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Problem: I'm pregnant and I'm wondering
whether or not retinyl palmitate, AHAs and BHA, skin lighteners,
and permanent hair dyes are safe to use. My obstetrician
has no opinions and all the pregnancy books I've read
either don't have information on specific ingredients
or say "better safe than sorry" so don't use
any of it. Do you have any thoughts on the safety of these
ingredients?
Solution: I want to stress that it is
always best to consult your doctor on issues such as this
because he or she is the one who is most aware of your
personal health and because it's his or her specific field
of study. However, I understand that it is frustrating
when the doctor you speak to doesn't have an opinion on
something you are worried about. The following information
is only my viewpoint, and although it is based on research,
it is still essential that you review it with your physician.
The reason most obstetricians have little feedback about
what cosmetics to use or not to use is that there is little
to no research about this kind of toxicity issue for cosmetic
ingredients. If it were me, the only thing I would avoid
would be prescription retinoids and maybe products with
retinol (because of its distant relation to retinoids),
but even that's a stretch. Retinyl palmitate (and the
small amounts of it used in cosmetics) is so far removed
from the prescription ingredient in Renova and Retin-A
that it isn't even worth mentioning.
AHAs and BHA have no associated toxicity of any kind
so they are not even theoretically a problem for any related
health issue other than sun exposure and possible skin
irritation. The only possible risk with BHA is that it
is related to aspirin, and some obstetricians may be concerned
about that association and its effect topically. However,
I have seen nothing showing this to be a problem for pregnant
women.
Regarding permanent hair dyes, there is limited information
about cancer of any kind and nothing about birth defects.
I feel there is little to no risk from using hair dyes
of any kind, but if you are concerned, the research that
is available points to level 3 or permanent black hair
dyes. You may want to consider changing to a level 2 dye
and staying away from black shades.
There is some controversy over hydroquinone, but nothing
about fetuses and nothing proven for health risks even
for humans. If anything, the only negative aspects have
been produced in in-vitro studies or in studies where
it is fed to animals. Those who work with hydroquinone
(workers handling and making the stuff) actually have
been shown to have lower incidences of cancer than the
population as a whole (source: Critical Reviews in Toxicology,
May 1999, pages 283–330)!
As many a cosmetic chemist and oncologist has said to
me, I'm far more worried about alcohol consumption, cigarette
smoking, and second-hand cigarette smoke than anything
a woman uses as a cosmetic! The rest is up to you and
your physician.
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