A woman’s fascination with shopping is often joked about. It is indeed true that the fairer sex has a greater affinity for pretty clothes, matching accessories, dainty jewels, and more. This seemingly insatiable appetite for products also carries with it an emotional weight.
Women often purchase stuff on behalf of their family members, including spouses, children, colleagues, and even distant relatives. A plethora of retailers and marketers direct their efforts toward this half of the populace.
Many companies would go out of business overnight if women stopped their online and offline buying activities. Among a sea of products competing for their attention, not all are manufactured with a woman’s welfare in mind.
In this article, we will talk about three products that are inherently dangerous for women.
Standard Cosmetics
As per McKinsey & Company, the beauty market accounted for $430 billion in 2022. This market includes companies manufacturing skincare and makeup products. One major area that nearly every woman enjoys splurging is preserving her youthful glow.
While most of these products are effective at what they claim to do, they often come with hidden costs. The ugly side of beauty becomes visible when the chemicals present in cosmetics disrupt normal body functioning.
A woman’s body is hormonally sensitive and engineered nanomaterials in cosmetics like sunscreens create an imbalance. Then there are parabens involved to preserve the product’s shelf life. But they can also affect hormonal balance, fertility, and birth outcomes.
Today, a large number of cosmetic items are available – foundation, concealer, bronzer, highlighter, mascara, lipstick, makeup setting spray, and whatnot. Since the skin is the largest organ and absorbs anything applied to it, choosing chemical-laden products is a gamble.
It is recommended that women invest in high-quality natural and cruelty-free brands even if the product’s shelf life is not that long. Another alternative would be self-made products based on ancient beauty rituals. An example would be using a mix of bentonite clay, chickpea flour, and turmeric powder as body wash.
ParaGard IUD
ParaGard (copper IUD), has long been recognized in the US since 1988 and marketed as an extremely effective contraceptive that can prevent pregnancy for up to 10 years. As its name implies, this device must be placed intrauterine by inserting its catheter through cervical canal and into uterus.
Healthline reports that 70% of nonpregnant women report only mild discomfort during the insertion process.
ParaGard IUD received FDA approval in 1984 and has been widely promoted for being safe and effective since. According to data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 10.4% of women (ages 15-49) use some type of IUD contraception.
However, many have complained in recent years that the device broke upon removal. The manufacturers, Teva Pharmaceuticals and Cooper Surgical have been accused of design defects, misleading marketing tactics, and inadequate labeling. There is an active ParaGard lawsuit, with over 2000 cases awaiting settlements across Federal courts.
Both physicians and patients were kept in the dark regarding the device’s risks. According to TorHoerman Law, the injuries caused by ParaGard defects include excruciating pain, infections due to stuck IUD pieces, perforation of the cervix, and infertility.
Despite being a non-hormonal birth control, ParaGard IUD is not as safe as it was once claimed to be.
Hair Straighteners
Also known as a straightening comb or wand, the hair straightener is a handy tool to straighten the locks through heat application. This device is mostly used by women with frizzy, curly hair to enjoy different hairstyles or manage their tresses better. Likewise, products like hair relaxers help straighten the most stubborn curls.
Sadly, even a tool as innocent as this is harmful to health. A recent study has found that the chemicals used in hair straightening products are closely linked with uterine cancer risk. The study included 33,497 women of different ages (between 35 and 74) and the chances of developing the said cancer were twice as high among frequent users of hair straighteners.
Uterine cancer is also the most common cancer associated with the female reproductive system. There is no specific brand that is to be blamed; the problem is the different dangerous chemicals. These include bisphenol A, formaldehyde, and parabens, among others.
The main reason for concern is the fact that these chemicals are aggressively absorbed into the body through the scalp. The process escalates in case of any lesions or burns due to the hair straightening wand. Women are advised against using hair straighteners.
They may opt for safer alternatives like a hair mask, blow drying cold air, keratin treatments, and Brazilian blowouts. In any case, it’s still best to rock one’s natural hair than endure the tragedy of a life-threatening condition.
Wrapping Up
As of 2023, more and more women are supporting sustainable beauty. Emerging brands are focused on reducing waste, using natural ingredients, and taking a holistic approach to personal care. Even in matters of sexual wellness and pregnancy, women are educating themselves on safer alternatives.
Major retailers like Amazon and Sephora are leading the trend by helping women buyers identify sustainable options. With combined efforts from the government, retailers, and consumers, women should soon have a safe product pool to choose from.
