Millions of women and girls apply lipstick every day; we disclose the dangers of lipstick: Do several major brands of lipstick contain dangerous levels of lead to many side effects.

If you go to every single household with at least one woman in it, you bet you’re bound to find a couple of lipsticks. Lipstick has been around for quite some time. Its main use, at the very core of it, is putting color into an otherwise pale face. In the past, lipstick has had its nay sayers but now, it is definitely all the rage. Gone are the days that women were shunned because of wearing the popular lipstick shade of red. Now red is used to connote strong, sexy and confident women, how times have changed.

Nowadays though, because of the technology we have, lipstick is not just plain and simple, they usually infuse it with vitamins and moisturizers and all of that goodness. Hence lipstick has also become a form of nourishment for the lips. But doesn’t that sound too good to be true? Is lipstick really all it’s cracked up to be?

What are Harmful Metals Found in Lipstick?

A study conducted by the researchers at the University of California’s Berkley’s School of Public Health have found all different kinds of toxic metals in different drugstore brand lipsticks. Metals such as lead, aluminum, cadmium, chromium and other metals were found in these products. Lead was at the forefront of most of these products. It was found in 75% of the drugstore brand lipsticks that were tested in concentrations higher that the FDA would probably approve of.

Lead in Lipstick Might Be So Bad

In 2007, lead became the center of attention because of a campaign launched by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics entitled “A Poison Kiss”. The United States food and Drug association announced in 2011 that they had found traces of lead in over 400 lipsticks. Just let that sink it. However, even with this revelation, the FDA still insists that this is no cause for panic since this doesn’t really pose a real or unusual health risk.

However, Doctor Sean Palfrey of the Boston University Medical Center begs to differ. He claims that lead tends to accumulate in the body. Which roughly translates to, a buildup of lead from different instances of use of lipstick can be detrimental to the body.

Is Your Lipstick Slowly Killing You?

Katharine Hammond, a professor at University of California Berkley, says that it isn’t just the metals that the public should be concerned about but they should also check levels in the material. Upon inspection of the metals in the lipstick, sure it doesn’t sound so alarming but think about it, lipstick is used by women almost everyday, the amount of toxic metals that are slowly accumulating in their body is a scary reality. In may not feel like it now but maybe there is a buildup of metals in your body due to these products now.

Dr. Ken Spaeth, director of the Occupational and Environmental Medicine Center at North Shore LIJ Health System in Great Neck, N.Y. had this to say, “As a group, these metals pose a host of potential health risks including damage to the brain and nerves, kidneys, as well as a variety of cancers”.

Here’s how blot out excess exposure to harmful heavy metals in lipstick:

• Use it sparingly

You don’t have to use lipstick every single day. Let the natural color of your beautiful lips shine through once in a while. Every few days or so, designate a lip balm day, or a day where you promise to only use balm. Give your lips a little bit of a rest and let them breathe.

• Dial in your disapproval

What is the best way to make this stop right now? Voice your opinion! Make your voice be heard loud and clear. Write, call or email your favorite lipstick company and tell them how important it is to you to have metal free makeup. Makeup should be fun and shouldn’t make you worry. Remind these makeup brands of that fact.

• Source safer shades

Go organic! If this whole metal danger is extremely bothersome to you then it’s probably about time that you switch to a safer brand. There are a lot of brands out there that only use organic and safe materials. This ensures you that what you are putting on your lips is safe and will not be harmful to you in the long run.

It is no secret that lipstick absolutely is a god send. However, research and studies will tell you that maybe it just isn’t as perfect as we think it is. However, you always have the option of going slow on your lipstick. You don’t necessarily have to throw out your favorite shade, all you have to do is, like in most things, do it in moderation. Pick a few days of the week to go au’natural. Your lips will thank you for it.