"The 5 things I would never do as a board-certified dermatologist."

We tapped NY-based dermatologist, Dr. Jared Jagdeo, to see what he thinks are the top 5 skin-sins.

I would never...
1. Use a tanning bed
"UV exposure is the #1 cause of skin cancer, and tanning beds expose you to more UV levels and intensity than sitting out in the sun would. In addition to increasing your risk of skin cancer, any form of UV-based tanning damages your skin cells and speeds up the visible signs of aging. It’s all around bad."

I would never...
2. Use a loofah
"Loofahs may look and feel nice, but they are a breeding ground for bacteria! Loofahs often do not dry fully and trap the scrubbed-off dirt and dead skin cells from your body, resulting in the growth of fungal organisms. These bacteria can lead to skin infections! If you must use a loofah, please replace them regularly and scrub your skin gently."

Loofah

I would never...
3. Not wear sunscreen daily
"Sunscreen is the most important product for protecting your skin, and you should apply it every day even if you are not spending time outdoors. UV rays can still pass through windows in your home and car!"

I would never...
4. Not use a daily moisturizer
"Aside from sunscreen, moisturizing your skin is a must. Moisturizing daily is a good practice that can help maintain your skin’s balance and reduce many skin problems and conditions including dryness, acne, eczema, and even the visible signs of aging."

I would never...
5. Not recommend LED treatments for my patients
"I’m a huge believer in using light therapy on my patients who are struggling with conditions like acne, eczema, rosacea, and redness, or who just want to address various aging concerns like wrinkles, pigmentation, or a dull, tired-looking complexion. LED light therapy is a non-invasive, natural, and very safe approach to treating the skin – and the results I see from my patients are continuously positive."