We tend to forget it, and yet: although effective against certain sores, essential oils are not without risk to health… And it is not Elise Nguyen who will say the opposite!
In March 2017, this young American (about 30 years old) applied an essential oil to her wrists and neck – the substance was designed to be placed directly on the skin. An hour later, a serious mistake: Elise goes to a solarium to prepare her summer tan.
The next day, the young woman notices redness and itching on her neck and wrists – “I first thought I was allergic to a cleaning product”, she explains in a long message posted on Facebook. And the situation worsened over the following days: “I covered myself with blisters and oozing sores where I had applied my essential oil. Still on Facebook, the young woman publishes shock photos taken on D+3, D+6, D+10 and D+12. Impressive shots that show the extent of the chemical burn.
“I should have read the label more carefully”
Elise absolutely does not blame the brand concerned: “on the bottle, it was written very clearly that the essential oil was photosensitizing, and that the skin should be protected against the sun during the 12 hours which followed the application. I should have read the label more carefully. A piece of advice full of common sense…
Certain essential oils actually contain furocoumarins, photosensitive toxic agents: these increase the sensitivity of the skin to the sun, which can promote dermatological disorders and, in certain more serious cases, lead to the appearance of skin cancer. skin. The essential oils of bergamot, lemon, orange, mandarin, verbena… are particularly concerned. Consult your pharmacist !
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