10.30.24
Social media has played a huge role in skincare practices. Ahead of National Healthy Skin Month in November, board-certified dermatologists offer insights on the effectiveness, safety, and long-term impact of social media skincare practices, such as the glass-skin look, the Russian manicure, and at-home red light therapy.
Samantha Karlin, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist in Covington, LA, said,
"Social media has definitely made people more aware of the importance of skincare and maintaining healthy skin. What's important to remember is that not every trend is suitable for every skin type, and some might even be harmful and cause damage."
Dr. Karlin said,
"Certain aspects of the glass skin trend like moisturizing your skin and using a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher are positive steps toward better skin care habits. But the glass-skin look might not be realistic for everyone, and some people may run the risk of using too many products, which can lead to issues like clogged pores, irritation, and breakouts.”
According to Dr. Karlin, the trick is to keep the skin as moisturized as possible to increase skin cell turnover and optimize the hydration of the skin to minimize the appearance of lines.
Dr, Karlin added,
“That's why it's important to think about everything in moderation as you're customizing your skincare routine, and remember that as dermatologists, we can help recommend a skincare routine that works best for your skin type."
The idea of the Russian manicure, also known as the dry or waterless manicure is to remove skin surrounding the nail and the cuticle to make your nails look long, and to place polish under the cuticle to make the manicure last longer.
Dr. Karlin commented,
"I caution my patients against this type of nail care technique, because the cuticle acts as a protective barrier, and it's not designed to be breached. Removing the cuticle puts you at risk for infection from bacteria and fungus. In particular, after Russian manicures we tend to see patients with paronychia, a type of infection that causes the skin around your nail to become inflamed, painful, and discolored."
At-home red-light devices are becoming more popular with social media influencers, as people turn to masks, panels, and wands to treat their skin issues.
Dr. Om said,
"Dermatologists often recommend red-light therapy alongside treatments like medicated creams, microneedling, or chemical peels to treat signs of aging."To help you maintain results after an in-office treatment, your dermatologist may recommend using an at-home device."
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared several of these devices to treat signs of skin aging at home – which means they meet certain safety and effectiveness standards and can be legally marketed in the U.S. However, according to Dr. Om, more research is needed to determine exactly how effective they are.
Unlike ultraviolet (UV) light, which can cause skin cancer, research hasn't found that red light can cause cancer.
Side effects, if any, are generally mild, he said, noting that some people experience slight pain or irritated skin after treatment. Many at-home devices have the words "FDA-cleared" on the packaging, which means the FDA considers these devices to have a low risk of adverse effects.
Dr. Om commented,
"While some of these trends may seem harmless or even beneficial, they often don't have any real science behind them and could end up causing skin damage or other health issues. A board-certified dermatologist can provide you with safe, personalized advice to help you care for your skin without taking unnecessary risks."
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Samantha Karlin, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist in Covington, LA, said,
"Social media has definitely made people more aware of the importance of skincare and maintaining healthy skin. What's important to remember is that not every trend is suitable for every skin type, and some might even be harmful and cause damage."
Glass Skin
This trend originated in Korea and aims to keep the skin looking smooth, clear, and with the appearance of being pore-less.Dr. Karlin said,
"Certain aspects of the glass skin trend like moisturizing your skin and using a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher are positive steps toward better skin care habits. But the glass-skin look might not be realistic for everyone, and some people may run the risk of using too many products, which can lead to issues like clogged pores, irritation, and breakouts.”
According to Dr. Karlin, the trick is to keep the skin as moisturized as possible to increase skin cell turnover and optimize the hydration of the skin to minimize the appearance of lines.
Dr, Karlin added,
“That's why it's important to think about everything in moderation as you're customizing your skincare routine, and remember that as dermatologists, we can help recommend a skincare routine that works best for your skin type."
Russian Manicures
A trend that's becoming increasingly popular on TikTok but can prove problematic is the Russian manicure, according to Dr. Karlin.The idea of the Russian manicure, also known as the dry or waterless manicure is to remove skin surrounding the nail and the cuticle to make your nails look long, and to place polish under the cuticle to make the manicure last longer.
Dr. Karlin commented,
"I caution my patients against this type of nail care technique, because the cuticle acts as a protective barrier, and it's not designed to be breached. Removing the cuticle puts you at risk for infection from bacteria and fungus. In particular, after Russian manicures we tend to see patients with paronychia, a type of infection that causes the skin around your nail to become inflamed, painful, and discolored."
Red Light Therapy
Red light therapy uses red or near-infrared light to treat skin concerns like wrinkles, age spots, and sagging skin, as well as conditions like hair loss and acne, said Amit Om, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist in Charlotte, North Carolina.At-home red-light devices are becoming more popular with social media influencers, as people turn to masks, panels, and wands to treat their skin issues.
Dr. Om said,
"Dermatologists often recommend red-light therapy alongside treatments like medicated creams, microneedling, or chemical peels to treat signs of aging."To help you maintain results after an in-office treatment, your dermatologist may recommend using an at-home device."
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared several of these devices to treat signs of skin aging at home – which means they meet certain safety and effectiveness standards and can be legally marketed in the U.S. However, according to Dr. Om, more research is needed to determine exactly how effective they are.
Unlike ultraviolet (UV) light, which can cause skin cancer, research hasn't found that red light can cause cancer.
Side effects, if any, are generally mild, he said, noting that some people experience slight pain or irritated skin after treatment. Many at-home devices have the words "FDA-cleared" on the packaging, which means the FDA considers these devices to have a low risk of adverse effects.
Dr. Om commented,
"While some of these trends may seem harmless or even beneficial, they often don't have any real science behind them and could end up causing skin damage or other health issues. A board-certified dermatologist can provide you with safe, personalized advice to help you care for your skin without taking unnecessary risks."
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