Hello! My name is Dr. Ryan Shelton and now that it’s Friday, it’s time for my favourite weekly tradition! That’s right, it’s mailbag Friday, and today I’m answering two questions from Debbie and Maria.
Debbie is in Montpelier, VT and this is what she had to ask this week:
Q: Hi Dr. Ryan! What’s your opinion on face shaving? I’ve heard it’s great for exfoliation and makes your skin smooth, but I’ve heard a lot of horror stories too.
A: Hi Debbie! This question is great because so many people are starting to shave the baby hair on their face to create a smoother complexion, but there are some things you need to know before you jump in and try out this trend…
This technique is nothing new, and it’s actually called Dermaplaning. It’s a pretty pricey procedure in many different spas, but a lot of people seem to be trying out a DIY version of this trend to cut costs.
While I’m all for cutting costs, this is one of those treatments that are better left to the professionals.
That’s because you could do some serious damage to your skin - you could even give yourself a nasty cut by mistake!
Not to mention, it may end up causing your skin to break out or even become more sensitive.
In my professional opinion, I’d highly recommend getting this treatment done at a spa by someone who has been trained properly instead of winging it at home.
The only problem is that this treatment can get pricey, so after seeing how much it costs, you might not find it so appealing.
If that’s the case, you can always get the same smooth and well-exfoliated complexion with a gentle cleanser that has alpha-hydroxy acids in it.
My Lavender Oil cleanser is a great example, and it helps penetrate deep into your skin to start the exfoliation process on a deeper level, which can even help reduce fine lines and wrinkles!
But back to my main point, I’d advise against trying dermaplaning at home. Your skin’s health and safety should be top of the list!
My next question is from Maria in Cleveland, OH.
Q: Hi Dr. Ryan, I wear makeup every single day and I want to make sure I’m not doing anything to harm my skin. Is it safe to wear makeup on a daily basis?
A: Hi Maria, thanks for coming to me with this question! You can absolutely wear makeup every day without hurting your skin. Having said that, there are some conditions…
A lot of people out there say that makeup is bad for your skin and it suffocates your complexion, but that isn’t totally true.
Wearing makeup on a daily basis doesn’t actually cause any damage to your complexion unless you make a habit of not washing it off.
And when I say washing it off, I mean washing every last bit of it down the drain.
If you’re not using a gentle but powerful foaming cleanser to help clear out your pores and get rid of the dirt, bacteria and makeup on your face, you’re leaving yourself vulnerable to break-outs, rashes and textured skin.
Certain products like foundation and mascara can be tough to get rid of with just one cleansing cycle, so you may need to try double cleansing to make sure your skin is as clean as a whistle before you apply the rest of your routine.
If there are any bits of makeup remaining, that’s when your skin will start to suffer.
My professional advice would be to try out double cleansing, and also pay attention to how long you’re washing your face.
You generally want to massage your cleanser into your skin for at least 60 seconds.
This will help dissolve all that makeup - and anything else that doesn’t belong on your skin - so that you’re left with a totally fresh face.
With these tips in mind, you can feel free to express your creativity and wear as much makeup as you want!
