Millions of women across the world use makeup to enhance their appearance and improve self-esteem. While makeup is popular with many women, there are some dangers with the long-term use of makeup. It’s important to know what chemicals are in makeup. Some chemicals have been shown to be toxic, carcinogenic, or hormone mimics.

One of the earliest health disasters with makeup was known as the Radon Girls incident. In the 1920-40s, many watches were created with a special fluorescent dye. This dye was made from radon, a radioactive element. Radon will glow without exposure to light. It provides a soft green glow that watch manufacturers found worked well on a watch’s hands. While the radon in a watch was not harmful, it could be a health hazard if it came in contact with the skin.

Many women who worked in the watch factories were unaware of the hazards of radon. While the managers and scientists who worked with radon took full precautions when handling it, many of these women would lick a paintbrush used for painting watch dials with the fluorescent dye. They licked the paintbrush to ensure that they could paint sharp and even lines on a watch’s face. Each time they licked the paintbrush they were exposing themselves to radon.

Many of these women went on to the fluorescent radon paint as lipstick and makeup. Many also painted their teeth and tongues with the radon liquid so that they would glow in the dark. Some women used the radon as mascara, placing a small amount around their eyes.

Over time, many of these women were diagnosed with cancer. Many had their tongues removed, suffered severe jaw damage, and many suffered from mesothelioma cancer. Treatment for mesothelioma and these other cancers was very poor at the time, and many of the women were from a lower income. The managers at the watch dial company denied that the girls were exposed to radon, and tried to play down the risk of radon exposure to the public.

After the bombing of Japanese bombing by the Americans, many people became aware of the dangers of radiation. While the Radon Girls will live in infamy, it’s important to understand the dangers of any type of makeup applied to the face. Many modern makeups are made from petroleum, parabens, and other chemicals. Many of these have been shown to be hazardous with long-term exposure. It’s important to always choose an organic makeup if available. In some cases, a day without makeup may be better than a day coating one’s face with toxic chemicals.