While we smear our face with cream, apply deodorant, do we ever think about the dark side of cosmetic products?
Does it really exist, that is, how much can all those preparations that we apply can harm the skin and are we aware of it?
Dermatologist Dr. Svetlana Vučeković told "Vijesti" that the most sensitive areas in this sense are under the armpits and on the groin, because the skin is thin, abundant with sebaceous glands and hair.
"The mentioned regions are the most susceptible to reactions to cosmetic products because antiperspirant preparations, unpleasant odors, and hair removal are applied in these regions," says Dr. Vučeković.
He states that particularly sensitive people prone to allergic reactions experience redness, slight swelling, itching, burning, and sometimes even fever.
"The explanation for such reactions is that all cosmetic products contain the so-called parabens - chemical compounds that are added to the preparation in order to stabilize it, i.e. preserve it and give the preparation the desired function", she says.
He notes that the most common reactions are around the eyes, on the neck, under the armpits and in the groin.
"Of course, you should always check whether the preparation is within the expiration date, who the manufacturer is, whether it has been dermatologically tested and whether it contains any detergents," advises Dr. Vučeković.
He says that people with hypersensitive skin should always test the effect before using the product, i.e. a reaction on the inside of the elbow pit or on the side of the neck, and when it comes to waxing, there are also rules that should be followed, because not every person is equally resistant to the aforementioned treatment.
"The most common reactions that appear after depilation, and in particularly sensitive people, are: redness, small papules - red nodules, sometimes purulent pimples, burning, itching, abrasions, burns, etc.," says Dr. Vučeković.
It recommends that, if such a reaction occurs, you should always contact a dermatologist in time to start adequate therapy.
"It is by no means recommended to apply preparations that someone has advised you are good, that they help," says Dr. Vučeković.
She notices that lately patients who have irritation around the eyes and axillary i.e. under the armpits have been coming to her office most often.
"From the anamnesis, we get the information that they used anti-wrinkle, shadows, mascara, stick against unpleasant odors and sweating. It is very rare that patients come forward immediately after the appearance of irritation. They usually do it when it starts to itch, sting, when a lot of redness appears - which is noticeable," says Dr. Vučeković.
She thinks it is interesting that patients usually state that it is impossible that the reaction occurred to a cosmetic product, because they have been using it for a long time, that they have not changed the preparation and that it is impossible that the reaction occurred to something that they have been using for a long time.
"My opinion is that the skin sometimes becomes oversaturated, it can't always react positively, even the more an ingredient from a given product starts to bother it. Very often, the body is under stress," concludes Dr. Vučeković.
Bonus video:
