Beware of makeup craze in children: “We see it being used even at the age of 3”
Experts warn that the age of make-up in children has decreased with the effect of social media and that this brings many skin problems. Dermatology Specialist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tuğba Özkök Akbulut said, “We see that it is used even at the age of 3. In polyclinics, I see an effort to create an intensive care routine that even their mothers do not use in children aged 10-11, and there may be families who come to get support. I see that when children gather, they no longer play games, they flock to places where make-up and care products are sold and make stocks, I see that there is an incredible cosmetic product store in their cabinets, we definitely do not recommend it.”
As the influence of social media has been increasing in recent years, children who envy famous names and phenomena are introduced to cosmetics at a very young age. Experts drew attention to the problems that may arise from the use of unnecessary products with uncertain content at an early age with the increase in children's curiosity about make-up. Dermatology Specialist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tuğba Özkök Akbulut and Esenyurt Necmi Kadıoğlu State Hospital Dermatology Department Specialist. Dr. Betül Kızılkan emphasized that the use of make-up at an early age can lead to problems such as eczema, excessive acne, premature aging, as well as damage to the skin barrier, and warned families. Experts stated that videos of young children applying makeup, which are frequently encountered on social media in recent days, can be encouraging.
“We see that it is used even at the age of 3”
Dermatology Specialist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tuğba Özkök Akbulut, who said that she does not recommend the use of make-up at an early age, said, “We see that make-up products are used at a very young age with the effect of social media, celebrities or phenomena sharing images of their children. We see that they are used on social media, especially at the age of 3. Of course, this can cause various problems, we do not recommend the use of make-up products in daily routine even in young adult patients in some skin types. We do not recommend it in sensitive or acne-prone skin types because it clogs comedones and pores. In younger children, it can lead to disruption of the skin barrier, sensitization, earlier maturation of the skin, and the development of various allergic reactions. It is of great importance that families are aware of this issue and take early precautions. In polyclinics, I see that there is an effort to create a skin care routine at the age of 10-11, peels, various masks, even evening serums, an intensive care routine that even their mothers do not use. There may even be various families who come to get support for this, there are also families who come to ask 'I wonder if they are doing it wrong, we want to get support'. Ensuring proper washing according to the skin type, using a moisturizer, sun protection are sufficient in the skin care routine, especially in children and young people in adolescence at the age of 10-12. I see that when children gather together, they no longer play games, they share their skin care routines with each other, they make masks, or where famous makeup and care products are sold, they flock and make stocks, they buy a lot of things on their birthdays, and there is an incredible store of cosmetic products in their cabinets at home. They should definitely be examined by a dermatologist rather than what they read on social media or phenomena, in various visual shares, on the internet.”
“We definitely do not recommend it because the skin barrier deteriorates and becomes sensitive”
Stating that sometimes families come to the polyclinic with their children, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Akbulut continued his words as follows “Conscious families and 'Our child goes to very famous brands and wants to buy something, wants to buy some things online. We have convinced them of your support to at least create a skin care routine”. There are also parents who do not come, who cannot convince them. There are also young people at a much younger age who buy products from the world and don't know what to do with them, or who use them and have incredible problems with their skin. There are also their peers, they also practice such practices, they are also involved here in order to be in a social group. Families need to approach them with understanding, especially to know that it is not right to use the products shared and recommended on social media. Sometimes conflicts with families can occur here. We definitely do not recommend not using makeup products especially at that age because the skin barrier deteriorates and becomes sensitive, they do not need it. In their 40s and 50s, they do not need to create an additional care routine while trying to reach the quality of our skin in our 20s and 16s.”
“We see it in our own relatives, unfortunately I cannot convince them”
Dermatology Specialist Dr. Betül Kızılkan said that children's use of such products on their skin at a very early age, influenced by social media posts or their environment, has many negative effects, “Unfortunately, we also see it in our own relatives with the influence of social media. Applying makeup at such a young age can really cause both various dermatological diseases and premature aging if it is not cleaned properly due to the lack of proper skin care awareness. Since heavy make-up damages the skin barrier, it can cause diseases such as eczema, acne and exacerbation of rosacea. We try to warn the patients who come to us as much as possible. Our girls who are just entering puberty can see this as growth and wear too much makeup. I see it from my own family, they wear a lot of makeup, they have an effort to grow up immediately. As a dermatologist, I cannot explain to them how harmful this is. I think that our girls with skin problems should be informed about what they should do about their skin, especially by taking them to a dermatologist. In the polyclinic, because families cannot control their children, they can sometimes trigger them like 'shouldn't they use this, right sister'. We are trying to tell the truth as much as possible.”
