It’s time we stopped believing that all of the so-called wisdom passed around is true and stop following it without question. Here are some examples of myths that need to be debunked:
I need to lie out in the sun to get my vitamin D.
- It is true that Vitamin D has been positively linked to stronger bones and to a lower risk of Alzheimer’s, obesity, and depression.
- But, as excess tanning has been definitely linked to skin damage and skin cancer, it makes more sense to obtain your Vitamin D through the foods that you eat.
- Fatty fish such as salmon, cod, and tuna are good sources of this vitamin.
- Cereals, milk and fruit juices are now fortified with added vitamin D.
If I have a base tan, it will protect my skin from burning.
- All tans are seen by your skin as damage and this triggers the cellular network to attempt the repair.
- As this damage is cumulative, even a light tan, if repeated many times, can cause mutations in the cells and lead to cancer.
- This is true whether the tan is from the sun or an inside tanning bed.
Find out more about Tanning from the Melanoma Research Foundation website.
You can’t get skin cancer on skin that is always covered.
- When the sun shines on your uncovered skin, it does damage to the cells and that damage is transmitted throughout your body by the cellular network.
- During an exam, a dermatologist will check your whole body and even your scalp for signs of skin cancer. Any exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light increases your risk of Melanoma.
I don’t need sunscreen if I work in an office all day.
- Sunlight is made up of two types of rays: long wave ultraviolet A (UVA) and short wave ultraviolet B (UVB). UVA rays penetrate deep into the dermis, the skin’s thickest layer and can lead to premature skin aging and wrinkling; recent research has shown that UVA also contributes to the development of skin cancers. UVB rays burn the surface skin layers and are known to be the primary cause of skin cancer.
- Glass only blocks UVB rays, not UVA, so you do need protection from the sun anywhere that windows let in sunlight; your car, or where you live or work. Consider adding tinted UV-protective film to the windows of your car as well as your home and business. This film will block up to 99.9 percent of UV radiation but will let in about 80 percent of visible light.
Find out more about Skincare Myths at the Reader’s Digest website.
Tanning will dry out and clear up my acne.
- A tan can initially mask the redness associated with acne, but no research supports the theory that tanning will clear up acne.
- Tanning can lead to dry skin, and excessive sweating can clog pores causing even worse acne.
- It can also cause hyper pigmentation, making existing acne scars appear darker.
My skin is red and covered in bumps so I must have acne.
- Red, irritated skin with bumps is a sign of acne, but could also be a sign of rosacea; both conditions share common features but there are differences.
- Acne can appear at any age, but is most common in teens and those in their early twenties; rosacea typically occurs after age 30.
- While both acne and rosacea can appear in the central portion of the face, acne also commonly appears along the hairline and jawline, body, arms, and back.
- Blackheads are common with acne, but not usually seen in rosacea.
- Always consult with a doctor or dermatologist for a diagnosis before attempting any treatment.
Using toothpaste on a pimple will make it go away.
- Many people use toothpaste as a home remedy to reduce the size of a cold sore or pimple, but there is no real evidence that this can actually help these conditions. Some toothpaste contains hydrogen peroxide that, as an antiseptic, may reduce skin bacteria and virus levels temporarily.
- But, toothpaste wasn’t meant to be applied to the delicate skin on the face so using it on an already inflamed pimple could cause more redness and irritation making it look even worse.
Find out more about Acne at the Facing Acne website.
As you have seen, there are many myths associated with skincare and these are just a sampling of the misinformation out there. Don’t trust your precious skin to a questionable procedure without consulting your doctor or dermatologist.
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