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Common Skincare Myths

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Skin is the largest organ of the body, and looking after skin health is as important as other organs. Read below to know more.

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Dhepe Snehal Madhav

Published At October 31, 2022
Reviewed AtDecember 26, 2023

Introduction:

Everybody desires a complexion that is vibrant and clear. But rather than how strictly one adheres to a cleansing routine or how much money one can spend on products, getting there might depend more on the capacity to separate fact from myth. The truth is that many skincare misconceptions can be harmful, and a lot of advice just is not effective.

It is important to protect against skin damage from chronic inflammation but many common skin myths can be considered to keep skin clear and healthy. Following are some of the skin care myths busted

What Are the Few Skin Care Facts?

  • It Is Important to Sleep on Bare Skin. Yes, it is important to wash off all makeup before sleeping to let the skin breathe, but it is necessary to apply a moisturizer, applying it will help the skin from drying and releasing excess oil leading to breakouts.

  • Lack of Sleep Affects Skin. Sleep helps in the regeneration and repair of the skin cells. Lack of sleep can affect the way one looks, and decrease the moisture level making the skin look dry, dull, and hyperpigmented.

  • Oily Skin More Is Prone to Acne. Our body has a natural tendency to secret oil called sebum in some, oil secretion is more giving them an oil texture when dirt, dust, and other pollutants stick on oily skin they tend to cause inflammation leading to breakouts and acne.

  • Steroid Topical Application Is Good. Steroids can penetrate through the skin, enter circulation, and the liver, and suppress adrenal and pituitary functions. In certain skin conditions like Psoriasis, Eczema, etc. steroids are only the options for treatment, the concentration of steroids is most important to ensure safety.

  • Topical Cosmetic Are Useful for Skin Treatments. The benefits of topical skin treatments are limited to Epidermis (outer skin layer), but studies have found that retinoids can pass the dermis (middle layer) and can penetrate through a blood vessel into the body system, but the use of Retinoids should be only with a doctor's prescription.

  • Massage Is Good for the Skin. Massage helps in relaxing, it also helps in reducing stress hormone called cortisol, it helps in regulating the immune system, removing toxins, puffiness, removing dead skin, skin hydration, and lymphatic drainage, however, one must check on oils and cream used in the massage if they are allergic to it by taking a patch test (applying on a small portion of the forearm).

  • Stress Can Affect the Skin. Chronic stress can affect cell regeneration and cause inflammation, fine line, and wrinkles, and can make a person look older.

  • Sun Rays Can Damage Skin. Sunrays contain Ultraviolet (UV) rays of type A and B (UVA and UVB), chronic exposure to UVB rays can destroy the outer layer of new cells, and decrease the production of elastin, collagen, hyaluronic acid, cause wrinkles, and increase the risk of skin cancer.

  • Smoking and Consuming Alcohol Can Damage Skin. Smoking and consuming alcohol can dehydrate the body, making it dull, and puffy appearance.

  • Drinking Water Can Help Skin. Drinking an adequate amount of water helps keep stay hydrated and maintain the elasticity of the skin.

  • Retinol Is Good for the Skin. Retinoid has many benefits for the skin; it helps in cell regeneration and is effective against hyperpigmentation, acne, wrinkles, dull, and dry skin, Retinoid has many contraindications so they should be used only with a Dermatologist's prescription.

  • Scrubbing Is Good for Skin. Scrubbing or exfoliating skin should be part of the skin care routine, it helps in removing dead skin cells and cleaning skin pores, but over-scrubbing can irritate skin and can make it dry making it more prone to Allergic reactions.

What Are a Few Common Skin Care Myths?

  • Myth: Sunscreens Labeled as “Once a Day” Don’t Require Reapplication. Whether it is a regular or "once-a-day" sunscreen, it is vital to reapply sunscreen frequently since during the day we engage in activities that cause us to perspire and cause sunscreen to rub or wash off, such as resting the arm on a table, hugging someone, or washing hands.

  • Myth: Regular Exfoliation Is Beneficial for Skin. Exfoliation removes dead, dull skin cells; however, do it no more than twice a week. Over-exfoliation can weaken the skin's protective layer, dehydrate the skin, and increase sebum production, which will make oily skin even oilier. When comparing chemical exfoliators to physical exfoliators like scrubs, take into account the gentler effects of chemicals like lactic acid and glycolic acid on the skin.

  • Myth: Eczema Runs Into the Family. The chance of a baby having eczema will increase if any only of the members have eczema in the family, but it does not guarantee that the child will have the condition. Empirical data suggests that daily moisturizing the newborn lowers the chance of eczema. Use a baby-safe moisturizer that is unscented and bland.

  • Myth: Unlike Chemical Sunscreens, Which Absorb UV Rays, Physical Sunscreens Like Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide Work by Reflecting, Blocking, and Scattering UV Radiation. Although physical sunscreens do reflect and scatter UV radiation, this only makes up a very small percentage of UV radiation—roughly 10 % to 15 %. Physical sunscreens absorb UV radiation and turn them into heat, essentially working in the same manner as chemical sunscreens.

  • Myth: Retinoids Are Ineffective for People With Sensitive Skin. All vitamin A compounds, including retinoic acid esters, retinols, retinaldehydes, and retinoic acids, are collectively referred to as "retinoids." If done properly, almost anyone can take retinoid therapy. Start with a low-dose retinol, such as 0.3 %, if the user have sensitive skin. This will help them tolerate it better, have fewer side effects, and cause less irritation to the skin. Gradually increase the amount of time it is taken.

  • Myth: Psoriasis Is Limited to Skin Irritation. Any combination of skin, nails, and joints can be impacted by psoriasis. Several internal medical disorders, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, heart attacks, strokes, thyroid disease, inflammatory bowel disease, fractures, anxiety, and depression, are also more common in people with psoriasis. According to current studies, the more severe one's psoriasis, the greater the chance of acquiring certain of these disorders; however, managing the severity of psoriasis may lower some of these risks.

  • Myth: Sunscreen Is Not Necessary Unless It Is Sunny Outside. UV rays are emitted by the sun year-round. Even on gloomy days, one can in run the danger of burning and developing skin cancer since up to 80 % of UV radiation can still reach the skin through windows, with UVA rays causing the most damage. All year round, everyone should apply sunscreen to any exposed regions if they spend a lot of time outside or indoors near a window.

  • Myth: Sun Protection From Makeup With Spf Is Sufficient. UVB and some UVA2 protection are referred to by SPF. The UVA circle emblem, star rating, or word "broad spectrum" all indicate UVA protection; SPF does not provide this information. The amount of total UVA protection that cosmetics offer is difficult to measure because most makeup just lists SPF. Using a separate sunscreen is crucial since our skin has to be adequately protected from UVA and UVB rays.

  • Myth: Black Salve Is a Natural Remedy That Is Safe for Treating Skin Cancer. Black salve is not a successful treatment for skin cancer, and using it can worsen the disease's prognosis by delaying necessary medical care. It is also a very harmful toxin that leaves behind big, disfiguring, dead-skin wounds that are black. Many nations forbid the sale of it as a cancer treatment.

  • Myth: Dark Circles Under the Eyes Are Due to Tiredness. Not always dark circles are due to tiredness or lack of sleep, sometimes it can be hereditary, or sometimes fat loss from muscles below the eyes will make blood vessels appear through the skin giving discoloration.

  • Myth: Applying Too Much Moisturizer Good for the Skin. Applying too much moisturizer can cause breakouts, the skin absorbs as moisture is required and rests on the face on which dirt and pollutants will accumulate penetrating through the skin and causing inflammation and breakouts.

  • Myth: It Is Ok to Break Pimples. It is a human natural tendency to squeeze out pimples, but that can cause a scar, and hyperpigmentation of the skin, avoid using nails, or sharp unsterile pins to break pimples that can further cause inflammation.

  • Myth: Hot Water Is Good for the Skin. Hot water can make skin dry, and damage and irritate the outer layer of the skin making it dry.

  • Myth: More Frequently One Should Wash Their Face. Cleaning the face should be part of the daily routine which can help in removing the harmful chemicals, dirt, dust, and pollutants that allow the skin to breathe, but overdoing can make skin dry, by losing its moisture.

Conclusion

Skin is a vital part of the body and taking care of it is of utmost importance, as the skin can be the barrier or the medium of infections. There are many old schools of thought but with the advancing studies, some myths are busted which can be considered when following a skin care facts.

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Dr. Dhepe Snehal Madhav
Dr. Dhepe Snehal Madhav

Venereology

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