The spread of Coronavirus has placed renewed emphasis on not touching one’s face. Dermatologists have long advised against face touching as a means of managing oily skin.
If you have struggled to maintain skin that is free of blemishes and excess skin oil, our dermatologist, Dr. William Baugh, can address your unique skin care needs. Our Fullerton, CA, office offers a wide range of treatment options, including laser cosmetic services, injectables and dermal fillers, and skin cancer treatments. If you are not familiar with the cosmetic benefits of not touching your face, Dr. Baugh offers this overview.
What Happens If I Touch My Face?
If you are like most people in our Fullerton community, you involuntarily touch your face many times a day. Face touching is a form of nonverbal communication, and it is a quick and easy way to scatch an itchy part of our face.
Germ and Microbe Transfer
Throughout the day, we touch hundreds of objects: doorknobs, car keys, grocery carts, etc. These objects contain millions of microbes and potential allergens. These microbes can enter your body through microscopic tears that are made when you rub your eyes or scratch your cheeks.
Beyond possibly getting sick, these germs and allergens can potentially cause blisters, cysts, acne, or other undesirable skin problems. To avoid contaminating your face, regularly wash your hands. Using hand soap and washing your hands for 20 seconds can remove pathogens and allergens from the surface of your skin.
Finally, be mindful that your hands aren’t the only thing that touches your face. Dirty cell phones or soiled washcloths can also damage your skin. Try to reduce the frequency that any object touches your face. If something does need to touch your face, make sure that it is clean.
Oily Skin
If you are prone to oily skin, face touching can aggravate the presence of skin oil. Every time you touch your face, you are spreading oil from one part of your face to the other. The act of face touching can also clog your pores, which can lead to an outbreak of acne.
What’s worse than touching your skin? Popping a pimple. Breaking the surface of your skin can introduce bacteria into the wound, which can become infected.
Tips for Cutting Out Face Touching
Refraining from touching one’s face is difficult. It’s a habit that we build up over the course of our life. There are useful tips that can eliminate or drastically reduce face touching. These tips include:
- Think about all of the germs that are on objects we touch throughout the day
- Substitute the behavior by snapping your fingers or performing another behavior each time you feel the urge to touch your face
- Keep your fingers busy by scribbling or typing
- Place reminders to stick to your goal of not touching your face
- Wear gloves to raise awareness of how often you touch your face
Schedule Your Skin Care Appointment Today
Small steps can make a big difference. Cutting down or eliminating the habit of face touching will lower your risk of contracting a virus or developing acne.
To learn more about our services and meet Dr. Baugh to discuss your skincare questions and concerns, contact us today by calling (714) 879-4312 to book a consultation.
