6 Skin Myths You Need to Stop Believing In

Our skin serves several functions. For example, it aids in the preservation of our internal organs and the prevention of infections. It also aids in keeping us warm when it is cold and cool when it is hot.

The skin serves as a home for sensory neurons, allowing us to perceive our surroundings.

Despite its many roles, our skin is arguably the most prominent and visible organ in our bodies. Because of this, it has become a target organ for many products, many of which promise brighter, healthier, more youthful skin.

As the skin is the face's poster child for many of us, it's no surprise that scientists, physicians, and charlatans have lavished attention on it throughout the years.

With such a potent combination of high visibility and various responsibilities, it's no surprise that general impressions are a jumbled mess of misconceptions and misconceptions.

In this blog post, we’re going to bust six common skin myths:

Myth #1: Drinking water keeps your skin hydrated 

This is only half the truth. Drinking water only hydrates your skin because water hydrates the body, and the skin is the body's most significant organ.

The skin comprises the outer layer (epidermis), the underlying skin (dermis), and the subcutaneous tissue. Skin loses suppleness and feels harsh if the epidermis's outermost layer does not contain enough water. Despite this link, there is a dearth of evidence demonstrating that consuming more water has any effect on skin hydration or look.

There are certain things you may take to keep your skin hydrated:

Avoid extended exposure to hot water.

• Use a mild cleaner.

• Deodorant soap and skin care products containing alcohol, scent, retinoids, or alpha hydroxy acid should be avoided.

• Moisturize immediately after bathing, showering, or washing your hands.

• Make use of a humidifier.

• When going out in the cold, wear gloves.

Myth #2: Sunlight is bad for you.

Excessive time spent in the sun or a tanning booth can raise the risk of skin cancer, primarily if sunscreen is not used. The risk of skin cancer is proportional to total lifetime sun exposure and the frequency of sunburns. Excessive tanning can also harm the skin, creating wrinkles and premature aging.

However, obtaining a mild or gradual tan through regular but cautious sun exposure is not harmful. A light tan with no burning isn't dangerous as long as you take measures, such as using a sunscreen with at least SPF 30, applying it well and reapplying it as needed, and avoiding peak sun exposure hours.

Myth #3: Chocolate causes acne 

Acne is caused by an oily material called sebum. The skin produces and secretes it. In reality, there is no proof that any one meal promotes acne.

This condition is the result of a complicated interplay between hormones and the skin. People will use scrubs, toners, and a variety of treatments to clean their faces to treat or prevent acne, but this can frequently result in discomfort. Keratin, a protein generated by skin cells, plugs the pores.

Myth #4: Vitamin E helps get rid of scars 

Many scientists have researched whether vitamin E reduces the appearance of scars throughout the years, but experts were unified in their replies.

This assertion is supported by minimal evidence. Several treatments are available to improve the look of scars, including laser treatments. If you are concerned about the look of a scar, see your surgeon or dermatologist.

Myth #5: Hot Water is Good for Your Skin

You may have heard that washing your face with hot water is bad for your skin, but is this true or false?

Everything comes down to a science. You've heard that warm water opens your pores and cold water closes them, much like a contraction. The problem is that your pores don't have muscles; thus, they cannot be shortened. This notion arose from the discovery that things naturally expand when exposed to high temperatures.

Although your pores will not change when exposed to hot water, your blood vessels may dilate, causing your complexion to get red. If your blood vessels break, you will have red blotches under your skin. Dryness is also caused by hot water since heat removes the natural oils from your skin. As a result, your skin may become irritated. This is especially important to remember when we are more tempted to turn up the heat in the winter.

Read: How to Repair a Damaged Skin Barrier

Myth #6: Lips Do Not Sunburn

You already know that you should use sunscreen every day. Even if you don't wear it separately, many cosmetic brands include it in foundation and moisturizer, making it much easier to incorporate sunscreen into your routine.

What about sunburned lips, though? Is lip sunscreen essential, or can our lips withstand sun exposure better than the rest of our skin?

Lips appear to react differently to sunlight than the rest of our face, yet they are nonetheless prone to sunburn. The skin structure is the same, but it is more vascular, meaning there are more blood vessels and a greater blood flow to your lips than to other skin parts. That's why your lips are pink or purple.

However, they share the same layers and essential components as the rest of your skin. The epidermis, the outermost layer primarily comprised of keratinocytes, protects the lips.

Because skin cancer is more common on the lower lip than the upper, it may require extra protection. Because it protrudes from the face and receives more sun exposure, the lower lip is more prone to sunburn. Increased UV radiation, like any other body portion, can damage the DNA of skin cells over time, leading to the growth of malignant cells.

Although we have just scraped the surface of skin myths, we hope this helps restore the balance of myths and facts in dermatology.

Because the cosmetics business is such a behemoth, educated doctors find it challenging to compete for public perception. Unfortunately, this makes skin-based myths harder to dispel.