With the development of society and the improvement of people’s standard of living, cosmetics have become more and more diverse due to refinement, and the number of people using them has increased. With this, cosmetic dermatoses have become more frequent and prominent, and are becoming a topic of increasing concern. Understanding the types of cosmetics and cosmetic dermatoses can help us to understand and prevent cosmetic dermatoses.
1.The types of cosmetics
Substances that cleanse, protect, beautify and change the odor of the skin are all cosmetics.
They include: soap, shampoo, bath, hair dye, perfume, eye shadow, lipstick, toothpaste, deodorant, whitening agent, spot remover, sunscreen, lip tattoo, eyebrow tattoo, hair transplant, etc.
Common cosmetic allergens include fragrances, p-phenylenediamine, preservatives, pigments, emulsifiers, sunscreens, antioxidants, antibacterial agents, etc.
2.Types of cosmetic skin diseases
①Cosmetic irritant contact dermatitis
It often occurs rapidly after contact, without individual differences, with lesions confined to the contact area, with clear boundaries and a distinct painful or burning sensation. The rash is characterized by erythema, edema, blistering, and vesicles.
②Cosmetic allergic dermatitis
Cosmetic allergic contact dermatitis is what we usually call “cosmetic allergy”. This type of dermatitis varies significantly among individuals and occurs only in those who are allergic to one or more components of cosmetics and require a period of sensitization before the rash occurs. It is characterized by erythema, papules, blisters, oozing, and itching. It often occurs at the site of contact, but can also appear as a generalized lesion due to the absorption of local sensitizers or degenerative necrotic material.
(3) Pigmented cosmetic dermatitis
Hideo Nakayama, a Japanese dermatologist, observed a large number of Japanese women with gray-black pigmented spots on the face after using cosmetics, and confirmed that the disease was caused by cosmetics after histopathology and patch testing. The pigmentation spots caused by cosmetics are often neglected because of their slow onset, but they often have a serious impact on facial aesthetics.
④Cosmetic hypopigmentation spots
Some whitening and blemish-removing cosmetics can cause skin hypopigmentation or even loss, which can be easily misdiagnosed as vitiligo or white furunculosis.
⑤ Cosmetic phototoxicity/photosensitivity dermatitis
Some cosmetics contain phototoxic substances or photosensitive plants, which can cause skin erythema, papules, and even blisters and vesicles after contact with the skin and ultraviolet radiation.
(6) Cosmetic acne
Some cosmetics can cause mechanical blockage of the hair follicle opening and the formation of an anaerobic environment within the hair follicle opening, allowing Acinetobacter to multiply, and its lesions are often scattered over the entire face.
(7) Foreign body granuloma
Foreign body reaction caused by lip tattoo, eyebrow tattoo or hair transplant is called lip tattoo granuloma, eyebrow tattoo granuloma and hair transplant granuloma. They are characterized by local itching, erythema and nodules. Since cosmetics are implanted in deeper parts of the skin dermis and even subcutaneous tissue, it is difficult to get rid of them, so it is more difficult to cure.
3.Prevention of cosmetic skin disease
The United States, Japan and certain European countries require cosmetics to label the ingredients. Because China does not yet have the provisions and requirements for the prevention of cosmetic dermatosis brings difficulties. Suspected cosmetic skin disease should immediately stop using all suspected allergic cosmetics, which is a prerequisite for treatment, and at the same time should go to the hospital to seek medical advice and use anti-allergic drugs correctly under the guidance of a doctor. Patch testing is recommended to clarify the allergen and avoid re-exposure.
At present, the cosmetic market has a wide variety of products, and it is difficult to distinguish the good from the bad. Individual unscrupulous businessmen often add prohibited ingredients that are harmful to the skin for the sake of effect, and everyone’s skin texture and constitution are different, and their needs and requirements for cosmetics are also different. It is not terrible to suffer from cosmetic dermatosis. First of all, we should stop using all suspicious cosmetics, then we should identify the source of the disease through the cosmetic dermatosis identification and diagnosis unit, and treat it with medicine under the guidance and advice of a dermatologist, and we will get satisfactory results.