Petroleum jelly has been used for more than 140 years. Could it cause cancer?
Lubricants are a critical component of any beginner’s penis enlargement routine. Although seasoned PE’ers may be able to get by without the use of lube, you definitely want to use it in the early stages of exercising, to not only make the learning process easier, but also avoid some of the unpleasant side effects – like skin darkening. One popular lubricant is petroleum jelly, also known by the brand name Vaseline. However, there have been recent concerns about petroleum jelly and its links to cancer. Is our old friend, Vaseline, truly carcinogenic?
Although women are the primary target of breast cancer, men can get breast cancer too.
Petroleum Jelly and the Cancer Conundrum
Petroleum jelly (sometimes referred to as “petrolatum”) was discovered in the 1860s, by a New York. In 1870, the American public was introduced to its moisturizing wonders as Vaseline Petroleum Jelly. Petroleum jelly is a mixture of mineral oils, paraffin, and microcrystalline waxes. It’s melting point of just above normal human body temperature (98.6 degrees) allows it to “melt” into the skin’s lipid barrier, forming an occlusive barrier and preventing moisture loss from evaporation.
Petroleum jelly is a by-product from oil production. It is formed as a dewaxing paraffinic residual oil, containing both crystalline and liquid hydrocarbons. It is then refined to become the petroleum jelly used for generations. However, it is this association with the petroleum industry that makes it possibly carcinogenic.
When not properly refined, the petroleum jelly can contain compounds that have been linked to mammary tumors (breast cancer) in animals. Although women are the primary target of breast cancer, men can get breast cancer too. The carcinogenic impurities sometimes found in poorly refined petroleum jelly are primarily:
- Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs)
- Ethylene oxide, and
- 1,3-butadiene.
However, when properly refined, these impurities are removed, leaving the petroleum jelly harmless. As an example, Vaseline uses a triple-purification process to ensure the purity and safety of their petroleum jelly products. If using petroleum jelly for your lubricant choice, for penis exercising, be sure to use a good quality jelly, endorsed through the United States Pharmacopeia (USP), to ensure there are no impurities.
Other Petroleum Jelly Products
In addition to Vaseline, there are several other products (some reporting as many as 1 in 14 beauty/hygiene products) with petroleum jelly in their ingredients, which may contain these carcinogenic impurities, if not properly refined. These include:
- Baby oil,
- Waterproof sunblock, and
- Some soaps
Read the labels of the products you use and, again, ensure any petroleum jelly in the product is USP certified.
There are several lubricant options, for penis exercisers who want to avoid petroleum jelly.
Lubricant Alternatives for Petroleum Jelly
If you’d like to simply avoid petroleum jelly completely, there are several lube choices out there. Whichever lubricant you choose, select one that does not have to be continually reapplied. Every person’s skin is different. Some men are more sensitive to scents or additives added to different lubes. You may have to experiment with a few types before you find one that not only gives you good lubrication, but also doesn’t irritate your skin. Below is a list of popular lubricants that have worked for many penis exercisers.
- Canola oil
- Vegetable oil
- Olive oil
- Coconut oil
- K-Y jelly
- Astroglide
- Petroleum jelly
- Essential Vein Oil
- Penis exercising oils
Bad Lubricants
Although there are a variety of lubricants to choose from, there are three you should definitely avoid.
- Water
- Soap
- Lotion
Water is a poor lubricant simply because it evaporates quickly. Lotions and soaps may last longer than water; however, they often contain ingredients to harsh for prolonged exposure to the sensitive skin of the penis. Using lotions and soaps can lead to irritation and itching, so should be avoided.