Does Zero Therapy Heal Perioral Dermatitis?

If you have perioral dermatitis and have been doing your best detective work on Google you have probably come across zero therapy. But, what is zero therapy exactly? And, how does it work, or not work? Read on to find out.

Photo by Alexander Grey on Unsplash

Zero therapy. It's the latest trend in natural treatment for perioral dermatitis where people go bare in hopes of getting rid of it. This means no creams, no cleansers, no makeup. Only water is used to wash the face and in some instances, it’s bottled water. That’s it. Some have noticed a difference in the appearance of their skin; it looks less red and inflamed. Others, not so much. So what’s really going on here? Does it simply work for some and not others? Is zero therapy the answer? Let’s take a closer look at what’s happening with the skin and why this may or may not be a good option for treating perioral dermatitis. 

The Skincare Product Rabbit Hole

At the first sign of perioral dermatitis, many trade in their regular skincare routine, one that’s been likely used for years, for a new one in hopes their skin will return back to its original state. Or, at least alleviate the itching, redness, and dryness that accompanies perioral dermatitis. Some spend tons of money on new skincare products, to the tune of hundreds or even thousands of dollars in search of that one elusive product or skincare routine that can provide the cure. Hope keeps us going and hope also convinces us to spend more and more money on products that are full of empty promises. And, no matter what skincare product is applied, the skin isn’t getting better. Even all-natural products can exacerbate perioral dermatitis. So what’s happening with the skin? Why aren’t any products working? The skin barrier is already compromised so no matter what product is applied, no matter how natural the product, a flare-up is likely to occur. This leads people to think it's the products they’re using so they stop applying everything cold turkey. Cue zero therapy. 

Here’s How Zero Therapy Works

This skincare method works so much as it doesn't exacerbate the skin any further, but it's not healing the skin either. Perioral dermatitis causes the skin cells to turn over at an accelerated rate which leads to a build up of dry skin. As a result, dry skin can appear ashy or gray, due to the buildup of dead skin cells on the surface. When these skin cells are sitting on top of the red bumps caused by perioral dermatitis, it can appear as though it’s getting better because it lessens the appearance of the redness. Once cream is applied though, it highlights the red, inflamed skin underneath and could irritate perioral dermatitis further.

The Pros and Cons

Some find a lot of relief doing zero therapy as it feels like it gives their skin a reset. It can also provide a mental break from worrying about the skin all the time because it’s stressful and exhausting. After a little while though, if there’s little to no improvement, the frustration sets in again. There are some major drawbacks to consider before using this method. The first being that the skin may feel rough or bumpy to the touch and have a dull appearance to it. It also causes tightness in the skin, which can be painful and itchy and in severe cases, cracks can form and bleed.

So, what is the solution? The answer lies within the body. Perioral dermatitis is a chronic condition caused by chronic inflammation in the body so the key is to figure out what is causing that inflammation and treat it accordingly. Zero therapy can be helpful provided it’s in conjunction with other therapies and remedies that address the underlying inflammation. Although the tightness, dryness and cracking could be more than some can bear.