Aspirin Mask for Acne - Is It Safe?

February 24, 2018
Aspirin Mask for Acne - Is It Safe?

What is an Aspirin Mask?


The most common recipe for the aspirin mask is as follows:

Crush 3 tablets of uncoated aspirin in a tablespoon of water to make a paste. Spread over a clean face, let sit for ten minutes, and gently rinse off. Do this no more than once a week.

How is it effective?


Aspirin is acetylsalicylic acid. If you have researched any acne products in the past or looked through the offerings of the drugstore you may find something familiar in that name. Salicylic acid, along with benzoyl peroxide, are the two most common active ingredients found in over the counter acne treatments. Acetylsalicylic acid and salicylic acid share similar chemical properties.

Why is it a bad idea?


It is amazing how many discussions about the aspirin mask can be found on a variety of beauty and skin care forums. I frankly do not understand why people are bothering with this home remedy. I would think that if you wanted to use a home remedy for acne, it would be to use natural, gentle ingredients on your skin and not submit your skin to any harsh chemicals or unfamiliar, unnecessary ingredients.

But that is exactly what an aspirin mask is. Aspirin pills contain binders as well as a large amount of acetylsalicylic acid, and the effect can be way more intense than anything you put on your skin should be.

This obviously shouldn't even be a consideration for anyone with a known allergy or sensitivity to aspirin. But it is also possible that applying the aspirin to your skin could lead you to finding a sensitivity you were not aware of. I have read many users mention feeling a little lightheaded while using the remedy, but that the feeling goes away. I do not understand how this is not a concern for these people. It is unknown at this time how much aspirin can be absorbed into the skin, but some users have reported experiencing the same reactions to the aspirin they put on their skin as when taking the same amount orally.

This home remedy is very unlike other old trusted approaches, such as the use of honey or diluted tea tree oil on the skin. If your skin has responded well to the acetylsalicylic acid, it is highly likely that it would also respond well to a number of affordable products available at the drugstore. If the inactive ingredients list is not to your liking, salicylic acid can also be found in a number of natural and organic acne treatments as well.

Ideally, your skin care products should be pH balanced and intended for use on skin. The movement towards recipes for homemade products has begun to worry me as I see some ingredients that are very inappropriate for skin, especially any skin that is sensitive and prone to a skin condition, such as acne or rosacea.

Manufacturers of skin care products go through a considerable amount of product testing to ensure consumers will not experience negative reactions. It is unsettling that so many people are using their homes as laboratories and themselves as laboratory rats with such a powerful ingredient.

A final major concern: because the aspirin mask is mostly intended for acne sufferers, pre-teens and teenagers are likely going to be interested in this remedy. I have come across some recipes that call for up to eight aspirin tablets. If the child were to come across such a recipe, they could very well end up in the hospital later that day.

What can be done about acne then?


If you are experiencing regular, painful breakouts, then that would be considered a case of such bad acne that requires an appointment with a dermatologist, or at least a treatment plan that has been well researched and is intended for your level of acne. Otherwise, if your concern is simply how to get rid of pimples because you woke up with a few on your face this morning, then there are a number of spot treatments available at your drugstore that can clear that up quickly and safely.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Willow_Torres/831144

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5381199

Related article

Previous
Next Post »

Causes of Cystic Acne and How To Deal With It

 Cystic acne is a severe form of acne that can be both painful and embarrassing. It occurs when the hair follicles become clogged with oil a...