Nail salon dust reveals alarmingly high photoinitiator levels: Assessing occupational risks.

Photoinitiators (PIs) are chemical additives that generate active substances, such as free radicals to initiate photopolymerization. Traditionally, polymerization has been considered a green technique that seldomly generates contaminants. However, many researches have confirmed toxicity effects of PIs, such as carcinogenicity, cytotoxicity, endocrine disrupting effects. Surprisingly, we found high levels of PIs in indoor dust. Our analysis revealed comparable levels of PIs in dust from printing shops (geometric mean, GM: 1.33 ×103 ng/g) and control environments (GM: 874 ng/g), underscoring the widespread presence of PIs across various settings. Alarmingly, in dust samples from nail salons, PIs were detected at total concentrations ranging from 610 to 1.04 × 107 ng/g (GM: 1.87 ×105 ng/g), significantly exceeding those in the control environments (GM: 1.43 ×103 ng/g). Nail salon workers' occupational exposure to PIs through dust ingestion was estimated at 4.86 ng/kg body weight/day. Additionally, an in vitro simulated digestion test suggested that between 10 % and 42 % of PIs present in ingested dust could become bioaccessible to humans. This is the first study to report on PIs in the specific environments of nail salons and printing shops. This study highlights the urgent need for public awareness regarding the potential health risks posed by PIs to occupational workers, marking an important step towards our understanding of environmental pollution caused by PIs.

Co-development of breast cancer health promotion educational materials for ethnically diverse women working with hairdressing and beauty salons: BELONG study.

BACKGROUND: Improved screening uptake is essential for early breast cancer detection, women's health and reducing health disparities. However, minority ethnic and deprived communities often face lower breast cancer screening rates and limited access to culturally tailored educational materials. A recent review found limited culturally tailored materials for breast cancer education. AIM: To investigate the culturally appropriate interfaces and preferences of salon staff in educating their clients about breast cancer METHOD: We used a two-stage approach, following the Double Diamond framework; discover and define phases. Relevant breast cancer materials (i.e., based on cultural appropriateness, English language presentation, and alignment with the UK context) were assessed using the Suitability Assessment of Materials (SAM) toolkit. Interviews with ethnically diverse salon staff provided insights into their needs and preferences for client education materials. Thematic analysis was applied to interview transcripts. RESULTS: Cultural appropriateness was evident in 9/14 (64%) of the materials identified (e.g., targeting black ethnicities with positive representations). Of those, six of them demonstrated an overall SAM rating of 76% ("Superior"). Thematic analysis of interviews identified seven key themes, including the importance of engagement strategies, education and awareness for health promotion, salon staff's role, preferred training methods, supportive materials, inclusivity, representation, and participant satisfaction. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the SAM toolkit's role in selecting suitable educational materials for breast cancer prevention. The research offers prospects for improving breast cancer awareness in ethnically diverse communities and addressing healthcare access disparities, with salon hairdressers emerging as crucial advocates for health promotion.

Tanning bed use in Germany between 2015 and 2022: Representative data of 28,000 individuals on indoor tanning, risk awareness and reasons for use.

BACKGROUND: Tanning beds were classified as first-group carcinogens in 2009. Nonetheless, research shows that people in industrialized Western countries use tanning beds. Based on the National Cancer Aid Monitoring (NCAM) including representative data on 28,000 individuals from Germany, we quantified the prevalence as a trend from 2015 to 2022, identified determinants of tanning bed use and analysed risk awareness and reasons for use. METHODS: We used NCAM data from 2015 to 2022 to analyse the trends in the prevalence of tanning bed use (n = 28,000). To determine the characteristics of tanning bed users, risk awareness and reasons, we combined data from the waves 2019 to 2022 (n = 16,000, 49.2% female, 16-65 years) in a pooled dataset to have sufficient power to detect even smaller associations. RESULTS: Tanning bed use decreased to 5.1% in 2022. The use of tanning beds in spas, fitness and beauty facilities increased, except during the COVID-19 pandemic, while the use in tanning salons decreased. Typical tanning bed users were female, middle-aged, occupied, higher educated, had an immigrant background and were former or current smokers. Risk awareness was the lowest among the current users. The most frequently mentioned reasons were relaxation, enhancement of attractiveness and pre-tanning. DISCUSSION: Our nationwide representative data showed that the prevalence of indoor tanning has decreased. Of concern are the lower risk awareness among current users and the shift in place of use towards facilities associated with health and wellness. To further reduce the use of tanning beds, targeted information, educational campaigns and extended legislation are considered helpful.

Bad lighting: Effects of youth indoor tanning prohibitions.

Indoor tanning beds (ITBs) emit UV light at high intensity and have been classified as carcinogenic to humans by the World Health Organization since 2009. We are the first to study the role of state laws prohibiting youths from indoor tanning using a difference-in-differences research design. We find that youth ITB prohibitions reduced population search intensity for tanning-related information. Among white teen girls, ITB prohibitions reduced self-reported indoor tanning and increased sun protective behaviors. We also find that youth ITB prohibitions significantly reduced the size of the indoor tanning market by increasing tanning salon closures and reducing tanning salon sales.

Transtornos alimentares: vivências de mulheres acima de 30 anos / Eating disorders: experiences of women aged over 30 years / Trastornos alimentarios: experiencias de mujeres de más de 30 años

O objetivo deste estudo foi compreender como mulheres adultas (acima de 30 anos) diagnosticadas com transtornos alimentares (TAs) vivenciam o adoecer. Trata-se de um estudo qualitativo, descritivo e exploratório, desenvolvido com base no referencial teórico-metodológico da Análise Fenomenológica Interpretativa (AFI). Participaram seis mulheres, com idades entre 34 e 65 anos, atendidas em um serviço especializado. Os dados foram coletados por meio de entrevista aberta, de inspiração fenomenológica, na modalidade remota. As entrevistas foram audiogravadas, transcritas e analisadas seguindo os passos da AFI. Duas categorias temáticas foram identificadas: "Vivendo antes do adoecer" e "Encontrando-se doente." Constatou-se que os sintomas tiveram início anteriormente à vida adulta e que houve dificuldade na confirmação do diagnóstico. Na perspectiva das participantes, conviver com a sintomatologia ficou mais complicado em função de particularidades de manejo dos sintomas na vida adulta, e a idade é percebida como um fator que impacta e dificulta ainda mais a recuperação. As participantes relataram desesperança em relação ao futuro, apesar de a maioria reconhecer melhoras no quadro clínico ao longo do tempo e de valorizar a relação de confiança estabelecida com a equipe multiprofissional.(AU)

This study aimed to understand the experience of illness of adult women (over 30 years) diagnosed with eating disorders (ED). This is a qualitative, descriptive, and exploratory study, using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) as theoretical and methodological framework. A sample of six women aged 34-64 years, assisted in a specialized service, were recruited to complete a phenomenological in-depth open interview. The data were remotely collected. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and analyzed following the IPA. Two thematic categories were identified: "Living before the illness" and "Finding about the illness." It was found that the symptoms started before adulthood and that there was difficulty establishing the diagnosis. Living with the symptoms became more complicated due to particularities of symptom management in adulthood and age is perceived as a factor that impacts recovery and makes it even more difficult. The participants reported hopelessness about the future, although most recognized improvements in the clinical condition over time and valued the trusting relationship they established with the multiprofessional team.(AU)

El objetivo de este estudio fue comprender las experiencias de las mujeres adultas (mayores de 30 años) diagnosticadas con trastornos alimentarios (TA) respecto a la enfermedad. Se trata de un estudio cualitativo, descriptivo y exploratorio, desarrollado a partir del marco teórico y metodológico del Análisis Fenomenológico Interpretativo (AFI). Participaron seis mujeres, con edades de entre 34 y 65 años, atendidas en un servicio especializado. Los datos se recogieron mediante entrevistas abiertas, de inspiración fenomenológica, en la modalidad a distancia. Las entrevistas fueron grabadas en audio, transcritas y analizadas siguiendo los pasos del AFI. Se identificaron dos categorías temáticas: "Vivir antes de enfermar" y "Encontrarse enfermo." Se constató que los síntomas comenzaron antes de la edad adulta y que hubo dificultades de establecer el diagnóstico. La convivencia con síntomas se complicó debido a las particularidades del manejo de los síntomas en la vida adulta y la edad se percibe como un factor que influye y dificulta aún más la recuperación. Los participantes manifestaron desesperanza sobre el futuro, aunque reconocieron mejoras en el cuadro clínico con el paso del tiempo y valoraron la relación de confianza establecida con el equipo multiprofesional.(AU)

Cognitive Functioning and Nail Salon Occupational Exposure among Vietnamese Immigrant Women in Northern California.

Introduction: Vietnamese nail salon technicians are continuously exposed to neurotoxins linked to cognitive impairments and Alzheimer's disease. This study examined the association of occupational exposure with cognitive function and depressive symptoms among Vietnamese nail salon technicians. Methods: The sample included 155 current or former Vietnamese female nail technicians and 145 control group participants. Measures included the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Results: Average cognitive functioning was significantly higher for the control compared to the nail technician group (mean difference = 1.2, p < 0.05). No differences were observed for depression. Multivariate findings revealed that exposure was negatively associated with cognitive functioning (ß = −0.29, 95% CI: −0.53, −0.05, p < 0.05). Discussion: Nail salon work and the extent of occupational exposure were associated with lower cognitive functioning among Vietnamese nail technicians. Longitudinal research can further examine the risk for cognitive decline and dementia for this vulnerable population.

Maternal occupation as a nail technician or hairdresser during pregnancy and birth defects, National Birth Defects Prevention Study, 1997-2011.

OBJECTIVE: Nail technicians and hairdressers may be exposed to chemicals with potential reproductive effects. While studies have examined birth defects in children of hairdressers, those in children of nail technicians have not been evaluated. We investigated associations between selected birth defects and maternal occupation as a nail technician or hairdresser versus a non-cosmetology occupation during pregnancy. METHODS: We analysed population-based case-control data from the multisite National Birth Defects Prevention Study, 1997-2011. Cases were fetuses or infants with major structural birth defects; controls were live-born infants without major birth defects. Expert raters classified self-reported maternal jobs as nail technician, combination nail technician-hairdresser, hairdresser, other cosmetology work or non-cosmetology work. We used logistic regression to calculate adjusted ORs and 95% CIs for associations between occupation during pregnancy and birth defects, controlling for age, smoking, education and race/ethnicity. RESULTS: Sixty-one mothers worked as nail technicians, 196 as hairdressers, 39 as combination nail technician-hairdressers and 42 810 as non-cosmetologists. The strongest associations among nail technicians included seven congenital heart defect (CHD) groups (ORs ranging from 2.7 to 3.5) and neural tube defects (OR=2.6, CI=0.8 to 8.4). Birth defects most strongly associated with hairdressing included anotia/microtia (OR=2.1, CI=0.6 to 6.9) and cleft lip with cleft palate (OR=2.0, CI=1.1 to 3.7). All oral cleft groups were associated with combination nail technician-hairdresser work (ORs ranging from 4.2 to 5.3). CONCLUSIONS: Small samples resulted in wide CIs. Still, results suggest associations between maternal nail technician work during pregnancy and CHDs and between hairdressing work and oral clefts.

[Antalgic effects of socio-aesthetics in cancer patients]. / Effets antalgiques de la socio-esthétique chez les patients atteints de cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Socio-aesthetics is the delivery appropriate beauty care in a population weakened by a physical, psychological and/or social attack. It has found its place in indications in both medical (especially in oncology) and social settings. It offers many types of treatments including facials, foot beauty, make-up, wig tips, body massage, product advice, cosmetic manicure, varnishing… The main purpose of this study was to evaluate pain reduction as a result of socio-aesthetics. METHODS: One hundred and eighty patients were offered a socio-aesthetic session between 12/01/2018 and 11/30/2019. One hundred and fifty-seven (87,2%) accepted the care (56.7% of women/43.3% of men, regardless of the type of cancer) and all agreed to complete a questionnaire on the type of treatment received, the benefits felt and a Likert pain assessment scale before and after the treatment. RESULTS: No patient experienced an increase in pain after the socio-aesthetic care. In the general population, the mean pain evaluation was rated at 1.31/10 and 0.78/10 before and after the session respectively, p<10-5. By selecting patients experiencing pain before treatment (40 patients, 28.0% of the total population), the mean pain evaluation was 4.27/10 and 2.52/10 before and after the treatment respectively, p<10-5. Pain was significantly reduced by massage. No patient found the socio-aesthetic treatment unnecessary. CONCLUSION: Socio-aesthetics is definitely a supportive care in oncology as it is significantly analgesic. It is easily accepted by men and regardless of the type of cancer. Researchers should conduct more studies on its impact on the quality of life.

Movimento Body Positive no Instagram: reflexões sobre a estetização da saúde na sociedade neoliberal / Body Positive movement on Instagram: reflections about the aestheticization of health in neoliberal society / Movimiento Body Positive en Instagram: reflexiones sobre la estetización de la salud en la sociedad neoliberal

Com o avanço das tecnologias de informação, as redes sociais estão inseridas diretamente no cotidiano dos indivíduos e refletem o modo como grupos e indivíduos constroem suas relações sociais, afetivas e laborais. Considerando que a percepção sobre os corpos é influenciada pelos canais de comunicação, este trabalho procura discutir o crescimento do movimento Body Positive (BoPo) em perfis do Instagram, tendo em vista a estetização da saúde e o efeito de influência e controle que são exercidos sobre a relação dos indivíduos com seus corpos. Para tanto, toma-se como referência a análise dos mecanismos neoliberais de controle e modulação de subjetividades marcados pela exigência de desempenho máximo e pela permanente concorrência consigo mesmo e com os outros. Procura-se apresentar uma reflexão crítica sobre a capacidade de captura dos mecanismos de controle em redes sociais que, em associação ao mercado capitalista, produzem novas roupagens para antigos dispositivos de poder.

With the advancement of information technologies, social media are inserted straight in people's daily life and reflect the way groups and individuals build their social, affective, and work relations. Considering that body perception is influenced by media channels, this paper aims to discuss the Body Positive movement increase on Instagram profiles, given the aestheticization of health and the influence and control effect over the relation of individuals with their bodies. Therefore, it takes as reference the analysis of neoliberal's control and subjectivity modulation mechanisms marked by both the exigency of maximum performance and the permanent competition with itself and the others. It seeks to present a critical reflection on the capture capacity of the social media control mechanisms that, associated with a capitalist market, produces new clothes to old power dispositives.

Con el avance de las tecnologías de la información, las redes sociales se insertan directamente en la vida diaria de las personas y reflejan la forma en que los grupos y las personas construyen sus relaciones sociales, afectivas y laborales. Teniendo en cuenta que la percepción de los cuerpos está influenciada por los canales de comunicación, este documento busca discutir el crecimiento del movimiento Body Positive (BoPo) en los perfiles de Instagram, en vista de la estetización de la salud, la influencia y el efecto de control que se ejercen sobre la relación de individuos con sus cuerpos. Con este fin, se toma como referencia el análisis de los mecanismos neoliberales para controlar y modular las subjetividades marcadas por la demanda de máximo rendimiento y competencia permanente consigo mismo y con los demás. Busca presentar una reflexión crítica sobre la capacidad de capturar mecanismos de control en las redes sociales que, en asociación con el mercado capitalista, producen ropa nueva para viejos dispositivos de energía.