By Constantine Lekendiros
People are weary of artificial ingredients in their foods. The thing is that most people don’t worry about all the artificial ingredients in cosmetics. It is only in recent years that cosmetics have started to carry a full list of ingredients on their packaging.
Making sense of the ingredients can be difficult for the lay person. This is particularly true for colorings, which often go under the guise of numbers rather than names.
In many countries colors in cosmetics are listed as colour index numbers. C.I. numbers are allocated by the Society of Dyers and Colourists. The scheme covers colours used in food, personal care products, cosmetics, household products and fabric dyeing. So, for example you will not normally see tartrazine listed in your lipstick ingredients, but it may be there listed as C.I. 19140. Erythrosine will be listed as C.I. 45430, and so on.
The USA uses a different system: the FD & C colors have been categorized by the American Food & Drink Administration for use in foods, drugs and cosmetics. So in this system tartrazine is FD & C yellow 5, and amaranth is FD & C red 2.
The E Number system is used by the European Community (EC). This is a system of giving code numbers to food additives, some of which are also used in cosmetics and personal care products. This system is also used in some other countries but without the E prefix, so E102 becomes simply colour 102.
All this confusion for the average consumer would not be important, but for the fact that some of these colours are known to cause problems in susceptible individuals. For example, tartrazine (also known as FD & C Yellow 5, CI 1914 and EI02) can cause migraines, itching, rhinitis and agitation in susceptible individuals. Many individuals avoid its use in food, but do not realise how extensively it is used in cosmetics, such as lipstick, and personal care products.
The big worries in terms of colours in cosmetics and personal care products are lipstick, coloured lip balms, lip gloss and lip pencils, because anyone who uses these regularly eats a fair quantity over their life time, but these colours also appear in skin cream, foundation, mascara and so on too. (Remember also that these colours can also be in ‘natural’ cosmetics and skin care products.)
Another worry is that even the ‘experts’ cannot agree on an international ’safe’ list of colours, so that a colour may be allowed in one country, but banned elsewhere. For example, quinoline yellow is allowed within the European Community and in some other countries, but is banned in Japan, Norway and the United States.
As ever, the advice is: keep yourself informed and read the label. Stay informed and make sure you check the ingredients on anything and everything you put on your skin.
For great skin care products go online and get the Lancome Trans Hydrix, the lancome aroma tonic oil as well as the Lancome Impactive and other cosmetics.
Key Tips To Easily Maintain Good Oral Health
By Sybil Carver
There are a number of precautions that can assist anyone with preventing tooth decay and oral diseases.One of the simplest things to do is drink fluoridated water and use a fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride’s protection is like a shield against tooth decay that works at all ages.
To take care of your teeth and gums, you need to thoroughly brush and floss your teeth to reduce dental plaque which can prevent gingivitis; the mildest form of gum disease. Avoiding tobacco products is important because in addition to the general health risks posed by tobacco, smokers have 4 times the risk of developing gum disease compared to non-smokers. Tobacco use in any formcigarette, pipes, and smokeless (spit) tobaccoincreases the risk for gum disease, oral and throat cancers, and oral fungal infection (candidiasis). Spit tobacco containing sugar also increases the risk of tooth decay for good measure.
Heavy use of alcohol is also a risk factor for oral and throat cancers. When used alone, alcohol and tobacco are risk factors for oral cancers, but when used in combination the effects of alcohol and tobacco are even greater. Try to eat wisely. Adults should avoid snacks full of sugars and starches. Limit the number of snacks eaten throughout the day. The recommended five-a-day helping of fiber-rich fruits and vegetables stimulates salivary flow to aid remineralization of tooth surfaces with early stages of tooth decay.
I know it is difficult to do sometimes, but one of the best things you can do to prevent dental problems is to visit the dentist regularly. Dental check-ups can detect early signs of oral health problems and can lead to treatments that will prevent further damage, and in some cases, reverse the problem. Have your teeth professionaly cleaned as well(prophylaxis) as it is important for preventing oral problems, especially when self-care is difficult.
Diabetic patients should work to maintain control of their disease. This will help prevent the complications of diabetes, including an increased risk of gum disease. If you are taking certain medications that produce a dry mouth, you should ask your doctor if there are other drugs that can be substituted. If dry mouth unfortunately cannot be avoided, you can drink plenty of water, chew sugarless gum, and stay clear of tobacco and alcohol.
Before beginning cancer treatment you should have an oral health check-up. Radiation to the head or neck and/or chemotherapy may cause problems for your teeth and gums. Treating existing oral health problems before cancer therapy may help prevent or limit oral complications or tissue damage.
Additional informative on health issues may be found at oral and dental
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Your Network Of Dental Implant Specialists In Seattle
Sedation Dentistry in Honolulu, Hawaii
By Dr. Joanne Le18 Dr. Joanne Le18
Hawaii Family Dentist Honolulu General Dentist
Sedation Dentist in Hawaii Brings No Pain Dentistry Back
Dental fear is more common than you think. This type of fear is actually known by other names like dental anxiety, dental phobia, dentophobia, ordontophobia, and worse still, dentist phobia. Many attribute this fear from childhood experiences with the dentists that unwaveringly led to (imagined and real) pain … and lots of it. Others are simply a product of the more popular notions, or rather misconceptions that when you go to the dentists, they will stick needles into your mouth and pull out all your teeth.
Of course, for many of us who grew up a little more level-headed, we all know that some dentists can really do that - not out of the need to inflict pain to hapless victims; but rather to make sure their patients are orally hygienic and well. Admittedly, the greater populace usually seeks the services of dental professionals only when a tooth needs to be pulled out or some other dire tooth-related emergency.
Nonetheless, it should be noted that with the trend these days, dentists do more than just that.
There are now several cosmetic dentistry clinics that practice the application of dental crowns and porcelain veneers, among many things. Bridgework and teeth whitening are also prevalent. The seeming trend is to make sure that your pearly whites are actually white and whole. But apparently, dentistry as a whole is making sure that people do come into their offices - whether or not there is a dentition-related emergency.
One way of attractive potential clients is through the introduction of sedation dentistry or sleep dentistry. More dentists actually prefer the first term, since the latter one can really be considered as a misnomer. Patients do not actually sleep when dental procedures are done. Some may experience a certain degree of sleepiness, but no more. Patients are sedated of course. However, sedating (contrary to most detractors’ biased opinions) is not done to pacify unwilling patients. It is used to make sure that the procedures go as painless as possible. This is also a way to help the patients get comfortable; which in turn, makes it easier for the dentist to work.
Not all dentists practice sedation dentistry. However, a growing number of cosmetic dentistry offices do.
Sedation is not really an exact art, and often, it is not the dentists who perform the task. Some dentists may require the services of registered nurse with ample background in administrating sedatives. In other cases, an anesthesiologist may be required. A dental technician or assistant are not allowed to administer sedatives. Because people have varying body build and medical conditions, a trained professional must choose and administer what could be given to a patient.
There are actually many types of sedatives used. One hint of advice though for would-be clients of sedation dentistry professionals: it would be advisable to have someone escort you to and from the dentist’s office. The last thing anyone would want is for you to drive home sedated.
Some of the most common types of sedatives are: the use of inhalation analgesia (also known as nitrous oxide or laughing gas); intravenous sedative injections; local and general anesthesia; and oral sedative pills, which by the way is the most commonly used now. For emergency situations, dentists may use intramuscular sedative injections as well.
Dr. Joanne Le is author of this article on Hawaii Best Family Dentist - Dr. Joanne Le.
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