We all love a beauty upgrade but sometimes, it comes with serious health risks. Let’s take a closer look at how beauty routines might be hurting us.
Beauty routines are a symphony of self-expression. We get lash extensions for fuller, more defined eyes. We lay frontals that mimic the illusion of a natural hairline. We bask under UV lamps for the perfect gel manicure. We slather on skincare promising that extraordinary glow. But behind the aesthetic highs and viral tutorials, there’s a lingering question: is beauty safe?
Beauty routines are getting more layered, more scientific, and more invasive. They can have long-term effects on our skin, hormones, and there’s a need to carefully examine what we’re being exposed to. This is not an alarmist takedown of your favourite products or beauty treatments but a reality check, because the question deserves more than a surface answer.
Skincare overload: Are your beauty routines stripping your glow?
The skincare world is booming with acids, retinols, and peels that promise a glow so blinding, you’ll ditch foundation. But piling on too many active ingredients can backfire. Dermatologists have warned that overuse of products like AHAs, BHAs, and retinoids can weaken the skin barrier, leading to irritation, breakouts, and long-term sensitivity.
Then there’s the DIY crowd—people squeezing lemon juice on their face or applying essential oils straight from the bottle. Sounds clean and “natural,” but did you know that lemon juice makes your skin more sensitive to sunlight? This can cause chemical burns and hyperpigmentation. Undiluted essential oils are just as risky because they can trigger allergic reactions, rashes, and even chemical burns on contact.
Natural doesn’t always mean gentle, and a long product list doesn’t necessarily guarantee results. Dermatologists are seeing more cases of people doing too much with their beauty routines and damaging their skin barrier as a result. If your bathroom shelf looks like a mini lab, it might be time to scale things back.
Lash extensions and the eye opening side of beauty routines
We all want that pretty flutter but lash extensions often come with risks that go beyond looking glam. From allergic reactions to lash glue to long-term lash loss, it’s not all smooth appointments and flawless results. Unskilled technicians and poor hygiene can also lead to styes and eye infections.
We can acknowledge the beauty of lash extensions, but it is important to care for them properly to avoid infections..
How to protect your eyes if you have lash extensions
Book certified technicians: Only go to licensed professionals who use sanitised tools. Bad hygiene = styes and infections.
Choose hypoallergenic glue: Request formaldehyde-free adhesives and always do a patch test before getting your lashes done.
Aftercare: Clean your lashes daily with oil-free cleanser and avoid rubbing your eyes.
Take lash breaks: You should give your natural lashes time to recover between sets. Just like with everything, going without breaks has its consequences.
Lash extensions are a common step in beauty routines but they can also carry hidden risks when not properly done. Pay attention and take care of your eyes.
Acrylics, UV lamps and the risky reality of nail beauty routines
For me getting your nails done is the self-care cherry on top, but this part of our beauty routines comes with its own set of issues. Long-term use of acrylics thins your natural nails and exposes you to infections. The chemicals used to apply and remove acrylic nails can irritate your skin, and improper application can lead to fungal infections. And the gel polish UV lamps? Additionally, according to dermatologists, UV lamps, typically used for curing gel and acrylic nails, emit UVA rays that can damage skin and accelerate ageing.
A recent study found that UV nail dryers can lead to DNA damage and cell mutations, potentially increasing the risk of skin cancer. To mitigate these risks, it is recommended that you apply broad-spectrum sunscreen to your hands before using UV nail lamps or wear UV-protective gloves while getting gel manicures.
Frontals and lace glue: Beauty routines messing with your edges
The lace front revolution changed the wig game. But with it, came the rise of adhesives and melting sprays. Concerns are being raised about the safety of these tools. Constant use of lace glue near the hairline can lead to traction alopecia, contact dermatitis, and even skin thinning. Some of the adhesives and chemicals used in these beauty routines are not well-regulated, and repeated use without breaks leaves the scalp inflamed and fragile.
The safety of hairline lace becomes complicated when you develop an itchy or burning scalp and your edges refuse to grow back. You can still achieve sleek beauty without the risks of frontals and lace glue.
How to protect yourself from lace glue damage
Go glueless: Glueless wigs are safe and easy to wear. Choose wigs with bands or combs. Remember, no glue, no damage.
Choose gentle glues: If you absolutely must use glue, go for skin-safe adhesives and always do a patch test first.
Shield your edges: Always wear wig caps or scarf barriers to protect your hairline.
Give your scalp a break: If you absolutely must wear frontals with glue ensure you don’t wear them back-to-back. It’s important to let your scalp breathe.
Moisturise and cleanse: Keep your scalp healthy by cleansing and moisturising it consistently to avoid sebum and dead skin build-up or irritation.
When done properly, frontals might look flawless, but they can do real damage if proper care isn’t taken.
So…are beauty routines safe?
Here’s the truth: beauty routines can be safe, but they require awareness, moderation, and proper regulation. Beauty routines are a meaningful part of many women’s lives, an expression of care, identity and confidence. But we can approach them with more intention and safety by understanding the risks, using trusted products, and taking breaks when necessary is how we protect ourselves in the process.
The industry is not slowing down, beauty routines are becoming more advanced and more complicated. It’s up to us to move with intention. We don’t have to choose between safety and style, we can be aware of and balance both ideas properly. Ask questions. Research ingredients. Demand better from brands. And most importantly, listen to your body.
The glow hits differently when you know it doesn’t come at the cost of your health. So the next time someone asks, “Are beauty routines safe?” you’ll have your answer: only when we make them that way.
