Social media platforms are rife with skincare advice from influencers, brands and celebrities. But just because they've gone viral, doesn't mean they're safe. We take a look at some of the most dangerous trends doing the rounds online...
DIY cosmetic treatments
Dermatologists agree that performing cosmetic procedures at home is one of the most worrisome trends.
They are warning against people DIY micro-needling, injecting fillers, and using lasers to remove unwanted hair.
"This is something I find really concerning," says dermatologist Sara Moghaddam.
"For example, at-home micro-needling, also known as derma-rolling, is dangerous due to risk of infections and improper techniques."
Just because you see someone perform a cosmetic procedure on their social media platform doesn't mean it's safe.
"My patients will see people who document their entire experience performing a cosmetic procedure on TikTok or on Instagram," says dermatology professor Oyetewa Oyerinde.
"I tell patients, even if their immediate effect looks good to you — and they may be using filters and other things to make it look good — you have no idea if they ended up in the emergency room afterward because of a bad reaction."
Nasal tanning spray
Nasal tanning spray is another troubling trend, according to dermatologist Lindsey Zubritskyg.
While self-tanner that you apply to your skin can be a safe way to look tanned, nasal tanning spray is not.
For nasal tanning spray to work, you need to first inhale the spray and then spend time in the sun without protecting your skin from the sun.
The sun exposure increases your risk of developing skin cancer and signs of premature skin aging like wrinkles and age spots.
The active ingredient in nasal tanning spray also isn't safe.
"Nasal tanning spray contains either afamelanotide or bremelanotide (melanotan 1 or 2)," says Dr. Zubritsky.
"Melanotan isn't approved or regulated and it's illegal to sell it in many countries, including the UK and United States."
Using hot peppers to make lips fuller
Hot peppers have also made the rounds on social media as a pantry-ready way to achieve a fuller lip look, according to Dr. Oyerinde.
"I've seen people use peppers, like Scotch bonnet or habañero, to get their lips to look bigger temporarily," she says.
"That's potentially very dangerous, because it can cause allergic contact dermatitis, a form of eczema, or other rashes that can leave dark spots around the mouth or on the lips that are hard to get rid of."
Taking supplements randomly
The practice of taking supplements without first consulting a physician has also proven problematic, according to board-certified dermatologists.
"Ingredients in supplements advertised for skin, hair, and nails have been linked to birth defects, an increase in cancer risk, and even side effects such as acne and hair loss," says Dr. Rajani Katta.
Green tea extract, for example, is an ingredient to avoid. Although it sounds safe and natural, it can cause serious liver damage - as this man found out.
Here is a handy run-down of the vitamin supplements you need and those you don't.
And here are some harmful ingredients to avoid.
Skipping the sunscreen
To use or not to use sunscreen is another topic that's been trending on social media.
"I've seen a huge rise in anti-sunscreen sentiment on social media, which is quite concerning," said Dr. Zubritsky.
"A significant number of people are posting about the harmful effects of sunscreen and claiming that most sunscreens lead to cancer or contain cancer-causing ingredients."
These claims aren't backed by science. The jury is still out.
To protect yourself from the sun and reduce your risk of skin cancer, it's recommended that you:
- Seek shade. Seek shade when appropriate, remembering that the sun's rays are the strongest between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. You can also look at your shadow. Any time your shadow appears shorter than you, seek shade.
- Wear sun-protective clothing. Wear a lightweight and long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses with UV protection, when possible. For more effective protection, select clothing with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) number on the label.
- Apply sunscreen. Apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to all skin not covered by clothing. Remember to reapply every two hours or after swimming or sweating.
You can find more information here.
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