It’s always alarming to read that ordinary consumer products used by millions of people every day can cause great harm, like the recent warning from the FDA about the battery operated Spinbrush toothbrush. What’s so dangerous about the Spinbrush? The FDA says that parts of it can break off during use and be “released into the mouth with great speed,” causing broken teeth, mouth and gum injuries, choking hazards, cut lips and tonsil injuries.

The obvious take-away from this warning to stop using your Spinbrush, but there’s a larger lesson here too. Miniaturized plastic versions of power tools should never be used for personal grooming purposes, after all, the Spinbrush is nothing more than an electric sander with bristles, right?

Let’s all take the opportunity to step back and evaluate our personal grooming utensils and make sure we’re not needlessly exposing ourselves to danger.

  • If you are trimming your bangs with an electric hedge clipper, cease and desist immediately. Safer options include booking an appointment with a licensed hair stylist, which might cost a few bucks, or having your six year use her safety scissors to give you the same unique hair style she gave her Barbie doll – added bonus — your hair will eventually grow back.
  • If you are drying your hair with a leaf blower, it is likely that the resulting hair style will resemble that of a troll doll, plus you risk injury from the debris that will be inadvertently picked up and blown around the room in the mini indoor cyclone you have created. A standard hair dryer is a safer option or better yet, go sit in the sunshine for a while.
  • If you are shaving your legs or armpits with an electric belt sander, wow, you have a high pain tolerance. Nevertheless, you are likely causing serious abrasions. Try a safety razor or skip it altogether and enjoy the insulating benefits of increased body hair.
  • Toenails can be tough to trim, but always remember that a circular saw is not the solution. A heavy duty pair of nail clippers should suffice.

We can all agree that good hygiene is important, but always put safety before beauty. And, for goodness sake, don’t pluck your chin hairs in the car – we can see what you’re doing in there!