Trying to achieve the perfect skin can be a real pain in the butt. For those who browse TikTok for beauty hacks, they will likely find some great tips and some not-so-great ones. Recently, a new trend has several New York-based dermatologists feeling a little concerned about what people will put on their face. The newest trend that is now being scrutinized? Women using hemorrhoid cream under their eyes to achieve desired results.
From aloe vera to diaper rash cream, many individuals have used (sometimes strange) beauty tips from social media videos. Some even went as far as to ask AI to plan out their cosmetic surgery. However, a new beauty hack has dermatologists concerned, and that involves the usage of hemorrhoid cream, such as Preparation H, under your eyes.
People on TikTok giving beauty advice are saying that it is as good of a stand-in as receiving Botox and helps to smooth and de-puff eye areas like never before. Why go through an expensive in-office route to reduce dark circles when you can just pick up any bottle of hemorrhoid cream, right?
However, dermatologists who know better are now saying that using hemorrhoid treatment is not the way to go. One New York-based dermatologist, Dr. Shereene Idriss, is a board-certified expert who says that using hemorrhoid cream in that way is actually dangerous. In a TikTok video, Idriss warned that many hemorrhoid creams contain phenylephrine, which is a vasoconstrictor, can increase people’s “risk of glaucoma.”
Idriss said that she does actually use a “butt paste” cream on her own face but that the problem is that not all hemorrhoid creams are “created equal” and many will cause you more harm than good. A cream like Preparation H, which has steroids in it, she says will “worsen the look of your wrinkles and the redness around your eyes,” which will not give you the effect you were hoping for.
Another New York-based dermatologist, Dr. Mark Strom, also hit TikTok to warn against the trend. He said to be “especially careful not to choose a hemorrhoid cream with hydrocortisone in it.” These creams have topical steroids in them, which means that they will thin out your skin when you’re using them too frequently.
Idriss herself said that her favorite cream of choice for her face is Triple Paste. She said it contains many natural ingredients that are good for the skin including 12% zinc oxide, cornstarch, and oat kernel extract. She said of this last ingredient, “Oat kernel extract is anti-inflammatory and a natural humectant to help attract moisture to your skin.”
On TikTok, beauty trends can range anywhere from supremely helpful to downright dangerous. When you see a hack on social media that involves introducing something to your skincare routine, it would be wise to outright avoid it. Go speak with a professional doctor!
