Skin Care Is Turning Into ‘Dermorexia,’ According To One Expert

It’s as the old saying goes: “Beauty’s Only Skin Deep.”

Society has long been infatuated with image and appearance, but could it be that it has slowly evolved into an obsession? Everyone ages. There is no avoiding that. It is a natural course of life. Some of us may appear to age “better” than others, but that can be attributed to good genetics, healthy living and maybe a dose of good luck. But something is happening in our society and experts warn our skin care obsession may be going a bit too far.

Dermorexia is a new term to describe the obsessive fixation with skin care. From serums, creams, and masks to more invasive treatments like filler, Botox, and eventually surgery, there is no shortage of options to treat your aging skin. To treat is one thing, but to take it too far is concerning.

Doctors are seeing women who are seeking unnecessary treatments by adding too much filler or paying for surgery that they can’t afford. The phrase was created by author and beauty researcher Jessica DeFino. She describes it as “a fixation on skincare and reaching anesthetic goal that becomes harmful, negatively affecting the health of our skin as well as our mental health.”

Mass consumption is also a harrowing phenomenon in that we are driven to purchase and obtain goods at a high rate. Social media shows us friends and strangers alike, posting “unboxing” videos, influencers are sent free products en masse in the expectation that they’ll post about the product. We take in so much product as a whole and scarcely need it.

Another even more concerning trend is that of young girls, preteens, showing interest in skin care. Retailers like Sephora and Ulta Beauty are seeing a change in the clientele as they see more young girls purchasing their products. Lip gloss and lotion are one thing, but when these prepubescent girls are purchasing products with ingredients designed for mature skin, the trend is worrisome.

We begin to visibly age in our mid-20s. Fine lines, wrinkles and loss of elasticity begins. We tend to see another big change in our 40s. Our eyes are the first place you will see a change as the skin around them is thin and prone to wrinkles.

Fillers like Juvederm and Restalyne give the skin a semi permanent and near immediate change to lines around your mouth and can also help with overall sagging. Botulinum is known as Botox or Dysport, works to block nerve impulses to muscles, causing them to relax.

Another major contributor to our skin care of session can be attributed once again, to social media. Seeing our favorite celebrity with a sudden new look can lead us to unrealistic expectations. The Kardashian–Jenner clan is probably the most obvious example of cosmetic tweaks. Kim Kardashian is well known for her ample backside but it’s clear she has achieved that look with the help of a professional.

Additionally, Kylie Jenner, Kardashian’s younger half sister, gained fame and a massive fortune when she started her Kylie makeup line, introducing a best seller Kylie Lip Kit. Young girls flocked to the website only to see it crash under the demand. Eventually, it was discovered that fans were misled by Jenner who stated her sudden plump lips were the work of her steady hand in applying lip liner and lipstick. Later, Jenner admitted to fillers.

And, our skin isn’t meant to be without pores, and texture and fine lines are a reality, even for a young person. Further, the use of filters can also mislead someone scrolling on Instagram. Dermatologists suggest keeping it simple. Most people only need the basics, which include a cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen.

If you are willing and able, they say you could add a product with antioxidants in it, a serum and a form of retinol products or treatments that are a waste of time, according to the experts, is cleansing brushes, a one time use facial mask and skin oils. Brushes and oils can irritate the skin unnecessarily, and a mask is simply a waste of product.

Finally, experts suggest teaching young people about body positivity and simple skin care. Try to monitor their social media intake and don’t focus on flaws instead focus on realistic expectations.