SPENDING time and money on anti-aging serums and creams might all be a waste if you’re still making a major skincare mistake.
One dermatologist is warning against a common no-no that even Kim Kardashian is guilty of — and she’s sharing her secret tips for better skin.
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New York City-based dermatologist Dr. Brendan Camp told The US Sun that there are a few beauty trends that are detrimental to your skin.
And he’s amazed that so many people are still sticking to a harmful practice of the ’00s.
“Stop using a tanning bed,” he said firmly.
“Whenever I do a full skin exam on a patient, I always ask them if they are using or have ever used a tanning bed.”
He said he was “always surprised” by how many people answered yes to that question and revealed its harmful consequences.
Kim Kardashian, for her part, recently came under fire after she revealed that she had a tanning bed in her office.
She defended herself, noting it was to treat her occasional psoriasis flare-ups.
“Using a tanning bed even once can increase your risk of skin cancer and accelerate the aging process, causing your skin to age faster than the skin of your peers who do not use a tanning bed,” warns Dr. Camp.
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Speaking of tanning, he’s also seen celebrities try out a sun-seeking method to make them look more chiseled – and he disapproves.
“Using sunscreen to contour your face is not a good idea,” he said of another anti-aging “don’t.”
The trend first made its way to virality when Gwyneth Paltrow shared a video dabbing minimal sunscreen only in the areas “where the sun really hits,” on her nose, under her eyes, and on her cheeks.
TikTokers and influencers, too, began to share the way they use sunscreen to create a natural contour, using it as a kind of highlighter while the rest of their face catches a tan.
“Sunscreen should be applied to all of your skin, not just the parts that receive the most sun exposure like your forehead, nose, and cheeks,” Dr. Camp insisted.
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“Skin cancer can occur anywhere you have skin, so protect all of it,” he added.
And sunscreen shouldn’t just be used on your face, as he noted that people often forget to protect the back of their hands as well — a dead giveaway of your age.
“This is especially important for people who have long commutes.
Consider wearing driving gloves that provide SPF protection on your commute.
Dr. Brendan Camp
“The sun’s rays can penetrate glass and affect the skin on the back of hands and contribute to premature aging. This presents on the skin with sunspots and crepey skin,” he said.
Unlike with your face, there is a simple way to ensure your hands are completely hidden from the sun.
“Consider wearing driving gloves that provide SPF protection on your commute,” he suggested.
Dr. Camp’s anti-aging dos and don’ts
DON’T: Use a tanning bed.
DO: Wear driving gloves to protect your hands from the sun. He likes Coolibar Gannett UV Gloves UPF 50+, $15.99 to $39.
DON’T: Use sunscreen to contour your face.
DO: Exercise and stick to a healthy diet.
DON’T: Drink excessively or smoke.
DO: Get enough sleep.
One of his favorite brands has a pair on sale for more than half off, at only $16.
As for his “holy grail” for anti-aging, he says it sounds “unoriginal” but it’s true.
“How you take care of your body overall will be reflected in your skin.
“Unhealthy diets, limited exercise, excessive drinking, insufficient sleep, and smoking are detrimental to all organ systems, the skin included,” he said.
Still, a little home hack can help every now and then too.
“Evaporated milk can be used as a ‘natural’ exfoliant. Milk powder acts as a gentle mechanical exfoliant by facilitating the removal of dead skin cells on the skin surface,” he advised.
“This helps skin texture by making it feel smoother and look brighter by revealing healthy skin cells.”
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