If you have a personal interest in skincare and go onto Youtube..... you’ve probably at some stage come across videos of people using magical peel-off black face masks.
These masks come with the solution to all your skin congestion!!!
I get that it’s unbelievably satisfying to be able to peel something off your face and ‘see’ the dirt you’ve removed in the process as well as the promise of smooth, clear Skin!
Butttttt here’s the thing. Not only do these blackout peel-off masks not actually do what they say on the tin, they also have the potential to damage your skin.
They act like glue adhering to the cells on the skin’s surface as well as any vellus hair.
When removed, the mask is removing cells from the outer layer of skin and any vellus hair along with it, stimulating the follicle. You only need to watch one of the videos (as well as the funny ones) to see the excruciating pain the poor so called 'Skin lover' is in .
They will notice how soft and smooth their skin feels after using the masks, this is because you’ve effectively stripped off a surface layer of skin.
It’s a form of extremely aggressive exfoliation that irritates the skin in the process.
The other thing the masks are pulling off your face is all the natural oils that sit on your skin to keep it healthy.
These oils provide a chemical barrier that protects the skin from any harmful bacteria. So when you strip them away, you’re leaving your skin open to all kinds.
It’s also very important to be aware of that the ‘blackheads’ you see satisfyingly removed by the mask aren’t actually blackheads. Many are sebaceous filaments, which again, protect the skin from harmful bacteria.
But do not worry if you have used these kind of masks.......
........Within a skin cycle ( usually 28 days), the skin will replace the oils and sebaceous filaments you’ve ripped out with your mask, so the damage will recover.
But that won’t happen if you keep using the masks on an endless cycle of wanting your skin to be perfectly clear.
It will obviously be a little more vulnerable after, so be gentle taking care if it until it recovers.
Make sure you use a gentle cleanser ( dermalogica ultra calming cleanser is amazing) while you wait for the skin to recover, and apply hydration in abundance to help the repair process along. Make sure to use a sunscreen, too, as the damage may make your skin more sensitive and vulnerable to damage.
So moral of the story is .....in the name of the Lord stop using those masks !!!!!
There is an alternative Solution
Best way to get rid of blackheads:
Firstly, determine if you actually have blackheads, or if you’re looking at sebaceous filaments. A blackhead is a blockage within the skin, while sebaceous filaments are visible due to the pore being enlarged.
Prevention is always better than a cure. So avoiding skin care and makeup that contains comedogenic ingredients is first place.
Then use non-drying cleansers, gentle exfoliants and lightweight hydrating products to avoid blackheads from forming. Over drying cleansers and harsh exfoliant are your enemy.
Personally I prefer to use acids like Salicylic acid or Mandelic acid, either in the form of a mild peel or home care products that can help to dissolve and dislodge blackheads as well as reducing the appearance of sebaceous filaments.
Ingredients like Vitamin A (retinol), works by regulating sebum production so again, reducing the appearance of sebaceous filaments.
Amazing clinic treatments for these skin problems are the #Carbon Laser facials to help disperse congestion followed my #microneedling to help shrink the pores.
It’s very, very important to have a realistic expectation and not to try and achieve a completely ‘pore-less’ look, which 'only really' exists in magazines and Instagram filters. We will help you get your skin to optimum health in the healthiest and safest way.