It seems like there's a new viral skin care hack or hack popping up every day this year. But in #skintok, not everything is as it seems, even for you.
Dermatologists tell TODAY.com they're tired of seeing their patients fall for these traps and trends time and time again, especially when healthy, evidence-based skin care regimens are simple and affordable.
The new year is a great time to reevaluate your relationship with your skin and figure out what works for you. Here's what you want dermatologists to remember in 2023 and leave in 2022.
Don't jump on social media with every new skin care trend
"Many people tend to believe what they see on social media, but that doesn't always mean it's safe or effective," says Nada Ebuluk, assistant professor of clinical dermatology at the University of Southern California. Keck School of Medicine tells TODAY.com via email.
Elbook's only advice for the new year is "don't try or do what you see on social media right away."
For example, not everyone should try a skin cycle where you switch your products (retinol, exfoliator, and moisturizer) on certain days of the week. While this may work for some people, the all-in-one may be too harsh or not strong enough for some skin types, as TODAY.com previously reported.
"You should have a consistent routine most days of the week," says Mary L. Stevenson, MD, Ronald O. Stevenson, MD, associate professor of dermatology at the School of Medicine. Perelman via TODAY.com. Grossman of New York University. But because of the weather, you should rotate products based on your skin's needs, she says.
Another problem with leather cycling. "It's not a new concept," Stevenson says. "It's a big word for something we've all been talking about forever," Dr. Shari Marchbein, a board-certified dermatologist in New York, told TODAY.com.
Marchbein urges people not to try something else because they are experiencing something new. "If you're doing it well, there's no need to do anything new or modern or change anything," he says. "Retinoids still work, and even if you've been using them for 10 years, they still work on collagen."
Your routine doesn't have to be too difficult or too expensive.
"Sophisticated and expensive doesn't necessarily mean better," Dr. Joyce Park, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin Refinement Clinic, told TODAY.com in an email. "In general, using too many products with harsh active ingredients can damage your skin's defenses and make it worse."
Instead, Park encourages people to stick to a "bare" regimen of science-based products like vitamin C, retinol, and SPF.
"It's amazing how much money people spend on cleansers and moisturizers," says Marchbein, MD, assistant professor of dermatology at New York University's Grossman School of Medicine. "This is not something worth spending money on. It doesn't make sense," he says.
If you're up to the task, use a well-stabilized vitamin C serum or retinoid, adds Marchbein.
Avoid potentially dangerous home remedies
If a skincare trend seems too crazy, it probably is.
Dr. Fatima Fahs, a board-certified dermatologist in Michigan and founder of Dermi Doc Box, cites two popular examples: the influence of the sun. . . .
The menstrual veil can be an experiment called the "vampire facial," where platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is applied to the patient's face, Fahs told TODAY.com in an email. But not surprisingly, her "menstrual blood is nothing like PRP," says Fahs.
"Let's be clear, [perianal] skin doesn't want to be exposed to the sun," says Fahs. Some skin cancers, such as squamous cell carcinoma, can develop in this area, Fahs says, "and increasing UV exposure can increase the risk."
Elbook says home remedies can also be problematic for people with skin color issues. These experiences can cause irritation, discoloration, or hair loss.
just focus on yourself
Don't worry about Instagram trends and don't assume that what your best friend is wearing works for you.
"Just because someone talks to you about their skin care doesn't mean you have skin," says Marbein. "We all have skin care needs, and if you have skin conditions like eczema, rosacea, or acne, you should see a dermatologist, not TikTok," she added.
Even seemingly harmless trends can have unintended consequences for some people. Slug, for example, involves covering your face at night with an invisible lotion (which prevents moisture loss), Stevenson explains. "In general, this is not what most people need," as the practice can clog pores for some.
Again using the skinny bike analogy, Marchbein says: "Unfortunately, we're trying to convince everyone that you're in this bubble, but you're not."
If you're not sure, ask a real professional.
The bottom line here is that while experimenting with skin care products can be fun, the best advice on which products to use for your individual skin condition comes from the dermatologist who knows you best.
Relying on social media influencers or other voices to help with conditions like acne or rosacea "ends up driving people back into treatment," Marchbein says.
Instead of finding a routine for themselves, or perhaps even a prescribed treatment, "they try something off the menu or try something that someone else thinks is normal," she explains. "And it won't work for you because you're not really getting to the root cause or the source of what's going on."
But no matter what skin mistakes you make in 2022, the new year is the perfect time to visit your dermatologist or take some time to get back on track, says Eblulu.
Marchbein added that some dermatologists still offer telemedicine visits, which can be a good option if you can't find someone locally. "Support people with experience," he says. "Hurry to the dermatologist."
On:
This article was originally published on TODAY.com.