Anything for beauty! That seems to be the mindset of not only teens and young adults, but also people much older who attempt ‘do it yourself’ (DIY) beauty treatments at home by watching videos online or as per tips and tricks suggested by websites. While some of them maybe harmless, more often than not you are sure to cause damage to your skin that you so treasure. Think twice before picking up a blackhead extractor to get rid of glaring blackheads or using a new skin lightening cream made available in the market. Here’s why.
‘Any beauty treatment has to be done keeping in mind the skin type of the person. People who follow tips from websites or videos may not realise the effect a particular product may have on any part of their skin,’ says
Dr Jaishree Sharad, cosmetic dermatologist and the CEO of Skinfiniti Skin and Laser Clinic.
‘For instance, many procure microdermabrasion kits for skin lightening or derma rollers for skin rejuvenation. These are sure to rip away the protective barrier of the skin that contains lipids, thereby leaving you with an excessively flaky skin,’ she adds. People should understand that skincare regimens are individual processes, so what works best for one may not for another. So, tick off plans to try out your friend’s new skin cream. ‘Taking friends’ advice and using over-the-counter creams or cosmetic products may go wrong and result in rashes, severe redness, irritation, allergies and aggravated acne. The reason is that not all have the same type of skin. Here’s why you should be wary of skin lightening products.
From dry, oily and acne prone – skin types differ, so does treatment of problems,’ says Dr Pranit Farande, dermatologist in Fortis Hospital. He adds that those keen on lightening their skin use ointment or cream based steroids. Although this gives temporary relief, side-effects like thinning of the skin, acne formation are common. Dr Sharad further points out that natural ingredients used for home remedies may also cause damage for certain skin types. Here’s what skin specialists recommend for acne-prone skin.
Those with dry skin should not use lemon juice for acne as the citric acid may end up burning the skin and cause severe irritation. And, people who have oily skin should not use milk cream as it will only lead to more pimples. ‘People try to get rid of moles and skin tags, by using lime (caustic soda) and it has proven to be counterproductive,’ she says adding that it takes months to cure pigmentation, rashes and allergies caused as a result of such practices.
Rupa Sharma, (name changed), a resident of Kharghar, was unfortunate to attempt a similar home remedy. She read about how raw garlic paste helps to get rid of pimples but the treatment had a damaging effect on her sensitive skin.
‘Within minutes of the application I felt an intense burning sensation. When I washed off, I saw that my skin had become black with no effect on the pimples. It took six months and frequent trips to the dermatologist to cure the burnt skin,’ she says. Here are a few dermatologist-recommended tips for sensitive skin.
Shalini Sajwan, of Raya Spa in Regenza by Tunga has had similar experiences with customers. ‘Many buy bleaches from stores and apply it without understanding if the composition of chemicals used suits their skin. They leave it on their face for more time, thinking it will increase effects of skin lightening,’ she says. She advises women to steer clear of the hair straightening/ironing equipment to uncurl unmanageable locks. ‘One may not know what temperature may be suitable and how frequently can they straighten their hair. And doing this without expert guidance may lead to problems like severe hair fall. It takes at least one or two years to rectify the damage,’ adds Sajwan.
For all the beauty conscious individuals, even if you come across a simple beauty treatment, it is best to consult a dermatologist before going ahead. Or better, don’t do it yourself.
Source: DNAsyndication
Also read:
For more articles on beauty, check out our Beauty section. Health.India.com is now TheHealthSite.com. Follow the all-new site on Facebook and Twitter.
View the original article here