Make a Resolution to Say No to These 7 Skincare Saboteurs

Most of us have chosen to skip the spa this holiday season and, instead, treat ourselves to at-home pampering or treatments. But there are some no-no's to steer clear from to avoid doing permanent damage to our skin.

Dr. Stacy Chimento of Riverchase Dermatology, one of Florida's largest dermatology practices, and board-certified dermatopathologist Dr. Gretchen Frieling, of GFaceMD, in the Boston area, offer their professional advice of when just to say no.

Picking Pimples
It's virtually human nature to see a pimple and want to squeeze it. But there is a "medical art" to doing it the right way that dermatologists and aestheticians are trained not to leave pockmarks in the skin. Also, more deep-rooted acne such as comedones (under the skin) requires the tools and skills of a dermatologist.

Practicing dangerous or medically unsound TikTok or Instagram skincare advice or trends.
Some of these wacky ideas have included using glue to remove blackheads, making your own eyelash serum, fixing self-tanning streaks with a "magic eraser," treating skin cancer with black salve, and the list goes on. Consult a dermatologist before practicing anything on your skin that seems unorthodox.

Purchasing DIY tools or instruments online that should be used in a dermatologist's office.
It might be tempting to purchase your own "pimple lancer" online, but only dermatologists or licensed aestheticians know the right way to do this without puncturing or permanently scarring the skin.

Over-exfoliating your skin like you are power-washing a building exterior.
Exfoliate one to two times per week (start on the lower end and increase frequency as needed). Any more than that can result in irritation or throw off your skin's pH balance.

Attempting to remove a mole at home.
Removing your own moles by attempting to scrap or burn them off is downright dangerous as it can lead to scarring or deformity of the area.

DIY Masks
Using at-home ingredients to substitute for store-bought products are all the rage. That's understandable given the tight budgets of many. When concocting a mask at home, you could be using ingredients such as pure baking soda or fruit acids that are too harsh for your skin type or simply not intended for facial skin.

Online Botox
DIY Botox? Steer clear for sure. Botox is formulated from a powerful toxin. It is safe to use when injected properly, but if you don't know what you're doing, this treatment could cause serious complications.