Latest news with #JenAtkin
The Irish Sun
15-05-2025
- Health
- The Irish Sun
‘Dangerous' nasal tanning sprays linked to killer cancer – as Brits issued warning
NASAL tanning sprays may increase the risk of melanoma skin cancer, it's been warned. The sprays - often sold on social media - claim to accelerate tanning and are often sniffed prior to Advertisement 4 Nasal tanning sprays have been linked to melanoma cancer Credit: PA 4 The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) said these sprays are sold on social media Credit: PA Costing from £20 to £35, The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) is urging the public to avoid any tanning product that is 'inhaled or ingested'. It says side effects include nausea, vomiting, Coughing, sneezing and nasal congestion due to irritation of the respiratory tract. Advertisement Read more on skin cancer Other reported side effects include prolonged erections, facial flushing and changes in libido. The sprays contains a substance known as melanotan II which when inhaled, reaches the bloodstream and may stimulate melanin production. Activated melanin creates a tan but 'may also encourage abnormal skin cell changes in response to UV exposure', according to the Melanoma Fund. The process is considered unsafe melanotan II is illegal in the UK. Advertisement Most read in Health Exclusive But due to the product falling under cosmetics, rather than medicines, it is not as tightly regulated. CTSI has found accounts on sites like Facebook and TikTok selling nasal tanning sprays available in flavours such as peach, bubblegum, and grape. I'm addicted to nasal sprays and love using sunbeds to get my dark glow It fears these products are being marketed at children. Susanna Daniels, CEO of Melanoma Focus, said: 'We're becoming increasingly concerned about the use of both nasal tanning sprays and Advertisement 'These unregulated and illegal products not only pose serious health risks but also encourage harmful behaviours, particularly among young consumers. 'We urge the public to consider the long-term impacts on their health and avoid using these substances altogether.' Gary Lipman, Chairman at the Sunbed Association, said: 'Nasal sprays have absolutely no place in a professional tanning salon. 'We fully support CTSI's campaign to heighten awareness of the dangers of using them.' Advertisement 'SCARRED FOR LIFE' People using the nasal tanning sprays have publically told their stories in a bid to warn others off them. Jen Atkin, a former Miss Great Britain winner from , Lincolnshire , says she is permanently scarred after using a nasal tanning spray she bought on Instagram. "Unfortunately, I decided to go to extra lengths and fell into the trend of nasal tan," she said. Jen used the £25 product twice and a dark brown mark appeared "out of absolutely nowhere" on her forehead, which hasn't budged since. Advertisement The spray also made her feel incredibly sick. Jen described it as "actually horrific", adding: "It scared the life out of me. It made me feel so nauseous and weird." 4 Jen Atkin used a nasal tanning spray she bought on Instagram and has been left with a dark pigmented patch on her forehead Credit: Jen Atkin 4 She says the sprays also made her feel sick Credit: Jen Atkin Student Erin Rider Advertisement She said: 'The spots turned out to be cystic acne. I never linked the spots to the nasal sprays but when I put two and two together and Googled possible side-effects, I stopped taking it immediately. 'The acne eventually turned into pigmentation and my forehead was patchy with visible white marks. 'I would never leave the house without heavy make-up. I didn't want to see people because of how awful my skin was. Five months on, it's wrecked my skin for ever. The scarring is permanent." What is melanoma, what are the symptoms and how can you prevent it? Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer that has a tendency to spread around the body. It is diagnosed 16,000 times per year, and tragically takes the lives of 2,340 people per year. The number of people being diagnosed with melanoma is increasing, and it is the 5th most common cancer in the UK. But it is also one of the most preventable cancers, with 86 per cent of cases in the UK avoidable. The best way to protect yourself from melanoma is to be sun safe - wear SPF every day, wear a hat and sunglasses and keep out of the sun in the hottest hours. It is also advised to avoid sunbeds. People who are fair-skinned, have blue or green eyes, blonde or red hair and a large number of freckles or moles are more likely to get skin cancer. Surgery is the main treatment for melanoma, particularly if it is found early. This will involve removing the affected tissue in the skin. Radiotherapy, medicines and chemotherapy are also sometimes used to try and stop the cancer from growing. Treatment depends on the severity of the disease. What are the symptoms? The key thing to look out for are changes to an existing mole, or a new mole on your skin. Most experts recommend using the simple There are five letters/words to remember: A symmetrical – melanomas usually have two very different halves and are an irregular shape B order – melanomas usually have a notched or ragged border C olours – melanomas will usually be a mix of two or more colours D iameter – most melanomas are usually larger than 6mm in diameter E nlargement or elevation – a mole that changes size over time is more likely to be a melanoma A mole that changes size, shape or colour may be a melanoma. But other signs to look out for include moles that are: Swollen and sore Bleeding Itchy Crusty How deadly is it? Melanoma is a deadly form of skin cancer. The outlook of a person's disease depends on the stage of the cancer when it was diagnosed. Survival is better for women than it is for men. 'We don't know exactly why this is. It may be because women are more likely to see a doctor about their melanoma at an earlier stage,' says Cancer Research UK. The charity says that generally, statistics show that in England, more than 85 out of every 100 people (more than 85 per cent) will survive their melanoma for 10 years or more after they are diagnosed. Around 100 per cent in England diagnosed with melanoma at stage 1 - when the cancer cells are only in the top layer of skin - will survive for five years or more after drops to 80 per cent for stage 2. Some 70 per cent live for a further five years when they are diagnosed in stage 3, which is when the cancer has started to spread to nearby lymph nodes. At stage 4, when the melanoma has spread elsewhere in the body, almost 30 per cent survive their cancer for 5 years or more. Cancer Research says the stage 4 data does not account for age differences. Age can affect outlook and younger people have a better prognosis than older people. Age can affect outlook and younger people have a better prognosis than older people. What is melanoma? Melanocytes are cells in the skin that give us the colour of our skin because they produce a pigment, known as melanin. When you sit in the sun, melanocytes produce more pigment (a sun tan), which spreads to other skin cells to protect them from the sun's rays. But melanocytes are also where cancer starts. Too much UV causes sunburn, and this is a sign of damage to the skin's DNA. The UV triggers changes in the melanocytes, which makes the genetic material become faulty and cause abnormal cell growth. People who burn easily are more at risk of skin cancer because their cells do not produce as much pigment to protect their skin. Those with albinism are at the most risk because their skin produces no pigment at all.
South China Morning Post
12-03-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Hair fragrances are bringing a refreshing twist to the beauty scene, with Chanel, Miss Dior, Byredo and Ovviovita all joining the mane event
Morning routines now have a new step: hair fragrance. The outfit is sharp, the skin is glowing, but there's that final touch – a fresh scent that does more than make the hair smell divine: it hydrates, protects and adds shine. Hair perfumes have stepped confidently into the mainstream, at a time when the traditional fragrance scene has been playing it safe. Negin Mirsalehi, founder of Gisou, saw an opportunity to reimagine the brand's signature scent as a hair perfume. Her aim was to give the Gisou community constant access to the beloved scent, whether as a final touch or a mid-day refresh. With its playful, fresh and feminine vibe, the original perfume was such a hit that Gisou soon introduced a floral edition, blending rose and wild flower notes. Ouai Hair and Body Mist. Photo: Handout Advertisement For a brand like Gisou, merging hair care and fragrance was a natural step. Fans already loved the scents embedded in their products, so creating a stand-alone hair fragrance was a no-brainer. Jen Atkin, founder of Ouai, knew it too, jumping into the hair fragrance game with her line of hair and body mists, blending scents that captured the brand's chic and modern vibe. In its alcohol-free, nourishing form, hair scents go beyond being just a lovely fragrance, and are created with the same consideration as skincare – think lightweight oils, vitamins and UV protection. Kashish Golani, biomedical expert and founder of Ovviovita, notes, 'Hair fragrances are crafted to be pH-balanced, alcohol-free and enriched with essential oils that nourish and hydrate, leaving your hair not only beautifully scented but also well cared for.' The Crown Affair's Signature Scent Hair Fragrance. Photo: Handout Today, hair perfumes are packed with haircare benefits, making them the product that beauty lovers didn't know they were missing. And with influencers flaunting their glossy, fragrant hair everywhere, it's no wonder these products feel like a modern twist on Old Hollywood glamour. What makes hair perfume different from regular perfume? Far from being simply diluted perfumes for the scalp, they're softer, lighter and specifically crafted for the hair. Golani explains that 'hair fragrances are less intense than regular perfumes', allowing them to layer without overpowering. These gentle formulas are designed to skip the harsh alcohol found in typical perfumes, which can strip hair of moisture and leave it brittle. Hair's naturally porous structure gives it an advantage in holding onto fragrance, almost like a scent sponge that captures and releases perfume over time. 'Unlike the skin, where scents evaporate quickly thanks to body heat, natural oils and even perspiration, the hair can retain fragrance particles for longer, making it an ideal medium for those looking to enjoy a scent throughout the day,' hair stylist and colourist Megan Lynn says. She explains that hair's structure, with its tiny cuticle layers, locks in fragrance molecules, 'allowing them to settle and cling to the hair shaft, creating a gentle, almost ethereal diffusion of scent that moves with each step and turn of the head'.
