I’m a doctor and there’s a viral ’50p Botox’ hack you should NEVER try – you could break out in hives or trigger acne
IN a world of natural remedies and DIY skincare hacks, banana peel has gained a reputation as an alternative to Botox.
From claims of tightening fine lines to lightening dark spots, beauty influencers across the internet have touted its benefits.
However, aesthetics doctor and skin expert Dr Ahmed El Muntasar is raising a red flag against these claims.
He even thinks that using banana peels on your skin might do more harm than good.
Banana peels are rich in vitamins A, B, C and E, and they contain potassium, zinc, iron and manganese.
The appeal of using banana peels directly on the skin lies in the topical application of these nutrients.
DIY skincare advocates claim that rubbing the inside of a banana peel on your skin will help them absorb – resulting in a youthful, fresher complexion.
But Dr Ahmed warns it may cause rashes and acne.
“The ‘banana Botox’ trend is misleading,” he explains.
“Standard Botox works by reducing movement and paralyses the muscle.
“There’s nothing in bananas that paralyses muscle.
“However, it does have lutein which is an agent that helps with hydration and softens the skin.
“Saying this, if you are prone to sensitive skin then you definitely need to be careful that it won’t cause a reaction.”
Banana peels contain compounds that can cause allergic reactions in some individuals.
Symptoms can range from mild redness and itching to severe swelling and hives.
“As the skin can be quite greasy, it could cause a breakout for those who are prone to acne,” Dr Ahmed adds.
The importance of sun cream in your skincare routine
Dermatologist and skincare enthusiast Andrea Suarez - known as Dr Dray - revealed why you should wear suncream.
The one thing you can do that will make the biggest difference – and this matters for all ages – is protecting your skin from the sun, Andrea stressed.
“The vast majority of external aging is due to exposure to ultraviolet radiation,” she continued, not because you’re “not using some jazzy serum or layering 90 different things on your face everyday”.
“If you’re not doing in your 20s, get on that now.”
But she said the use of sun cream alone doesn’t go far enough. Andrea urged that you also wear sun-protective clothing like broad-brimmed hats and long sleeves, on top of not staying out too long in the sun.
Doing this over your lifetime – and all year, not just during the summer or on sunny days – “will reduce the visible signs of photoageing”, Andrea said.
Those are wrinkles, muddled pigmentation and sagging skin.
“My recommendation would be to avoid this trend as there’s plenty of skincare products that are likely to drive better results than banana skin.”
He particularly recommends the Indeed Labs Snoxin II – which is a far cry from the cost of Botox at £21.
It has a clinically proven biomimetic peptide that minimises muscle contractions to instantly soften the appearance of dynamic lines and wrinkles.
If the fear of acne or an allergic reaction isn’t enough, it’s worth noting that banana peels can harbour nasty bacteria.
As the skin can be quite greasy, it could cause a breakout for those who are prone to acne
Dr Ahmed
Applying a contaminated peel to your skin can introduce harmful bacteria, leading to infections and other skin issues.
While the idea of using banana peel to replicate Botox sounds exciting, Dr Ahmed’s advice is clear: it’s best to avoid this trend.
The potential risks and lack of scientific support make it a gamble not worth taking.
Instead, he encourages individuals to seek out safe, tested and effective skincare treatments to achieve healthy, glowing skin.
If you’re looking to banish fine lines and wrinkles, your safest bet is to discuss options with an aesthetic doctor like Dr Ahmed.