pA salon visit is one of lifes guilty pleasures for many women. There is no better way to relieve the stress of a hectic week by being pampered and fussed over. Let it be known that of the most regularly indulged a title=brazilian blowout risks href=http://www.insidershealth.com/article/the_price_of_beauty_brazilian_blowout_causes_waves_at_osha_and_epa/4695 target=_blankbeauty treatments can cause some serious health risks/a, from infections to even cancer. Listed are four popular salon treatments with expert advice on how to avoid the dangers and stay beautiful and healthy.strongnbsp;/strong/p
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pstrongEar Candles/strong/p
pEar wax blockage can be annoying and painful. Offered by some salons, one solution isnbsp;a title=ear candles href=http://www.insidershealth.com/article/what_is_ear_candling_and_does_it_really_work/2433 target=_blankear candles/anbsp;ndash; hollow cones that are actually burned in ones ear. Advocates say the ear candles remove the wax, improve hearing, and take away toxins and impurities in the process.nbsp;nbsp;br /br /If the procedure sounds hazardous to you, youre absolutely correct. It can be very unsafe. The FDA warns that ear candles may cause burns, ear canal blockages, and ear drum perforations. nbsp;br /br /Gordan Sigel, M.D., an associate professor of clinical otolaryngology at Northwestern Universitys Feinberg School of Medicine, states,nbsp;The ear is a sensitive organ. I dont think that I would trust any sensitive organ to a salon.br /br /Sigel compares the procedure to putting a vacuum cleaner in ones ear. The damage may heal in time, but sometimes surgery is necessary and long-term hearing loss can result. nbsp;br /br /If youre bothered with ear wax, there are over-the-counter products available that help soften the wax, and then remove it with syringe irrigation. Your best option, however, is to prevent build-up in the first place by applying a couple of drops of half peroxide/half water mix in the ear. Never clean inside the ear canal with a cotton swab as it can push the wax back into the ear or possibly cause a perforation./p
pSo, if you do decide to try ear candling, be sure to visit a homeopathic practitioner.strongnbsp;/strong/p
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pstrongPedicures/strong/p
pDoesnt everyone love a a title=pedicure danger video href=http://www.insidershealth.com/video/manicure_pedicure_hazards/88 target=_blankpedicure/a? Unfortunately, pretty toes are a high price to pay for a viral infection (such as warts), bacterial infection from aggressive filing, or a fungal infection of the toenail.nbsp;nbsp;br /br /Jackie Sutera, a New York City podiatrist, recommends bringing your own tools such as a nail file, toe clippers, cuticle nippers and finally a foot file. Thats one of the dirtiest things in that whole salon, she says. Theres a misconception that because they put it in a blue solution or because they put it in a thing that looks like a toaster oven, its clean — but it might not be.br /br /Sutera also suggests getting an early appointment before dozens of feet have soaked in the same bath your feet will be in. Also, dont take too long with a relaxing soak ndash; in less hygienic salons foot baths can be a cesspool of germs./p
pAnd forget about the foot razors that promise to shave your heel callouses for those sexy sandal feet. Its really dangerous, Sutera explains. Shaving the heels too vigorously can reveal deep layers of skin that should never be exposed, which can lead to permanent damage or even possibly scarring. Instead, just keep a pumice stone in your shower to keep up with the daily maintenance of your feet.strongnbsp;/strong/p
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pstrongGel Manicures /strong/p
pGetting a gel manicure is like sending your hands to a tanning because the UV-A nail lights used in the treatments nbsp;mightnbsp; add to an increased risk for skin cancer, according to a study published in thenbsp;emArchives of Dermatology/em./p
pOther possible health concerns include possible nerve damage, so please make sure the technicians have had proper training before putting your hands in theirs.strongnbsp;/strong/p
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pstrongBikini Wax/strong/p
pA smooth bikini area may help you feel sexy and confident, but if youre not careful, getting a bikini wax can send you on a trip to the hospital. The Brazilian bikini wax was banned completely in New Jersey when two women suffered so badly that that put them in the hospital. br /br /Like with eyebrow waxing, burns are a possibility with any kind of bikini wax. Because the skin is damaged when the hair is ripped out, there is a risk of fungal, bacterial, and viral infection. But Brazilian waxes are even riskier because the skin area in the back is in closer proximity to bacteria.nbsp;br /br /Check to be sure your salon complies with state licensing procedures and keep an eye out for questionable moves such as ldquo;double-dipping,rdquo; or placing a wax stick back into the community bowl after it has contacted your skin.br /br /If youre now thinking you may need to forego your much-needed salon pampering, no worries ndash; you dont have rough it from now on. Forewarned is forearmed. Now that you know what to look for, feel free to satisfy your guilty pleasure . . .nbsp; but without worrying that you may be sacrificing health for beauty.nbsp;/p