Beauty parlour stroke syndrome can arise from overstretching of the neck in various contexts, including dental settings, chiropractic treatments, and certain yoga poses.
The terms "beauty parlour/centre/shop" and "beauty salon" are used interchangeably, but are of British and French origins respectively, and have minor differences in meaning. To most people, a beauty parlour or salon is an establishment that provides cosmetic and grooming services to enhance personal appearance, such as haircuts, hair colouring, styling, perms, manicures, pedicures, threading, waxing, facials, and makeup application, and may have a cosmetic studio with comprehensive beauty treatments, a tattoo studio, and a cosmetics and fashion retail shop.
BEAUTY PARLOUR STROKE SYNDROME:
Dr. Michael Weintraub coined this term in 1993, in an article published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, after he studied five women who developed vertigo and stroke-like neurological symptoms after their shampoo sessions at hair salons. It is caused by excessive straightening (hyperextension) of the neck, compressing the blood vessels (vertebral arteries) that supply the lower part of the brain, thereby depriving it of blood supply. The brain is metabolically very active, requiring a huge amount of energy, making it extremely sensitive to a lack of oxygen and blood flow. An interruption of blood flow to the brain for over 10 seconds can cause unconsciousness, and after a few minutes, permanent brain damage. This is why a stroke has to be treated within minutes to avoid permanent damage.
Employees of beauty salons, barbers, and hairdressers should be educated about this syndrome during vocational training, so that they do not overextend the client's neck. This syndrome can arise from overstretching of the neck in various contexts, including dental settings, chiropractic treatments, and certain yoga poses.
HIDDEN HEALTH RISKS IN TATTOOS AND NEEDLES:
Cosmetic tattoos done in beauty clinics and parlours may offer cosmetic tattooing, such as “Microblading” for eyebrows, creating a natural-looking, permanent makeup effect, “Lip Blushing” to enhance the colour and definition of lips, and Permanent Makeup. Both traditional and cosmetic tattoos need certain safety precautions.
The artist or cosmetologist should wear disposable gloves and use sterilized equipment and new, sealed needles for each client. Health hazards of tattoos include skin infections from contaminated equipment, allergic reactions to ink, blood-borne diseases like hepatitis B and HIV from unsterilized needles, and long-term issues such as granulomas, keloids, or new or worsening pre-existing skin conditions. Tattoo inks with metallic components may cause burning or swelling during MRI scans. The body's immune response to tattoo ink increases the risk of developing lymphoma cancer. People with tattoos may also encounter negative societal associations, social stigma, discrimination in employment, and get stressed regretting past choices.
HAZARDOUS SYNTHETIC COSMETICS:
Many hazardous chemicals, like dibutyl phthalate (DBP), toluene, formaldehyde, lye (sodium hydroxide), ammonia, and coal tar, found in cosmetics and cosmetology treatments such as hair colouring, straightening, perms, relaxers, keratin treatments, Brazilian blowouts, and nail treatments, pose adverse health risks.
The toxic trio of formaldehyde, toluene, and DBP is commonly found in cosmetics, especially nail polish, nail glue, nail polish removers, hair straightening products, and hair dyes. These affect the skin and rapidly mix with the air to affect the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs of stylists and clients. Reported problems include skin irritation, nosebleeds, burning eyes and throat, watery eyes, runny nose, loss of sense of smell, headaches, fatigue, coughing, chest pain, shortness of breath, wheezing, and asthma attacks.
Repeated exposure to UV light from gel manicures may lead to respiratory issues, liver damage, and an increased risk of skin cancer. Formaldehyde is a common ingredient in Brazilian blowouts, Cadiveu, and Keratin Complete Smoothing Therapies. Formaldehyde has been linked to nasal and lung cancer, with possible links to brain cancer and leukaemia. Toluene inhalation during pregnancy has led to intrauterine growth retardation, premature delivery, congenital malformations, and postnatal developmental retardation. DBP causes reproductive issues during pregnancy and has been banned by the European Union. These chemicals affect fertility (premature ovarian failure) and increase the risk of pregnancy disorders, premature births, and birth defects. More than 9,000 chemicals are found in cosmetic products. Many of these cause allergies and adverse health effects.
OTHER COMMON BEAUTY PRODUCTS:
Bindis, fragrances (Perfumes, body mists, deodorants), makeup (face powder or compact, foundation, lipstick, mascara, and eye shadow), skincare (Cleansers, moisturizers, sunscreens, and serums), and haircare (Shampoos, conditioners, hair dyes, hair oils) items containing synthetic chemicals can carry risks.
Wearing sticker bindis can cause allergic contact dermatitis and contact leukoderma due to chemicals in the adhesive, such as para-tertiary butyl phenol (PTBP). Hazards in face powder include asbestos contamination in talc-based powders, which can cause lung diseases and cancer if inhaled, and the potential for inhaling loose powders, which can lead to lung irritation or injury. Other risks involve skin irritation from various ingredients, and the presence of toxic heavy metals like lead, mercury, arsenic, and cadmium in some products, which can be absorbed through the skin and lead to long-term health problems.
Lipstick hazards include exposure to heavy metals like lead and cadmium, which can accumulate in the body and cause neurotoxicity, kidney damage, and fertility issues. Other dangers involve carcinogens like coal tar dyes, hormonal-disrupting parabens, allergic reactions, and skin irritation. These risks are heightened by the unintentional ingestion and absorption of lipstick chemicals through the mouth, leading to long-term health problems.
Hazards of eye eyeliner include bacterial contamination from old or dirty products, which can cause infections like styes and conjunctivitis. Chemical risks arise from toxins like lead and cadmium, leading to systemic poisoning and eye damage. Application issues like drawing on the waterline can block Meibomian glands, causing dry eyes, while using dirty applicators or application in unsteady environments can lead to corneal abrasions or infections. The deep black colour in traditional “Kajal” or kohl is from galena or kohl stone (lead sulphide—a probable carcinogen).
“Kajal” can be safely made at home with soot from a ghee or oil “diya” (lamp) and mixed with natural oil. Modern “Kajal” contains colorants like Carbon Black with emollients and waxes (synthetic wax, hydrogenated oils, candelilla wax, and carnauba wax). Hazards from mascara include eye infections, irritation, allergic reactions, chemical or biological irritants, and potential contamination with heavy metals like lead, or bacteria and fungi.
Nail polish can cause brittle, discoloured, or cracked nails by drying them out, which can lead to bacterial infections. Nail polish contains toluene, phthalates, discussed earlier. Nail polish remover is acetone, and fingernail glue remover is Acetonitrile or methyl cyanide. These organic solvent vapours cause headaches, dizziness, breathing problems, nausea, vomiting, and eyes, skin, nose, and throat irritation.
Common hazards with skin care products are skin irritation and allergic reactions from certain ingredients like fragrances and parabens, clogged skin pores from heavy, occlusive ingredients like petroleum jelly, acne breakouts, and increased risk of food allergies from early and frequent use, premature aging from long wear, and a serious fire hazard with paraffin-based products. Synthetic fragrances, phthalates, parabens, and formaldehyde in cleansers, toners, and perfumes pose hazards, including skin irritation, allergic reactions, respiratory problems, migraines, and potential long-term issues like hormonal disruption and cancer. These toxins, heavy metals, and carcinogens may be present in face foundation. Dermatologists prescribe safer cosmeceuticals.
Shampoos and hair oils may contain harmful ingredients like sulphates, which cause dryness and irritation, parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, hormone disrupters like Triclosan, carcinogens like benzene and coal tar, and synthetic fragrances and dyes. Ingredients like silicones (e.g., Dimethicone) can lead to scalp buildup (accumulation of dead skin cells, natural oils (sebum), dirt, and hair product residue on the scalp and hair), while coal tar is linked to certain cancers, and Triclosan is a known hormone disruptor. Scalp buildup appears as flaky or greasy residue, causing itchiness, a dull or heavy hair feel, and can clog hair follicles.
COSMETICS SAFETY REGULATIONS:
Surprisingly, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not have the authority to demand safety data from cosmetics manufacturers, and it is not legally responsible for cosmetic product or ingredient safety. U.S. cosmetic companies are not required to register their product or ingredients with the FDA. The FDA cannot recall harmful cosmetic products. Instead, the manufacturer is legally responsible for correct labelling, using safe ingredients, and product recall.
The European Union (EU) mandates premarket safety testing and cosmetology product and ingredient registration. The EU has banned 1,328 chemicals used in cosmetics and does not permit animal testing for cosmetics. As numerous imported cosmetics are used in India, salon owners, stylists, and customers should be alert and carefully read product labels and the Safety Data Sheet (SDS).
Dr. P.S.Venkatesh Rao is a Consultant Surgeon, Former Faculty CMC (Vellore), AIIMS (New Delhi), and a polymath in Bengaluru.
