Myth and Facts about skin
10 Medical myths and facts about skin.
1. Expensive skin cream can keep your skin ‘young’ forever...
The skin cream industry is huge. However, despite their lucrative popularity and regardless of cost, no skin creams can protect skin against aging indefinitely. This is a marketing ploy and is certainly not true. Simple moisturizers can achieve quite a lot. Here is not known a cream that keeps skin young forever. 90% of skin aging is from photodamage. So, the most important intervention in slowing down the process is using a sunscreen with broadband UV cover and these not to be expensive.
2. Drinking water keeps your skin hydrated...
This is a half-truth. Drinking water only keeps your skin hydrated in the sense that water keeps the body hydrated and skin is the largest organ of the body.
3. Antibacterial soap is best for the skin...
This is a myth. Using antibacterial soaps can upset that natural balance. They can also be harsher on the skin than pH neutral soaps. Removing both the good and bad bacteria on a regular basis is not always the best idea.
4. Having a dirty face causes acne...
This is “nonsense.” Unless, the dirt is contamination with oily substances such as hair pomade, oily make-up, or occupational oil exposure. Standard dirt will not produce acne. Acne is caused by a complex interaction of hormones and the skin, not dirt. People will use scrubs, toners, and many products to clean their faces to address or prevent acne, but often this can just result in irritation. The pores are plugged by keratin, a protein produced by the skin cells, not dirt.
5. All sun exposure is bad for the skin...
All sun exposure causes some degree of photodamage, but some sun exposure is essential for boosting vitamin D synthesis, especially for people in regions that are further from the equator and those with darker skin who receive lower sun exposure.
The sun is a major source of vitamin D, which is important for bone health and may play a role in the immune system. We also know that UV exposure from the sun has anti-inflammatory properties that can be beneficial in some skin conditions, such as psoriasis, eczema, and pruritus.
However, these benefits must be counterbalanced against the risk of skin cancer, which we know in white populations is directly related to UV exposure. It is recommended using high-factor sunscreen, wearing appropriate clothing, and staying in the shade between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on sunny days.
6. A spray tan protects against UV rays...
A spray tan will not protect against sun damage unless it contains added UV protectants. Just spraying color onto the skin does not protect against UV rays.
7. Vitamin E helps get rid of scars...
Over the years, many scientists have investigated whether vitamin E reduces the appearance of scars. To date the evidence is “unconvincing.” In some instances, it can be detrimental. However, as an alternative approach, silicone gel products have been consistently shown to prevent scar overgrowth and improve the appearance of mature scars.
8. Natural’ products are better for the skin...
Products that are marketed as “natural” are popular among consumers. However, the term “natural” says nothing about a product’s effectiveness or safety. Many natural products, such as moisturizers, are very expensive and have no additional benefit over cheaper, refined products. Some natural products can have just as many side effects as well-tested medical products — they may not be as effective, and they may suffer from stability issues. But it is a personal choice — if people like the sound of the word ‘natural’ as a euphemism for ‘gentle’ or ‘safe’ and want to pay for the product, that is up to them.
Poison ivy is all-natural, but you would not rub it all over your skin.
9. Wounds need air to heal...
This is a long-standing and pervasive myth, but it is not true — wounds heal better with a clean, moist environment. Research has shown that cells migrate better to initiate and continue healing in a moist environment in the early stages of healing in particular. Keeping a wound covered with Aquaphor or similar ointment and a bandage is ideal [if there is no infection].
Toward the end of the healing process, once new connective tissue and microscopic blood vessels have formed, air can aid the healing process.
10. Exfoliating daily is essential for healthy skin...
Skin exfoliation is the process of removing dead cells from the surface of the skin. This can be achieved by using an exfoliation tool, a granular surface, or chemicals.
Exfoliation is not essential, but the skin feels smoother after exfoliating and absorbe better skin products. Although repeated exfoliation is damaging the natural skin barrier. It is recommended to exfoliat skin once a week.
Facts from three experts:
Dr. Derrick Phillips: a dermatologist and spokesperson for the British Skin Foundation.
Dr. Beth G. Goldstein: Founder at Get Mr. and Central Dermatology
