Cosmetics could increase health risks

Scientists have raised the alarm over the dangers cosmetic products pose to health. According to findings of a North Western study, complaints made against beauty goods more than doubled from 2015 to 2016, with hair care products topping the list.

However, these notices go largely without consequence because the United States, U.S, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not require the products to be pre-approved before they are released to consumers.

Experts are warning these vastly unregulated products can lead to serious injury, disability and even death for customers.

The report was issued by Northwestern UniversitySchool of Medicine in Evanston, Illinois in the U.S. According to the university, there was more than 5,000 events reported to the FDA from 2004 to 2016, with 1,591 incidents reported in 2016 alone. Researchers said cosmetic manufacturers aren’t required to notify the FDA of the adverse health concerns, meaning consumers are largely unaware of the dangers certain products can cause.

A resident physician in dermatology at the university, Dr. Steve Xu, said: “The FDA has much less authority to recall cosmetics from the market in stark contrast to drugs or medical devices.

“It’s harder for the FDA to get harmful cosmetics off the shelves. This is really a wakeup call. “The point of the paper is to broaden the awareness of this database and the need for everyone to participate in reporting adverse events from cosmetics.”

The study found the largest number of complaints came from hair care products, skincare products or tattoos.

Dr. Xu is most concerned with the way cosmetic companies are marketing their products, claiming to have ‘drug-like’ results but skirt around FDA approvals by labeling the product as a cosmetic.

He added: “Although not explicitly studied, this cosmetic product class is becoming a growing problem.

At the very best, these products are making unsubstantiated marketing claims for products that may or may not work