Let’s be real, some of the things we do for beauty are ridiculous. Between our hair, skin and nails, we’re constantly doing something to improve our look, often without considering the consequences. You might have heard that “beauty is pain,” but we shouldn’t damage our bodies for the sake of looking good! Here are six of the most damaging beauty practices we are all guilty of, plus safer alternatives that will have you looking fabulous without hurting your body.
1. Going to tanning salons
While most of us know that indoor tanning is a big no-no, having that bronzed glow all year long is tempting. Even if you have only gone once or twice, the effects of sitting in a tanning bed at all can greatly increase your risk for cancer.
“It’s a risky behavior because the radiation from tanning beds is 20 times more powerful than [that of] the sun,” says Dr. Elizabeth K. Hale, a certified dermatologist and skin cancer expert. “Even if you indoor tan only once, it can increase the risk of melanoma by 20 percent.”
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, UV radiation can cause wrinkles, brown spots and sagging skin. Moreover, regular indoor tanners increase their risk for melanoma by 74 percent compared to those who have never been to a tanning salon, which is pretty scary.
“Melanoma is one of the leading causes of death in young women,” Hale says. “But it’s also completely preventable. And if it’s caught early, it can be cured completely. If you’ve ever been to a tanning salon, make sure you see a dermatologist just to be safe.”
Alternative: Self-tanners
No matter how much we want to be tan, the risk of skin cancer is just not worth it. Skip the indoor tanning and try self-tanners instead. Fortunately, there are a ton of different products to ensure that you won’t look streaky or orange! For a natural, gradual tan, try Jergens Natural Glow Revitalizing Daily Moisturizer ($9.99), or check out Neutrogena Micro-Mist Airbrush Sunless Tan ($11.99) for even coverage all over your body, including your back! Not a fan of the chemical odor? Try Nature’s Gate Glow Lotion ($13.99) which will give you a subtle tint without the fake smell.
Remember to exfoliate first in the shower (it helps avoid streaks) and wait until you’re completely dry before applying a self-tanner. If you’re using a lotion, wash your hands immediately after to avoid orange palms. Most self-tanners build gradually, so to achieve a darker shade, you’ll have to reapply for a couple days. To prolong your color, use a gentle cleanser in the shower and keep your skin moisturized. Keep these tips in mind and you’ll be looking bronzed in no time, without those harmful UV rays!
2. Popping pimples
One of the worst things in the world is waking up to a huge zit on your face. It hurts, looks gross and pretty much sucks all around. It’s natural to want to get that annoyance off our face ASAP, so many of us resort to popping our pimples instead of letting them naturally heal. As rewarding as it is to squeeze all that yucky stuff out, it does more harm than good.
“Popping zits causes inflammation under the skin,” Hale says. “When your skin gets inflamed, it becomes a red mark which tends to stick around longer and is harder to cover up.” Plus, you risk having scars or dark marks on your face, which is clearly something you don’t want.
Alternative: Warm compress or aspirin
Instead of popping your pimples, try applying a warm compress to them. “Warm compresses can speed healing because they increase the blood flow to the pimple,” Hale says. “They will also prevent inflammation.” Simply wet a small washcloth with warm water and then place it in the microwave for about 40 seconds. Hold your compress to your zit until the washcloth starts to cool down, and then wash your face with your normal face cleanser. Don’t forget to moisturize afterwards!
If you have a really stubborn zit, apply products with salicylic acid to dry it out (Almay has a product that conceals AND heals zits!). Don’t have any salicylic acid on hand? Hale suggests making an aspirin paste to reduce the pain and size of your pimple. “Crush up an aspirin and add it to warm water,” she says. “Then apply it to your pimple. The acetylsalicylic acid in the aspirin will help heal your zit.” Make sure you only keep the aspirin paste on for about 15 minutes and apply moisturizer afterwards. And if you find yourself struggling with consistent acne, visit a dermatologist to get a stronger treatment.
Unfortunately we all get zits from time to time, but preventing them can also save you some frustration! Avoid touching your face throughout the day and always take off your makeup before going to bed. Try a gentle cleanser that has benzoyl peroxide in it and always remember to moisturize after washing your face. This should help you avoid those pesky pimples as much as possible!
3. Bleaching your hair
If you want to lighten your hair color, chances are, you’ll have to bleach it first. While getting your hair bleached every once in a while is okay, bleach and hair dye have toxic chemicals in them that can dry out your luscious locks.
Bleaching strips your hair of its natural pigment, which changes the structure of your hair. This can make it more susceptible to damage resulting in coarse texture, dullness and split ends. You never want to weaken your hair because it can take a long time to reverse the effects.
Alternatives: Lightening shampoo or lemon juice
If you’re looking to go just a little lighter with your hair, consider a hair lightening shampoo. John Frieda ($6.99) makes one for blondes that naturally lightens hair without ammonia or peroxide, aka the harsh chemicals that salons use. Its special formula increases blonde hair pigment for subtle highlights and increased shine. You won’t get the dramatic effect that bleaching gives you, but your hair will appear brighter after a couple of uses.
If you have darker hair, try using this simple tip: Simply combine lemon juice and water and brush it through wet or dry hair. Then sit out in the sun for a few hours (don’t forget sunscreen!) to get natural highlights. You should see results after four or five uses. Stuck in rainy weather? You can also apply Sun-In ($4.99) to wet hair and blow it dry. Just remember that a little goes a long way, otherwise your hair might turn out more orange than sun-kissed.
While there are safer alternatives to lightening your hair, sometimes if you want a specific color, bleaching is unavoidable. If you do end up bleaching and dying your hair, make sure you use hair-strengthening shampoo to help restore those locks. “Use products that contain biotin or keratin,” Hale suggests. “It will help strengthen your hair and reverse any damage.” Try OGX’s Full Biotin & Collagen Shampoo to keep your dyed hair looking and feeling healthy.
4. Getting gel manicures
Most of us love to get our nails done, but hate it when they chip… sometimes moments after we’ve stepped out of the salon. That’s probably why gel manicures were invented—they’re a guaranteed way to keep your manicure looking fresh for weeks at a time.
Unfortunately, perfectly kept nails come with some risks. Because gel manicures require drying under a UV light, the possibility of skin cancer becomes a concern. “UV can cause cancer, that’s it,” Hale says. “Most people don’t know that it can be very common on the back of hands and nails. Any UV exposure can put you at risk.”
Besides, constantly having gel manicures inhibits your nails’ ability to breathe. This can lead to damaged or brittle nails, which can take up to three to six months to heal properly. If you do like having your nails done, make sure you wait a week or two between manicures to avoid nail damage. Additionally, never peel off your gel manicure. Always go to a professional to remove it safely.
Alternative: Gel polish
Fortunately for those of us who love long-lasting manicures, nail polish companies have started making gel manicure products that don’t require the harmful UV lights! Application is easy; all you need to do is apply two coats of color and a gel topcoat and you get a perfect mani that lasts two weeks. The best part? You can remove it with regular nail polish remover, no soaking required. Check out Sally Hansen’s Miracle Gel polishes, available at most pharmacies.
5. Not washing your face day and night
It’s 3 a.m. on a Friday and you just got home from the bars. Between recounting the night with your friends and sharing delivery pizza, you totally forget to wash your face before passing out. And then it’s 8 a.m. on Monday morning and you’ve pressed snooze for the third time, making yourself totally late for class. You barely have time to get dressed, let alone wash your face. Sound familiar? It doesn’t matter if you’re coming from a frat party or snoozing before your morning lecture, washing your face feels irrelevant when sleep is your priority.
“Let’s face it, if you’re up late, you’re not going through your full bedtime skin routine,” Hale says. “But not taking off your makeup before bed can cause breakouts and clogged pores.”
Besides, by not removing your mascara or foundation at the end of the day, you risk forming wrinkles and cysts near your eyes. Your skin is exposed to lots of toxins throughout the day; when you don’t wash your face, makeup holds in all the bad stuff you don’t want on your skin.
On the flip side, it’s equally as important to wash your face in the morning. While you can get buildup during the day, your skin still accumulates dirt and bacteria while you sleep, too. If you don’t wash your face in the morning, you also risk oily skin throughout the day, which further adds to the buildup.
Alternative: Place makeup removing wipes by your bed
While you might not have time to fully wash your face with cleanser, cleaning off your face a little bit is better than nothing. “Makeup remover wipes are great because they’re easy,” Hale says. “Plus, keeping them by your bed will remind you to do it before you go to sleep [or when you wake up].”
Most beauty brands make makeup removing wipes. Look for the wipes that are oil-free and that can remove all makeup, including waterproof mascara. Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes are always a good choice, or for more sensitive skin, try Simple’s Cleansing Facial Wipes.
6. Constantly whitening your teeth
Who doesn’t want a dazzling white smile? With all the products out there, from whitening strips to mouthwash, it’s easy to get rid of stained teeth without having to go to a professional to achieve a sparkling smile like the all your favorite celebrities.
However, studies show that over-whitening your teeth can have damaging and irreversible effects. According to the Journal of Dental Research, most teeth-whitening products contain hydrogen peroxide. A high concentration of hydrogen peroxide can weaken tooth enamel and cause sensitivity. It can also lead to gum inflammation, which can last a few days.
So if you’re using whitening strips, brushing with whitening toothpaste and then swishing with whitening rinse, you’re definitely overdoing it. Even consistently using whitening strips every week can lead to damage. If you find that your gums are puffy and red or your teeth are overly sensitive to cold foods, definitely lay off of the whitening for a while, as these are signs of irritation and weakened tooth enamel.
Alternative: Baking soda
For a more natural teeth-whitening method, try using a baking soda paste. Combine half a teaspoon of baking soda with half a teaspoon of water and put the mixture on your toothbrush. Brush your teeth as you normally would, then spit out the baking soda paste and rise with mouthwash. Baking soda is safe to use every other day, and in a week or two, you’ll start to notice the results!
We all have our own unique beauty routine, but we don’t always realize that some of our self-care habits have negative effects on our overall health. Looking like an airbrushed model is not worth damaging your hair, skin or nails for, so keep these alternatives in mind and you’ll be healthy and feel pretty!