Consumer Warning: Spray-On Tan Not as Safe as we Thought

Every summer new sun scary studies come out and we all cringe when we read the new warnings and details, but every summer thousands upon thousands of Americans still flock to the beaches to bask in those stimulating sum-rays- and I'm just as guilty.. 


ABC News released new scientific studies on a potential harmful chemical found in spray-on tans. The chemical known as DHA ( dihydroxyacetone ) allegedly has the potential to cause genetic alterations and DNA damage. A panel of medical experts looked at the studies (which I have to point out were not done on any human subjects) and voiced their concerns about consumers inhaling or ingesting the DHA chemical that can get into their bloodstream. 


Dr. Rey Panettieri, a toxicologist and lung specialist at the University of Pennsylvania's Perelman School of Medicine told ABC News, "These compounds in some cells could actually promote the development of cancers or malignancies, and if that's the case then we need to be wary of them."


But before we send the tanning-mom and cast of Jersey Shore into a frenzy, it's worth noting that not all doctors agree with these studies. 


Dr. Doris Day, a NY certified dermatologist that I happen to book interviews with quite frequently told me, " This is not a time to panic.  These have already been used for 10-15 years, and we really don't see a lot of data saying that young people have been damaged by this; we don't see an increased rise in genetic abnormalities in babies.  In other words, this is not new; it is done everyday."


She did add that if you want to be extra cautious you should not use spray-on tans on your face where it's easier to inhale the DHA chemical and of course if you are one of those people who can't resist the real thing (aka baking outside in the sun).. to use sun tanning lotion with a strong SPF (30+) and to reapply every 2 hours.


The full ABC News report can be read here: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/safety-popular-spray-tans-question-protected/story?id=16542918&singlePage=true#.T9crEbAS0uc

Summer Girls Come and Summer Girls go: Why Men Like 'dumb-looking' Women

I was down celebrating the Memorial Day weekend in Manasquan New Jersey.. Although it's not really considered to be a part of the "Jersey Shore" Guido/guidette fest, you will find plenty of drunk Snooki lookalikes dripping down from the likes of Belmar bars that you see showcased on the MTV show.

But Hey- it's summer time. Whether your getting black-out before 9pm or taking the walk of shame in the morning, everyone has their fun. But this wasted whirl of fun had me thinking when I came across a new study that asked whether men prefer dumb girls over intelligent ones for short-term flings.

The study involved a group of undergraduates who put together a list of female gestures that signaled low-intelligence, which they called 'exploitability cues'. Some of the 88 signs included; lip licking/biting, sleepy, intoxicated, tight clothing, partying etc..

After showing a separate group of male undergrads pictures of women in embodying each gesture they concluded that the men found these women to be appealing and were eager to have one-night stands with them.

However, they didn't see the liquored-up women to be more attractive than smart women when it came to thinking about them in long-term relationships. When the men were asked to judge the drunk women in the pictures as potential girlfriends or wives they had completely lost their appeal on them. ( Points for all the smart and classy girls out there!)

A follow-up study was also done to show what kind of man would be most aware of these 'exploitability cues' and more likely to pursue women with them. This study found that more promiscuous men who lacked in the personal empathy and warmth departments were the ones most attuned to the cues (not really a shocker there) and concluded that to them,this indicated that not all men are sleazy d-bags when it comes to pursuing sex.

Take the Study for what it's worth, but I interpreted it as proving the following:  1- ditsy doesn't deliver 2- you won't or you most likely will not find a boyfriend if your three sheets to the wind and 3- the guys participating in this study didn't take into account the effect drunk goggles have when your out getting sloshed picking up even more sloshed girls at the bar.


                 Another one of those famous videos " Whart Drunk Girls Say"

Break-Up's Are Hard to Do..Study Says you lose Eight Friends in the Process

Break-up's are hard enough. You cry, you overeat or don't eat at all and lock yourself in your bedroom with Ben & Jerry's and a years supply of sappy movies. 


But after all the tears and empty containers, you come to your senses and realize that the relationship wasn't all it was cracked up to be anyways and in the end you can see that you have only really lost one friend who didn't deserve you anyways, right?


A new study by HealBee.com says after a long-term relationship ends you are actually likely to lose about eight friends- most likely to be about three friends of the ex-partner and three or so mutual friends made during the relationship.


Speaking from experience, I maintained one mutual friend after my last long-term relationship ended and I've witnessed the break-ups of some of my friends where I too I have completely lost touch with my friend's ex-partner. 


31 % of the 2,000 people polled ( people who recently went through a break-up) said they regret some of their actions during the break-up because of the effect it had on their friendships- Maybe too many drunk phone calls or texts sparring with your ex left some bad blood?


Once the relationship was finalized, over -terminated, 49% claimed  either they or their ex were pushed out of one another's group of friends.


Although this statistic sounds a bit disheartening, would you want to be the cause of awkward stares and hushed whispers. What if one of you wants to bring a new partner around out on a night your group of friends are all going out to a bar? If you happen to have watched any of the Jersey Shore episodes on MTV you know Sammy didn't take it well when she saw Ronny out just talking to other girls and you can see just how uncomfortable their fights and break-ups made the other housemates/friends.

Chad Schofield, founder of the site added, " No matter how supportive your friends and family  actually are, there's often a need to make some big life decisions which may well affect you for years to come- all at a time when you may not be fully ready to or be at your most rational."


Hmm let's see.. My last break-up resulted in myself chopping all my hair off and taking some very impromptu and pricey trips around the world...


From the study only 12 % revealed that they couldn't have asked their friends to be any more supportive during their difficult time- A statistic that seems a little too low for my liking.. 


True friends will be there for you through thick and thin, if you lose some during a break-up you probably know deep down that they weren't your real friends anyways.