DIY Skin Solutions From Your Pantry Or Medicine Cabinet
MIAMI (CBSMiami) - Did you know you can treat tons of skin problems with things you can find right inside your own home?
Do you have lemons?
What about baking soda or vinegar, even aspirin?
They are do-it-yourself solutions experts say can save you time and money.
If used correctly, some dermatologists said they are highly effective.
Like many of us, Jesse Nagron likes to look her best and she's willing to try just about anything for acne, spots and stings. "I love my tea tree oil. I can't live without it. I use it for acne as a quick fix." She also had another fix for her skin. "The aspirin mask is another one that is very good."
It turns out, there may be something to these at home remedies. Sleep is hard to come by, but tea bags aren't. Lay back and relax with wet, cool tea bags. They can be used for dark circles under the eyes.
Coral Gables based dermatologist, Dr. Flor A. Mayoral said tea bags contain a special ingredient which helps soothe the skin.
For acne, putting oil on your face may sound strange but, Jesse Nagron swears by it. Dr. Mayoral says for mild cases, a specific type of oil can help.
"There's a lot of evidence that tea tree oil has anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal properties."
Aspirin can treat more than just a headache, experts said. Dissolve it in a glass of water and you can use it on your face. "Aspirin has salicylic acid. It can exfoliate. So the answer is, yes. You can also use it when you have a sunburn, if you take it orally and you're not allergic. It helps decrease inflammation," said Dr. Mayoral.
What about vinegar? Many clean with it, but it can also be used as a deodorant. "My absolute favorite has got to be apple cider vinegar. I feel like it balances my ph. We don't want to use deodorant because of chemicals," said Jesse Nagron.
"The problem is sometimes people use a higher concentration and then they irritate the skin. Watch for adverse side effects," Dr. Mayoral said.
Dr. Mayoral says baking soda is a better choice for deodorant. It can be used for a number of things. "When a patient is allergic to toothpaste we tell them to use baking soda to brush their teeth. Alkalize the bacteria and clean the teeth."
She says you can also make a paste with baking soda and water and use it to treat insect bites which is something we can all use in the mosquito-ridden South Florida summers. "It can feel soothing and patients won't scratch and then the infection won't take place," said Dr. Mayoral.
Sunscreen will help, but the strong South Florida sun can leave dark spots on the hands and face. Some say to use lemon juice as a natural spot fighter. Dr. Mayoral warns this one is risky. "The problem is when you use lemon or lime juice, there's a photo-toxic reaction. You will get blisters, redness or inflammation when you expose lemon or lime juice to the sun."
On the plus side, you can still use lemon juice to lighten your hair, just not on your skin. Dr. Mayoral said to know the pros and cons of anything you use. She sees more patients coming in after trying these do-it-yourself fixes. "I am seeing a lot of people get into trouble using natural remedies. People are getting comfortable diagnosing themselves."
"If you're going to try any of these DIY beauty tricks at home, experts recommend common sense and start with a small area. If you make the problem worse, call your doctor and go in for an appointment.
RELATED CONTENT:
