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Why you probably shouldn't Google your skin concerns

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Credit: iStock
Credit: iStock

All of us have done it. You have a sudden breakout and turn to good old Dr Google to figure out how to resolve it. But, before you know it, you have an untreatable skin disease.

Googling these issues have become a popular way for us to get an idea of what could possibly be causing those mystery skin concerns. According to the Clarins Bright Plus survey, 29.3% of women Google their skin concerns in the hope of finding a quick fix. 

After all, it seems like the most inexpensive and accessible solution, although it may not be the most reliable one.

Need to stop doing that! #googlesymptoms #imgonnadie #stomachbug

A post shared by Sarah Carmicheal-Wood (@cracked_teapot) on

According to Brian Fallon, professor of psychiatry at Columbia University, cyberchondria (when hypochondria and the internet meet) is a real thing and a vicious cycle that can have terribly negative effects.

Read more: 5 minutes every morning can transform your skin

Common skin cure suggestions like drinking more water, trying aloe vera, etc. may have an adverse effect if it is not a simple skin problem that can be treated overnight. 

The problem with seeking a uniform solution suited for everyone is that this will not necessarily work. Each of us have our own individual skin types and concerns.

While we may think we know exactly what will solve our skin problem Cape Town dermatologist Dr Suretha Kannenberg says this is not always as easy as it seems.

“Most people, for example, would say they have a combination skin with an oily T-zone. Although patients may be right in their evaluation, very often with the trained eye these patients are actually really quite dry underlying.”

Without seeking help from a well-known skincare brand or medical professional, Dr Kannenberg cautions that this often leads to the acquisition of the wrong products for your skin.

Read more: Clarins Bright Plus Tri-Intensive Brightening Serum – how it works

Interestingly, only 4.8% of women who did the survey said they visit a dermatologist immediately when experiencing a skin concern, while 36.3% make their way to skincare counters for corrective skin products. 

“Time and time again I have seen patients who are desperately frustrated with the various products they've been jumping between. The typical story is that they're okay for a few weeks or months and then suddenly they have a breakout,” explains Dr Kannenberg.

Under the guidance of her dermatologist, fashion and beauty blogger Aisha Baker from Baked Online attests to the effectiveness of Clarins' Bright Plus range saying it worked to decrease her visible scarring and assisted in reducing her dark spots.

Relying on an established skincare brand or a medical professional is definitely a better alternative to blindly self-diagnosing yourself with a frightening skin condition.

So step away from the search engine and seek out a reliable skincare product or a dermatologist for skin concerns. There is a ton of misinformation online and it can lead you down into a rabbit hole of unnecessary stress.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
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