© Karolina Grabowska
June 1, 2026
Sophie Rodewyk
From tanning beds to viral skincare trends: dermatologist Dr. Hanna Halter explains the most common skincare mistakes.
An interview with
Dr. med. Hanna M. D. Halter
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TikTok skincare, DIY acne tips, and supposed miracle creams: It has never been easier to access beauty and skincare advice, and at the same time, so difficult to distinguish reliable information from dangerous trends.
Many tips on social media may sound harmless but can cause skin significant damage in the long run. It's all the more important to rely on genuine medical expertise.
That's why we spoke with dermatologist Dr. Hanna M.D. Halter. She explains the five biggest skincare mistakes she repeatedly sees in her practice—and why they should be avoided.
By now, everyone should know: UV rays, especially in tanning beds, are the most important preventable cause of skin cancer, including melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. UVA and UVB rays permanently damage the collagen in the skin, leading to premature skin aging, wrinkles, pigmentation disorders, and actinic keratoses.
What is particularly dangerous is that UV damage accumulates over a lifetime, and even “unnoticed” everyday radiation (such as through windows) contributes to it.
As a dermatologist, I recommend applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily – even on cloudy days. Tanning bed visits multiply the personal skin cancer risk and very quickly lead to irreparable light damage, which is why I would generally advise against it.
Many people believe that pimples disappear faster when you squeeze them. In fact, the opposite often happens. Improper squeezing often worsens the inflammation significantly.
By squeezing, you can:
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Particularly problematic is the so-called 'danger triangle' on the face – that is, the area between the nose and upper lip. Infections can spread further in the worst case scenario.
Instead of taking matters into your own hands, I recommend professional acne treatments and proven active ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide or adapalene.
Tattoos and piercings have long been mainstream, but many underestimate the health risks of poor studios.
Lack of hygiene or inferior materials can have serious consequences:
Cheap or unapproved pigments are particularly critical. They can cause severe skin reactions and, in rare cases, even promote dangerous cellular changes.
What to look out for:
Rapid changes in moles or other skin lesions can be early signs of malignant melanoma, but also indicate other aggressive skin cancers.
Everyone should be aware of the ABCDE principle:
Skin cancer can almost always be cured if detected early – delayed diagnoses dramatically worsen the prognosis, especially with melanoma.
Warning signs also include:
If you notice skin changes on your body that exhibit any of the mentioned characteristics, it is imperative to see a dermatologist immediately. In general, everyone should have a skin cancer screening every two years. Skin cancer screening go.
Before blindly following all trends in skincare and cosmetics, one should always look at the ingredients and in particular the so-called active ingredients and question what actually works in skincare based on evidence.
In cosmetics and care products there are often allergens, fragrances, or skin-irritating substances such as alcohol, preservatives, or aggressive acids.
Reckless use – especially with sensitive, pre-damaged or diseased skin (e.g., eczema, rosacea) – can trigger allergies, contact dermatitis, or exacerbate chronic dermatoses. My tip as a dermatologist: Critically examine the ingredients (also known as the INCI list), prefer scientifically proven active ingredients, and carefully integrate new products into the routine.
