Skin Trends That Need To Be Cancelled (Sol Magazine)

Article For: Sol Magazine https://heyzine.com/flip-book/6b47d31e5a.html#page/17

Skin Trends That Need To Be (Hashtag) Canceled 

We’ve all wandered down the ‘skin care’ rabbit hole a few times in search of the greatest remedies for achieving our skin goals. And even though a weekly consultation with Miss Google about what’s new can prove to be harmless and sometimes beneficial, some trends will do you more damage than good. With that in mind, here are a few trends (and some old remedies) that deserve to be (hashtag) canceled. 

Trend number 1: Slugging

Problem: It’s kinda complicated.

Slugging is a trend that’s been doing the rounds on social media and involves slathering your face with a petrolatum-based occlusive moisturizer right before bed. The whole idea of slugging is to create a physical barrier on top of the skin using products like Vaseline to keep the skin moist and hydrated. In theory, this sounds like a simple and inexpensive way to have soft, supple, and hydrated skin. Unfortunately, it’s a lot more complicated than that.

Because slugging is normally the last step in your skincare routine, the occlusive moisturizer is applied after all your nighttime creams and serums to allow the creams and serum to penetrate deeper into the skin so that they do a better job. The problem with this is that if your regular serum and creams contain active ingredients like retinoids and/or Vitamin C, the strength of these actives goes beyond the recommended dosage which could lead to inflammation and irritation. 

Other complications brought on by slugging include acne and blackhead breakouts (especially for oilier skin types) and irritation associated with using occlusives that contain additives and perfumes. 

Our advice with this trend is to do it once in a while or to heal your face from sun damage or an eczema breakout. Just avoid the actives and opt for humectants instead on slugging days. 

Trend number 2: DIY Micro-Needling

Problem: Girl, you are not a dermatologist. 

Micro-needling is a procedure where tiny needles are inserted into the upper layer of the skin to stimulate your skin’s healing process, so it produces more collagen and elastin giving you a more youthful look. This procedure is normally used to remedy scars, fine lines, wrinkles, discoloration, and stretch marks. 

However, unless you are qualified to perform procedures as serious as micro-needling, it is highly advised to leave this practice to the professionals. Not only could you contract an infection from not cleaning your skin or the tool efficiently before the procedure, but you could also cause permanent scarring or damage to your skin.

Trend number 3: Pore strips and vacuums

Problem: Beauty should not be THIS painful.

As a result of the war on pimples and blackheads, beloved scientists invented the pore vacuum. And even though the idea of a magic hand-help wand that removes debris from your face leaving it bump-free is a fantastic one, no noble prizes will be awarded for the pore vacuum anytime soon. 

The pore vacuum is a hand-help battery-operated device that applies succession to remove grime and dirt from the pores of the skin to help prevent pimples and blackheads. However, the almost definite misuse of this device has horrible and even irreparable consequences.

The biggest risk associated with pore vacuums is permanent broken capillaries. In an article in Refinary29, Dr Ukeleghe, founder of SKNDOCTOR expands on the risks of pore vacuuming by explaining that a device like this is extremely traumatizing to the skin and may cause hyperpigmentation, scaring, and significant redness or bruising. 

Another trend inspired by blackhead hate is the pore strip. Although less complicated than the vacuum device, they are still quite a menace to your skin if not used responsibly.

For those who don’t know what a pore strip is, it is an adhesive band-aid-like patch that is normally pressed onto nose and peeled off to remove blackheads. Pore strips are generally ‘safe’ to use however, if left on the skin for too long or ripped off the skin, irritation and micro-tears to the skin can occur which can lead to inflammation, redness, and hyperpigmentation. 

P.S. A peel-off mask ( the type that clings to your skin) is just a giant pore strip!

The safest way to rid yourself of blackheads is to invest in a fabulous exfoliator, get a quality retinoid, and wash your face twice a day. Sure it may take a little longer to achieve the desired results, but nothing worth having is ever achieved in a hurry.