● Chronic toxicity represents cumulative damage to specific organ systems and takes many months or years before the damage is recognized. ● Carcinogenicity , a complex multistage process of abnormal cell growth and differentiation that can lead to cancer. ● Developmental toxicity pertains to adverse toxic effects to the developing embryo or fetus (results from exposure to parent). ● Genetic toxicity (somatic cells) results from damage to DNA (known as mutagenesis). Many salon chemicals are xenobiotics (chemicals foreign to the body), which can cause toxicity by multiple mechanisms. Some compounds are toxic on their own; others must be metabolized (changed chemically within the body) before they cause harm to the body. Many xenobiotics harm specific target organs. Other chemicals damage any tissue with which they come into contact. The target organs affected vary depending on dosage and type of exposure.
The form of a chemical is closely associated with its toxicity. Exposure route is also important in determining toxicity. Some chemicals are highly toxic by one route but not by another, varying due to differences in absorption and distribution throughout the body. Additionally, some chemicals are easily absorbed and others are not. A major factor determining whether a toxicant will damage cells is its degree of lipid solubility. Lipid-soluble chemicals easily penetrate cell membranes
Once toxicants enter the body, they may be stored in the body or distributed throughout the body through the circulatory system . Two types of metabolism (also known as “biotransformation”), called “detoxification” and “bioactivation,” also influence toxicity. In detoxification, a xenobiotic is converted to a less toxic form, but may damage an organ in the process; in bioactivation, a xenobiotic is converted to a more toxic form. The location of the toxic chemicals and the process of metabolism determine where toxicity occurs in the body. Xenobiotics may target organs, blood, or other body tissues, damaging them and affecting their function. The following chart provides several tips for keeping clients and staff safe from chemical exposure in the salon setting : Keep product containers closed so they cannot release vapors into the air you’re breathing. Use covered wastebaskets or garbage cans and avoid mixing waste materials. Empty the waste container frequently.
Keep areas well ventilated and avoid inhaling dangerous fumes. Odors do not indicate degree of safety or danger of a vapor but can help alert you to the existence of a vapor. Hazardous chemicals do not always smell bad. Eating and drinking in the workplace too often leads to the ingestion of salon chemicals. Drinks in cups easily attract dust and powdery substances. Hot liquids will even absorb vapors from the air. Always keep food and drinks away from salon products and wash hands between work periods and breaks. Wearing contact lenses in a salon can be dangerous because vapors collect on the surface of soft contact lenses, which can injure the eye.
Dust masks are unable to protect against vapor molecules, which are many times smaller than dust particles. Some masks can protect against mists. Dust masks lose effectiveness with increased time used, and should be thrown away at the end of the day. Protect the eyes. Many common salon chemicals can cause severe and permanent eye damage. Wear safety glasses and provide them for your client when there is any possibility that a chemical may get in the eyes. Protect your client’s eyes during facial treatments and scalp treatments. Spraying chemicals from aerosol containers produces a fine mist – tiny droplets of the chemical that evaporate into the air and can be inhaled. The longer mists stay in the air, the more likely they are to be hazardous. Pump sprayers produce larger droplets, which cannot be inhaled as easily.
VITAMIN SUPPLEMENTS FOR SKIN, HAIR, AND NAILS
Another way to help protect the skin, hair, and nails is to fortify them from the inside out. Today, taking vitamins or supplements to improve skin, hair, and nails has become very popular. There are many over-the-counter products that boast stronger and healthier skin, hair, and nails. These can be found as both ingestible products and as topical treatments. Many of these products contain varying levels of biotin, a vitamin that is found in small amounts in a variety of foods. Biotin, also known as Vitamin B7 or Vitamin H, is a component of our bodies’ enzymes that metabolizes certain substances like fats and carbohydrates. While we take in this vitamin naturally, it can be difficult to consume the level that is thought to be needed for healthy hair, skin, and nails, and the result is that many people are biotin deficient. This can affect a person’s overall health and is often the result of or associated with pregnancy, long-term tube feeding, malnutrition, and rapid weight loss. Studies have even shown that consuming two or more uncooked egg whites daily for several months can also lead to biotin deficiency. Symptoms of biotin deficiency can include thinning or discolored hair, the presence of a red, scaly rash around the eyes, nose, and mouth, and even in some cases severe depression, hallucinations, listlessness, and tinging in the arms and legs. Some cases of Conclusion Working with the skin, hair, and nails requires careful observation skills and many contact hours with clients in need of cosmetic services. Therefore, knowing and understanding the chemical makeup of the body can help you to identify problems that require product adjustment or even recommendations for
biotin deficiency have also been linked to cigarette smoking. There is currently no laboratory test to determine biotin deficiency, which is diagnosed based on its symptoms. Biotin is also known to treat conditions of the skin, hair, and nails such as hair loss, brittle nails, seborrheic dermatitis (skin rash in infants), diabetes, and mild depression. Preliminary evidence shows that biotin can be effective for treating hair loss when taken orally along with zinc and a topical cream containing the chemical compound clobetasol propionate. In some cases where a diabetic patient has trouble controlling their blood sugar, biotin was shown to be effective in combination with chromium to lower blood sugar, balance good and bad cholesterols, and relieve diabetic nerve pain. In addition, consuming the proper level of biotin has shown positive effects for some people in strengthening fingernails and toenails. For people with brittle nails, taking biotin supplements may increase the thickness of their nails, while also strengthening their hair against breakage. Additional studies are still needed to prove the efficacy of biotin. Biotin can interact with some medication; so, just as with any chemical or medication, always consult with a healthcare professional before using and recommend your clients do the same.
doctor’s care. If you have a concern, be sure to make your client aware and suggest that they seek qualified medical help prior to providing cosmetic services.
Book Code: EFL1024
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