Critical Review of Lipstick Toxicity with Reference to Dushivisha

Introduction

In the science of Ayurveda, the terms Hita (beneficial) and Ahita (disadvantageous), Sukha (happy) and Duhkha (unhappy), as well as what is good and bad for life, its measurement, and life itself, are all described.¹ The foundation of Ayurveda is based on eight branches (Ashtanga Ayurveda), and one of those divisions is Agada Tantra (Toxicology), which deals with the symptoms and treatment of poisoning caused by snake bites, insects, spider bites, rodent bites, and various other poisons produced by improperly combining poisonous drugs.^{2 3} The study of toxicology involves learning about the origins, traits, and characteristics of poisons as well as the signs and symptoms that result from their ingestion, as well as the care of poisoning situations.⁴ Clinical toxicology primarily addresses human disorders brought on by or connected to unusual exposure to chemicals.⁴ Cosmetics are used widely and frequently every day. The most popular cosmetic item, lipstick is made up of several different chemicals.⁵ In addition to being applied on the lips, blusher is also applied to the cheeks. The chemical elements found in lipsticks can enter the body by eating or absorption. The gradual buildup of these poisonous compounds in the tissue causes signs and symptoms of poisoning, which often appear slowly over time. According to studies, wearing lipstick three days a week or more was linked to a 70% increase in risk of Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).6 According to the University of California study, women used lipstick ranging between 2 to 14 times a day. That corresponds to consuming up to 87 milligrams of a product per day in terms of chemical exposure.⁷ Usage of lipstick over the course of a lifetime can cause significant ingestion of chemicals which can have damaging consequences on the body and mind. This is known as cumulative toxicity.⁸ Acharya Susruta’s notion of Dushivisha is analogous to this cumulative toxicity. There are numerous factors that contribute to disease in the modern period, including toxins in the environment, food, chemicals, etc., which have a significant impact on human health because of prolonged exposure. One of the key components is cosmetics. In order to promote attractiveness and altered appearance, cosmetics are used quite liberally without consideration for the effects of their toxicity on the body. Knowing the significance of this study, it was chosen to clarify the cumulative toxicity of lipsticks over the significance of Dushivisha's literary works.

Aims and Objectives

To study the concept of Dushivisha.

To study the toxic effects of lipstick on human body.

Methods

Review of the Dushivisha literature was gathered from Ayurvedic text books. Review of the material on lipstick toxicity was gathered from contemporary science and from other places.

Conceptual study

The three subtypes of poison in the Ayurvedic setting are Sthavara, Jangama, and Garavisha. There is no specific classification for the Dushivisha, but according to Ayurveda, it is either Sthavara, Jangama, or Krtrimavisha; when following treatment, it loses some of its potency but retains enough of its effects to remain in the body. This less potent portion of the aforementioned poisons is what is referred to as the Dushivisha. ⁹ The nature of Dushivisha is attained by poison that has been stored for a long time, weakened by anti-poisonous treatments, dried in a forest fire, wind, or sun, or that has natural deficiencies in its qualities.¹⁰ Poisons have characteristics like Ruksha (Rough), Ushna (Hot), Teekshna (Potent), Sookshma (Minute), Ashu (Quick acting), Vyavayi (Absorbed without digestion), Vikasi (Produces looseness), Vishada (Non slimy), Laghu (light), and Apaki (indigestible), according to Acharya Susrutha. ¹¹ These characteristics give it the ability to vitiate the Dhatus. Due to its lower virulence, Dushivisha does not immediately manifest any symptoms in the body but rather attracts the Kapha, lays dormant for several years, and vitiates the tissues.¹² Because it vitiates Dhatus, Dushivisha was thus named.¹³ The cumulative action occurs when the toxic substances given repeatedly over an extended period of time accumulate as poisons, and since these are slowly eliminated from the body, they may build in the body and eventually result in symptoms of poisoning.¹⁴

Effect of lipstick on the body

The most popular cosmetic item, lipstick is made up of several different chemicals. The majority of lipsticks are mixtures of chemicals, including petroleum, paraffins, phthalates, lead and other hazardous metals, coal tar colors, and fragrances.¹⁵ Heavy metals like lead, nickel, aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, antimony, and chromium are reported to be present in lipsticks.¹⁶ These are potentially harmful to health because they can be consumed or absorbed via the mouth.

In general, in cosmetics, cadmium should not exceed the permissible limit of 3 ppm, safe levels of chromium in cosmetics is 1 ppm and lead limit for the lipstick is 0.1 µg/g.¹⁷

Signs and symptoms following accumulation of toxic substances in the body

Lead: Anemia, constipation and colic, drowsiness, encephalopathy, endocrine disruption, optic atrophy, impotency, lead osteopathy, optic atrophy, teratogenicity.^{17, 18}

Cadmium: Cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis and hypertension, carcinogen, osteomalacia, infertility.¹⁷

Arsenic: CNS- polyneuritis, anesthesia, paresthesia.

Skin- Pigmentation

Eyes- Congestion, photophobia

GIT- Cirrhosis of liver, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhoea.¹⁹

Coal tar dyes and Petroleum: Carcinogen, toxic to brain.¹⁶

Aluminum: Oxidative stress to the brain.17

 Discussion

Any substance that, when ingested or comes in contact with any portion of a live organism, causes negative side effects or death through local, systemic effects or both is considered a poison.¹⁵ Acharya Susruta has outlined Visha's effects on the body in terms of its Guna. ¹² Vayu is aggravated by Ruksha. Pitta and Rakta are both aggravated by Ushna. Teekshna disrupts the supports of crucial areas and has an impact on the intellect and psyche. Sookshma enters the organs and harms them. The immediate death of cells or tissue is by Ashu. Vyavayi is absorbed and circulated throughout the entire body. Vikasi reduces the effects of Dosha, Dhatu, and Mala. Vishada does not stick to anything. The condition Laghu is unstable and challenging to treat. Apaki means "not digested." Due to all these characteristics, Visha gets absorbed in the body, immediately vitiates the blood, simultaneously vitiates all of the Tridoshas and their associated places, and ultimately proves to be lethal for a person after entering the Hrdaya (heart).²⁰ Continuous ingestion of toxic substances aggravates Doshas and Dhatus, especially Rakta Dhatu. If not expelled properly, it deposits in the body tissues and diseases manifest.²¹ According to Acharya Susruta, a person with Dushivisha exhibits poisoning-related symptoms such as indigestion, anorexia, patches, allergic rashes, Dhatus depletion, oedema in the hands, feet, and face, discoloration, insanity, and several other illnesses.^11,14 When a poisoned cosmetic is applied to the face, the skin turns black and displays signs of a poisonous massage, prickly eruptions similar to Padminikantaka. ²²

Skin, superficial fascia, the orbicularis oris muscle, labial glands, blood vessels, and mucous membrane make up the lips.²³ The inferior labial and superior labial arteries, which supply the lower lip and upper lip, respectively, are anterior branches of the facial artery.²⁴

Pathogenesis

Since lipstick is made up of numerous chemical components, when used for prolonged periods, the toxic chemicals and substances can directly get absorbed through the mucosal membrane and into the blood vessels and get accumulated in the body. As these chemical compounds are not metabolized in the body, they deposit in the tissues. As in chronic lead exposure, it deposits in bones, kidney and liver.²⁵ With chronic exposure, cadmium can bind to RBCs, plasma albumins, resulting in lead osteopathy, renal failure, anemia, osteomalacia, infertility and cancer.²⁶ Endocrine disruptions mimic estrogen, block androgens, inhibit enzyme metabolic estrogen and causes breast CA.²⁷ Some substances cross the placenta, accumulate in the blood of growing fetus during pregnancy and causes learning difficulties in children.²⁸ As these substances will not get eliminated from the body, there will be elevated levels of chemical compounds in the blood, which get accumulated in the tissues and causes systemic illnesses like renal failure, endocrine system disruption, skin conditions, etc. Lipstick use over an extended period of time causes a variety of developmental problems, infertility, endocrine issues, and renal failure.

Laboratory diagnosis^25,29

Porphyrinuria due to coproporphyrin 3, blood lead level more than 70-100 µg/dL, urinary Beta-2 microglobulin test, saliva analysis, excretion of arsenic more than 50 µg/L in 24 h urine, is indicative of poisoning.

Conclusion

Acharyas explained prodromal symptoms of Dushi Visha are heaviness of body, looseness of joints, headache, yawning, impaired speech, olfactory and gustatory senses, oedema, diarrhoea, discoloration, etc. These resultant signs and symptoms are not because of the usage of lipstick for a day or a week, but can be caused due to the frequent usage/repeated application of lipstick for many years. Dushi Visha is nothing but the cumulative toxicity. It is accumulation of toxic substances in the body, which produce toxic effects after a prolonged duration. Long-term lipstick use causes a wide range of toxic symptoms and diseases in multiple organ systems, including the neurological system, endocrine system, and reproductive system. The symptoms produced are similar to that of Dushi Visha.

Conflict of Interest

None