The Skincare Fad That Does More Harm Than Good, According To An Expert

With the popularity of social media apps such as TikTok, new skincare fads are rotating through our feeds constantly. While some work as expected, with either positive benefits or no negative side effects, others are a revolving door for disaster. The gua shua skincare routine is an example of a harmless fad, where a gua shua may not remove puffiness in the face for everyone, it certainly doesn't harm one to try. On the opposite end of the spectrum, self-dermaplaning is a hair removal and exfoliation fad that can cause serious side effects such as breakouts and irritation when done incorrectly, according to Healthline.

Dermatologist, founder of DERMAdoctor, and chief pharmaceutical officer at NovaBay Pharmaceuticals, Dr. Audrey Kunin knows all about the harmful effects skincare fads can bring. "One current skincare fad is face taping to prevent wrinkle formation," Dr. Kunin tells Glam. The process involves putting tape on the face to pull your skin tight overnight or putting tape under your makeup, pulling the skin upwards and having a facelift effect. This fad not only doesn't have proven results but also causes more harm than good, according to Dr. Kunin.

When speaking about the face-taping trend to Glam, Dr. Kunin says that "It doesn't work, can cause irritation or allergic reaction, and it is bad for the environment to waste tape!" Face taping is nothing new, as drag performers and celebrities have been doing this to temporarily hide wrinkles for decades. Yet, it has never been a good idea. 

Whereas it can prevent people from seeing wrinkles for a short amount of time and can prevent your face from moving, it has no proven effect on preventing new wrinkles from forming. Traditional clear tape was not made to be applied to the face, as it contains adhesives that can cause irritation if left on too long or contact dermatitis if allergic. Not to mention, tape is detrimental to the environment. Think about all of the plastic tape that will be used for a few hours and then thrown in the trash.

Luckily, Dr. Kunin tells Glam that there are other proven ways to prevent and diminish wrinkles. "Injectable neuromodulators like Botox are the gold standard to prevent and reduce visible deep wrinkle lines. Otherwise, specific skincare formulas can help diminish wrinkles," says Dr. Kunin. Botox can be both preventative and reverse damage already done. Preventative botox is just as its namesake implies, being injected into the skin before any wrinkles have the chance to form, preventing them from forming. Traditional botox is most common as it is injected into the skin to tighten wrinkled skin.

If needles aren't on your radar, there are skincare formulas that specifically fight wrinkles. For example, the DERMAdoctor Kakadu C 20% Vitamin C Serum with Ferulic Acid & Vitamin E fiercely combats wrinkles. Vitamin C is the main ingredient in the DERMAdoctor formula and is one of the greatest ways to prevent and diminish wrinkles, as it is an antioxidant that fights wrinkle-causing free radicals while also reversing damage already done. No need for current skincare fads while there are great and less harmful products that do the trick!