Dangers of following fads

Hundreds of beauty and fashion brands regularly introduce a multitude of trends, products and styles that capture our imagination, tweak our fascination and influence the way we dress and groom ourselves. Beauty and fashion magazines, advertisements and television programmes brainwash us with ideal looks and what we need to wear to be cool. Unfortunately, for some, that may come at a price.
The dark side of fashion is linked to eating disorders and unhealthy body images. Following unrealistic benchmarks has caused several young men and women to battle bulimia and anorexia nervosa. And it doesn't end there. Trends such as tight skinny jeans, while flattering to the figure, can also hamper your blood circulation, cause urinary tract infections, and in men, affect sperm production.
According to a study from Chile's Universidad Andres Bello published in the Journal of Dermatology (2007), persistent mechanical pressure exerted by tight trousers can impair circulation, especially in women who sit for long periods. Tight jeans, belts, compression undergarments or shapewear cause problems such as pressure on the stomach leading to acid reflux. As it pushes the stomach acid up through the lower part of the oesophagus, where it meets the stomach, it causes heartburn.
Urinary tract infection is another common problem. Wearing these pants can also let moisture in, leading to repeated attack of UTI.
Accessories such as stilettoes and oversized bags have also been linked to problems ranging from shoulder and lower back pain to painful bunions and corns. Wearing high heels can cause anything from ingrown toenails to damaged tendons. Squeezing your toes into a narrow toe box can cause nerve damage and bunions. High heels have also been linked to lower back pain, fatigued leg muscles, knee pain and plantar fasciitis.
Heavy handbags can put stress on the nerves in your shoulder and cause pain, numbness and tingling, starting from the neck to the arm. Upper-back and neck muscles can also become strained from carrying heavy weight in one position over time. In addition, the weight of the bag on one side can cause your trunk to tilt to balance the weight; this can cause pain in the lower back.
Beauty products can be just as detrimental to your health, thanks to the chemicals that are used in everything from nail polishes and lipsticks to shampoos and deodorants. The list includes sulphates, parabens and even lead. Hair dyes, for instance, are known to contain carcinogenic compounds. British scientists have recently reported that chemicals in permanent hair dyes can react with tobacco smoke and other pollutants in the air to form N-nitrosamines, which are powerful cancer-causing compounds.
Acrylic nails, a popular trend with women, comes with its own hazards. Damage to acrylic nails and natural nail growth can leave gaps between the artificial and natural nail. This gap provides a moist, warm environment in which a nail infection can thrive. A nail infection can also be caused by unclean tools.
These are few health problems that are linked to fashion and beauty trends. It is, therefore, imperative that people recognise the dangers of following fads blindly without realising the impact it can have on their health.