Several things and even people have emerged from TikTok, and amongst them is the viral trend of hair slugging.
Basically, this technique is not new, but it has emerged as a hot favorite just recently.
It involves slathering the face with petroleum jelly at night, so that the moisture is locked into the face. However, much like any beauty trick, it always requires patch testing and consultation with your Skin doctor in Karachi.
Even though petroleum jelly is very safe, and most people don’t have any adverse reaction to it, it may not suit a small subset of people.
So, what is slugging?
One of the major problems that plague people is dry and dull skin. Lack of moisture in the skin not only leads to texture issues, a skin that looks dangerously dehydrated, formation of premature wrinkles, but it also causes breakouts as well. Skin problems like eczema are also exacerbated as a result of loss of moisture from the skin.
Suffice to say, have a well-moisturized skin is imperative, however, the solution is not very easy. There are several factors that determine and affect the moisture levels in our skin. Some of these include how much water you drink daily, what products are you using, your weather, does your environment include air conditioning and heaters that promote moisture loss, whether you wash your face with hot water or lukewarm etc.
So, now that we have ascertained the problem, looking at solutions is imperative. One important way to hydrate your skin is by using skincare products like serums, lotions and cream that moisturize the skin. But retaining the moisture is also important, otherwise, the solution might just be temporary.
This is where skin slugging comes in. Petroleum jelly itself is not a moisturizer, but it is made up of oils, wax etc. that help in forming a barrier. It thus prevents the loss of moisture from the surface of the skin, and thus locks it inside of the skin.
Skin slugging also helps in mending the water barrier of the skin, so that it remains moisturized for longer. Alongside promoting wound healing, it also helps in keeping the bacteria and dirt out of the skin.
Since during sleep we do tend to lose a lot of moisture form our face, and let’s be honest, it’s the only feasible time that we can slather something on our face, therefore, it is done as a part of nighttime skincare routine.
The logistics of skin slugging
The frequency with which you perform this ritual is contingent on your skin and the seriousness of the situation. For example, in winters, with the cold air outside, and the radiator making the air dry inside the home, you might need to amp up your moisturizing routine. Otherwise, you might not need frequent skin slugging.
Naturally, for those suffering from dry skin, the frequency of skin slugging will be greater. Those with oil and acne prone skin might want to reconsider using the technique or use it sparingly.
There is not rocket science to how to perform skin slugging. Make it the last time of your nighttime skincare routine. So, after you have removed your makeup, cleansed your skin, applied all the serums followed by your moisturizer, slather on a fine thin layer of the product on your face. Remove using facewash in the morning.
Some caveats
Much like any other skincare trick, it is important to proceed with caution. If your skin is prone to acne or breaking out, skin slugging might not be for you. Even though petroleum jelly is not comedogenic, it still might cause problems with acne-prone skin.
Similarly, don’t apply after serums containing retinoids and vitamin C, as when they’re locked in by the petroleum jelly, their potency is increased, which may damage the skin, meriting a visit to a Dermatologist in Lahore.
