Say it isn't so, lover!

Why would people say such horrible things about the one I love are beyond me? I was flipping through a magazine last week and I seen it, the horrible accusations. There it read in bold print, "Is the Make-up You Are Wearing Bad for You?" I read on and asked myself "Is make-up safe?" Thankfully the answer is a resounding YES, well for the most part it is. Serious problems from make-up are rare, but sometimes problems can happen.

The most common make-up related injury is from scratching the eye with a mascara wand. Eye infections can result if these scratches go untreated. Infections can lead to ulcers on the cornea, loss of lashes, or even blindness. Play it safe and never try to apply mascara while riding in a car, bus, train, or plane.

Sharing make-up can also lead to serious problems. Cosmetic brushes and sponges pick up a lot of bacteria from the skin. If you moisten brushes with saliva, the problem can be much worse. Washing your hands before using make-up will help prevent this problem.

Sleeping while wearing eye make-up can cause some problems. If a little bit of mascara flakes into your eyes while you sleep, you might wake up with itching, bloodshot eyes, infections, or eye scratches. So, remove all make-up before going to bed just to be safe.

Cosmetic products that come in aerosol containers also can be a real hazard. For example, it is dangerous to use aerosol hairspray near heat, fire, or while smoking. Aerosol hairspray is EXTREMELY flammable and until hairspray is fully dry, it can catch on fire and cause serious burns. Fires related to hairsprays have caused injuries and even death. Aerosol sprays or powders can also lead to lung damage if they are deeply inhaled into the lungs.

How can I protect myself against the dangers of cosmetics?

• Never drive and put on make-up at the same time. Not only are you not paying attention to the road and are a danger to everyone else on the road, hitting a bump and scratching your eyeball can cause a very serious eye injury.

• Never share make-up with anyone else. Insist that the salesperson clean the container openings with alcohol before applying to your skin.

• Keep make-up containers closed tightly when not in use.

• Keep make-up out of the sun and heat which can kill the preservatives that help to fight bacteria. Don't keep cosmetics in a hot car for a long time, either.

• Don't use cosmetics if you have an eye infection, such as pinkeye. Throw away any make-up you were using when you were first diagnosed.

• Never add liquid to a product unless the label tells you to do so.

• Throw away any make-up if the color changes or it starts to smell.

• Never use aerosol sprays near heat or while smoking. They can catch on fire.

• Don't deeply inhale hairsprays or powders. This can cause lung damage.

• Avoid color additives that are not approved for use in the eye area, such as "permanent" eyelash tints.