DIY kits are available to remove everything from earwax to skin tags. But which products are worth trying – and should you really treat yourself? ADRIAN MONTI asked experts to review a series of kits; we then checked them.
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Qimic Wireless Intelligent Visual Ear Cleaning Rod, £19.99, amazon.co.uk
CLAIM: It’s the size of an electric toothbrush and has a thin probe with a flexible silicone ear scoop that scoops out wax.
EXPERT VERSION: “They naturally produce wax, an antibacterial substance to help prevent infection and moisturize the skin,” says Mark Edgar, audiologist at Hear Me London clinic.
“You should not put anything in your ear that can push earwax further or damage the eardrum. This includes cotton swabs, but also something like this sin.
“If you have a build-up of earwax, see an audiologist to get it treated properly. I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone.” 0/10
DIY kits are available to remove everything from earwax to skin tags. But which products are worth trying – and should you really treat yourself?
WATTS AND WATTS
Scholl complete treatment pen for warts and warts, £14.99, boots.com
EXPERT VERSION: “Warts and warts – a wart on the sole of the foot – are caused by the human papillomavirus” 5/10
CLAIM: A pen-shaped applicator provides a gel containing blue dye (to prevent accidental application to healthy skin). The gel causes the skin to thicken and sag, taking the wart or wart with it.
EXPERT VERSION: “Warts and warts—a wart on the sole of your foot—are caused by the human papillomavirus,” says Dr. Faisal Ali, Dermatology Consultant at Spire Manchester and Regency Hospitals.
“It’s a good idea to remove them to prevent them from being transferred to other areas—for example, from your foot to your hand—and spreading to family members.” This stick uses trichloroacetic acid to burn off the outer layers of skin and the wart or kill the wart.
UK guidelines recommend salicylic acid as there is more evidence to support its use.
“As far as I know, trichloroacetic acid hasn’t been compared with salicylic acid, so it’s not clear which is more effective.” 5/10
Bazuka Sub-Zero, £15.99, superdrug.com
CLAIMS: After soaking the foot in warm water, drying and filing the infected area, hold the applicator against the wart or verruca and apply pressure to activate a freezing agent. The manufacturer says the treatment “starts working from the first application.”
EXPERT VOTE: “If left untreated, a plantar wart will eventually fall off, but people usually want to treat it because they rub against shoes,” says Matthew Fitzpatrick, a podiatrist at North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust.
“Studies point to freezing [which causes a reaction in the cells of the verruca or wart, damaging its growth] has a cure rate of up to 70 percent after three or four treatments, so it’s worth a try.” 8/10
SKIN MARKS
Excilor Skin Blemish Removal Patch, £17.49, lloydspharmacy.com
CLAIM: A lipstick-sized applicator places a sticky patch over the skin tag and cuts off the blood supply. Within six days, it “withers and falls off into plaster”, says its creator.
It should not be used on skin patches greater than 5 mm in height or 3 mm in diameter.
EXPERT VOICE: “Skin tags are generally benign growths on the skin that become more common with age, in people who are overweight, or in people with type 2 diabetes,” says Dr. Ali.
“This product can be effective – the principle of restricting blood flow makes sense. But as far as I know, it hasn’t been subjected to rigorous testing. My concern is treating a lesion that is actually skin cancer.’5/10
PLACE
Ultrasonic teeth cleaner, £22, smileboutiques.co.uk
EXPERT VOICE: “The best way to remove tartar is to consult a trained dental hygienist using an ultrasonic cleaner at two or three vibrations per minute.” 0/10
CLAIM: It is described as “using advanced vibration technology to deep clean teeth and remove plaque, stains or tartar in minutes”.
EXPERT VOICE: “The best way to remove tartar is to consult a trained dental hygienist who uses an ultrasonic cleaner at two or three times the vibrations per minute of this device,” says Mayur Pandya, dentist at Together Dental .
“It’s almost insane for someone not trained to use it, as it can cause damage, including cracked fillings and lacerations to the tongue, cheeks and gums.” 0/10
MILL
Birthmark Removal Brush Set, £23.99, amazon.co.uk
NOTICE: “If you are over 35 and notice a new mole or lesion, or if an existing mole or lesion changes shape or color, regardless of your age, you should have it evaluated by a dermatologist or general practitioner.” 0/10
CLAIM: This portable, rechargeable device says it can remove birthmarks, freckles, blemishes and warts with a needle held against the skin. To do this, it uses “low-temperature, high-frequency carbon ionization technology.”
NOTICE: “If you are over 35 and notice a new mole or lesion, or if an existing mole or lesion changes shape or color regardless of your age, you should have it examined by a dermatologist or family doctor,” says Dr. . Hayley Leeman, consultant dermatologist at the Cadogan Clinic in London.
“This device does not explain what carbon ionization is and there is no safety data to support its use. It will likely be painful and there is also a high risk of burns.”0/10
ALMOND STONES
Oravix Tonsil Stone Remover Kit, £12.99, oravix.com
CLAIM: Tonsil stones are a build-up of debris, including bacteria, cells and food, in the crevices of the tonsils. The three-tool kit “removes tonsil stones easily and efficiently.”
EXPERT VOTE: Mayur Pandya says, “Sildstones usually go unnoticed and work their way out on their own. They are more common in people with recurrent tonsillitis.
“I would not recommend using it. It’s madness to poke around in the soft tissue of the throat, where blood vessels abound. Slipping the shovel or syringe can tear the tissue. Talk to your dentist if you are concerned.” 1/10
HARD SKIN
LloydsPharmacy Corn & Callus safety knife, £2, lloydspharmacy.com
CLAIM: A shaped blade for “instant removal of corns and calluses.” Washable and reusable.
EXPERT VOTE: Matthew Fitzpatrick says: “Rule formation, which leads to the formation of corns, is quite common. In this way, the body protects the underlying tissues from damage.
“I’m not a fan of using a knife like that because you can do damage if you go too deep and you become prone to infection.” First, try using a foot file and creams to prevent calluses from forming. 4/10
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
