Wrong Beauty Habits That May Invite Cancer into Your Life

Dr. Mikkael Sekeres, Head of the Hematology Department at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center in Florida (USA), warns: "We all know that smoking and excessive alcohol consumption increase the risk of cancer, but many other habits are equally harmful. These include small, everyday actions that people often overlook or common beauty practices."

Here are 3 beauty habits that can significantly increase your risk of cancer, which you should control, no matter how much you love them:

1. Frequent Perming, Straightening, or Dyeing Hair

Hair dye and chemical perm/straightening products are essential in the beauty routines of many people, especially those who love changing their hairstyles often. However, few people know that these products can contain dangerous chemicals like formaldehyde and phthalates.

Formaldehyde is a proven carcinogen, and phthalates, a group of chemicals used to make plastics more flexible and durable, can disrupt the endocrine system and increase the risk of cancer.

A 2022 study by the UK’s National Cancer Institute showed that using chemical hair products like perming, straightening, or dyeing can increase the risk of uterine cancer. Dr. Sekeres recommends reviewing the ingredients in chemical hair care products before use, paying attention to whether they contain formaldehyde or endocrine-disrupting chemicals. While there is no official recommendation for how often to dye your hair, he suggests limiting it to 2-3 times a year, even if you love it.

2. Getting Multiple Tattoos

Tattoos have long been a popular beauty trend, but few realize that getting tattooed may carry a risk of cancer. A study in Sweden found that tattooed individuals have a 21% higher risk of cancer than those without tattoos.

Chemicals in tattoo ink, especially those containing heavy metals like cadmium, can cause kidney damage, bone diseases, lung disease, and even increase the risk of certain cancers.

Another study from Denmark showed that tattooed people have a 62% higher risk of skin cancer. The chemicals in tattoo ink can accumulate in lymph nodes and affect the immune system. Researchers believe that tattoo ink dyes can cause chronic inflammation, leading to abnormal cell growth and increasing the risk of cancer. Of course, you may not be able to stop this beauty trend, but it’s best to limit it as much as possible.

3. Overusing Hormonal Skincare Products

A recent beauty trend many people are fond of is using skincare products that contain hormones or hormone-affecting ingredients, especially estrogen.

While these products are often marketed as improving skin and slowing the aging process, they can also cause serious side effects. These products contain hormones that can affect the body's endocrine system, altering natural hormone levels like estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone. Abuse of these products can increase the risk of cancers such as breast cancer, thyroid cancer, and ovarian cancer.

A 2017 study from Harvard University showed that prolonged exposure to products containing estrogen or estrogen-like compounds can increase the risk of breast cancer, especially in women with a family history of the disease. A 2018 study from the National Cancer Institute in the US warned that using products containing progesterone or estrogen can cause hormone imbalances and increase the risk of gynecological cancers, particularly ovarian cancer.

Therefore, Dr. Sekeres advises being extremely cautious when using these products, carefully reading the ingredients before purchasing, or consulting an expert, especially if used long-term or if you have hormone imbalances or a family history of cancer.