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If you follow a bevy of reality stars on Instagram or
Snapchat, you’ll be aware of the many product endorsements that they have. The
latest craze that all the ‘cool kids’ are talking about is charcoal infused
face masks, but do they actually work?
I sat down with Ralph W Montague Collier, Director at *The Skin
Repair Clinic, to discuss the pros and cons of
these black face treatments and the best way to treat your problem skin.
How Getting
Dirty Can Clean Your Skin
As it is in a thick, gloopy consistency it can be
rather confusing how lathering a black, charcoal-based face mask can improve
your skin, however celebrities like Khloe Kardashian and Holly Hagan (of
Geordie Shore fame) swear by them.
So, what exactly is in these face masks and how do
they improve your skin. Ralph explains:
“The
ingredients in these charcoal masks will vary from brand to brand, however they
are generally used to help clarify the skin of impurities and clear skin.
“When
combined with other ingredients, activated charcoal can help draw bacteria,
dirt and oil out of the skin, helping to keep your face clean and minimise the
risk of breakouts.
“The danger comes when users try to make their
own facemasks or buy bargain alternatives, which can do the opposite of the
desired effect and actually damage your skin.
“You should
also be weary of charcoal-based peel-off masks as these glue themselves to your
skin and hair, making it rather painful to peel off once dry. Although these
masks will leave skin feeling smooth, they will also remove the cells from the
outer layer of skin and pull any hairs with it.”
Other
Beauty Uses of Charcoal
Beauty-fans aren’t just stopping with face masks, but using
it on their hair, teeth and arm pits too.
There are numerous activated charcoal fluoride-free
toothpastes flooding the market at the moment, which promise to help fight
plaque, cavities and bad breath by reducing bacteria build-up.
Whereas many a hair product utilises charcoal’s
non-abrasive cleansing elements as a natural deep cleanser to remove any
built-up chemicals that can leave hair looking and feeling greasy.
Lastly, many natural deodorants are made with charcoal
as it absorbs moisture well, is gentle on skin and can help to neutralise
odour.
How to Look
Great and Feel Amazing with Skin Treatments
If you’re looking for long-lasting effects that will
transform your skin and boost your confidence, Ralph recommends non-surgical
cosmetic treatments.
“Although these are more expensive than investing in a
tube of charcoal face mask, a treatment by a trained and experienced specialist
can provide you with much more dramatic improvements to your skin.
“Whether it’s micro-needling for acne scar removal or
high intensity focused ultrasound for firming skin on the neck and face, there
is a treatment out there to help your skin issue.”
To learn more about non-surgical cosmetic treatments
and what they can do for you, discover more about Ralph and The Skin Repair Clinic.
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