Are you making these four mistakes that can put your skin at risk?
Avoiding “quick fixes” is one of the most important pieces of advice that physicians give for proper skin care. Some examples of “quick fixes” include using a dab of toothpaste to eliminate a blemish at the last minute or attempting to attain a salon glow with an aggressive peel. Unfortunately, all of us are guilty of turning to these easy solutions at some point or another, despite the fact that they may wreak havoc on our skin.
Here are four common skincare mistakes that can be easily avoided at home, according to experts:
Chemical peels at home
It is not recommended to perform chemical peels at home, particularly those that contain 20-35% glycolic acid or TCA (trichloroacetic acid). One patient who attempted to utilize a glycolic acid peel with 35% concentration that was acquired online ended up getting several burns, which led to darkening of the skin.
Keep in mind that chemical peels consist of acids with a high concentration and that they act by destroying tissue in a regulated manner. They demand meticulous skin preparation as well as comprehensive aftercare after the peeling process. Choose chemical exfoliants or peels with a low concentration of acid if you want to avoid getting a chemical peel. These cosmeceuticals are not extremely potent; they have low concentrations of active ingredients; as a result, they have a lower risk of causing skin injury.
Microneedling the skin
At-home microneedling is now much simpler to execute thanks to the widespread availability of dermo-rollers and other devices available online. However, in order for it to be effective, it is necessary to penetrate the skin to the appropriate level, which is something that cannot be done at home or without prior training. The depth varies from one section of your face to another based on where it is located. Additionally, there is a possibility of contracting an infection if you reuse the same needles over and over again. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that you allow your dermatologist to carry out this process in its entirety.
4 mistakes to avoid: applying toothpaste to pimples
Toothpaste typically contains cooling ingredients such as menthol, which temporarily alleviate irritation and redness. However, they will return again! Toothpaste can also cause the skin to become dry, can slow the healing process, and can result in the appearance of black stains after a pimple has healed. Because it is designed for teeth, which are tough, using it on soft regions, such as a zit, can result in dermatitis. Instead, try using a serum that contains salicylic acid, which is known to perform wonders on acne breakouts.
Using citrus juice or essential oils to brighten the complexion
Lemon juice and its essential oil include phototoxic qualities that can cause quick skin discoloration, redness, and irritation. While we are all aware that lemons and other citrus fruits have brightening effects, it is important to note that these properties are only present in lemon juice. It contains substances that are known to cause allergic reactions and sensitization, such as furocoumarin, limonene, citral, or citronellal.
Last but not least, lemon juice has a pH that is much too acidic for our skin. Instead, you may get the most out of this botanical source that is rich in vitamin C by drying its peel at home, grinding it into a very fine powder, and then applying it to your skin as a scrub. This will provide you the most benefit.