Tag Archives: FDA

12 FDA-Recommended Makeup Safety Tips

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We recently wrote about the bacterial dangers posed by using old mascara, so we thought it would be a good idea to look at some other important FDA recommended cosmetic safety tips:

  1. If you have any irritation or reaction from your makeup, no matter how small, stop using the product immediately and seek medical attention if necessary.
  2. Don’t try to water down or add anything to your makeup (never use saliva!), it could introduce more bacteria into the container.
  3. Always read the label and follow any directions or expiry dates listed on your products, unless the makeup seems dirty or changes color before the expiry is up, then throw them out.
  4. If you see dust or dirt on the makeup container, wipe it clean before opening. In many cases, if your makeup has been collecting dust it may be safer to toss it and update your collection.
  5. Only use aerosol sprays in well ventilated areas.
  6. Never share your makeup, while it sounds like a fun concept, it introduces another person’s bacteria or potential contagions to your products, and eventually to your skin.
  7. Always wash your hands thoroughly before applying makeup as you are inviting the day’s bacteria into your eyes and on your skin if you don’t.
  8. If you ever have a contagious skin infection or eye infection, be sure to throw away any makeup you used during that time and restock.
  9. Don’t store makeup in places that reach temperatures above 85°F, or they may spoil quicker.
  10. Never use hair dye on your eyelashes or eyebrows, there is no FDA regulated dyes or tints approved for use around the sensitive eye area yet.
  11. Only apply mascara or eyeliner in a safe area, never while on a moving vehicle as one tiny scratch with the wand could lead to eye damage or infection.
  12. Try to use clean brushes every time and not contaminate your makeup with dirty tools or fingers.

Those With Sensitivities Should Take More Precautions

If you have allergies or sensitive skin, use extra caution with makeup, as the FDA does not test or regulate cosmetics that are sold (but it does collect data on reactions and problems and suggest label adjustments). Some common makeup ingredients that could be bothersome to those with sensitive skin include: propylene glycol, parabens, and preservatives like phenoxyethanol, formaldehyde and hydantoin. It may be a good idea for those with allergies to opt for makeup with more pronounceable ingredients, such as certain organic brands.

So, best to practice caution than to wind up being sorry! Thanks for visiting DocChat, remember, our board certified physicians are standing by 24/7/365 to help you with any health-related inquiries!

Dietary Supplements – Under The Microscope

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Over half of Americans take some kind of vitamin or mineral supplement daily. While vitamin supplements can be a puzzle piece to a healthy lifestyle especially if someone has a deficiency, they can also cause significant complications when taken in excess, in combination with other supplements or medications, or in the presence of certain conditions. Not only that, but dietary supplements aren’t regulated by the FDA the same as medications, so some of them contain unwanted filler ingredients that aren’t even required to be listed on the bottle.

What Are Dietary Supplements?

Dietary supplements are natural or synthetic reproductions of dietary components such as vitamins, minerals, herbs, or amino acids in pill form. They are intended to supplement micronutrients in your diet. Many supplements have extra “inactive” ingredients and make label claims to help or “cure” certain health conditions.

Potential Health Perks of Vitamin and Mineral Supplements

Micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) are essential to sustain good health, but you can generally gather the variety and amounts you need from eating a healthy, diverse diet. Unfortunately, too many Americans have poor diets, consuming ‘junk food’ or empty calories in place of vitamin and mineral rich foods like fresh produce. In these cases, supplements may help somewhat with diet-related micronutrient shortfalls, but won’t take the place of consuming them organically through diet.

Who Can Best Benefit From Supplements?

Some people have micronutrient deficiencies such as low iron or low magnesium. In these cases, the person may have trouble metabolizing the deficient vitamin or mineral through diet and may need the right dietary supplement to help replenish the deficit. Others who may benefit by (doctor-guided) consumption of supplements would be pregnant women (some take folic acid, or need extra iron or calcium) or senior citizens who may not get all their required nutrients from diet or may have deficiencies.

Supplements Come With Potential Risks

According to the FDA of the risks of dietary supplements include:

  • Overdosing: taking too much of a vitamin or mineral you don’t need (already have plenty of) can cause toxicity, causing problems with the kidneys or stomach, just to name a couple. It can be quite dangerous in some cases.
  • Drug interactions: many supplements can interact adversely with certain medications to cause illness. For example John’s Wort can interfere with the effectiveness of anti-depressants, blood pressure medication and birth control.
  • Combining unsafe supplements: similarly to interacting with medications, supplements can also interact with other supplements to cause adverse effects.
  • Substituting supplements for actual medications: Supplements are not It is dangerous to stop taking doctor prescribed medications and start self-medicating with supplements. This can lead to illness, progression of your illness or even death. It is important to consult a doctor before making any changes to your medical treatment.

aside from iron, the FDA doesn’t require supplements to harbour warnings about interactions or potential health risks like medications have to. So unless you actually show your doctor the bottle you’ve purchased, you can’t be sure what it contains.

Supplements Aren’t Well Regulated

According to Consumer Reports between 2009-2012 there were reports of 115 deaths and over 2100 hospitalizations linked to the use of dietary supplements. This is largely due to the fact that supplements aren’t as closely regulated as medications are. Supplement producers don’t have as stringent label restrictions and regulations either. Some more dangerous supplements out there actually contain drugs such as Viagra or synthetic steroids, despite the fact they market “herbal” or “dietary” products. This is dangerous because many patients have conditions or are taking medications that may react with these added drug ingredients.

Do Your Research!

  1. Is the supplement safe and effective?
  2. Is it good quality? Does it contain extra, potentially unwanted or problematic ingredients?
  3. Is the dosage appropriate for your circumstances?
  4. Be sure to ask a doctor before starting any supplements as they can interact with medications.

Thanks for visiting DocChat! Check out our posts on: Vitamin D, Vitamin B12 and Magnesium, and keep an eye out for more to come!