Skin care

8 Bad Skin Habits That'll Shock You

You know your diet coke addiction and sunbathing ways are bad for your skin, but read on to see the mistakes you don't even realize you're making

by Sharon J. Yi

5 of 9

Skin sin no. 5: Using recreational drugs While there are obvious health reasons to avoid recreational drugs, now there's another (disgusting) consequence that can result if you just say yes: You could find crusty, purplish areas of dead skin on your body that have a good chance of getting infected. Gross.

A recent study in the "Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology" found that patients with this rare disorder, Purpura, all had traces of levamisole in their blood -- a de-worming drug that was found in 70 percent of confiscated cocaine in 2009, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

"We believe these cases of skin reactions and illnesses linked to contaminated cocaine are just the tip of the iceberg in a looming public health problem posed by levamisole," say the study authors. While the de-wormer has been found in cocaine since 2003, drug enforcement officials have found its levels in recreational drugs have risen in recent years due to its efficacy as a diluting agent. As we learned during our elementary school days, the clear message here is don't do drugs. Especially if you don't want ugly, painful purple sores.

SEE NEXT PAGE: Skin sin no. 6: Taking supplements without a doc's approval

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Older comments

Wonderful! Smoking, tugging on skin, and drinking too much caffeine and alcohol will work hard to age you as well.

by GigiSD Sunday, April 14, 2013 at 03:44PM Report as inappropriate

Never realized milk was THAT evil. Washing brushes once a week is not necessarily often enough, you really shouldn't even suggest once a month can be ok. This is terrifying. Once a month is ASKING for inflammations and acne.

by venenumletalis Monday, April 8, 2013 at 07:39AM Report as inappropriate

THank you for recommend

by hiang Wednesday, April 3, 2013 at 10:59PM Report as inappropriate

great information, i will eat more watermelon

by Ross1113 Tuesday, March 12, 2013 at 05:51PM Report as inappropriate

Good advice

by Mollysunshine Saturday, March 9, 2013 at 03:58AM Report as inappropriate

It was shocking. I never would have thought adding oil would decrease it. And maybe if I try eating my water instead of drinking it I won't be thirsty all the time. Thanks

by Chica181 Thursday, March 7, 2013 at 12:54AM Report as inappropriate

Some of these I have never considered, like the milk for instance.

by krista_dailey Thursday, February 28, 2013 at 10:27AM Report as inappropriate

lesson learned dont drink as much milk!

by angel_golz Tuesday, February 19, 2013 at 04:55PM Report as inappropriate

Great article! So many good tips!

by MizzPink Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at 07:24AM Report as inappropriate

Thank you

by Kinipela Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at 11:59AM Report as inappropriate