The 4 Aesthetic Treatments To Avoid At All Cost

As an aesthetic nurse, I’ve come across a plethora of treatments. Listed below are my personal 4 aesthetic treatments to avoid!

1. The Risks of IPL Treatments on Darker Skin

Intense Pulsed Light or IPL treatment is an incredibly effective method to target hyperpigmentation and even out skin tone. However, it’s crucial to recognize that IPL is not suited for everyone—particularly those with darker skin tones. IPL works by emitting broad-spectrum light, which targets pigments in the skin. In darker skin types like myself, this method can lead to adverse reactions such as hyperpigmentation and burn marks due to excessive melanin absorption.

As an aesthetic nurse, we’re typically well versed in which candidates are best for certain treatments. IPL is one of those treatments that’s pretty clear on it’s demographic: those with lighter skin tones or Fitzpatrick scale 1-3 (with some exception to skin type 4) are great candidates for IPL. The more melanin in the skin, the higher likelihood of the IPL machine targeting the natural skin tone and causing an adverse reaction such as hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation. It’s important that the IPL machine is able to differentiate between your skin tone and the hyperpigmentation you would like to target. Sadly I’ve seen horror stories about people with dark skin tone being treated with IPL treatments and becoming disfigured from it. Essentially, the more melanin your skin has, the riskier the procedure can be. As someone with deep skin tone, I definitely would stay FAR away from IPL treatments. Given these potential pitfalls, I choose to sidestep IPL treatments entirely.

Despite these concerns, there are effective alternatives for darker skin tones. I love doing a laser resurfacing treatment like clear and brilliant which is a semi-fraxel laser, safe for all skin types. Also, technologies such as the Nd:YAG laser offer safer alternatives by delivering a single wavelength that can penetrate deeper into the skin without causing excessive damage to surrounding tissue. I firmly believe it’s vital to prioritize safer, tested options and always consult with specialists who are experienced with different skin types. Your skin’s health and appearance should always come first.

2. The Allure and Risks of Plasma Pen

Plasma pen treatments promise to tighten and rejuvenate the skin, seemingly offering a cure-all for sagging and wrinkles. Yet, I’ve learned that this treatment isn’t as miraculous as it’s made out to be. This method uses electrostatic energy, creating micro burns on the skin to stimulate healing, but expert advice highlights that these burns can lead to pigmentation issues or even scarring. I personally know people who have scarring years later from this treatment.

In my opinion, a better alternative would be RF Microneedling. Though adverse reactions are always a possibility especially if settings are too high or if pre/post care aren’t followed, they’re less likely to happen. This method can offer effective skin rejuvenation and is backed by more robust scientific support. Always seek treatments that are both safer and more effective for maintaining skin integrity.

3. Navigating the Use of Retinol

Retinol is frequently hailed as the skincare hero capable of reversing signs of aging and refining skin texture. I agree that it’s an incredibly effective skincare however, its potent nature means it must be used with caution. A semi -bad habit that I have is that I don’t wear sunscreen everyday. I’ll wear it when I’m going to be outside for over an hour but for the most part my sun exposure is when I’m driving in my tinted car. My pigment already shields some of the benefits of sun exposure from me so I try to take in the sun in smaller doses to reap the benefits like vitamin D production. Because I don’t like to wear sunscreen everyday, I realize wearing retinol without sunscreen is a dangerous combination as retinol causes your skin to to become photosensitive.

Retinol can also cause skin sensitivity. Starting with a low concentration is key as high doses can lead to irritation, redness, and peeling. Using retinol too frequently without proper skin acclimatization can result in unwanted side effects. Those with sensitive or rosacea-prone skin may find retinol intolerable, leading to flare-ups. Even though retinol is very effective, at this aged I choose to use more milder options like glycolic acids to exfoliate and growth factors to promote plumper skin. Alternatives like bakuchiol offer a gentler—but still effective—solution since it offers similar benefits as retinol without the risk of harsh side effects.

4. Concerns with Barbed Threading

Thread lifts using barbed sutures have had its rollercoaster of popularity, known for their promise of lifting and sculpting sagging skin, but there are more risks than meet the eye. These sutures risk tissue damage or asymmetries, leading to complications like infection or visible lumps under the skin surface as described in thread lift safety advisories. Weighing these risks against potential benefits, the safety and efficacy of traditional surgical options frequently prevail.

While a thread lift might initially appear as a less invasive option compared to a facelift, unforeseen costs and recovery time due to complications can create a stressful path. In my profession I’ve seen countless customers return to have their barbed sutures pulled out as the wires start poking through people’s skin, or the trauma from inserting the sutures can cause ongoing sensitivity. Also, when it comes to doing fillers with cannulas, those who’ve done PDO threads before make it more difficult to push through the tissue as the collagen works like scar tissue in certain areas.

Options like laser skin resurfacing or quality dermal fillers provide similarly satisfying results with more predictable outcomes and thus remain the safer route to facial rejuvenation.

Also Read: Debunking The Myths About Lip Filler Safety and Efficacy