A board-certified dermatologist has revealed five things that she would never do to her skin – including one that could lead to a serious infection and even blindness.
The crucial information was shared by Dr. Lindsey Zubritsky, from Mississippi, in a new video posted to TikTok, where she boasts over 1.5 million followers.
The doctor often takes to her platform to share her skin tips, tricks and other hacks, and this time was no different as she dove into her list of thing she would never do.
The first no-no that Zubritsky stated was one that could have serious consequences – and that’s popping a pimple in something that she calls the ‘danger triangle.’
This is the section of the face that covers the area from the bridge of your nose to the corners of your mouth, forming a ‘triangle.’
Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Zubritsky has more than one million followers on TikTok, where she shares her tips and tricks regarding the skin
‘If you pop a pimple here, there’s a chance that the bacteria from the skin can enter the bloodstream, which has a direct connection to the skull and brain through something called the cavernous sinus,’ Zubritsky explained.
‘It can lead to serious infection, as well as blindness or even death,’ she added.
Last December, Dance Moms star Brooke Hyland, 26, accidentally popped a pimple in this triangle, and ended up with an infected eye because of it.
Luckily, she made a full recovery with a round of antibiotics, but urged others to avoid touching any blemishes that may crop up in that area.
Next on the dermatologist’s list was something not quite as serious, but still a bit gross.
‘I would never go to sleep with my hair wet,’ Zubritsky shared.
‘Sleeping with wet hair can lead to a moist environment, which can be a breeding ground for bacteria and fungus,’ she continued.
But aside from that, Zubritsky said that your hair is ‘most vulnerable’ when it’s wet, which can lead other damage like breakage, thinning and ‘damage to the hair follicle.’
Zubritsky warned against popping a pimple in the ‘danger triangle’ (left) and last December, Dance Moms star Brooke Hyland, 25, (right) accidentally popped a pimple in this triangle, and ended up with an infected eye because of it
Next, the doctor advised viewers to never put a laptop on their laps – a common practice that many are guilty of.
‘Prolonged exposure to heat sources like laptops or heating pads can lead to a skin condition called Erythema ab igne,’ she shared, showing a picture of what it looks like on the skin.
‘It can lead to discoloration that can last for a very long time,’ Zubritsky explained.
The condition is typically asymptomatic aside from the discoloration, but can sometimes cause itching and burning, according to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.
Finally, Zubritksy’s last two tips had to do with the use of retinoids, a form of Vitamin A that is commonly used in skincare products or by itself to combat signs of aging.
However, the dermatologist advised using retinoids or retinol as spot treatments, especially if you suffer from acne.
‘Retinol and retinoids actually prevent and treat acne, so you wan to make sure you’re getting it all over the whole face,’ she explained.
She also warned against waxing the skin while you’re using a retinol, retinoid or even Acccutane medication.
The doctor advised viewers to never put a laptop on their laps – a common practice that many are guilty of, as it can lead to a skin condition that causes discoloration
‘Retinoids lead to increased sensitivity of the skin, which could leave you with painful, irritated, almost rug burn or chemical-like burns after waxing,’ the doctor alerted viewers.
In the comments section of her video, many users seemed to agree with her skincare no-nos, sharing their own stories of the mistakes they’ve made.
‘I had impetigo from popping a zit on the nose! It was awful. Happened 2x once after Covid,’ one person wrote.
Another typed, ‘No because the wet hair thing is true, I got ring worm on my back back in 6th grade because id sleep on wet hair every. single. night.’
‘Good info. I got my eyebrows waxed after applying retinol and the area is very irritated. Thank you,’ someone else commented.
