HELLO GORGEOUS

Trending skin care Kaitlyn Bateh • Features Editor

From jade rollers to pore vacuums to pore strips, the beauty industry is continually developing ways to improve one’s skin care routine. Skin care is trending on Instagram feeds,

according to Shape.com, and these are just a few products that have risen in popularity on social media.

Jade Roller

Jade rollers are actually ancient Chinese tools advertised to reduce puffiness, sculpt and tone the face, firm skin, boost circulation, minimize fine lines, improve elasticity and detoxify pores, according to the Los Angeles Times. Although there are no clinical studies that prove these benefits, the product is said to firm skin over time and

increase lymphatic drainage. This ‘drainage’ is a type of massage treatment that uses light pressure and strokes to reduce toxins. Move the jade roller from the center of your face upward and outward; the goal is to roll the stone towards your lymph nodes so it can expand drainage. Jade rollers relax facial muscles and

provide a cooling sensation to the face, so to improve the quality and use of jade rollers, store the stone in the fridge, using it with a sheet mask and cleaning the roller regularly. Since the jade roller can spread bacteria, always clean the roller with warm water and soap after use.

Pore Vacuum

Pore vacuums have the potential to effectively lift loose blackheads. Be careful with this product since the vacuum’s suction can be powerful. It is strong enough to bruise your face, causing telangiectasia, a condition where tiny blood vessels create red lines or patterns on the skin according to elle.com. The most effective and safe way to use this product is to steam your face with a facial steamer or a hot towel for 10 minutes. By steaming your face, blackheads are more likely to loosen before applying the vacuum. For best results, suction one blackhead at a time and move the vacuum around the contours of the nose, cheeks and chin to avoid suction of one area for more than three seconds. Leaving the vacuum on the same spot for long periods of time can cause bruising. After using the vacuum, make sure to rinse your face with cold water and moisturize. Cleaning instructions vary for each pore vacuum, but always sanitize the unit properly after each use.

Pore Strips

Pore strips are used to lift sebaceous filaments out of each pore. These filaments contain dirt and oil, and they leave tiny clog-free craters after removal. With regular use, nose strips can minimize the appearance of pores and reduce the amount of clogged pores in your nose. For safe and effective use, it is crucial to use pore strips after showering or after steaming the area. Once the pore strip is placed, it hardens and attaches to the top layer of dead skin cells, dirt, hair, oil and blackheads. When the adhesive dries, the materials stick to the strip and are removed after the desired time

22 THE SHIELD | FEBRUARY 202022 THE SHIELD | FEBRUARY 2020 interval. Avoid forceful removal of the strip after it dries since it can cause skin abrasion. Also, avoid using pore strips every day, since daily use can cause damage to the skin, according to Biore. It is most effective to use this product every three to seven days.