Missing your routine facials during this circuit breaker period and planning to do a self-facial? Most people have since resorted to ‘home facials’ (beyond the usual mask and exfoliating)! Here are the 4 most commonly seen mistakes by our doctors that one should try to avoid during a self-facial!
Chemical peels can be quick and effective. They exfoliate off old skin cells, unclog pores, brighten the skin and more, depending on the type of acids used. However, improper use of chemical peels or even just the lack of knowledge can result in unwanted side-effects. These would include long-lasting redness, hyperpigmentation, scarring, burning sensation, itchiness, and increased skin sensitivity.
Aftercare for a chemical peel is also important, and proper instructions will be needed for different chemical peels. Always check with a medical professional for the right way to use acids,and its suitability for your skin before application.
TRY: Our 3% Retinol Peel doesn’t require neutralising and is suitable for a self-facial during this circuit breaker period. Tele-consultations are also available for questions on how to use it!
Simple extractions can be done at home. However, if you’re not sure which type of pimple you have or if it can be extracted, potential scarring or even infections can happen!
Extractions require experienced, skilled hands to know which pimple/blackhead can be removed or which is to be left alone. Common mistakes people make when doing extractions at home are:
All these mistakes result in damaging the skin barrier, causing infection and inflammation, making the blemishes worse. Side-effects of improper extractions over a self-facial will likely result in scarring, hyperpigmentation, and spreading of bacteria on the skin.
IF you absolutely have to extract a blemish, please ensure that it is ripe and has pus for extraction. Dab the spot with some alcohol (don’t over do this!) to sterilise it. Use clean hands, cotton buds or an alcohol-sanitised extraction tool to gently ‘tease’ the pus out. Stop applying pressure when you see blood. Disinfect the area thoroughly and apply an antibiotic pimple cream and a pimple patch to help absorb the pus.
There are plenty of online articles, instagram page and stories teaching you how to “DIY” your own face mask or quick beauty “hacks” for a self-facial. These sometimes include using ingredients like:
What is safe to be consumed isn’t necessarily safe for application on the face. As YouTuber LabMuffin has mentioned, aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) doesn’t necessarily have the same effect as salicylic acid for inflamed acne.
Applying lemon to help fade blemishes, when exposed to UV, can end up causing dermatitis instead. Turmeric has excellent antioxidant effects but when applied raw, can cause your skin to turn yellow instead.
We have also seen multiple cases of chemical burns from using essential oils on the face and body for self-remedies. Off the counter products are tested to be safe for your skin, and it would be better off staying away from things meant for consumption.
When in doubt, reach out to your medical professional for advice!
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The last and most common mistake that people usually make:layering on too many types of acids at one go.
Facials usually include different products for different steps, to achieve certain effects on the skin. However, many tend to use products ‘that they like’, without considering the suitability of combing them all in a single sitting.
The general rule of thumb would be to use only 1 active product during a home facial. Combining too many active ingredients together risk causing dryness, chemical burns, scarring, hyperpigmentation, and increase skin sensitivity. Certain products also cancel out the effects of each other when applied too quickly.
Here is a list of what you should not combine in the same sitting:
The information provided in this blog post is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional or dermatologist before starting any new skincare routine or treatment, especially if you have existing skin conditions or concerns. Results may vary from person to person, and individual needs may require different approaches.
Dr Tan Ying Zhou, known as Dr YZ Tan, is the founder and Medical Director of Mizu Aesthetic Clinic.
His journey into aesthetics began with a medical degree from St. George’s, University of London, followed by an internship in Dermatology at the National Taiwan University Hospital.
Some of his favourite aesthetic procedures include nose augmentation and anti-ageing solutions, and he also serves as a trainer for emerging aesthetic doctors.
His philosophy revolves around personalised treatments tailored to each individual’s ageing concerns, aiming to transform the ageing process gracefully into a pleasant journey towards confidence and wellness.
