Skip these beauty trends

Skip these beauty trends
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You shouldn’t have to suffer to look good. Certain beauty treatments could even go beyond painful and into territory where they might actually cause you serious harm. Stay safe and avoid these beauty trends and treatments that experts warn against. Check out these inexpensive beauty tricks only stylists know.

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Using waist trainers to achieve a slim midsection

Using waist trainers to achieve a slim midsection
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This trend involves wearing a corset-like bodice for several hours of the day for extended periods of time to achieve an hourglass shape. The issue with this perceived figure-slimming fix, however, is the potential health damages that can arise from its use, according to nurse, Grace Anglin. “Consider how tight this garment feels on your skin when you put it on; then imagine how it makes your internal organs feel,” she says. “Squeezing your organs together and decreasing the available internal space they have is not a good thing.”

Check out these secrets of the slim.

Attempting to remove a mole at home

Attempting to remove a mole at home
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Most of us have moles and, yes, they’re pesky and annoying, but if you’re hoping to remove a mole, seek the assistance of a board-certified dermatologist, and never, ever attempt to DIY it. “I’ve seen people with red sores all over their body where they tried to use eggplant extract or some other herbal online remedy to remove their own moles,” says dermatologist, Dr Anna Guanche. “The result is they’re all scarred up – oftentimes permanently.” Another reason to seek out a professional? Your dermatologist can have the mole tested to make sure it’s not cancerous.

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Ordering ‘Botox’ online and injecting it into your face

Ordering ‘Botox’ online and injecting it into your face
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Believe it or not, this happens every day. There are hundreds of websites that sell an injectable they claim is Botox (or something allegedly similar). They’ll even ship it right to your home. While it might sound tempting, especially considering the cost of going to medical practice and having it injected by a trained practitioner, leave this one to the pros. “Not only is there no way for you to know what you’re actually injecting, but those without medical backgrounds or experience with neurotoxins also should not be injecting any products for this purpose,” warns Anglin.

Find out how you can slow down ageing here.

Using deodorant as makeup primer

Using deodorant as makeup primer

While antiperspirant is formulated to minimise sweat under your armpits throughout the day, it was definitely not made to be on your face. Despite this, people have started to use it as a face primer. Not a smart idea, according to experts. “Putting antiperspirant on your face will likely lead to clogged pores, which could result in blackheads and acne,” says Anglin. “Furthermore, the fragrances used in deodorant could possibly irritate and inflame the skin on your face.”

Fixing self-tanning streaks with a magic eraser

Fixing self-tanning streaks with a magic eraser

Some beauty bloggers are swearing by the Magic Eraser, a cleaning sponge meant to remove stains around your house, as a quick-fix solution for self-tanner streaks. Not a smart idea, according to experts. “The sponges are not only abrasive, but they contain chemicals that should not be placed on the skin, let alone scrubbed into it,” says dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon, Dr Melanie D. Palm. “It can cause rashes, itching, skin breakdown, and in rare circumstances, a systemic and life-threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis.” For a streak-free faux tan, she suggests exfoliating before applying it and washing the palms and soles of your feet thoroughly immediately after application.

Using glue to remove blackheads

Using glue to remove blackheads
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Blackheads are essentially clogged pores that look like brown dots on your face. They’re tricky to remove, but thankfully there are plenty of over-the-counter treatments that work. One not to use is glue – yes, you read that right. There’s been a recent trend of using regular school glue to remove blackheads and other blemishes. Aside from the risk of getting it in your eye, this kind of glue is not made for your face and can leave your skin irritated and worse than it was to start with, warns Anglin. Instead, she suggests seeing an experienced aesthetician regularly for dermaplaning, extractions, and light chemical peels.

Find out the reasons you’re having an acne breakout.

Making your own eyelash serum

Making your own eyelash serum
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There are plenty of over-the-counter and prescription products promising to lengthen and volumise your lashes. Go ahead and give them a try, but avoid making your own concoction in your kitchen at all costs. “We all need to remember how important our eyes are and how sensitive they can be,” says Anglin. “Plus, there are so many options available on the market, that safely promote the growth of long healthy lashes.”

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Applying haemorrhoid cream to puffy eyes

Applying haemorrhoid cream to puffy eyes
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No one wants to walk around with under-eye bags and dark circles, but the best remedies involve sleep, hydration, and cooling products, not Preparation H. “There is a reason haemorrhoid creams are used for a specific area on the body – the ingredients are not meant to be near sensitive areas like your eyes,” says plastic surgeon Dr John Diaz. “Instead use chilled cucumber slices or cold packs under your eyes to reduce swelling.”

Treating your own skin cancer with black salve

Treating your own skin cancer with black salve
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Black salve, also known by the brand name Cansema, is a dangerous and controversial alternative cancer treatment that more and more people are using to ‘cure’ themselves in the comfort of their own home. It is illegal to supply in Australia and according to experts, the stuff is toxic. “The product is commonly classified as an escharotic – a topical paste that burns and destroys skin tissue and leaves behind a thick, black scar called an eschar,” says Dr Guanche. Instead, see a dermatologist immediately to ensure you’re receiving proper treatment.

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