Chamjin Korean Medicine Clinic
ACNE & CHARMJIN
[Health Week] [Column] Does applying toothpaste to acne help?
A patient asked if it was true that toothpaste could dry out acne. To satisfy her curiosity, I researched related information and found the following:

Why did the "toothpaste acne cure" myth emerge?
Several factors appear to have contributed to the popularity of this folk remedy.


First, there's a possibility that Professor Sai Kurosh of the Department of Dermatology at Harvard Medical School's Department of Dermatology's statement that "toothpaste has antibacterial properties, so theoretically it could help alleviate acne" has been misrepresented. Furthermore, the fact that famous international actors and models, such as Amanda Seyfried, Selena Gomez, and Gigi Hadid, have revealed their past experiences using toothpaste may have garnered public attention.

Of course, the hydrogen peroxide component in toothpaste can be effective in drying out acne, and the triclosan component has an antibacterial effect. The menthol contained in toothpaste can also temporarily reduce inflammation and swelling.

Toothpaste Not Recommended for Acne Treatment
However, toothpaste contains many other ingredients. While toothpaste is useful for cleaning hard teeth, it can be too irritating for more delicate skin. Fluoride can cause contact dermatitis, and the acidity of toothpaste can negatively impact the skin barrier.

Professor Sadi Kourosh added, "It's understandable that toothpaste was used before effective treatments like today's weren't available." Currently, there are various medical treatments and medications available to safely and effectively treat acne. Furthermore, troclosan, an ingredient that kills bacteria, is not included in most toothpastes these days.

In conclusion, applying toothpaste to acne is unlikely to provide temporary relief and can actually irritate the skin, worsening the condition. Remember that acne is not just a simple skin problem; it is a skin condition that can improve much more quickly with proper treatment. Therefore, it is important to seek professional treatment rather than rely on unproven home remedies.

Source: Health Week - https://www.healthweek.co.kr
Original article:https://www.healthweek.co.kr/news/view.php?bIdx=8184
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