Did you know that about 400,000 people in the US were born without a sense of smell? These people have a condition known as anosmia and effects not only their sense of smell but also their ability to taste. (Here’s one author’s experience with anosmia). Why most can’t smell is mystery but that may be changing.

You can imagine how unfortunate it is, especially when it comes to using perfumes or heavily scented beauty products from places like Lush or Bath & Body Works. Without fragrance people would have a very difficult time noticing any difference between various products.

Does fragrance make the beauty product?

In fact, brands like Philosophy are all about fragrance. Let’s compare a couple of their products.

Philosophy Vanilla Birthday Cake 3-in-1 shampoo

Water (aqua), TEA Lauryl Sulfate, PPG 2 Hydroxyethyl Cocamide, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycol Stearate, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Chloride, Glycerin, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Fragrance (Parfum), Polyquaternium 7, PEG 150 Distearate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate, Buteth 3, Tributyl Citrate, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Propylene Glycol, Yellow 5 (CI 19140), Red 40 (CI 16035)

Philosophy Double Rich Hot Cocoa 3-in-1 shampoo

Water (Aqua), TEA Lauryl Sulfate, PPG 2 Hydroxethyl Cocamide, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycol Stearate, Caramel, Disodium Laureth Sulfocsuccinate, Sodium Chloride, Glycerin, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Fragrance (Parfum), Polyquaternium 7, PEG 150 Distearate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate, Buteth 3, Tributyl Citrate, Propylene Glycol, Benzyl Benzoate, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Red 33 (CI 17200)

Notice anything? The formulas are identical except for the color and fragrance. Now, for a non-anosmiatic like myself this is not a problem. I love both of these products. The intense fragrances transport me to happy times; a birthday party when I was 7, a cold winter evening snuggled up by a fire. Oh, such memories from simple body washes.

While anosmiacs won’t be able to tell any difference between these two products (except for color), relief may be on the way. Researchers at the Washington DC Taste and Smell Clinic report that they have identified cell death factors in the mucous of anosmiacs. And now they can get to work on finding ways to reduce the effect of these factors.

So if you happen to lose your sense of smell or were unfortunate enough to be born without it, you may be able to take a pill or nasal spray that will allow you to to know the difference between Vanilla Cake and Hot Cocoa shampoo.

This is the next chapter in The Beauty Brains‘ Cosmetic Diseases and Disorder Series, which is intended to help our community understand conditions that can make it impossible for some people to enjoy the same beauty experiences that most of us take for granted. This chapter covers Hirsutism, which is what happens when hair starts growing in places it`s not supposed to.

What is Hirsutism

Hirsutism is the medical term for excess body or facial hair in women. If you`ve ever seen pictures of the legendary Bearded Ladies from the turn of the century circuses, then you have a good idea of what Hirsutism looks like. This condition occurs when hormones run amok, causing women to experience male hair growth patterns and it`s estimated that Hirsutism affects between 5% to 10% of all women.

FYI, be careful not to confuse Hirsutism with Hypertrichosis. Hypertrichosis is a condition that causes excessive hair growth on normal parts of your body. For example, it`s normal for a man to have chest hair. But if a man`s chest looks like a bear skin rug, then he might be producing TOO much hair “ this is hypertrichosis. On the other hand, if a woman has hair in places she`s not supposed to, like on her chest (or in the case of the bearded lady mentioned above, on her face) then she has Hirsutism.

What Causes Hirsutism

It`s all about the balance of Androgens, a type of male hormone, in the female body. Specifically, Hirsutism can be caused by either an increase in production of testosterone and androstenedione, or an increased sensitivity of the skin to these hormones. In some cases, it may be a symptom of a more serious condition such as adrenal hyperplasia or ovarian tumors, particularly. If your hair growth patterns have changed dramatically, it couldn’t hurt to consult with your physician.

What Are The Symptoms of Hirsutism

Luckily, the symptoms are limited to the hair growth examples describe above. By itself, hirsutism is embarrassing but harmless.

What Does Hirsutism Look Like

Click the links below for examples of Hairs Gone Wild.

Photo 1

Photo 2

Photo 3

How To Treat Hirsutism

There are several effective ways to treat this condition. If hair growth is light, you may be able to just bleach the hair to make it less noticeable. (Hydrogen peroxide is commonly used for bleaching.) For more serious growth you can get rid of it by mechanical and chemical hair removal. (Depilatories and shaving are the most common methods.) You can also use temporary epilation which involves removing the hair at the root level. (Plucking, tweezing, and waxing are popular methods.) Finally, you can use permanent epilicaton method like electrolysis, thermolysis, or laser removal.

Katy has cause for concern: I have clusters of dry, red raised bumps on either side of my chin. I’ve been using hydrocortisone that helps but doesn’t cure them. I also have a flush to my cheeks and am prone to blushing, which are two characteristics of Rosacea. Does this sound like Rosacea and do you know of any better remedies Hydrocortisone?

The Right Brain rambles on Rosacea:

Katy, based on your description you might have a form of Rosacea but you really should really check with a dermatologist for the best course of treatment. Your question prompted us to include Rosacea in our Cosmetic Diseases and Disorders Series so everyone gains a better understanding of this condition. Hopefully you’ll find this information helpful.

What is Rosacea

Rosacea is an inflammatory skin condition that causes the skin around your nose, cheeks, chin and eyes to become very red and flushed. Over 14 million Americans suffer from this neurovascular disorder, according to the National Rosacea Society. Why is this such a disturbing disorder? Because it’s more than just a simple case of being red-faced! The condition has psychological effects as well. The Society has done studies that show nearly 70 percent of Rosacea sufferers have lowered self-esteem, and 41 percent say that the condition causes them to avoid public contact or cancel social engagements.

What causes Rosacea?

No one knows for sure but there are several theories. It could be related to how facial blood vessels cope with being flushed and dilated. Or, it could be that it’s an over active inflammatory response to some unknown pathogen. Though the exact cause is unknown, we do know that it can be worsened by harsh skin treatments, strong acne medications, and even exposure to excessive sunlight.

How can you tell if you have Rosacea?

Again, you should consult your dermatologist to find out if your condition really is Rosacea. But here are some common symptoms you can look for. The redness associated with Rosacea primarily occurs in the flushing zone, the nose, cheeks, chin and forehead. Besides the reddening, you may see dilated blood vessels and facial swelling. You may also feel a slight burning sensation on your face. Inflammatory papules and pustules (the red bumps you described?) may develop as well.

You should also note that Rosacea starts as mild episodes of facial blushing or flushing which can turn into a permanently red face over time.

There is a special type of Rosacea, known as Ocular Rosacea, that affects both the eye surface and eyelid. This condition can cause redness, dry eyes, redness, crusting and even loss of eyelashes.

What does Rosacea look like?

You can see for yourself by checking out these links, but some of these are a bit disturbing so use your discretion.

3 Photos of mild Rosacea

More photos of severe Rosacea

What can you do about Rosacea?

We didn’t find any reference to using hydrocortisone to fight Rosacea, but there are other medications that are used to control the redness and reduce the number of papules and pustules.

The most commonly used drugs are oral antibiotics and topical metronidazole. Isotretinoin (Accutane) has also been shown to work against severe papopustular rosacea because it physically shrinks sebaceous glands and it has potent anti-inflammatory properties. And there has been some discussion that topical application of a drug called Finacea may be a promising treatment as well. You’ll need a prescription form your doctor for all of these though.

There are some things you can do without a prescription: according to the experts, you should use a gentle cleansing regime to avoid aggravating the condition. So make sure you’re using a mild facial cleanser and not scrubbing too much! You should also limit sun exposure by protecting your skin with a good non-irritating sunscreen everyday. You might find a product that uses physical sunblock ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide might be less aggravating than some of the reactive sunscreens.

For much, much more on this subject, visit the Rosacea Support Group or the excellent Rosacea Blog.

What if everyday of your life your hair was such a tangled mess that you literally COULD NOT comb or brush it? Just imagine how this could affect your self-image. Considering how important hair is to our overall appearance, it could be psychologically devastating.

This is not a what if scenario for people with Uncombable Hair Syndrome (or UHS), a genetic condition that makes hair unable to be groomed. UHS is the next topic in the Beauty Brains’ Cosmetic Diseases and Disorders series.

What Is UHS

Uncombable Hair Syndrome was discovered by French researches in the early 1970s. They termed it “cheveux incoiffables” but it is also sometimes referred to as spun-glass hair. The disease is characterized by scalp hair that has an irregular structure and that is arranged in haphazard bundles that are impossible to comb. Fortunately, UHS is not a common phenomenon; there have only been about 60 cases reported in the journal literature between 1973 and 1998.

What Are The Symptoms

UHS usually starts in early in childhood. Initially the hair looks thin and glassy, then it becomes drier, curlier, and lighter in color. Eventually it becomes increasingly uncombable. The condition only affects scalp hair; pubic and arm pit hair are unchanged. Hairs afflicted with this disease have two defining features that can be seen under high magnfication: one is a triangular, or almost kidney bean cross-section. The other is a longitudinal groove or canal that runs along the length of the hair.

Partial baldness is also a possible side effect because the hair is not always properly anchored in the hair follicle properly. Unlike some of the other conditions that affect hair combabilty, UHS is NOT associated with physical, neurologic, or mental abnormalities.

What Does UHS Look Like

You can follow the links below to see examples of this condition. It`s really amazing how glass-like the hair is; it`s easy to see how the disease has earned the nickname spun glass hair.

UHS Photo 1

UHS Photo 2

UHS Photo 3

UHS Photo 4

How Is UHS Treated?

There is no certified treatment for Uncombable Hair Syndrome but there has been at least one report in the literature that daily doses of biotin can make the hair more pliable and easier to comb. However, this treatment did not restore the proper shape of the hair. Another article mentions the possible use of silver nitrate compresses, mycolog ointment, and occasional antibiotics but there is no real evidence that any of these are effective. Fortunately, it`s not uncommon for the condition to automatically reverse itself with advancing age.

With all the glitz and glamor of the cosmetic industry, it`s easy to forget there are many unfortunate people stricken with various diseases or disorders that make it impossible for them to enjoy the same beauty experiences that most of us take for granted.

Some of these conditions are serious enough to be life threatening, others are not physically harmful but cause startling changes in appearance that are psychologically damaging. All of these cases are sad.

This series highlights a few of these cosmetic diseases and disorders. If you have any of these, our hearts go out to you. If you don`t have them “ be thankful you`re healthy! Part 2 of this series covers Necrotizing Fasciitis, commonly referred to as Flesh Eating Bacteria.

What Is NF
Necrotizing Fasciitis, or NF, is a bacterial infection of the fascia, the membrane that covers muscle tissue. It`s relatively rare, even though cases are widely publicized. This isn`t really considered a cosmetic disease, but because the effect it has on the skin is so horrific and because it can be so life threatening, we felt it is important one to make our readers aware of.

What Causes NF
It`s caused by a special strain of Group A Streptococci, the same type of bacteria that cause strep throat. These bacteria can enter your body through any break in the skin. There have been documented cases of NF that have resulted from contamination that occurred as a result of surgery, a tiny scratch, even a friendly punch on the arm.

What are the Symptoms
Once inside your body, the bacteria start to attack the muscle tissue. Swelling, heat, and redness starts in about a day. Then the skin color turns red, then purple, then blue in another day. Large blisters develop shortly thereafter. NF can cause incredible pain, extremely low blood pressure, high fever, and if not properly treated, death.

How Is It Treated
The good news is that this infection is very responsive to antibiotics. The bad news is, it can kill you in a couple of days if left untreated. Even with antibiotics and surgery the mortality rate is still almost 50%.

You can visit The National Necrotizing Fasciitis Foundation for a detailed description of the disease and personal accounts of survivors that include extremely graphic photographs. Please use discretion when viewing.