Are perfumes safe for kids?

clan_NEt

Well-Known Member
4 Jun 2011
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In Singapore, a look around the retail stores show an increasing array of perfumes targeted at kids. Even high-end brands such as Burberry, Bvlgari and Givenchy are marketing fragrances with sweet sounding names like Tartine et Chocolat Ptisenbon.

Labels that accompany these fragrances give reassuring references to being “dermatology and allergy tested”, “clinically tested”, “hypoallergenic” and “tested for irritation”.

Should parents give in and pick up the trend started by famous celeb moms such as Madonna, Angelina Jolie and Gwyneth Paltrow?

Associate Professor Anne Goh, Senior Consultant and Head of Allergy Service at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital advises parents to first learn more on what goes into fragrances before making that purchase.

What’s in a perfume?
Most perfumes contain 78% to 95% of specially denatured ethyl alcohol, and a mix of essential oils which can be either natural or synthetic. In addition, phtalates and glycerin are used as fixatives to help preserve perfumes.

Kids’ perfumes usually have a lower percentage of alcohol or can even be alcohol free. However they still contain essential oils, phtalates and glycerin, all ingredients which have been found to cause allergic reactions in some people.

Studies have shown that chemicals contained in fragrances can cause health effects like skin sensitivities, rashes and dermatitis. What’s more, as many as 75% of asthma sufferers can have asthma attacks triggered by perfumes.

Simple soap and water?
Parents need to know that children have a much higher rate of chemical absorption from their skin into their bloodstream than adults. “If accidentally ingested , perfumes could also result in accidental poisoning. If applied in large quantities, allergies of the skin can develop” warns A/Professor Goh.

Her advice for parents is this: “If you want your children to smell good, bathing them with soap and water should do it.”

If you still cannot resist the appeal of perfumes for your kids, try spraying the product on their clothes instead of on their skin, and do mind the quantities.

Source
 

LLuDawg

Member
12 Nov 2011
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I think kids should just stay away from these chemicals. I myself often sneeze when I smell perfume. If you want to smell nice then soap and water is definitely your best bet. Always try to be as natural as possible!
 
7 Nov 2011
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Perfumes contain numerous chemicals. These can be evaporated once sprayed and can penetrate deeply into the skin. Even if it is hypoallergenic, the chemicals once inhaled will cause some irritation of respiratory track not only in kids but also in adults as well. We cannot avoid having perfumes particularly for females but it can be for the kids. It is up to the parents if they will follow it since most of us are just merely reading the paper without taking some necessary action to avoid the risk. ;)
 

luXy

Well-Known Member
8 Jun 2011
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Bedok
Parents need to know that children have a much higher rate of chemical absorption from their skin into their bloodstream than adults. “If accidentally ingested , perfumes could also result in accidental poisoning. If applied in large quantities, allergies of the skin can develop” warns A/Professor Goh.
Interesting and good insight. I think that this applies to other fragrances like deodorants too. Many kids in are using deodorants nowadays. Like after a P.E. lesson or after a sweaty CCA session.
 

mika

Member
3 Nov 2011
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I do not think kids should wear perfume already and just let it be for grown ups. Business minded people would just want to earn money from it and not to benefit the kids (what benefit a kid should get from a perfume? to be cute and not smelly?). Maybe just use safe scented products that at least benefit a child like baby powder.
 

altrouge

Member
19 Nov 2011
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Another reason as to why I do not use perfume, besides the fact that I start hysterically sneezing all over the place when I smell one. Younger ones really don't need to use it just yet, it will wear off throughout the day as they perspire from all the daily activities and playtime they do. As for adults, they should at least minimise the usage. Sometimes the natural body scent ( if it smells fine :D) is enough.
 

Germs

Member
9 Nov 2011
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Not sure why kids would be using perfumes anyway, kids grow up too fast these days.