Skincare has been an obsession always, but it is gaining more traction in recent times. From the doctors going on national television, swearing over the efficacy of their formula to the influencers guiding, and many times, misguiding people, there is a wealth of information about skincare.
TikTok, in particular, has become a viral sensation and a source of skincare trends. Most people are eager to ride on the bandwagon of the latest viral skincare hack, not realizing or even considering the potential harm.
Unfortunately, many of these so-called trends are not well-researched, as they are not created by professionals. Some might work, and some might even make the issue worse, meriting then the intervention of your Dermatologist in Lahore.
Some skincare trends that may be harming your skin
Your skin is as well as you treat it. If you are going to subject it to trends that are not substantiated and rather harmful, you should not be surprised when it starts to react to these adverse conditions.
Some innocuous makeup hacks are fine, since they are simply to do with the application process, as long as you are using good products. However, the ballgame is different when it comes to skincare products, as you are then actively using them to change the appearance of your skin.
While trends come and go, some that have sticked around and continue to be misinterpreted and misused include:
Charcoal masks
From your favorite influencer to the celebrity you follow, everyone has been touting the benefits of the peel-off charcoal masks. However, often, the glue used on these masks also peels of the healthy skin and cells. This then damages the skin. Moreover, the harsh glue also strips off the skin oils, making it dry and irritated as a result.
Tanning
Tanning is a trend that has yet to die, despite experts advising against it. Due to the obsession with the sun-kissed look, people are not concerned about the impact sunlight has on their skin, as long as they look the part.
Some even are under the wrong impression that since sunlight is bad, the tanning beds are fine. Unfortunately, the underlying principle of radiation exposure remains the same. In either case, you damage your skin, making it prone to aging, melasma, hyperpigmentation and even skin cancer.
Natural contour
TikTok also picked up a trend of natural sculpting, in which people would not put sunscreen on parts of their face that they want to make look darker, for a natural contour.
This skin trend is also very harmful. Sunscreen does not prevent tanning; it is to protect the skin from radiation. When you forgo it, you then expose your skin to harmful radiation.
Skin bleach
There are various reasons people might bleach their skin; some do it to lighten their skin, as bleach causes a decrease in the skin pigment, melanin. Other people do it to bleach the hair on their face, so it becomes golden and blends better into the skin.
No matter what your motive for using skin bleach is, the danger that it poses is rather significant. The product is too harsh for your skin and can also harm your skin as well.
Furthermore, skin bleach can also affect the natural skin processes that end up harming your skin. If you want to make your skin lighter, you should consult your doctor about it.
For to deal with the peach fuzz, there are many safer options like razor, laser etc.
Word of caution
Thanks to social media, people are concocting all sorts of skincare trends, not pausing for a second to think of its possible ramifications.
The onus then is on you; you must be careful about what you put on your skin. You need to make responsible choices, do your due diligence, and confer with the Best Dermatologist in Islamabad when in doubt.
