The teen used retinol and acid; doctors explain the danger of these products for young skin
Amelia Gregory, a 13-year-old from Cheshire, England, nearly went blind after following a TikTok influencer’s tips on skin care and ways to slow down skin aging.
In the video, the blogger taught her followers how to make a face mask using two products that contain retinol and another with an acid to exfoliate the skin.
At the hospital, the teenager was admitted immediately because, within a few days, she had developed a bacterial infection in the tissues under her skin, a condition known as facial cellulitis.
“That open, scaly skin got infected and the infection spread to my left eye. At a certain point it seemed that this would also extend to the law. The doctors told me that the infection could cause her to lose her sight,” Claire, Amelia’s mother, said in an interview with the British tabloid Daily Mail.
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Nubia Vanessa, ophthalmologist at the CBV-Hospital de Olhos, explains that the risks caused by improper use of products with acid in the areas near the eyes are very serious, because they can cause, in addition to allergies, lesions to the cornea, lesions to the conjunctiva and , for example, can sometimes be irreversible, causing impaired vision, blurred vision and eye diseases that can have lifelong consequences.
“A 13, 15-year-old person subjected to inadequate treatment can have lifelong consequences from a procedure that was not indicated or monitored by a doctor. Each skin has the ideal amount of cream, acid, concentration, what to use, when to use it, for how long,” emphasizes the ophthalmologist.
Lucas Miranda, dermatologist member of the Brazilian Society of Dermatology, points out that adolescents’ skin, which is often already struggling with hormonal imbalances and acne, is more reactive and sensitive. Improper use of retinol and acids can lead to severe irritation, dehydration of the skin and worsening of existing conditions.
“Adult skin may be more stable, while teen skin is more prone to acne and excess oil. The dermatological recommendations also take into account the characteristics related to age, the specific needs of the skin and tolerance to the active ingredients”, underlines the professional.
The specialist recommends the use of products that do not clog pores, oil-free moisturizing creams and sun creams suitable for more oily skin; in some cases, salicylic acid at low concentrations and niacinamide may be better suited to treat problems such as acne. and greasiness without causing irritation.
“It is important to underline the need to consult a dermatologist before starting any treatment, especially for adolescents, due to the peculiarities of the skin at this stage of life,” he concludes.
According to the Daily Mail, doctors managed to save Amelia’s skin and vision, but the deeper layers of the skin are still healing and the girl will have to use factor 50 sunscreen on her face in both summer and winter for a long time time.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
