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On the Radar: Sephora Babies, Gamer Hearing Loss and Birthday Cake Burning

‘Sephora Baby’ Craze Can Cause Acne in Adolescents

What? Children of celebrities, such as 9-year-old North West and 11-year-old Penelope Disick (daughters of Kim Kardashian and Kourtney Kardashian, respectively), are using social media to popularize pricey anti-aging skin care products.

So What? Dermatologists say that this “Sephora Baby” trend could actually be counterproductive for tweens and teens trying to prevent acne, since younger skin is different and more liable to become irritated by products made for adults.

Now What? If your kids, tweens or teens are feeling insecure about their skin, they may be tempted to try products they find on social media. But any new skincare routine should be evaluated by mom or dad, and potentially approved by a dermatologist first. Not everyone’s skin type or complexion is the same—even within families—and an unfamiliar product could do more harm than good.

Gamers at Higher Risk of Hearing Loss and Tinnitus

What? Researchers have found that sound levels coming from gaming consoles can reach about 89 decibels, with spikes up to 119 decibels.

So What? Doctors say that prolonged exposure to anything over 85 decibels can lead to hearing loss or tinnitus. And since gamers (including 90% of American teenagers) often play for hours on end, they’re at higher risk for these conditions.

Now What? Permissible sound limits for children are around 100 dB in short bursts. You can easily download free sound level apps that will help you determine the volume of your kids’ gaming (and other entertainment, for that matter). If it’s too loud, turn it down. Implement rules for volume control, especially if they’re using headphones. And talk to a doctor if your teen is experiencing symptoms of hearing loss or tinnitus.

What? A new baking trend is going viral on social media wherein folks are burning the top layer of cakes to reveal a hidden message/picture on the layer underneath.

So What? Some influencers are teaching others how to make their own burn-away cakes on social media. But some are purposely setting regular cakes on fire with a mass of birthday candles.

Now What? More than eight thousand home fires are started each year by candles, including birthday cake candles. So if your family wants to give this trend a try, make sure you do your research to make your cake correctly, only perform the trick in a well-ventilated area, don’t light the cake on or near anything that might catch fire, and be sure to have a fire extinguisher on hand, just in case.

Emily Tsiao

Emily studied film and writing when she was in college. And when she isn’t being way too competitive while playing board games, she enjoys food, sleep, and geeking out with her husband indulging in their “nerdoms,” which is the collective fan cultures of everything they love, such as Star Wars, Star Trek, Stargate and Lord of the Rings.