Author Archives: julia sawitsky

Buccal Fat Removal: Recommended or Regretted?

The public, gossip columnists, and surgeons are voicing various opinions on the newest plastic surgery trend: buccal fat removal.

Buccal fat is located between the jawbones and cheekbones. Cosmetic surgeons remove the fat to contour the face; the surgery hollows the cheeks and sharpens the jawline.

Before (left) and after (right) buccal fat removal. The patient’s cheekbones and jawline are more prominent. (Source: primera1035 on Flickr)

Patients typically have fuller cheeks that negatively impact their self-esteem. A doctor can remove this insecurity in an hour, and a patient recovers in only 7 to 10 days. The surgeon removes the fat with an incision in the inner cheek, so no scar is externally visible.

In 2021, Chrissy Teigen, a well-known model, expressed improved self-confidence after her own surgery.

Some popular procedures, like Botox, require routine touch-ups and payments to the surgeon’s office. In contrast, buccal fat removal is a one-time, permanent change. Supporters see its irreversibility as a positive, but others see it as a significant negative to the procedure.

Think about any older person in your life. As seen daily and shown through scientific studies, the middle of the face naturally loses fat as people age. Buccal fat removal speeds up this aging process. As said by Dr. Sherrell Aston, “you can make a 25-year-old look 45 with a 15-minute procedure”. Again, the process is irreversible, so surgeons cannot plump the cheeks back up with fillers or fat transfers.

Further, as with any surgery, there are associated risks. A study showed that there is a 26.3% chance of injury to facial nerves. Damage to the buccal branch can result in metallic-tasting food and numbness in the face or neck.

Buccal fat surgery can immediately boost a patient’s self-confidence, but the long-term effects must be considered. In the end, it is the individual’s decision, with consultation from a cosmetic surgeon, to alter their face forever.

– Julia Sawitsky

Artificial Snow at Beijing Winter Olympics

Beijing’s bid for the 2022 Winter Olympics relied solely on covering their cold-but-dry mountain venues, Yangqing and Zhangjiakou, with 100% artificial snow.

Snow machines were essential to Beijing’s Olympic bid (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

For every cubic meter of snow produced, half a cubic meter of water was required, raising concerns about Beijing’s bid.

Clean water is a scarcity in the northern region around Beijing and within the city itself. The region pumps in 70% of its water from southern China.

In their bid, Beijing estimated 49 million gallons of water would be needed to maintain the slopes, but, in reality, 343 million gallons were turned into snow.

Snow machines mix and cool compressed air and water, releasing tiny balls of ice onto the slopes and compacting four times denser than natural snow.

The presence of artificial snow has increased in the Winter Olympics. Artificial snow made up 80% of Sochi’s snow, 90% of Pyeongchang’s snow, and 100% of Beijing’s snow.

Figure 1. Water consumption estimates for artificial snow production at the past four Winter Olympics

In 1980, Lake Placid was the first Olympic venue to use artificial snow, but troubles with lack of snowfall are a recurring theme. In 1964, Austrian soldiers hauled 20,000 blocks of ice to prevent cancellation of the winter games. Vancouver, in addition to snow machines, transported snow with semi-trucks from higher to lower elevations of Cypress mountain.

Cross-country skier competing at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Skiers expressed concerns over artificial snow courses. The snow’s closer packing allows faster ski times but increases the likelihood of collisions. Athletes crash on snow that “feels like concrete”. In turn, the density allows for easy construction of ski and snowboard ramps.

A study found that, with global temperatures rising, only one of the past 21 Winter Olympic venues, would be able to provide natural snow by the 2080 games.

To keep the global athletic competition alive, fake snow will be the way to go.

-Julia Sawitsky

Carcinogen Detected in Dry Shampoo Products

Consumers and retail workers hurried to remove dry shampoo brands, such as Dove, Bed Head, and TRESemmé, from their shelves due to the detection of carcinogenic benzene. The recall, announced by Unilever on October 18, 2022, applies to more than 1.5 million units sold from January 2020 to October 2022.

Benzene structure (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Benzene is a known human carcinogen, increasing the risk of leukemia and blood cancer in bone marrow.

Volcanoes and forest fires naturally introduce the compound into the environment, and we inhale low doses daily from human-related activities. The American Cancer Society recommends steering clear of second-hand smoke and car exhaust to decrease exposure.

Within weeks of the recall announcement, Valisure, an independent laboratory, submitted a Citizen Petition on Benzene in Dry Shampoo Products to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Valisure sampled air contaminated with dry shampoo products, and 11 product batches from 3 different brands exhibited benzene levels ten times the FDA limit of 2 parts per million. The persistent high concentration of benzene after product use indicates possible short- and long-term effects.

Unilever’s independent study assured customers that the amount of benzene in the products was “not expected to cause adverse health consequences”. In contrast, Health Canada received calls describing incidents or injuries related to dry shampoo products. Typically, customer injuries were irritations or allergic reactions.

Aerosol products could be contaminating your air (Source: Robert Howie on flickr)

Nine months before Unilever’s recall, Proctor & Gamble removed Pantene, Aussie and Herbal Essence dry shampoo and conditioner sprays from stores. On July 14, 2021, Johnson & Johnson recalled five Aveeno and Neutrogena spray sunscreens.

Valisure submitted multiple other Citizen Petitions regarding benzene contamination in consumer products, including body sprays, hand sanitizers, anti-fungal sprays and antiperspirants.

Obviously, benzene in aerosol products is no longer an uncommon occurrence.

Consumers should opt for powders and lotions as often as possible…or risk another recall.

Julia Sawitsky

Carcinogen Detected in Dry Shampoo Products

Consumers and retail workers hurried to remove dry shampoo brands, such as Dove, Bed Head, and TRESemmé, from their shelves due to the detection of carcinogenic benzene.

The recall, announced by Unilever on October 18, 2022, applies to more than 1.5 million products sold from January 2020 to October 2022.

Aerosol products could be contaminating your air (Source: Robert Howie on flickr)

Benzene is a known human carcinogen, increasing the risk of leukemia and blood cancer in bone marrow.

Within weeks of the recall announcement, Valisure, an independent laboratory, submitted a Citizen Petition on Benzene in Dry Shampoo Products to the Food and Drug Administration.

Benzene structure (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

The study sampled air contaminated with dry shampoo products, and 11 samples exhibited benzene levels ten times the FDA limit of 2 parts per million. The persistent high concentration of benzene after product use indicates possible short- and long-term effects.

In December of 2021, Proctor & Gamble removed Pantene, Aussie and Herbal Essence dry shampoo and conditioner sprays from stores. On July 14, 2021, Johnson & Johnson recalled five Aveeno and Neutrogena spray sunscreens.

Valisure submitted multiple other Citizen Petitions regarding benzene contamination in consumer products, including body sprays, hand sanitizers, anti-fungal sprays and antiperspirants.

Obviously, benzene in aerosol products is no longer an uncommon occurrence.

Consumers should opt for powders and lotions as often as possible…or risk another recall.

Julia Sawitsky