“Natural” Doesn’t Mean Safe – What Reactions We See from DIYs

“Natural” Doesn’t Mean Safe – What Reactions We See from DIYs

⸻

In every OPD, we meet at least 2-3 patients daily who say this:

“Doctor sahab, bas haldi lagaya tha, par chehra lal ho gaya.”

“Neem lagaya tha pimples ke liye… ab aur badh gaye.”

“Dahi aur lemon mix karke lagaya… phir burning shuru ho gayi.”

All of these things are natural — but not always safe.

There’s a common belief that natural = gentle = good for skin.

But the truth is, some of the worst skin reactions we treat are caused by home remedies and DIYs.

Let’s talk honestly about what we see in clinic — and why natural isn’t always harmless.

⸻

🌿 “But It’s Just Haldi…” – Not So Simple

Turmeric (haldi) is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, yes —

but when applied raw or with lemon, milk, dahi, etc., it often causes:

• Itching

• Burning

• Yellow stains that won’t go

• Red, bumpy rashes

Some people also have haldi allergy — they don’t even know until a full face rash appears.

⸻

🍋 Lemon = Vitamin C? Yes. Also = Acid Burn

Lemon juice is commonly used for:

• Tan removal

• Skin lightening

• Pimple marks

But lemon is acidic (pH around 2), and applying it directly on skin — especially in the sun — leads to:

• Photodermatitis (sunburn-type reactions)

• Pigmentation getting worse

• Peeling or burning

We’ve seen cases where people applied lemon, went for a scooter ride — and came back with blisters on cheeks.

⸻

🍅 Tomato, Garlic, Baking Soda – Other Common “Kitchen Offenders”

Here’s a quick list of “natural DIYs” and what can go wrong:

Ingredient	What People Use It For	What Actually Happens
Tomato	Brightening	Irritation, especially for sensitive skin
Garlic	Acne	Chemical burns, red patches
Baking Soda	Scrub / Tan removal	Skin barrier damage
Toothpaste	Pimples	Drying, inflammation, more marks
Besan + Haldi	Daily face pack	Too drying, rashes in some

Natural does NOT mean risk-free. Your kitchen is not a pharmacy.

⸻

🤕 Real Cases We See Every Week

1. College student applied garlic paste on a pimple. Ended up with a red, oozing patch and permanent dark spot.

2. Bride-to-be used lemon daily for tan removal. Face got red and patchy — we had to stop all treatments 10 days before wedding.

3. Teen girl used a social media face pack (besan + dahi + baking soda). Got white patches and sensitivity for weeks.

⸻

🧪 Why Do These Things React?

Because even though something is “natural,” your skin:

• Has a protective barrier that can get damaged

• Reacts to acidity or pH imbalance

• Can develop allergy or sensitivity

• Might already be inflamed (acne, eczema, rosacea) — and gets worse

Also, in DIYs — there’s no standard dosage, purity, or control.

What works for one person might cause a reaction in another.

⸻

✅ What to Do Instead of Random DIYs

1. Consult before trying anything new – especially on sensitive or acne-prone skin

2. Use clinically tested products with the same “natural” ingredients – but safe formula

3. Patch test if trying any new pack or ingredient

4. Don’t mix too many things at once – your skin doesn’t need a chutney

And most importantly — if you’re already on a dermatologist’s treatment, don’t do DIYs in between.

⸻

🧑‍⚕️ Final Thought from Dr. Rizwan:

We’re not saying all natural things are bad.

But we are saying — natural needs knowledge.

We see too many reactions that could’ve been avoided.

So next time someone says:

“Try this, it’s natural…”

Ask yourself: Is it safe for my skin?

Because when skin gets damaged, even natural things can’t fix it.

⸻

📍Need help with pigmentation, pimples, or skin irritation after a home remedy?

Come visit Dr. Rizwan’s Skin Cosmetic and Laser Clinic, Shahjahanpur —

Let’s fix it properly. No guesswork.

⸻

💬 Have you had a bad reaction to any DIY? Share in the comments — someone else might learn from it.