In my clinical work I have a deep experience that the spectrum of diseases is very different compared to a decade ago, and there are more and more skin diseases caused by cosmetics. Human beings have a long history of applying cosmetics, and with the development of society and the improvement of people’s living standards, cosmetics are becoming more and more diverse due to refinement, and the number of people applying them is increasing. 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 skin diseases can help us to understand and prevent cosmetic skin diseases.
I. Types of cosmetics
1, with skin cleaning, protection, beautification, change the body surface odor of the substance are cosmetics.
2, specifically including: soap, shampoo, bath, hair dye, perfume, eye shadow, lipstick, toothpaste, deodorant, whitening agent, spot remover, sunscreen, lip tattoo, eyebrow tattoo agent, hair transplant, etc..
3. Common cosmetic allergens include fragrances, p-phenylenediamine, preservatives, pigments, emulsifiers, sunscreens, antioxidants, antibacterial agents, etc.
2. Types of skin diseases caused by cosmetics
1.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 manifests as erythema, edema, blistering, and vesicles. Most patients in this category often use poor quality cosmetics.
2, allergic contact dermatitis
Cosmetic allergic contact dermatitis is what we usually call “cosmetic allergy”. This type of dermatitis has significant individual differences and occurs only in those who are allergic to one or more components of cosmetics and require a period of sensitization before a rash occurs. It is characterized by erythema, papules, blisters, oozing, and itching. It often occurs at the site of contact, but can also develop generalized lesions due to local absorption of the sensitizing or degenerative necrotic material. This type of patient is the most common in dermatology and occurs throughout the year.
3. Pigmented cosmetic dermatitis
Hideo Nakayama, a Japanese dermatologist, observed a large number of Japanese women with grayish-black pigmented spots on the face after using cosmetics, and confirmed that the disease was caused by cosmetics through 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. At present, there are many such patients in my clinic. Treatment is also very difficult.
4.Cosmetic hypopigmentation spots
Some whitening and spot-removing cosmetics can cause skin hypopigmentation or even loss, which is easily misdiagnosed clinically as vitiligo or white furfuraceous diagnosis. This also affects the beauty.
5, cosmetic photosensitive dermatitis
Some cosmetics contain photosensitive plants, claimed to be pure natural, contact with the skin and then by ultraviolet radiation, can cause skin erythema, papules, and even blisters, erosion. This type of patient is more common in spring and summer.
6, cosmetic acne
Some cosmetics can cause mechanical blockage of the hair follicle opening, forming an anaerobic environment within the hair follicle opening, allowing acne bacteria to multiply, and their lesions are often scattered throughout the face. These patients often start with a few pimples or acne marks, and apply thick powder cosmetics to cover them up, resulting in a major outbreak of acne.
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.
Third, the prevention of cosmetic skin disease
The United States, Japan and certain European countries require cosmetics to be labeled with ingredients. Because there are no such regulations and requirements in China, it is difficult to prevent cosmetic skin diseases. 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 and use anti-allergic drugs correctly under the guidance of the doctor. Patch testing is recommended to clarify the allergen and avoid re-exposure.
Warm tip: At present, the cosmetics market is full of varieties, mixed, good and bad, and individual unscrupulous businessmen often add prohibited ingredients that are harmful to the skin for the sake of effect, besides, everyone’s skin texture and physique are different, and their needs and requirements for cosmetics are not the same, so the problem of cosmetic dermatosis inevitably arises. It is not terrible to suffer from cosmetic dermatosis. First of all, we should stop using all suspicious cosmetics, clarify the source of the disease, and treat it with medicine under the guidance and advice of a dermatologist, and we will definitely get satisfactory results.