Tag Archives: cancer

Who can benefit from vaginal rejuventation

| February 1, 2018

There’s so much more to vaginal rejuvenation than a designer vagina. Gynaecologist Onsy Morris explains how it can benefit women after childbirth, cancer treatments and menopause.   There’s no doubt about it – a woman’s body goes through a lot. And it’s not just the visible bits that suffer from wear and tear. Down below can go through some extraordinary changes too. Childbirth, menopause and simply aging can take their toll on the pelvic floor, vagina and external genitalia. And if you’ve been ill with cancer, certain treatments can really knock those regions around as well. The upshot of all of…

Phthalates, cancer and fertility: should we be concerned about what’s in our skincare?

| March 14, 2017

Phthalates (pronounced THA-lates) are in our cosmetics and are linked to fertility issues, birth defects, cancer, and a raft of other health disorders. But how concerned should we be?  It seems phthalates are almost everywhere. These chemicals are found in a huge array of products, from skin care products, cosmetics and fragrance, to plastic food packaging and PVC (vinyl) flooring and they’ve got people worried. The health scare around phthalates concerns their ability to disrupt hormones, and formally they are referred to as ‘endocrine-disrupting chemicals’. Growth, puberty, reproduction, and the control of nutrients in the body are all regulated by hormones, which…

Chemicals in sunscreens – how safe are they?

| January 12, 2017

Sunscreens play a vital role in our anti-aging regime and against skin cancer but some contain chemicals that are raising alarm bells. Daniel Judd investigates. Sunscreens are a hugely important in skin care. The light from the sun contains rays of invisible, high energy ultraviolet light (UV). When it hits your skin, UV causes all sorts of problems including sunburn, wrinkles and skin cancer. These three things are all a result of UV’s ability to damage your DNA. The UV that damages our skin comes in two varieties; UVA and UVB which penetrate the skin to different depths with the UVB more responsible for…

Phthalates are still used in various cosmetic products. Should we worry?

| January 11, 2017

Phthalates are endocrine disruptors but some are still used in various cosmetic products. Should we be worried? Dr Haran Sivapalan examines the evidence. If you look at the ingredients listed on your favourite products it may well say ‘fragrance.’ If so, there’s a chance that the product may contain phthalates – molecules that are considered to be ‘endocrine disruptors.’ Currently, the EU Cosmetics Directive bans the use of over 1,300 chemicals in cosmetics and, in 2013, three  “phthalates” were added to this list. But there are some that are still used in a variety of products including skincare, perfumes, hair sprays…