Paraben There, Done That!

With all the controversy surrounding the use of the popular preservatives known as parabens in almost every mass produced beauty product, it seems that science has us working our worry lines. And maybe for good reason: it's been clinically proven that these chemicals mimic the hormone estrogen when absorbed through our skin, and it's been well documented that an increase of estrogen has been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer.

Parabens, still considered safe by the EPA, are not hidden in the ingredient list on products; the most common ones are methylparaben, propylparaben, and butylparaben, and most of the time, they are used in conjunction with each other (comforting, isn't it?).

The use of parabens is most common in moisturizers and makeup: topically applied products. Our skin is our largest organ and an increasingly popular means to administer medicine; just look at all the transdermally administered prescriptions that now exist in our pharmaceutical world (birth control patches are a great example), so you can see how worrisome it is when you realize the implications of absorbing these estrogen-mimicking chemicals directly into our skin!

The good news is that paraben-free products not only exist, they are slowly becoming commonplace in our spas, health stores, and food markets.

The concept of adding preservatives to products remains important, however, so that our product safety and shelf life expectations are still met. Choosing product lines that use grapefruit seed extract, lemon, essential oils, salt or sugar as natural preservatives should fill your preservative needs, and while these products tend to be pricier than their paraben alternatives, their quality will more than compensate.

I will forever suffer for fashion (Manolos, I will never forsake you!), but can we really afford to suffer for beauty?

Will you still buy your favorite products knowing the risks?

Prescription: Spa

I am fortunate enough to work in an industry that accepts alternative healing remedies as gospel and encourages participation in indulgences such as beautification and stress relief.

Science tells us that an estimated 90% of our maladies are stress-related, and yet many continue to view the spa as a frivolous luxury. If a traditional spa therapy such as massage has been clinically documented to reduce stress, why, then, do we not proactively treat our troubles?

I would like to share a story about a spa guest who understood the value of the healing spa environment. Andrea was diagnosed with breast cancer and had just finished her last round of chemotherapy when she walked into the spa. Her doctor recommended that she incorporate various stress-reducing activities into her daily life so that her body would, in turn, continue to heal itself without distraction. As most would, she turned to the spa for regular massage therapies.

In today's spa world (fortunately for Andrea!) most spas are also true wellness centers, and can therefore provide even more support than at first glance. Because Andrea was so forthcoming with her intentions and goals for visiting the spa, she was recommended other expertly acknowledged stress reducing disciplines such as meditation, Yoga, and acupuncture.

Having been an athlete much of her life, Andrea recognized the value in cross-training, and applied that same concept in her recovery. She started taking private Yoga sessions and working with a massage therapist and acupuncturist weekly. After 4 weeks, I received a call from her doctor, who was very carefully monitoring her condition, thanking me for our dedication and special attention to his patient. I assured him that her progress had everything to do with her dedication to making stress-reduction a priority in her life.

Clearly this stress-reduced living has its merits, but for many who are time-starved in this stressful world, adding another 'to do' to the list seems very Catch22-ish. Unfortunately, it often takes a 'have to' situation to nudge us in the right direction. Andrea's situation, however extreme, demonstrates the importance of incorporating stress-reducing elements into our daily lives for the betterment of our general health. Identifying wellness centers is as easy as a Google search, yet some of the most well known healing centers exist as destinations (Miraval, Canyon Ranch, Golden Door).

While it's important to maintain a stress-free life, you can jumpstart this by scheduling a week or more in some of these reputable places, all while being monitored by medical doctors. Whichever wellness path you take, remember that your goal is to make you feel better for your greater good, and though it may feel indulgent and extravagant, it doesn't lessen the therapeutic benefits of stress management.

The fact that stress management via the spa environment is increasingly more accepted by the medical community speaks volumes; are you listening?


How do you manage your stress on a daily basis?