I Can SEE the Perfume Coming

Apparently, there are international rules for the application of perfume.
…..Rule 1. The more dressed up you are, the more perfume you must apply.
…..Rule 2. Follow the makeup to perfume ratio: more of one requires more of the other.
…..Rule 3. The more important the event you will be attending,
the more intense the perfume you should wear.
…..Rule 4. If you are over the age of eighty, you must apply your perfume with a paint brush.

As stated in rules 1 and 2 above, the more dressed up you are and the more makeup you wear, the more perfume you must apply. Because of my knowledge of these widely-accepted rules, I can see the perfume coming before I even smell it. And since a barrage of perfume can be dangerous to someone with MCS (see NOTES), I am grateful to have the warning.

I often wonder why women who have put forth great effort and time to polish their appearance to a high gloss (that would catch anyone’s eye), have the need to bathe in perfume. Once they have everyone’s attention with their stunning presentation, is there really a need to try for more? Perhaps they are striving to be the flower in the room. Or maybe they are going for the large, bold centerpiece. Unfortunately, some end up a Rose Bowl Parade Float.

But let’s be honest, the desire to make a “scent-sation” is not gender specific. So, ladies, please be careful… very careful, when you whisper to a man those three little words… the three words that we all long to hear… those three words that can change a relationship forever… “You smell nice.” Now, you’ve done it! He now feels compelled to keep available a 50 gallon drum of whatever fragrance he happened to be wearing at the time of your compliment; to splash on every fifteen minutes for the rest of his life.

Most people do not seem to be aware of the fact that smells become less noticeable to the healthy nose in a short period of time. Although the molecules from the substance that makes up a smell or scent are still present, the normal person will become desensitized to them. They are no longer smelled by the person wearing them. This is why so many people reapply their perfumes and colognes throughout a day. They don’t know that they already have on more than enough.

I must confess, when I was a young women, I did wear a mild fragrance. Even then, I felt it was more for the enjoyment of those intimately close. Although I didn’t have significant reactions to perfumes and colognes at that time, several were unpleasant. Today, there seems to be an abundance of offensive (okay, I really mean obnoxious) ones out there. They remind me of classic scents such as RAID, OFF, TIDYBOWL, and LYSOL. Sometimes when I encounter a really awful fragrance, I have to bite my tongue to prevent from asking, “Excuse me, what is that insect repellant you are wearing?”

This all brings me to the point that there are reasons why some fragrances smell like pesticides and disinfectants. Although some of us can react to any fragrance, it is important to know that fragrances in our everyday products are NOT REGULATED and worse, many are TOXIC. Some contain chemicals found in paint and varnish removers, nail enamel remover, and bleach. At least 95% of the chemicals found in perfumes today are derived from petroleum.

The following link is a MUST READ. It lists chemicals, their effects on the body, and the products which contain them.
http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=406948978&blogId=494040622

For more information on fragrances, chemicals, and the chemically sensitive, click on these links.
http://www.ehow.com/about_4674296_what-chemicals-perfume.html
http://www.ewg.org/files/SafeCosmetics_FragranceRpt.pdf
http://www.dldewey.com/perfume.htm

CONCLUSION:
Fragrances are NOT regulated in this country. Toxic ingredients are in an alarming number of perfumes and colognes. It is known that many of these chemicals have the capability to cause cancer, birth defects, nervous system disorders, and life-threatening reactions. Therefore, it is amazing to me that the marketing machines of the fragrance industry have convinced us that we not only need to wear perfume, but that our cosmetics and cleaning products must contain fragrances also.


NOTES: Those with MCS react differently from exposure to fragrances. And each of us can have our own lists of symptoms. Even a brief exposure can cause several symptoms. Below is a partial list of symptoms resulting from exposure to fragrances.

Nose, Throat, and Lung Irritation (burning)
Severe Coughing
Wheezing or Difficulty Breathing
Lightheadedness or Loss of Equilibrium
Severe Headache
Inability to Concentrate
Loss of Consciousness


SUGGESTIONS:
Although it is difficult, inform family and friends of the harmful chemicals found in fragrances. It is important they know the potential harm for everyone.

When crowds are unavoidable, LOOK for the perfume. You might escape before getting PER-FUME-IGATED.


WHAT WORKS FOR YOU?
How do you inform someone that if they spray, you can’t stay?