Ubiquity, Hazardous Effects, and Risk Assessment of #Fragrances in #Consumer Products

Published online 2021 Jan 23.

Purpose of review

The main aims of #fragrances are to create pleasing scents or to mask unpleasant odors. We hereby review their main exposure sources, presumed benefits, and unwanted effects, with special attention to #allergic contact #dermatitis (prevalence, regulatory environment, risk assessment methodology, and preventive measures).

Recent findings

"Fragrances elicit positive emotions and presumably have therapeutic benefits related to stress reduction and memory enhancement. However, they also cause detrimental health or environmental effects including contact dermatitis (irritant and/or allergic), non-eczematous contact reactions, photosensitivity, photo-allergy, and immediate contact reactions, which can negatively impact the quality of life.

"Fragrances are the most frequent chemicals causing contact dermatitis. Their main sources are #cosmetics, household products, industrial substances, food #flavorings, oral hygiene products, and topical medications. It is difficult for sensitized patients to avoid contact with fragrances, due to their ubiquity and because #manufacturers are not willing to volunteer information regarding fragrance ingredients.

Summary

The treatment of contact dermatitis relies on allergens avoidance which does not “cure” the disease (sensitization persists for life) but prevents disabling illness. The patient should understand that avoiding perfume means to avoid all scented goods and not just perfumes.

Labeling fragrances is key in primary prevention (by giving the healthy individual the chance to make an informed choice to avoid risky substances), diagnosis (by helping the practitioner to plan and interpret patch tests), secondary prevention, and prognosis (by allowing the sensitized patient to follow the avoidance instructions). However, only 26 fragrances are mandatory to be declared in cosmetics. The vague labeling of other fragrance ingredients as “perfume” or “fragrance” hampers the diagnostic and preventive approaches. Therefore, in our opinion, declaration should be mandatory for all fragrance ingredients as well as straightforward so most consumers can understand it. Moreover, legislation should be improved to prevent inappropriately high exposures by forbidding stronger allergens, restricting maximum concentrations in the finished product or fields of application, delivering information regarding the risks to the general public, and controlling the compliance of manufacturers with the regulations. Besides, manufacturers should share information regarding the composition in the final products and provide physicians with samples of all fragrance chemicals whenever needed for patch test investigations."

Read more:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7825391/

#Smellmaxxing #AllergicContactDermatitis #Perfume, #RiskAssessment, #Cosmetics #Proprietary #FDA #SecretativeCorporations

I feel bad for #Tweens and #Teens today. They have it way worse than we did. #Smartphones and #TargetedAdvertising is making #PeerPressure even worse!!! And all those "smells" can't be good for kids -- especially ones with #asthma

What Is #Smellmaxxing—And Why Are Tween and Teen Boys Into It?

Walk into a middle school classroom and you'll know.

"As a mom of three daughters, it came as a surprise to me to learn that it’s not just girls who are spending mega money at #Sephora. Of course, it used to make my jaw drop when one of my teens asked for an $80 Drunk Elephant face serum, but now I’m barely phased by the lineup of pricey products that line their vanities."

By Melissa Willets
Updated on May 23, 2024

How Parents Can Help Teens Feeling the Pressure of 'Smellmaxxing'

"When it comes to any top-dollar trend teens are desperate to get in on, there’s going to be some give and take with parents. I’ll often joke to my kids that if they want to eat too, I can’t buy all of their clothes at Lululemon. A few wardrobe staples are more realistic. The same is true of our Sephora shopping trips. I’ll say 'yes' to a Sol de Janeiro spray, but the Charlotte Tilbury $100 Magic Cream is a 'no.'

"Of course, they are welcome to spend their babysitting or birthday money on whatever they want—but not without my input on whether it’s a good use of their hard-earned cash. After all, in my opinion, they are beautiful just the way they are, without all the expensive #makeup and #skincare.

"Dr. Yip says it’s never too early to talk about family values, which are different for all of us. 'While we might be influenced by other kids, we still have to maintain our family values,' she recommends telling teens.

"Jordan says this trend is a great opportunity to talk with kids about #FinancialLiteracy and #budgeting [and CAPITALISM]. 'Ask, ‘Would you rather save up for months to get one bottle of fancy cologne or spend it on a concert ticket?’ Get them to see the importance of spending money on experiences versus things,' she advises. "

https://www.parents.com/what-is-smellmaxxing-8652448?utm_source=pocket-newtab-en-us

#Capitalism #Crapitalism #Advertising #Materialism