Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/68009
TEN FOR TODAY More worrisome is one controversial study—never replicated—that linked parabens to breast tumors. Because of concerns about potential toxic side effects of parabens, many manufacturers have stopped using them. But what have they used in their place? Typically they use phenoxyethanol— the devil we don't know. "It's all about concentration levels," said Rimbey, whose company does use phenoxyethanol in its products. "We use as little percentage as possible, keeping in mind that [it] needs to have a reasonable shelf life. Most of our research is dedicated to finding an alternative to some of the more common preservatives being used today. But so far, they're still a necessary evil in lotions and creams, and we feel this is one of the safest." THE FEWEST INGREDIENTS, AND INGREDIENTS YOU RECOGNIZE The fewer ingredients in a product, the fewer potential problems. Nut-based oils are fine, but make 7. sure you stock some nut-free products. An estimated 1 percent of Americans have some kind of sensitivity to nut-based products, and in extreme cases exposure can lead to death. "That doesn't mean you have to give up your favorite product, but you do need to have one or two safety products on hand, like apricot kernel oil or grapeseed oil," Dapkins says. "They're simple, so if someone has a reaction to something, it's easy to determine what, because it's a single ingredient." One excellent option is pure jojoba oil, which is a liquid wax esther, not an oil. It comes from a seed, not a nut. And because it won't go rancid, it contains no preservatives. "There's nothing else like it," says Bob Butler, president of The Jojoba Company of Waldoboro, Maine. "You often find products with jojoba in LOOK FOR PRODUCTS WITH them, but that requires formulations, emulsions, and God knows what. You find therapists developing sensitivity reactions to products like that. It's the formulations that cause the problems. But we don't have anything to formulate. It's just pure extract." 8. KNOW THAT SOMETIMES, READING THE LABEL JUST ISN'T ENOUGH "You could look at two different products' lists of ingredients and they'll look identical," says Jean Shea, founder and CEO of Biotone, based in San Diego. "But are those formulas identical? No. When you're listing ingredients in a formula, you list by weight, with the heaviest items first. When it comes to those that make up 1 percent or less of the formula, they're listed in any order you want to put them. So you simply can't make a comparison." Shea's advice is to find a manufacturer you like and stick with that company. "You can't judge a formula by its ingredients," she says. "But if you believe in a company and like their products, then you're on the right road." IF A COMPANY CAN'T ANSWER THEM, DON'T BUY FROM THAT COMPANY First question to ask: "What are people using this product for?" Then ask, "Are you finding any kind of skin irritation issues with this product, and if so, what?" Then ask where it's made, how fresh it is, and what its shelf life is. "If a vendor can't tell you, that [is] a red flag," Dapkins says. 9. ASK LOTS OF QUESTIONS, AND INFUSE YOUR WHOLE PRACTICE, NOT JUST YOUR PRODUCT PURCHASES Of course you should recycle. And if you offer your client water, serve filtered water in a biodegradable cup, not store- bought water in a plastic bottle bound for the landfill. Put cloth towels in the bathroom rather than paper towels. Use eco-friendly cleaning products. "Look for things like recycled 10. packaging," Rimbey says. "And buying in bulk means reduced packaging and reduced people and machine efforts to fill those bottles. Try to buy locally produced products whenever possible, and look for certified organic ingredients. They're all small steps. But in doing so, every massage therapist can help heal the world, one client at a time. freelance writer. Contact her at killarneyrose@ comcast.net. Rebecca Jones is a Denver-based LET GREEN THINKING