TLC IN A COLUMN - April 07

Interesting stuff in the media at the moment about how global warming is less down to our CO2 emissions & more down to sunspots ………however, gas & oil will not last forever, & certainly CO2 emissions are not a healthy way to live, …..so stick with your recycling, conscious thinking & other great intentions…

…….anyway, talking of great intentions, I did promise you:

LOVE THE SKIN YOU'RE IN….PART 1

Skin, skin it's a beautiful thing,

It's made to keep your insides in.

Skin has many functions other than keeping us all in, it protects against bumps, bruises, bacteria, & is part of our integral cooling system…….however, it is not impermeable, & absorbs about 60% of what we slap on to it, which is why it is estimated that

the average woman absorbs about 2 kg of chemicals through her skin each year.

The average adult uses 9 personal care products daily, exposing themselves to a potentially toxic cocktail of 126 chemicals.

89% of the 10, 500 ingredients used in personal care products have NOT been evaluated for safety. SHOCKING!

So what do you put on your skin & into your body?

If you don't check your labels, you will never know.
So just as I recommend checking the labels on your food, so the same should apply to skin health & beauty products, soaps & other toiletries. After all you wouldn't drink a juice that was preserved with a petroleum derived paraben….would you?

Many ingredients such as : DEA, MEA, TEA., Petrolatum, Sodium lauryl/laureth sulphate (SLS), Methyl, propyl, butyl & ethyl parabens, Padimate-O or octyl dimethyl. PABA found in sunscr eens (which ironically may cause skin cancer), talc, petroleum based fragrance, Mineral oil, Aluminium*, Propylene glycol, Formaldehyde, can cause health problems like :

-allergic reactions

-eye irritation

-dry hair & skin

-can be carcinogenic

-accelerate sunburn

-strip natural oils from the skin, causing chapping, dryness, premature aging. permanent damage to eyes, especially with children, skin rashes, hair loss, flaking skin & mouth ulceration.

-Headaches

-Dizziness

-respiratory problems

-vomiting

-genetic damage

-implicated in Alzheimer's disease *

When some of these chemicals are mixed with others to create an unhealthy cocktail, they can worsen the reactions. Some of these ingredients require full protective safety wear & full breathing apparatus before handling!

Some common items to check are:

Shampoos, conditioners, sun creams, toothpaste, deodorant, soaps, beauty creams, medical creams, baby wipes, eye make up remover, perfume, aftershave, shaving cream, make-up, tissues with balm…….the list goes on!

And be careful about products that call themselves natural…..legally a manufacturer only needs to put 1% of something in a product to be allowed to label it natural.

Of course, even natural isn't always safe, because as individuals we all have the risk of having a reaction to something. This is why I always research any products to ensure they are 100% natural, increasingly more organic & as safe as possible for you, your family & your planet!

If you want more specific details please check out: http://www.tlcinabottle.co.uk/toxic.html & while you're there, why not check out the extensive range of loving gorgeousness available.

Next month, love the skin you're in, part 2……more tips on how to love your skin, so you can buff up & look your best this coming summer!

Have fun, be well,

Nicolle Mitchell I.T.E.C., EMBODY, A.C. Registered

Holistic Health Therapist & Practice Manager

THE LITTLE MASSAGE CLINIC

THE PENVENTON HOTEL & HALF MOON SALON

TEL: 01209 203230 OR 711686

Email: nicolle@tlcinabottle.co.uk

DISCLAIMER: we do not diagnose or guarantee cures. We aim to help people make informed choices about their health. Any changes in lifestyle, diet, medication, supplementation or remedies, should be taken with your GP's or health professional's support.