At this time of year everyone seems to be going down with repeated coughs and colds and it doesn’t seem long when you get rid of one, before you have another sore throat, and it all starts again. You hear people repeatedly say things like ‘Don’t breathe on me…I don’t want it’ or blame being stuck in stuffy environments surrounded by sniffling and sneezing people as the cause.
Have you ever thought that the person most likely re-infecting you is yourself? Think about it. You wouldn’t blow your nose and then smear the contents on your lips.. Yuk! Or drink from a glass of a person totally laden with cold…. because you would say ‘ You were asking for trouble’. Yet you repeatedly re-use a lipstick that is in direct contact with previously bacteria-laden lips.
One of the first things you tend to do to make yourself look a wee bit more presentable, even though you are feeling rubbish is to put a’ bit of good old lippy on’ to make you feel better…. And I do mean old in some cases!
How old is your Lipstick?
How many times has it come in contact with your Lips in it’s lifetime ? The composition of lipstick and lipgloss makes a huge breeding ground for bacteria due to it being dewy and moist. Therefore it is advisable to replace your lipstick regularly and most importantly, discard your old ones.
The fashion and cosmetic industry are constantly changing trends to encourage you to have the latest shade for the newest look. This of course increases sales for the cosmetic companies. But quite often women economise and put that winter look lipstick away, often laden in bacteria until next year. And there it sits in your dressing room drawer for months on end until called back into service.
If this sounds familiar then please ditch those old lipsticks. If you love the lip colour so much and you think it might get discontinued, then go and buy a new one and put that new sealed sterile one away until next year.
By the way this also applies MASSIVELY to lip balms too. When you do get coughs and colds you nearly always get dry chapped lips as a consequence, and you reach for the lip balm. Please remember all of these creamy comforters for cracked lips are a huge breeding ground for bacteria too, and even worse many get shared with friends and family. Don’t put yourself at risk. Please check out what you are exposing yourself to.
So here’s to a more healthy you!
Susan Routledge works with salons, spas and clinics to help them to get the most out of their businesses. You can contact Susan here>>
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