Acne cure or pore clogger?
And yet, plenty of TikTok users claim that it has improved their acne.
One such user posted a before and after video purporting to show that slugging had almost completely eliminated her acne and prior scarring. Not surprisingly, it has been viewed some 9 million times and got 1.5 million “likes.”
Dr. Friedman notes that it’s theoretically possible – but not likely – that acne could improve by slugging, given that acne basically is a disease of barrier disruption. “The idea here is you have disrupted skin barrier throughout the face regardless of whether you have a pimple in that spot or not, so you need to repair it,” he said. “That’s where I think slugging is somewhat on the right track, because by putting an occlusive agent on the skin, you are restoring the barrier element,” he said.
However, applying a thick, greasy ointment on the face could block pores and cause a backup of sebum and dead skin cells, and it could trap bacteria, he said. “Skin barrier protection and repair is central to acne management, but you need to do it in a safe way,” he said. He noted that that means applying an oil-free moisturizer to damp skin.
Dr. Turegano said she has seen slugging improve acne, but it’s hard to say which people with acne-prone skin would be the best candidates. Those who have used harsh products to treat acne and subsequently experienced worsening acne could potentially benefit, she said.
Even so, she said, “I’d be very cautious in anyone with acne.”
Dr. Friedman, Dr. McGee, and Dr. Turegano reported no relevant financial relationships.
A version of this article first appeared on Medscape.com.