HEALTH
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good for you/bad for you // ANTIPERSPIRANTS sometimes it's hard to tell.
Some rumors link the antiperspirant you use to smell fresh to cancer and other health concerns caused by blocking sweat glands. Is there truth to this underarm buzz or is it just myth?
Photo illustration by Kirsten Hudson
Antiperspirants don't permanently block sweat ducts, says Lee Bittenbender, dermatologist at the Dermatology Center of Lawrence, 930 Iowa St. Some prescription antiperspirants do temporarily plug sweat ducts, but they won't cause damage, he says.
Generally the most harm using an antiperspirant can do is cause irritation, Bittenbender says. Any irritation can be cleared up by switching antiperspirants or by using an anti-inflammatory or cortisone cream.
A few studies have linked harmful chemicals in antiperspirants to cancer, specifically breast cancer. According to the Mayo Clinic, these reports say wharmful aluminum compounds in antiperspirants can absorb into the body through the skin or through cuts caused by shaving. But studies that have tested these claims remain inconclusive.
Still nervous? Try an aluminum-free deodorant or other methods to stop underarm sweat. Iontophoresis, a process that sends electrical
currents through the skin to block the flow of sweat or botox injections are other alternatives to stop excessive sweating, says Joseph Gadzia, dermatologist at the Kansas Medical Clinic for dermatology in Topeka. Or you could always just go without and embrace your sweaty, smelly self.
VERDICT: OK FOR YOU
// KIRSTEN HUDSON
that's disgusting // ACRYLIC NAILS
dude. gross.
Those fancy acrylic nails you just got might look pretty, but what's underneath them isn't so nice.
Wearing acrylic nails makes you more susceptible to catching a nail fungus, says Kendra Robinson, nail technician at Salon di Marco, 733 Massachusetts St.
If you wait longer than the recommended one to two weeks before getting your acrylic nails filled in, the acrylic will start to lift off the natural nail bed. When this happens, moisture from washing your hands and dirt gets stuck under the acrylic nail. Filling in the nail then traps that dirt and moisture under the acrylic, providing a breeding ground for bacteria. Plus, you won't be able to tell if you have a nail fungus because you can't see it, Robinson says.
Even if you don't have a nail fungus, your natural nail under the acrylic is still a scary sight. In order to attach acrylic nails, the natural nails get filed down, making them thin and brittle. This not only makes it more difficult to grow strong natural nails, but also makes them easier to rip off. Meaning if the acrylic nail starts to rip, it's probably taking
Photo illustration by Kirsten Hudson
Grow your own: Acrylic nails can trap moisture and dirt, providing a breeding ground for bacteria.
your natural nail along with it. Ouch!
If you want to remove your acrylic nails yourself, don't just grit your teeth and rip. Robinson recommends first buffing the acrylic nails down to thin them out. Then dip cotton balls in acetone, place one on each nail and wrap them in foil to hold them in place. Let the acetone soak into the nail for a few minutes then remove the foil and cotton balls. If the acrylic nail doesn't peel off easily, use a cuticle pusher to gently pick at the nail and remove it.
To keep sensitive, post-acrylic nails strong, use a clear, strengthening nail polish and consider keeping your nails au naturale from now on.
// KIRSTEN HUDSON
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