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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Health & Science

Over-treating skin risks irritation and permanent damage

From Tempo · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Over-treating the skin with too many products or aggressive treatments can damage the skin barrier and cause new problems.
  • Dermatologists advise prioritizing skin barrier recovery over adding more products when the skin is sensitive.
  • Aggressive treatments, especially those involving high-energy devices like lasers, can lead to permanent skin damage, such as uneven pigmentation.

In the pursuit of glowing skin, many individuals resort to over-treating their skin with a multitude of products and procedures simultaneously. However, this approach can backfire, leading to a damaged skin barrier and exacerbating existing issues. Dr. Hafiza Fathan, a dermatologist, emphasizes that when skin shows signs of sensitivity, the priority should be restoring its condition rather than introducing more products. The focus should be on soothing and calming the skin to repair the skin barrier.

Usually we treat the sensitive condition first. We find the cause, then do therapy that is soothing or calming. The focus is on restoring the skin barrier.

— dr. hafiza fathanExplaining the initial steps when skin shows signs of sensitivity.

The recovery process for a compromised skin barrier varies among individuals, depending on the severity and cause of the damage. While some may see improvement within days, others might require weeks or even months. Patience and appropriate care are crucial for natural skin repair. Overly aggressive treatments, particularly those using high-energy devices like lasers, carry the risk of permanent damage. Dr. Fathan warns that damage to melanocytes, the cells responsible for pigment production, can result in uneven skin tone, which is extremely difficult to correct.

Some get better in a matter of days, but some need several weeks or even months.

— dr. hafiza fathanDescribing the variable recovery time for a damaged skin barrier.

Understanding individual skin tolerance is vital, as factors like age, skin type, and environmental exposure influence skin health. Extreme temperature changes or thinning skin due to aging can trigger conditions like rosacea. Dr. Fathan stresses that in the fast-paced beauty industry, consistency in skincare is more important than instant results. Maintaining a healthy skin barrier is a long-term investment for stronger, healthier skin, and the key lies in ensuring the skin is ready to receive treatments, not just in the quantity of products used.

If melanocytes, pigment-producing cells, are damaged, the skin can become patchy like a fungal infection. This is usually caused by over-treatment with certain devices, and it is very difficult to reverse.

— dr. hafiza fathanWarning about the potential for permanent skin damage from aggressive treatments.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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