'I'm a dermatologist – six beauty habits people need to stop immediately'
A dermatologist has shared the skin and haircare trends she urges people to "just stop" doing.
Dealing with skin concerns like spots and acne, hyperpigmentation, dry or irritated skin, dark under eye circles, wrinkles and more, as well as haircare issues like greasiness, loss, dull or lifeless hair, can lead people to social media on the hunt for viable solutions.
Both experts and novices alike can be found online, sharing their thoughts or lived experiences, which can lead to trends developing – but not all of them have scientific backing, according to a top dermatologist.
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Dr Aamna Adel, a dermatologist registrar based in London, is an expert in skincare and haircare. She’s built a devoted fanbase on social media after taking to TikTok to share her wisdom and insight on a multitude of hair woes and skin problems.
In a recent video, she shared a string of trends she would rather people avoid. The clip sees Dr Adel standing in her bathroom as the trends, written in white text, surround her. Over the top of the footage, a ‘sound’ plays utilising a notorious quote by Tyra Banks, taken from when she presented America’s Next Top Model.
In it, she infamously shouted at a contestant named Tiffany: “Stop it! I have never before in my life yelled at a girl like this.” Dr Adel humorously mimes along to the quote to urge people to avoid the following trends:
Sleeping with wet hair
Beef tallow as a moisturiser
Heatless curling rods
Hair training
Not using tinted SPF for pigmentation
Double cleansing in the morning
Captioning the video, she simply penned: “PSA from a derm: just please stop”. In a follow up comment, Dr Adel added: “I’m seeing a lot of traction alopecia from heatless curling rods”.
People shared their thoughts in the comments section, with some agreeing with the dermatologist and others having different experiences and views. One person said: “Beef tallow cleared my skin and actually keeps it fully hydrated through winter - I use one whipped with Manuka honey. Genuinely curious if you have any thoughts on this?”
Another quipped: “Double cleansing in the AM? Are they rolling around in the dirt?” A third said: “Now WHO is double cleansing in the morning… Do y’all sleep outdoors??!”
Someone else commented: “Beef tallow trend is insane to me”, adding a crying face emoji, but another disagreed: “Beef tallow is the only thing I will use now”. As did another: “Omg the beef tallow thing is making me so angry”. Several others said they agreed with all of Dr Adel’s recommendations except her stance on beef tallow, which they love.
Whenever trying new products, it’s wise to conduct a patch test. Apply a small amount of the product to an area like the inner bend of your elbow or your wrist, and leave it on for 24 hours to check for allergies or sensitivities.
If you experience a negative reaction, like itchiness, burning, or your skin becomes flaky, be sure to stop using the product.
