Skin Myths

Submitted by Patrick Hatfield on

There are many tips and tricks in the skin care world.  Dermatologists try and spread the proper information to people in the world; however, some of the tips that have been adopted are actually very harmful to the skin.  Below are some skin care myths that should be banned from the beauty world and ways to properly treat your skin.

Popping a zit will help it hear faster – There are never any instances where popping a zit is the  best way to get clear skin.  Squeezing or popping the area can cause infection and scarring and will not help the area heal any quicker.  It is a better idea to use products with retinol, salicylic acid, or benzoyl peroxide to keep skin clear and healthy.

A base tan will keep my skin from burning – This could not be further from the truth.  Your skin cells see every tan or burn as damage and the more damage the higher likelihood for skin cancer.  Always wear sunscreen and ensure you limit outdoor sun time.

Facial exercises will erase my wrinkles – This new yoga facial is really a fad that has no truth.  The muscles you use to try and reduce wrinkles in facial exercise will actually cause more wrinkles.  The wrinkles you have in place cannot be exercised away.  Anti-aging serums and creams may help lessen their appearance.

Toothpaste will zap a zit – This is an old homeopathic remedy that is partly true.  Most toothpaste contains hydrogen peroxide, which is helpful at killing bacteria and helping the inflammation reduce.  However, the other ingredients in the toothpaste may cause more damage than good.

I can’t get skin cancer through my bathing suit – This is an untrue statement, mainly because the damage that occurs due to the sun is actually through the UV rays.  The UV rays can penetrate your skin, even with clothing.  Sunblock is something that should be applied head to toe if you want total protection.

Moisturizers don’t work for me because my skin is so dry – This statement is actually not possible.  The real problem is that the moisturizer is not good or your skin cannot allow the moisturizer to penetrate.  Therefore, exfoliate the skin to allow for moisturizers to penetrate the skin more effectively.

My acne has nothing to do with what I eat – There have been many studies that have proven that acne can be a result of your diet.  Not everyone will have acne from the same foods, but there are common foods that tend to aggravate people and their skin.  A customized diet and proper supplements may be the answer to healthier and clearer skin.

Tying a string around a skin growth will help it die and fall off – This may be true for benign skin tags, but can be dangerous for skin cancers or for incomplete removals that cause excessive bleeding or scarring.  Always see a doctor for a proper removal and testing to determine if cancer is an issue.