What are the Dangers of Parabens ?
If youò€™ve done any research at all on skincare products, then you may not know what parabens are, but youò€™ve gotten the idea that theyò€™re something to avoid. Natural products usually promote themselves as being paraben free, but many other products contain them.Ò
Parabens are chemical preservatives that are used in a variety of skincare and cosmetic products. They are even used in some foods. Although they do occur naturally in some plants, the parabens that are used commercially are synthetically produced.
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Although the dangers of parabens have not been scientifically proven, they are being called into question. Their presence has been found in breast tumors. Since deodorants may contain parabens, it is possible that there is a link between them ant the cancer. This is believed to be a factor because parabens have been shown to have a possible estrogenic effect which means they respond to your body as though they were the hormone Estrogen. Not only do people fear they may go through the skin and interfere with breast or uterine tissue, but they may have the potential to lead to skin cancer as well.
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In some studies, parabens have shown a positive uterotrophic response in vivo as well as damaged the late stages of spermatogenesis. The parabens bind to estrogen receptors and simulate estrogen. Although the studies have shown to be weakly estrogenic, they have proven to affect birth weight and litter size in animals.
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Contact Dermatitis is another possible reaction to using products that contain parabens. Products that have direct contact with the personò€™s skin have been blamed for this hypersensitive reaction. Intact skin has been shown to not react whereas skin that is already inflamed does. This may be because parabens donò€™t have the ability to cross the healthy skin barrier.
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Since parabens imitate Estrogen, they have also been pointed at as causing weight gain, fluid retention and depression. The abnormal development of male reproductive systems also are a possible threat. Due to the possible dangers, many feel that pregnant women, especially, should not use products that contain parabens.
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Are parabens bad for your body? Itò€™s not a scientifically proven fact at this point. Although some studies have been performed, they havenò€™t been conclusive that the parabens were to blame for negative results. They have been used for a number of years in a variety of products without question. But, there are other alternatives such as grape seed oil, or Vitamins C or E. These ingredients havenò€™t been scientifically proven as preservatives, either. However, they also have been used for years without any problems and they are natural, healthy ingredients.
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Considering the possible dangers of parabens, it is better to take no chance with your skin or with your health. An ingredient that has been linked with a variety of ailments from skin rashes to breast cancer has no place in anyoneò€™s daily skincare. Choose natural, or organic products to guarantee your safety and health and give your skin more promising results at the same time.
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