Cosmetics, Beauty Institutes: French Society of Dermatology Alert on the Dangers for Children

Cosmetics, Beauty Institutes: French Society of Dermatology Alert on the Dangers for Children


“There is no “Beauty routine” To recommend in children, despite widely disseminated marketing messages ”, s‘Insurge The French Society of Pediatric Dermatology (SFDP, thematic group of the SFD), while the beauty institutes for young children multiply, as are the pseudo-consultants on the networks, devoid of scientific foundation. “” Apart from dermatological diseases, the child’s skin is a skin that is neither too dry, too fat, nor red, nor wrinkled, and which requires nothing else for its current maintenance than toilet to water with a soft cleaning product, rinsing and drying well, in order to respect the barrier function of the skin ”recalls the SFDP in a press release. And to put the points back on the Risks associated with cosmetics and acts practiced in beauty institutes.

If there is European regulation of cosmetic products, there is no definition of products specifically intended for children. Only certain substances recognized as allergenic or photosensitizing are prohibited in children, but awareness can develop. Cosmetics must therefore be used sparingly in order to limit the occurrence of undesirable effects, or not linked to misuse. “A common sense principle is to avoid applying products that are not necessary”, recommends the SFDP.

Allergic awareness, irritation, photosensitization

As a reminder, the risks linked to cosmetics are allergic awareness, non -allergic irritation and photosensitization. In addition, certain substances applied to the skin, nails or hair can have harmful consequences on other organs (by diffusion through the skin or ingestion). In addition, some ingredients are suspected of being endocrine disruptors. Not to mention the still unknown cocktail effects, when the substances are accumulated.

The SFDP also warns against the name “organic cosmetics”, which is by no means a guarantee of better health security. And against essential oils, not recommended for pregnant children and women due to the presence of potentially neurotoxic or toxic substances for the fetus or the embryo. “” It should be remembered that so -called products “Natural” or “From plants” or “Without additives or preservatives” are not synonymous with “safe” », lit-on.

Last alert: SFDP stresses that the aesthetic acts practiced in beauty institutes are not without risk. And cite the hair straightening products, the subject of alerts from the National Food, Environment and Work Safety Agency (ANSES) and the installation of artificial nails that exposes to a Risk of thermal burn caused by cyanoacrylate glues.

The learned society finally questions the psychological consequences of these practices on the development of self -image in children. “Eroticization is thus trivialized in a worrying way”, she considers.

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