Acne is one of the most commonly diagnosed health conditions in teenagers and young adults around the world. Although there are now a variety of treatments available for the issue, many people go for so-called ‘hacks’ and ‘remedies’ which are shared and promoted by influencers and popular social media users on their platforms. One of the most popular remedies that many are trying in an effort to treat their acne is using crushed aspirin on the skin.
Aspirin is a common anti-inflammatory drug prescribed by doctors and health professionals for a number of medical conditions. Although it is highly effective for the majority, experts state that it should only be used for its primary function. Since the drug is oral, it cannot be used externally as a mask, cream, or in any other form.
However, hacks involving the use of aspirin in order to treat pimples and acne are very common especially amongst adolescents since they tend to have the issue the most amongst all age groups. Currently, there is no scientific evidence to show that using the drug this way offers any benefits.
Instead, it may cause more breakouts and even worsen the condition of the skin but many of the teenagers are already convinced that it does work since many of the popular social media users swear by the remedy.
For instance, the TikTok User Mallory Le recently shared the same hack in one of her videos in which she uses the conventional crushed aspirin and water mask on her face for three to four minutes before washing it off while claiming that the method has helped control her acne.
Does the drug actually control acne? In accordance with the majority of dermatologists, there is no proof to show aspirin has any effect on the skin. Furthermore, since many people mix it with water and then apply it on their faces, it makes it even less effective than before.
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For other medical issues such as inflammation, pain, body aches, and fever, taking aspirin can be highly effective but for the skin, it does not have the same effects.
The majority of the people think that putting crushed aspirin on the skin will help in controlling skin problems because they confuse it with salicylic acid. Aspirin, which also goes by the name acetylsalicylic acid, may have a similar name but is entirely different and is also manufactured for a different way and purpose.
On the other hand, salicylic acid is one of the most common ingredients used in acne-related skin products as it is highly effective in controlling sebum production and killing acne-causing bacteria on the skin.
When a person uses aspirin on the skin, it cannot perform the same function but instead can result in dry and irritated skin. In addition, people who have certain drug allergies should be particularly cautious as aspirin can enter the blood through the skin.
For example, people who have naproxen allergy or ibuprofen allergies can get extreme reactions or health issues from using aspirin on the face.
Although social media platforms have encouraged and helped in the flow of information, it has also been a hub of false and wrong information at the same time. Do not follow certain trends or ‘remedies’ online without consultation with a skin-care specialist.