EXCLUSIVE: I’m a dermatologist – there’s one surprising thing most people do every day that raises the risk of zits on their chin
A dermatologist has discovered the one thing that can cause pimples to appear on your face.
Dr. Joshua Zeichner, of Mount Sinai in New York, said brushing your teeth after showering can cause saliva to land on your chin.
This is acidic and also full of bacteria that can irritate the skin, he explained, causing breakouts. Toothpaste can also irritate the skin.
Washing your face after brushing is the best way to prevent this. This can be done in the shower or with a simple cloth.
Dentists say everyone should brush their teeth for two minutes twice a day (stock image)
The photos above show pimples that dermatologists say can appear on your chin when you brush your teeth after showering
Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com, Dr. Zeichner: ‘Brushing your teeth before showering is a good idea, because water from the shower helps remove any residual saliva or toothpaste from the skin.
‘(But) showering is not necessary as rinsing the underside with water after brushing should be enough to get the job done.’
Dr. Joshua Zeichner, from Mount Sinai in New York, said brushing teeth after showering can cause pimples
Saliva can irritate the skin because it is highly acidic and can damage the skin barrier, causing pimples.
It also contains bacteria that can clog the pores on the face, leading to a build-up of fluid and bacteria in them that can cause pimples to appear.
Toothpaste – which is only intended to touch the skin for a short period of time – can also irritate the skin and cause breakouts.
Dr. Zeichner added: ‘After brushing your teeth, it is important to wash your face to remove excess saliva that comes into contact with the skin.
‘Toothpaste itself can also be linked to various rashes when it comes into contact with the skin.
‘It is designed for short-term contact with the inside of the mouth, not to sit on the skin.
‘Toothpaste can lead to redness, dryness and irritation. Fluorinated toothpaste has been linked to a skin rash called perioral dermatitis, which causes pimples and bumps to form around the mouth.”
Dr. Zeichner said saliva is acidic and contains bacteria that can irritate the skin, causing pimples
Dentists say everyone should brush their teeth for two minutes twice a day, once in the morning after waking up and once in the evening before going to bed.
There is some disagreement about whether you should brush before or after breakfast, but experts say it is important to rinse away saliva around the mouth after brushing.
Those who argue that people should brush before breakfast say this is essential because the bacteria population is at its peak in the morning and needs to be removed quickly.
But those who say otherwise point out that most people aren’t very good at brushing, so it’s best to wait until after breakfast to ensure that as much bacteria as possible is removed.
Dentists say you can use either an electric or manual toothbrush, although some research suggests electric toothbrushes are better at removing plaque.
If you don’t brush your teeth regularly, you are at greater risk of tooth decay, which can lead to the need for expensive fillings, gum disease and bad breath.
Many health insurers do not initially reimburse dental care, but there must be a premium in return.
But despite the risks, studies show that as many as one in three Americans still fail to brush their teeth routinely every day.
The brushing teeth before showering ‘hack’ was first revealed in a social media video by Turkish medical student Dr Mehravesh SeyyedSayyah – who goes by the handle dr.mehss.
She said: ‘If you plan to shower and have fresh teeth at the same time, brush your teeth first so that showering afterwards can help your face remove bacteria and toothpaste micro-residue.’