Leaky faucet? Scuffed paint? You know where to head to get fixes for those household issues. But next time you hit up your local hardware store, pick up a few of these goodies that work wonders on your beauty problems, too. Welcome to Home Depot dermatology.
- Battle warts with duct tape.
Warts are contagious and can appear anywhere. Even worse, they’re hard to get rid of. “Because warts are a virus, there is no magic when it comes to treatment — it is just of a matter of our immune systems kicking in to get rid of them,” says Dr. Britt Craiglow, pediatric dermatologist at Yale University. But using duct tape can speed the healing process along. Just apply the tape directly over the wart, and change every few days.
- Get the perfect pedi with sand paper.
And in just three easy steps: soak, sand, smear. Dr. Michel McDonald, director of dermatologic surgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, likes Epsom salt for soaking because it has natural relaxing and exfoliating properties, priming the skin perfectly for sanding. Deirdre Hooper M.D., assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Louisiana State University School of Medicine, recommends using a fine-grit piece of sandpaper to smooth away rough, dead skin on your heels (obviously buy this new and only use it for your feet). Don’t be too aggressive — circular, gentle, strokes will give best results. Pat the skin dry and lube up with a moisturizer. Voilà.
- Use super glue to heal cracked hands.
There is nothing worse than those stubborn splits on fingertips, and they are doubly common in the winter thanks to constant hand washing and blistering cold. They can be painful, and problematic, because, um, we need to use our hands. Dr. Jennifer Choi, assistant professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine has the answer: “Gently squeeze one to two drops of glue onto the crack and hold together until it is bonded.” Don’t worry, the glue is not poisonous, and if things get a little messy, nail polish remover will remove any excess product.
- Exfoliate with microfiber cloths.
The cloths — normally reserved for buffing cars or dusting TVs — are a perfect choice for makeup removal and gentle exfoliation, says Dr. Annie Chiu, dermatologist at Cedars Sinai Hospital. They are soft, great for sensitive skin, and ultra-absorbent. The pièce de résistance of this hardware hack? Higher-end cosmetic retailers sell clothes like these for close to $50 — at Home Depot you can get two for $3.
- De-puff eyes with paint sponges.
For best results, dampen the sponges and put them in the freezer. After a long night, set them over your closed eyes for a few minutes to revitalize the skin. According to Dr. Latanya Benjamin, a dermatologist in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, “cool compresses reduce inflammation around the eyelids by constricting the blood vessels.”
