing them. Always check for a CE mark that indicates that a product has met safety standards for personal care products in Europe.
Lipstick during Pregnancy: If you are breastfeeding or pregnant, do not use any lip color that contains lead or other toxic substances. Some companies use lead to make their lipstick more creamy or glossy, and this ingredient can seep into
Bottom Line: So, what’s the bottom line? Lead may be getting infiltrated into your daily routine. And even if you don’t have children who tend to chew on your makeup, you should still be concerned with the amount of lead in lipstick. It is perhaps one of the reasons why there are so many more organic brands available right now.
Learn more at www.neutriherbs.com
