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Holiday Beauty ~ Naturally

  • Posted on December 5, 2011 at 5:25 pm

Mystical Mistletoe

By Christine Shahin

This is a season of parties and giving – no one wants to be a scrooge even in the midst of a recession, which can put us into trouble if we get caught up in appearances.

What can we gift ourselves and others that truly reflect our values of caring for each other, our planet and economy.

This time of year we are inundated with messages of looking fabulous for the parties – and that’s “all good”, as a business owner of an eco-salon this enables me to provide the services and products clients seek in a natural healthy option and supports me to do what I love doing – deep gratitude to you again.

What ever the Holydays we “celebrate” we are reminded to care for our less fortunate, a most important contribution for which we have many more this year than in other times; with our own budgets stretched, we will purchase inexpensive items because “it’s the thought that counts”.

Consider that “inexpensive” can actually cost more in other regards, displacing true product cost and value. Take for example the super frilly packages of smelly cosmetics made from cheap petrochemicals, they contribute to water and air pollution which returns to us in compromised health as well as topical exposure to toxins; often if there isn’t respect for the environment there isn’t respect for fair labor practices and so our poverty mentality is reinforced.

We have entered the Season of Reflection on many levels:

  • Winter Season the time of year of shorter days with longer nights, we are inclined to spend more time in doors; a good time for more internal/introverted probing…what needs change and how to?
  • Big Box Sales Season enticing us to spend – think smaller. I was in a local small business the other day and heard the woman owner say to a shopper – “anything you would like I will discount for you!” The shopper was surprised and the owner responded “It’s the holidays, that’s what it’s about”…
  • This Season of Recession also heeds us to change what is no longer working…
    • Gifting natural non-toxic organic items extends beyond the gift to include benefits to friends, family, community and planet at large.
    • Gift Wellness, give spa/salon services that rejuvenate body, mind and spirit.
    • Gift yourself and community a Local Living Economy, shop local
Somewhere in the world right now is a small business owner staying open later and missing dinner with their family so you can shop for yours. There is a small business owner who let you run a tab at their expense to help you with your expenses. There is a small business owner holding payment for a service rendered. They miss special days with their families so they can help you spend time with yours. There is a small business owner being yelled at for not working harder, giving more or charging less. Everyday they unlock a door that unlocks doors for you. Think of these people this holiday season and always. Chain Stores will not remember your name, birthday or anniversary. They will not care how your children and ailing mother are.

Featured  Herb:

Mistletoe the white flowering herb hanging in the center of doorways encouraging kisses annually actually is respected across cultures and religions for medicinal and spiritual qualities. Mistletoe is an evergreen  parasitic plant that grows on braches of trees.

Christian folklore holds that Mistletoe was once a tree whose wood was used to create the Cross of Christ; ashamed the tree shriveled and changed into a plant that bestows good on all who pass under it.

There are very hopeful and exciting studies currently being conducted on Mistletoe in the area of immune therapy. Mistletoe therapeutic attributes include:

  • Normalize Blood Pressure
  • Normalize Circulation
  • Improve Nervous System & Endocrine System Performance
  • Reduce Chronic Fatigue Symptoms
  • Regulate Metabolism
  • Reduce Menopausal Problems
  • Reduction of Stress

As printed in the Utica Phoenix December 2011

 

 

 

Beautiful You ~ Naturally is a monthly column for the Utica Phoenix focusing on natural beauty options from Garden Concoctions to Salon Industry Products sprinkled with updates on legislation pertaining to personal care  products written by Christine Shahin, Licensed Cosmetologist, owner of Faces of Astarte & collaborator of Expressions Eco Salon for All Ethnicities IN Little Falls NY, Christine@FacesofAstarte.com

Continue reading Holiday Beauty ~ Naturally »

Fragrance: Aroma or Stench?

  • Posted on December 5, 2011 at 5:08 pm

 

By Christine Shahin

Looking at the ingredient list of your favorite fragrance is a list of unpronounceable words. The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics found 14 secret ingredients not listed on labels, called trade secrets, created mostly from synthetic chemicals; it is legal for trade secrets to be exempt from labeling.

The word fragrance usually denotes a chemical combination, anywhere between 30 to 300 different chemicals to create a scent that encourages you to purchase a product again and again. Fragrances are a common ingredient in household and personal-care product

Fragrances may seem harmless; some of there less troublesome issues are eye, nose and throat irritants while their more detrimental effects are linked to damage of liver, kidney, thyroid, immune and reproductive systems.

Almost all fragrances are stabilized with phthalates: plasticizers and fragrance carriers that are banned in children’s toys, but still used in a wide array of consumer products, especially those containing PVC (polyvinyl chloride yes in household cleaners and personal care products!)
Phthalates are commonly found in nail polishes, in hair sprays for their ability to make these products flexible; they are also in the vast majority of fragrances, to stabilize, or “fix” perfumes making their scent last longer.

Children are especially vulnerable to phthalates; a developing baby is extremely defenseless to the effects of toxic chemicals as they develop so quickly in mother’s womb, and that growth is easily influenced by toxic chemicals. Unlike adults, babies have a very limited ability to rid their bodies of foreign toxins.

Researchers at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health found that higher prenatal exposures to phthalates significantly increased the odds of motor and behavioral developmental delay during the preschool years. The Center for Health Environment and Justice summarizes the mounting evidence against phthalates in “This is Your Brain on PVC.” The facts on trends in learning disabilities are startling:

• Learning and developmental disabilities appears to be rising, affecting about one in six children in the U.S.

• Children in special education programs classified with learning disabilities increased 191 percent from 1977 to 1994.

• Reported cases of autism spectrum disorder have increased tenfold since the early 1990s, now one in a hundred American children has an autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly diagnosed childhood psychiatric disorder in the United States. Evidence indicates prevalence may be as high as 17% for all school children.

• There has been a six-fold increase in ADHD between the years 1985 (0.7 million cases) and 2000 (4-5 million cases) in the U.S.

Many detractors say these numbers are inflated, that we are better today at identifying these problems in children, which may be true in part, but the numbers are alarming and too staggering to dismiss.

There is Good News since phthalates don’t accumulate in our bodies; when the source of exposure is removed, levels decrease quickly.

Make a difference for you and your family; read labels and skip products with “fragrance” and phthalates. When purchasing items such as shower curtains, food wrap, flooring, made with PVC plastic (vinyl) remember the communities and workplaces where these products are manufactured bear the biggest toxic body burden and see if you can use something else.

As printed in the Utica Phoenix Nov. 2011

 

 

 

Beautiful You ~ Naturally is a monthly column for the Utica Phoenix focusing on natural beauty options from Garden Concoctions to Salon Industry Products sprinkled with updates on legislation pertaining to personal care  products written by Christine Shahin, Licensed Cosmetologist, owner of Faces of Astarte & collaborator of Expressions Eco Salon for All Ethnicities IN Little Falls NY, Christine@FacesofAstarte.com

 

 

Continue reading Fragrance: Aroma or Stench? »

Skin Smart Summer

  • Posted on December 5, 2011 at 5:01 pm

Skin Smart Summer

Western cultures are borderline irrational about the slightest exposure of unprotected skin to sunshine due to the reputation between skin cancer and exposure to sun. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) currently advises that ultraviolet light, therefore sunlight, is so hazardous we should “protect ourselves against ultraviolet light whenever we can see our shadow”.

Still, sun exposure is crucial for being healthy and basic to our body’s ability to make vitamin D. Partly because of current recommendations, we are witnessing vitamin D levels decline and related health problems increase.

Evidence is strong that vitamin D protects against osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, bone fractures  (vitamin D strengthens muscles which improve balance & movement thereby preventing falls), cancer, hypertension, metabolic functions, diabetes, heart disease, multiple sclerosis and vulnerability to infections. Mice bred for susceptibility to multiple sclerosis have been completely protected against development of this disease when given high doses of vitamin D.

Darker complexions need more exposure to sunshine – up to 45 mins of uninterrupted sunshine daily. Living more indoors combined with living in CNY …that can be a challenge so supplementation is usually recommended.

Even so heeding EPA’s advisory to “protect ourselves against ultraviolet light whenever we can see our shadow”, we spread copious amounts of products claiming to do just that – protect us from the sun, but many contain ingredients called absorption enhancers which allow for greater assimilation and when combined with sunshine actually make us more sensitive to the sun increasing our exposure and contributing to skin cancer!!

Here are a handful of points to remember concerning Sunscreens:

Choose sunscreens with zinc and titanium; the right choice for children or people with sensitive skin and those who want the best UVA protection without possible hormone-disrupting chemicals like oxybenzone or vitamin A, which may be carcinogenic on sun-exposed skin. Do not choose sprays or loose powders, so they don’t pose inhalation dangers.

Avoid vitamin A-laden sunscreen products most use a form of vitamin A, called retinyl palmitate; recent scientific research done by the federal Food and Drug Administration indicates the chemical may be photocarcinogenic – that it may heighten skin cancer risk when used on sun-exposed skin.

You may assume that an SPF 30 sunscreen offers double the protection of an SPF 15, actually the difference is slight, SPF 15 blocks 93 percent of rays, while SPF 30 blocks 97 percent.

Ratings above SPF 30 don’t offer more UV protection, they let the same 3 percent of UV rays through as an SPF 30 sunscreen.

SPF 30 offers adequate protection when extended sun exposure is expected and SPF 15 is suitable for everyday use.

Studies show that high-SPFs greater than 50+ give users a false sense of security exposing users to as much or more ultraviolet rays than people who use lower SPF products.

Still no federal sunscreen rules; the FDA stated its intention to regulate sunscreens over 20 years ago in 1978. While the policies are still in bureaucratic limbo, many sunscreen makers sell products that overstate sun protection and underperform in the real world so in the meanwhile select products with titanium dioxide or zinc oxide which are natural sunscreen ingredients, each of which is a key protective ingredient.

Note the terms “waterproof” and “sweat-proof” on sunscreen products more accurately means water- and sweat-resistant, they DO need to be reapplied after exercise or contact with water. “Sunblock” is not a completely accurate term as NO product can block all harmful rays.

Some sunscreen products display logos from the American Cancer Society (ACS). This does not indicate that the ACS has tested or endorses the sunscreen — the companies pay a royalty fee for the right to display the logo.

Be smart in the sun – enough to lightly brown but not enough to turn red or burn. The best sunscreen is a hat and a shirt or cotton gauze tops/pants as well as shade. No chemicals to absorb through the skin, no questions about whether they work and you get to create your own style!

** If you should burn sooth with equal parts water and apple cider vinegar in a spritz bottle – spray on hot skin and let dry for relief

As printed in Utica Phoenix Summer 2011

 

 

 

Beautiful You ~ Naturally is a monthly column for the Utica Phoenix focusing on natural beauty options from Garden Concoctions to Salon Industry Products sprinkled with updates on legislation pertaining to personal care  products written by Christine Shahin, Licensed Cosmetologist, owner of Faces of Astarte & collaborator of Expressions Eco Salon for All Ethnicities. Christine@FacesofAstarte.com

Continue reading Skin Smart Summer »