“WhatsApp Forward Remedies – What We’ve Seen Go Wrong”

“WhatsApp Forward Remedies – What We’ve Seen Go Wrong”

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“Apply Colgate for pimples.”

“Mix haldi with toothpaste and leave overnight.”

“Rub lemon directly on face – guaranteed glow.”

If you’ve ever received these types of skincare tips in family WhatsApp groups…

You’re not alone.

And you’re not the only one who suffered the side effects either.

At Dr. Rizwan’s Skin Cosmetic & Laser Clinic, we see at least 5 patients a week whose skin has reacted badly to home remedies shared on WhatsApp.

Let’s talk about what’s going wrong — and why forwarded tips can cause backward results.

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📲 Why People Try WhatsApp Remedies:

• They’re free

• They come from “trusted” people (family/friends)

• They sound “natural”

• They promise quick fixes

• The photos shared in the forwards look convincing

But here’s what many don’t realise — most of these tips are untested, unsafe, or just plain wrong.

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🚨 Real Cases We’ve Treated After WhatsApp Tips

1. Toothpaste for Acne → Chemical Burns

Toothpaste contains fluoride, menthol, and harsh chemicals meant for teeth — not skin.

Patients ended up with red, itchy, burnt patches after applying it on pimples.

2. Lemon on Face → Severe Irritation & Pigmentation

Lemon is acidic. Rubbing it directly can damage the skin barrier, especially in sunlight.

Result: post-inflammatory pigmentation and roughness.

3. Haldi + Besan Daily → Dryness & Allergies

While haldi (turmeric) sounds natural, not all skin types tolerate it well.

Many people developed redness, itching or allergy with daily DIY ubtan-style packs.

4. Multani Mitti Every Day → Dehydrated, Sensitive Skin

It’s drying. Overuse leads to tight, irritated, flaky skin. Especially bad for dry or sensitive types.

5. “Apply ghee at night for glow” → Blocked Pores, Pimples

Ghee is comedogenic. We’ve seen breakouts, blackheads, and oily skin worsened with this advice.

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⚠️ The Main Problem: One Size Fits All Advice

WhatsApp forwards don’t know your:

• Skin type

• Age

• Medical history

• Active treatments

• Weather conditions

• Lifestyle (working women vs indoor elderly vs teenagers)

What suits one person may harm another.

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🧠 Think Before You Try

Before applying anything new on your skin:

✅ Ask: Has this been recommended by a doctor?

✅ Do a patch test (small area only)

✅ Don’t mix too many things at once

✅ Avoid trying “quick-fix” remedies before weddings or events

✅ If in doubt — consult, don’t Google

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👨‍⚕️ From Dr. Rizwan:

We appreciate that people want home remedies, and we do support safe, evidence-based natural care.

But forwarded messages are not medical advice.

If a remedy worked for someone, that doesn’t mean it will work for you.

Skin is personal. And so should be your treatment.

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🤳 Final Tip:

Before following any skin tip from WhatsApp, ask yourself:

Would I forward this to my face?

If the answer is no — delete it.

📍 Visit us in Shahjahanpur at Dr. Rizwan’s Skin Cosmetic and Laser Clinic

📲 Send us a photo or message if you’ve reacted to a home remedy. We’ll guide you the right way.

Skin needs care, not chain messages. Let’s stop the forwards, and start the right treatment.