To all you ladies out there, I wish to share with you 5 products that you should stop using immediately. These 5 products are extensively marketed as essentials and are fast becoming a part of daily life but during the research of this blogpost, I was shocked to know that they pose some serious health risks. We will discuss why they are so damaging and how to switch to healthier alternatives which too are easily available and affordable. So without any further delay, let’s get started.
Pubic Hair Removal Creams
The hair removal industry is desperate to make us believe that having pubic hair is unhygienic and gross. In fact, the opposite is true. Gynecologists are unanimous in saying that pubic hair have a major role in preventing urinary tract and sexually transmitted infections. Just how the hair in your nose filter out the dirt and microorganisms, pubic hair down there also trap dirt and harmful bacteria which otherwise could enter the vagina. They have more benefits to offer. All you need to do is keep them clean by washing that area regularly with plain water.
Still, to remove or not to remove pubic hair is a personal choice. Although, using a hair removal cream to do so is a bad idea. Such creams are made up of extremely strong chemicals that they should not kept applied for more than 5 minutes, else it may burn the skin. Dermatologists also warn that such creams darken the skin when you use them regularly. Waxing is not only pricey but also inconvenient. Since the skin down there is much thinner as compared to other body parts, waxing can be extremely painful and may cause severe redness. Yet, if you want to go through it, do visit a professional. Shaving no doubt is fast and cheap but it makes the delicate skin down there prone to cuts through which bacteria can make their way into the bloodstream causing infections. The expensive laser reduction method has its own dangers. Though its long term side effects are still unclear but in short term skin irritation, redness and pigmentation are common.
So is there a safe method which is also affordable? It’s trimming. Just make sure that you use a clean, sharp, small and dedicated pair of scissors. And after using, keep them in a dry place. You can even use a bikini trimmer which comes with a shaving head and two trimming combs to suit your preference. It’s a one time investment and surely worth your precious health.
Kajal Pencil
Kajal pencil finds a place in almost every woman’s grooming kit. Depending on the way you apply kajal, it can give your eyes an intense, smokey or a pretty look. But beauty was not the only reason why applying kajal became a traditional practice. According to ayurveda, kajal keeps the eyes cool, relaxed, improves vision and adds strength to eyes. It’s anti bacterial, improves blood circulation in eye area keeping dark circles and many diseases at bay. But is all this true for the popular maybelline’s kajal pencil as well? Certainly not. They seem to be too frightened to mention the ingredients on the pack. Although, I was able to find it’s ingredient list which now makes sense why they hide it? Applying cyclopentasiloxane based synthetically pigmented kajal close to the delicate area of eyes can irreversibly damage it. Color bar’s kajal is no way better. So called natural brands like himalaya and biotique pull the wool over eyes as they don’t mention the complete ingredient list. Using these instead of traditional ones is like replacing fire extinguisher with kerosine oil. Little wonder why today eye doctors are all against this once considered medicine cosmetic.
So its time you throw this so called kajal away and embrace natural. Ayurvedic kajal pencils like tatsat and farm herbs are two great options. Tatsat kajal is made from the soot extracted from chakshushya herbs like triphala and tulsi with A2 ghee and castor oil as mentioned in sahasrayogam. Farm herbs kajal is another outstanding formulation comprising numerous eye friendly herbs. Lead free, smudge proof without any preservatives, they come in both pencil and stick form. Surely they are priced premiumly but then isn’t it worth your priceless eyes?
Period Pain Killers
To know how much women suffer with painful periods and menstrual cramps is hard to put in words. No wonder, many opt for ibuprofen, diclofenac based pills to wade off the period pain. Sure, it does give relief but not for everyone. In a study, 51 out of 100 women who took these pills still had severe pain after a few hours. Even if it works, its only a quick fix, not a solution. Clearly, they make you dependent. And they are not even natural or safe. Stomach problems, headache, altered taste, nausea and heartburn were some of the common side effects reported by women who regularly consumed these pain killing tablets.
So does that mean you should live with that pain? Absolutely not. You will be relieved to know that after 6 systematic studies, it was concluded that heat therapy really works. Surprisingly, even better than these pain killers. Of course, without any side effects. So, you can opt for natural ingredient based pain relief heat patches. Nua cramp comfort and evereve period pain relief heat patches are two good options in this respect. The good old hot water pack works just fine, although limits your activity. Ayurveda suggests that if one rubs warm castor oil on lower tummy in circular motion relieves pain most effectively. In fact, a teaspoon of castor oil in warm water with rock salt, acts as a natural painkiller. Yogic scriptures mention child pose as potent remedy in mitigating period pain. A normal period is a pain free period.
So, if you often suffer from unbearable menstrual cramps then it might be your body’s signal that you are deficient in iron. Cut the junk and treat your body with iron rich homely food. So the next time its that time of the month, ditch the short cut and take the high road.
Synthetic Underwear
Nylon and spandex underwears are in rage right now. Why not? They fit better and prevent visible panty lines. But it comes with a cost, not just monetarily but health wise. The problem is that synthetic fibres don’t allow the heat and sweat to pass through. Its like wearing a polythene around the most sensitive and delicate area of your body. Obstructing the flow of oxygen, it is a clear invitation to yeast infections. As these fibres don’t have the ability to absorb sweat, once you start sweating beneath spandex, chemical could be released into the skin from the dyes and formaldehyde used on the fabric which causes allergies. A term “spandex allergies” is making the rounds among gynaecs.
So ditch these synthetic fibres and go natural. Research suggests that simply switching to cotton underwears always reduces the risk of intimate health problems by at least 50%. Gynecologists suggest that if you must wear a synthetic underwear occasionally, ensure that you buy the one with cotton lined center. Another key thing to consider when you’re picking underwear is how tight it is. If it’s too tight it can cause friction which will irritate you and may lead to ingrown hairs. So switch to cotton underwears and let your body breathe.
Food Plastic
Do you often drink from a plastic water bottle, eat from a plastic tiffin box or use nylon spatulas while cooking? Sure, its convenient but be alert. Since a woman’s body is hormonally sensitive, the plastic that comes in contact with food can mess with your hormones adversely affecting health. Today, there is wealth of research that considers food plastic, a culprit behind increased cases of pcos, thyroid and heart problems. In 2011, a study found that pregnant women with high levels of bpa in their urine were more likely to have daughters who showed signs of hyperactivity, anxiety, and depression.
Plastic, when it comes in contact with food leaches microplastics into it that disrupt the hormonal balance. Have you noticed how water kept in a plastic bottle for long tastes a bit off? Obviously, one of the common solutions that is intensively promoted is to use a BPA free plastic. But sadly, BPA free plastic bottles have either bps or BPF which too are as dangerous as BPA.
So, throw plastic and switch to metal, glass, mud and ceramic as much as possible. Especially, avoid anything where plastic is coming in contact with heat or is being scratched. Plastic lunch boxes, disposable tea cups, nylon spatulas, plastic wrapped food etc this slow poison is not what you would want to subject your body to.
So friends! These were those 5 women products that I suggest you should throw away. The links to buy healthier alternatives are in the description box. I want to confirm that whatever I have spoken is my honest opinion. No brand has paid me. No doubt, it’s an individual choice what products one wants to use. Still, I believe one should at least be aware of what goes in making these products and what their consequences could be. This was the idea behind making this blogpost. If you found this blogpost helpful and would want me to cover more such women products, please share it with others also.
Bonus Section
Buying toxin free skin care products is another way to keep hormones in balance. Checkout mamaearth’s moisturising daily lotion for babies. Turn that pack and you will find that it has no silicones, edtas, parabens, artificial fragrance or colours. Certified toxin free, dermatologically tested this shea butter and jojoba oil based body lotion is way better than those commercially popular body lotions. It’s a gentle formulation which can be used for babies and adults. It is suitable for all skin types, still a patch test is always advisable.
Buy now!My name is Ranbir Singh, I thank you so much for reading