Published on January 13th, 2023
Today, skin and hair care has become quite sophisticated because consumers are more aware now than ever.
Moreover, the skincare market sees exponential growth year on year because people are getting educated about the benefits of an extensive skincare routine.
Additionally, the pollution levels are alarming, which adversely affects the pores in the skin. Due to this, many people are reporting chronic skin diseases that leave an indelible mark.
Now, understanding the benefits of skincare or haircare is one thing, but implementing a proper routine is a totally different ball game.
People have different skin and hair types, meaning not all products will work wondrously for them. Therefore, it has become important to consult a dermatologist and take a few tests to determine the suitable ingredients that your skin can handle.
Additionally, there are several chemically active substances used in popular products that hamper skin health immensely. No matter the skin type, one should stay away from such substances because they can cause long-term damage.
One such substance is paraben. Face wash, Shampoo and conditioner are an indispensable part of any skin and hair care routine, and paraben-free shampoo, hair conditioner and face wash are gaining popularity because people realize the damage it can cause them. In this article, we will discuss paraben and try to provide as much information as possible.
What Are Parabens?
So, parabens are basically esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid that are used predominantly for preservation purposes.
Parabens are popularly used in the food industry, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. Industries have found paraben to be highly efficient, thereby leading to its heavy use.
Parabens are of four types, methyl, ethyl, propyl, and butyl. Ideally, the industry practice suggests that parabens are used in combination for maximum efficiency.
The unchecked proliferation of paraben across industries came under a scanner in the 1960s when the dire effects of paraben on the human body came to light.
This led to the industry’s adaptation to the restrictive use of parabens. However, it still took almost four decades to spread the information about paraben and make people more aware.
Today, as people understand the adverse effects of paraben on the skin, the use of paraben as a preservative in skincare products sees a sharp decline. In contrast, paraben-free products are enjoying the love of the crowd.
Effects Of Parabens On The Human Body
Paraben-free products have become popular because parabens are known to cause chronic diseases in humans.
Parabens can lead to life-threatening diseases like breast cancer when used in large concentrations over a sustained period. In men, parabens reduce the reproductive hormones leading to impotency.
The chemical structure of paraben faintly resembles the female hormones, particularly Estrogen. This alters the hormonal physiology and increases the risk of breast cancer which is known to be caused due to excessive Estrogen.
A popular study of 2004 sparked concerns worldwide regarding the effects of parabens on the human body when parabens were discovered in the tumor of breast cancer patients.
However, the study is only speculative in nature, and there is no clear indication of the role of parabens in breast cancer. Other than terminal diseases, parabens also cause allergic reactions in humans.
People with sensitive skin are known to develop serious conditions on coming in contact with parabens. As discussed earlier, parabens have a serious effect on the reproductive health of humans.
We know that parabens can mimic Estrogen, which disrupts the hormonal cycle in women and decreases the chances of conception. Similarly, a study conducted on male rats indicated that prolonged exposure to parabens could decrease testosterone levels. Lastly, parabens have been linked to abnormal births too.
Environmental Effects Of Parabens
Not just the human body, as discussed above, parabens are also harmful to our environment because they disrupt the ecological setup. When you use paraben-containing products and wash them off, they get mixed with the drainage system and enter the nearby water streams.
Sometimes there are leakages in the water disposal system too, which causes the sifting of paraben-polluted water to the nearby fields, thereby causing permanent damage to the crops.
Synthetic substances like parabens take years to decompose, which leads to accumulation over time. This leads to land pollution. Moreover, animals are at direct risk of paraben contact because they are exposed to the polluted ecosystem.
A study of marine animals shows that they have been worst affected by paraben. The paraben-induced water that is released into the water bodies completely destroys the marine ecosystem leading to the death of thousands of marine animals.
Conclusion
In this article, we were on a mission to inform you about the damage that parabens cause to the human body as well as the environment. If you want to lead a healthy lifestyle, you must switch to paraben-free products.
Image Source: unsplash.com
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