microwaving lotion bottles

[dantexvergil]

At the spa I have been working at, a lot of therapists warm their massage lotion in the microwave while its in the plastic pump bottle. I have always heard that microwaving plastics release carcinogens, the stuff that can cause cancer. Someone correct me if I am wrong here. In school, we were told to put the bottle in a bowl of hot water. I dont want to get in anyones business at work about it, but everytime I see one in there I cringe. What do you guys think? I know the skin absorbs everything, so I was wondering if this was bad????I know its bad to eat foods that are microwaved in plastic, but .... ???

 

[BARRY B]

all I can say is EEEEKKKKK!!!!!If you go into the "shouldn't microwave food in plastic" debate, even the slightly more conservative side agrees you shouldn't microwave high fat foods in plastic.  Oil just doesn't heat well in a microwave, you get pockets and very high temp pockets can melt the plastic.  OK they're not trying to heat it to food temps, but it's still a concern.  Then you have the plastic going into the oil.  Can you still buy food oils in US in plastic?  Some countries you can only get food oil in glass, it's recognised that oils at room temp will absorb nasties from the plastic.  Heat the oils and it absorbs more nasties. Heat oils in plastic and I don't want to think about it.  ALso the containers they're heating in are probably not "microwave safe" plastic - even more nasties.But there is the argument that the oil is only heated for a bit, it's only a bit above room temp, it's not exposed to the plastic for weeks on end, it's only being used on the skin not eaten, the nasties are too big to be absorbed into the skin.  That last one, I'd say generally the nasties may be too big, but microwaving them could be breaking some of the molecular bonds and making them small enough. Better to be too careful.I keep all my bulk oils that come in plastic in the fridge.  I put them in glass in working size amounts.

 

[Underground lightning]

microwaving lotion bottles

I won't microwave anything in plastic.  The information I've read says that chemicals do make their way into our food/lotions, but there isn't enough chemical to cause any harm.  Personally, I don't think I want any chemical making its way into my food or lotion.

Here's a link:

http://www.phthalates.org/whatare/index.asp

If you dig around that site a little you'll learn about chemicals in baby toys and food packaging.

I wrap a heating pad around my bottle for 10 minutes while I set up my table.

Katykangaroo

 

[SmartA$$]

microwaving lotion bottles

Baby bottle warmers would work too, I've heard.

 

[angel619]

Hmmm - - baby bottle warmer is a good idea. I'd think it would be cheaper than a MT bottle warmer. The last time I checked those at massage warehouse they were about $70. I'll have to check out the baby section of the store next time I go. Been a long time since I've been to that section. Heating pad's a good idea too. Thanks for the ideas, guys!  

 

[Vampire Lord]

i stay clear of microwaves for any reason.  i wouldn't heat up my oil in it either.  the bottle warmer sounds like a good idea, though.i use food grade coconut oil, which is solidish at room temp, so i do need to heat it up-- i just let a small stream of hot water run over the bottle while i am setting up my table for outcalls.... it works fine, and it stays warm for the length of the massagepeacejen

 

[Truth]

Mmmmm, warm cocoanut oil. I'm ready for a massage! Where do I find you  Jen??- Samantha

 

[Joseph Black]

i'm in ohio LOLbut who knows where i will be in a year.  i tend to move around a lot i LOVE the smell of coconut (i carry almond, in case the client has different taste than me)-- but i really love the texture of it.  it lubricates the skin, yet it still allows for some 'grip'-- plus, a little goes a long way.

 

[felixeatsmeowmix]

microwaving lotion bottles

I just stick my bottle in the crock pot that I use for my hot stones for a few minutes...

 

[ChicoPedro]

microwaving lotion bottles

The crock pot works great. I use a "simmer pot". I bought it at WalMart. Looks like a miniture crockpot. It's alot smaller the bottle of massage oil or cream fits perfect and heats fast.

 

[Gerrardo]

Hi Kat,I work at a spa too and see therapists putting their lotion and oils in the microwave.  I hate it... not because of the plastic thing (however that is a good point that will just make me even more against it) but because I think it breaks down the properties of the lubricant after one too many zaps and I may be just lucky enough to get that persons super-zapped bottle at some point.I always try to encourge my co-workers to pop their (clean) bottles in the hydrocollator for a minute or two to take the edge off.Maybe your spa has a hydrocollator too?

 

[Jessica P]

The biggest, most important reason not to microwave plastic is that it releases dioxin into the food/oil.  Dioxin is the most toxic substance known, and effects humans and all animals the same way.  Dioxin is the toxic substance in agent orange.  It is known to cause all cancers, reproductive disorders and diseases, and so many other things.  Don't microwave plastic, don't put water bottles in the freezer.  Also you guys, if you bleach your linens, like we're technically supposed to, bleaching anything makes dioxin, and it is in your linens.  So, bleached coffee filters, toilet paper, disposable face rest covers, tampons, maxi pads, etc., all contain dioxin.  Over time, contact with dioxin adds up.  It has a half life of about 14 years, which means it's in your body for a long time...definitely long enough to cause severe health problems.Even though dioxin is naturally occuring in the environment(also found in eggs and meat), it's best to avoid taking in more if at all possible, since it is created by industrial manufacturing, especially if you have a plastics plant near you, which I do, unfortunately.Also, for those of you who have ever had surgery or who might, medical products - IV bags, tubes - contain PVC which makes them soft.  They leach dioxin into the fluid in the bag, and dioxin finds its way directly into your bloodstream.  You can request PVC-free products before your surgery.  After surgery, when your products are incinerated, dioxin is created, and let out into the air.Not microwaving plastic is only a small step, but with it being created pretty much everywhere, it's still a positive thing we can do for our clients, and for ourselves.