Myths abound about skin care, from recommendations on preventing stretch marks to the proper way to cleanse your face. These old wife’s tales have many experts shaking their heads in disbelief, but also have many believing them. Five common skin care myths are debunked here.
1. A Tanning Bed gives a base tan to protect from summer sun. This dangerous belief is based on the idea that starting your summer tan on a sun bed produces more melanin in your skin which will help protect you from the harm done by the summer sun. Not only is this absolute nonsense, it is a dangerous belief. Tanning beds emit the same UVA rays that make the sun dangerous, and cause premature aging and skin cancer.
2. Olive Oil will prevent stretch marks from pregnancy. In reality, there is nothing you can apply to the surface of your skin that will prevent stretch marks from appearing. They are a result of the sub-surface splitting due to the skin expanding beyond its elastic capabilities. Usually the result of pregnancy or excessive weight gain, the best way to prevent stretch marks is through a healthy diet, regular exercise and good hydration.
3. Increasing the SPF means you can stay out in the sunshine much longer. This is truly an unsafe belief. A sunscreen with an SPF of 15 will block approximately 94% of UV rays. Increasing to an SPF of 40 will only block 97% of UV rays. Increasing the SPF does not significantly increase the protection. What’s more important is to ensure the sun block you purchase protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Another must is to apply the protection before you venture out in the sun and then reapply sun screen every couple of hours, regardless of whether you got wet or not.
4. You don’t need sunscreen if you have dark skin. A darker skin tone, whether a Mediterranean olive-toned complexion or the skin tone of a person of color, does not give the person extra protection from the sun. It only means that they have an increased level of melanin. Although this does decrease the risk of skin cancer from the harmful UVA and UVB rays of the sun, it is only a slight decrease, and people with darker skin tones must use sunscreen and take the same precautions as those with a fairer complexion.
5. Chocolate causes acne. This is one of the most common myths. Food products do not cause acne. Your skin regularly sheds dead cells. In acne, these shed cells can stick together, blocking gland openings, which causes a backup of naturally occurring oils. Then bacteria on the dermis will take advantage of the eruption, making the condition worse. A nutritionally balanced diet will promote overall health, including the dermis, but a single food is never the cause of an acne blow up.
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