Dermatologists say parents are putting young children at risk of serious skin conditions by exposing them to toxic beauty products that have been linked to cancer.
Among the worst contenders are nail varnish, perfumes, and bronzer—all of which have been used on children as young as six-months old, a study has found.
These products often contain powerful chemicals—such as parabens, phthalates and synthetic parfums—which can cause allergic reactions and interfere with the body’s natural balance of hormones.
The study, which analysed more than 60 children admitted to Ninewell Hospital in Dundee last year, concluded that children are being exposed to cosmetic products younger than ever before.
Whilst all appointments were for other medical reasons, a third of children were found to have a reaction to a cosmetic product used on their skin.
Dr Sharizan Abdul Ghaffar, senior author of the study and dermatologist at NHS Tayside, and told The Times: ‘We are seeing more cases of allergic contact dermatitis, which is a red itchy and sometimes blistering skin reaction in children attending allergy patch-test clinics.’
‘The study would certainly support the theory that this is due to increasing usage of cosmetic products among children.’
Whilst contact dermatitis, a type of eczema triggered by contact with a particular substance is commonly caused by things like soap and often clears up on its own, allergic contact dermatitis is more serious.
Parents are putting make-up on babies as young as six months old, causing an alarming rise in skin conditions researchers have found
Hundreds of cosmetic products have previously been revealed to contain PFAS, ‘forever chemicals’ and other cancer-causing ingredients
Exposure to an allergen in this case can trigger the immune system to overreact causing a nasty rash that may have to be treated with steroids.
In one shocking case, a one-year-old girl’s beauty routine was laid bare including fake tan, acrylic gel nails—cured using a UV lamp—hair bleach, hair removal products, lipstick and perfume.
Eye-makeup, foundation and lip gloss is also being used on baby boys as young as six-months-old whilst girls are starting to get their hair dyed at just six-years-old.
Now, dermatologists are campaigning for stricter guidelines around cosmetic products, saying it is ‘absolute madness’ that children are being exposed to these toxins from such a young age.
Dr Deirdre Buckley from the British Association of Dermatologists said: ‘There are personal hygiene products that have to be used on very young children — like toothpaste and shampoo — but there is no reason for them to come into deliberate contact with things like make-up, hair dye, perfume and nail polish.’
Responding to the findings which were presented this month at the group’s annual meeting in Glasgow, she added: ‘Gel nails contain chemicals called acrylates and methacrylates, which are causing large numbers of allergic skin reactions in teenagers and young adults.
‘It’s absolute madness to apply them in children.’
Because babies have thinner skin than adults, it absorbs substances more easily, making them more prone to allergic reactions than adults.
More girls were found to have been exposed to cosmetic products—including blush, bronzer, and acrylic nails—and at a far younger age than a decade ago
Breast cancer is the UK’s most common cancer with almost 56,000 cases diagnosed per year
Whilst anti-ageing face creams, manicures and perfume used to be a sign of maturity with young girls longing for the day they would be allowed to wear make-up, girls are now being exposed to these product at a far younger age, Dr Buckley warned.
‘Now, unfortunately dermatologists may have to consider including chemicals from these adult products in their patch tests when investigating contact dermatitis in young children.’
It comes as alarming new research has linked more synthetic chemicals to adverse health conditions, including breast cancer.
Researchers at Breast Cancer UK says that whilst low levels of these products may be safe in isolation, they can trigger the release of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) when used together.
These chemicals interfere with the body’s natural balance of hormones, causing young girls to start their period worryingly early, increasing the risk of breast cancer.
In some cases, girls are starting their period as young as six.
The charity estimates that the average woman is exposed to over 150 potentially harmful chemicals a day as part of their beauty regime.
And with girls being exposed to more and more unnecessary toxins from a far younger age, experts are worried young girls are being put at risk in the pursuit of beauty.
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