The first National Register of Adverse Effects from Cosmetic Products 2008-2010, maintained by the Department of Environmental Immunology at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, has found that permanent hair dye gives the most serious reactions, but that there are many reactions to facial and body moisturisers, cleansers and sunscreens.
The Register gives a useful overview of the type of products that cause reactions, the types of reactions and who is experiencing the adverse reactions. Researcher Berit Granum at the Division of Environmental Medicine at the Institute says that this will enable warnings to be given against the use of certain products. During the first two years the Register received 96 notifications of adverse reactions, of which the most severe were to oxidative hair dye, and included blistering, eczema, redness, swelling, itching of the scalp, face and throat. The most frequently reported adverse reactions were to moisturisers, with symptoms varying from the mild to the severe, with eczema, rash, blistering and itch lasting for several weeks.
Cosmetic products are not only make up and perfume – they include all products which are applied to external parts of the body such as teeth, skin and mucous membranes. These products are intended to clean, prevent body odour, perfume, protect preserve or affect the appearance.
Source: Norwegian Institute of Public Health
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