There have always been many skin care rules we’re told to follow to have the best possible skin. From regular use of sunscreen, to checking suspicious moles and blemishes, and staying hydrated with water so skin stays healthy and supple, we’ve seen many tips come and go, and add to the list of things we should do. But what are some common skin care mistakes we’ve all been guilty of, but may not know? Here, we’ll find out, and learn that it’s not too late to kick these bad skin care habits.
Making the Constant Switch
Changing up your skin care routine to suit weather, lifestyle, and health conditions is essential to preserve good skin and keep it healthy in different conditions, but there’s a difference between taking care of your skin depending on the times, and plain product-hopping because of the latest trend, or appealing advertisement. Still, the best thing to do is stick with a skin care product that works for you when you find it. Just because it’s the next big thing doesn’t mean it’s what your skin needs.
When you constantly switch products, your skin does not have time to adjust to the new components you’re always introducing, and in turn, you may not be able to to maximize their benefits, as any change always takes time to work. The constant switch also means introducing new chemicals and ingredients that may be harmful to sensitive skin, causing blemishes, acne, irritation, and other problems that skin care is supposed to resolve, not worsen.
Going from One Doctor to Another
The skin is the largest organ in our body, and because of this, it needs to be regularly checked and maintained in order to remain healthy and do its job of keeping out harmful germs, bacteria, allergens, and chemicals, among others, while allowing us to look and feel our best. Part of keeping the skin healthy is regularly consulting your dermatologist for treating conditions, as well as constantly learning smart tips for taking care of the skin at home.
It’s common to feel like you can be better taken care off elsewhere by another doctor when you keep on running into the same skin care problems, but going from one doctor to another isn’t exactly a solution. For one, it always takes a while to establish a rapport and allow the doctor to become familiar with your condition and skin care needs. Constantly having to explain your medical history is not only time-consuming, but it may also result in not receiving the skin treatments you really need, as your new doctor may not be completely familiar with your history yet, and requires time to experiment with different treatments to learn what best suits your needs.
The key to receiving the right help, support, and advice from a dermatologist is finding one you’re most comfortable with, and together, navigating your history, and trying out skin treatments that best suit your skin care needs, health, and lifestyle over time.
Following Dr. Internet
There’s nothing wrong with staying on top of your own life and learning more about yourself, but there’s a fine line between self-discovery and self-diagnosis. Many of us have been guilty of consulting the internet, diagnosing our own problems, and panicking in the process, instead of going to see the experts whenever we find a rash, pimple, or spot that we feel shouldn’t be there. Worse, some of us have even tried to self-medicate when we’re in over our heads, and in the process making the condition worse than it already is, or causing one to develop when there isn’t even anything wrong to begin with.
Before you self-diagnose the next pimple, rash, mole, or spot you see, don’t give in to the panic. Close the browser window, and instead, pick up the phone to see your doctor, especially when you feel that it’s a persistent condition. Head to your dermatologist’s clinic, and have them take an actual look at what’s been bothering you, and from there they can correctly diagnose your skin condition, if one exists, and recommend a correct and safe course of treatment that not do more harm than good, as opposed to the pitfalls of self-diagnosis via the web.