Reacts strongly to trends: – Very problematic

There are plenty of videos on the internet with various tips for women. Some focus on women’s health, while others mainly on aesthetics.

One of the topics going viral on social media is shaving the face, called dermaplaning. Videos sharing tips with the benefits of a hairless face are highly engaging.

Reactions to just these tips are divided.

Will achieve skin like glass

In the videos, it is presented that shaving the face has several benefits, such as exfoliation and removal of “dull skin cells”. This is justified, among other things, by the fact that the make-up will sit better and last longer.

In addition to thicker and more visible hair, down hair is also removed.

The trend is also associated with the term “Glass skin”, where the skin is smooth, has an even tone and has no visible pores. The aim of the phenomenon is for the skin to look “transparent” like glass.

While some are positive about the trend, others react strongly in the comments.

– I’m glad that I don’t care so much about my appearance. It must be exhausting, writes a Facebook user under a video.

– Some women probably have some hair that they need to remove, but most of us don’t have to shave. Hopefully young girls will not follow this trend, writes another.

Responds to language

Influencers and advisor at the Equality Centre, Carina Elisabeth Carlsen, reacts strongly to the shaving trend. It is not the shaving itself that she objects to, but the way the message is presented.

– There is something in the language that I think is very problematic, such as: “That’s why you have to shave”. It is not presented as a choice, but as a necessity, says Carlsen to TV 2 and adds:

– All these body trends create new insecurities around one’s own body and completely natural things such as body hair. It is potentially dangerous and harmful, both psychologically and physically.

She herself has previously removed facial hair in this way. She says she was ashamed of her hair growth. Carlsen has Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) – a hormone disorder that can cause increased hair growth. The shaving led to scars, injuries and blemishes on her skin.

– I have always had a lot of body hair, and had complexes about it. But I got those complexes from somewhere. I wasn’t born with that uncertainty and shame, Carlsen points out.

Source criticism on social media

She believes that the problem stems from social media, and in particular TikTok.

– TikTok is extremely good at algorithms. When you are presented with something enough times, you eventually believe that it is the norm, and do what you can to fit in. This is dangerous and something we should all be aware of, she says.

– When you are 12-13 years old, you are not necessarily so critical of the source. Things I learned and internalized as a teenager I still struggle to unlearn in adulthood.

Carlsen believes that there is little source criticism in such trends that are shared on social media.

– I think that adults must be careful, and that the school should focus more on the impact of social media, such as source criticism. We must have more knowledge and teach our children to be confident in themselves and their own bodies.

She points out that what you do for your own well-being, you have to find out for yourself. At the same time, she believes that you should be aware of where you get influence from.

– If we all woke up tomorrow and were satisfied with ourselves, many industries would have gone bankrupt, Carlsen points out.

The doctor warns

The shaving of the face has attracted attention among several people, also for medical reasons. Reza Sohrabi is a specialist in skin diseases and medically responsible dermatologist for Dr. Dropin Hud. He warns against this type of treatment at home.

– It is obviously not necessary to shave your face. This is a gimmick and you will probably experience softer skin in the short term, but if you do it wrong, you will soon regret it, writes Sohrabi in an email to TV 2.

He explains this by saying that shaving can cause an infection of the skin with bacteria or viruses – especially if you use a bad razor. Some may also experience skin irritation with comedoacne, which are white and black bumps.

– If you are really unlucky, you can get patchy pigmentation on the skin. This mostly applies to those with dark skin types, he adds.

The shave will remove dead skin cells as a form of physical exfoliation. The doctor points out, however, that there are other ways that he rather recommends.

– I really can’t see any advantages in doing it this way, when there are so many other gentler and less risky ways, including using mild chemical creams.

Under controlled forms

There are clinics in Norway that perform dermaplaning, but Sohrabi advises against doing this at home on your own.

– Professional actors engage in dermaplaning, but it is done under controlled conditions and they know when not to do it to avoid unwanted incidents.

– So I can’t recommend that people just do this.

The beauty clinic The Beauty Hub is one of the few clinics in Norway that offers this type of treatment. Owner and general manager, Tina Mamelund, explains that they want people to have dermaplaning done the right way. She does not recommend anyone to carry out professional treatments at home on their own.

She explains that they use a special technique, and equipment such as medical scalpels. Ordinary facial razors are often used in the trending videos. In addition, Mamelund points out that correct finishing is important.

– You can cut the skin if you are not careful. There are also many people who combine different products on the skin. You can quickly do things that are more harmful to the skin, says Mamelund and states:

– Post-processing usually does not appear in these videos. You have to be extremely careful.