Don’t Fall for the Skinfluencer Hype
November is National Healthy Skin Month, and it’s a time when the American Academy of Dermatology wants you to learn about healthy skincare habits and pay attention to your skin. Board-certified dermatologists would also love for people to stop following a lot of the skincare advice and trends they see on social media accounts like TikTok and YouTube. Learn whether you should be avoiding these latest skincare trends by taking our quiz.
True or false? It’s a good idea to perform cosmetic treatments — like microneedling, injecting fillers, and using lasers to remove unwanted hair — at home rather than seeing a board-certified dermatologist.
Which of the following is one of the dangers of making and using your own scrubs, moisturizers, cleansers, and even sunscreens at home?
A. Some ingredients, like lemon juice, can cause extreme photosensitivity in skin.
B. The ingredients can clog pores and cause breakouts.
C. You might actually get zero benefits from the mixtures.
D. All of the above
Which of the following is NOT a reason why nasal tanning sprays — where you spray a synthetic hormone in your nose and then expose yourself to UV light to create a darkening of the skin — are a bad idea?
A. They give a superior tan to self-tanning lotions and sprays.
B. The chemical in the spray is not a regulated substance, and there is no official health body that oversees how it is made or even the safety of it.
C. It’s illegal to sell it in many countries, including the United States.
D. Possible side effects include suddenly developing new moles and freckles or causing your moles to change color or darken.
Which of the following is something a board-certified dermatologist would tell you about the side effects of peel-off masks?
A. They can cause irritation among people with conditions like rosacea, eczema, or acne.
B. They stretch and pull the skin, which can lead to a lack of elasticity and cause premature aging.
C. They can contain harmful and even toxic ingredients.
D. They remove the top layer of skin, stripping it of its protective layer of oils and leaving it more vulnerable to environmental factors like air pollution and UV rays.
E. All of the above
Which of the following is a reason why you should see a board-certified dermatologist rather than use peppers, like Scotch bonnet or habañero, if you want fuller lips?
A. Using peppers can cause allergic contact dermatitis or other rashes.
B. Using peppers can leave dark spots around the mouth or on the lips that are hard to get rid of.
C. A board-certified dermatologist knows how to inject FDA-approved dermal fillers safely, and the results last much longer.
D. All of the above
True or false? When it comes to anti-aging benefits, it’s possible to over-moisturize. Your skin will only absorb what it needs, while the rest will sit on top and lead to breakouts and clogged pores.
Which of the following is a reason why taking supplements you see on social media for skin, hair, or nails without talking to a board-certified dermatologist can be risky?
A. Ingredients in supplements advertised for skin, hair, and nails have been linked to birth defects.
B. Ingredients in some supplements can cause an increase in cancer risk.
C. Some supplement ingredients have side effects such as acne and hair loss.
D. All of the above
Which of the following is NOT a reason why you should only rely on the advice of a qualified dermatologist for the care of your skin, and not a social media influencer?
A. Online “experts” lack training or education on a given topic.
B. Board-certified dermatologists have years of study and practice as skincare professionals.
C. Dermatologists only care about getting your money.
D. None of the above
compiled by ERIKA ALDRICH / Information from the American Academy of Dermatology Association and Dermatology Medical Group, Inc.
ANSWERS
False. It’s always best to see a board-certified dermatologist for cosmetic treatments.
D. All of the above
A. They give a superior tan to self-tanning lotions and sprays. All the rest ARE reasons nasal spray tans are a bad idea.
E. All of the above
D. All of the above
True
D. All of the above
C. Dermatologists only care about getting your money. Dermatologists have years of training to help your skin to be its healthiest.