- “I don’t need to wear sun cream because I never lie in the sun”
Myth – Damaging UVA & UVB rays are around us all the time, so whether you’re driving your car, walking your dog or catching up on some weeding you need to wear a good quality SPF and it will need reapplying every two hours ( as a general rule). Even on dull days UV radiation can penetrate clouds, so you’re still at risk of skin damage on cloudy days. Sunscreen should be worn year-round, regardless of the weather or season.
And please, please, please don’t think that because there’s some in your moisturiser your well protected. There are very few moisturisers on the market that contain SPF that gives adequate protection, and it certainly won’t protect you all day. It’s a good habit to either wear a separate SPF (mineral is best for normal skin). Alternatively, some good quality mineral makeups can give an adequate physical barrier to protect you throughout the day but do your homework on which ones or contact me at the clinic for some advice.
- “My mom always used soap and water, so I do the same.”
Myth – we’ve all heard the stories, “my grandad had whisky for breakfast dinner and tea, smoked like a trooper and still lived to 90, so it’s alright by me.” I hear the skin ones almost on a daily basis, “my mom had beautiful skin….” This is rare and certainly not a barometer by which to live your life. Not only was there not the level of information then that we have now but neither were there the skin products and clinical data to back them up. Nowadays there are some brilliant skin products available achieving amazing results, with reams of clinical studies to back up the products.
An effective, highly active, preferably prescribed skincare range can transform your skin, but again don’t fall for the marketing hype and get “Shiny Object Syndrome,” fancy boxes and nice smells that these off the shelf ranges pour all their budget into, often don’t give the results as they focus less on clinical data and research and development and more on raising their profile and celebrity endorsements. Do your homework or visit an expert for advice.
- “People have spots because they don’t clean their skin”
Myth – Acne is a complex skin condition influenced by many factors; genetics and hormonal changes play a huge part in its development.
Pores become blocked by a combination of dead skin cells and excessive oil production. These blocked pores then interfere with the skins natural TEWL (Trans Epidermal Water Loss) meaning skin can easily become dry. Bacteria found naturally on the skin surface multiples in response to the excessive oil causing further inflammation in the skin.
Maintaining a good daily skincare regime(preferably provided by a skincare expert) is crucial for acne sufferers, poor hygiene is not usually a factor in its development.
- “I’ve always had freckles, I was born with them”
Myth – No babies are born with freckles. These small, flat, tan, or light-brown spots on the skin develop because of an accumulation of melanin, the pigment responsible for skin colour. They are typically more prominent in fair-skinned individuals. Freckles often appear on areas of the skin that are frequently exposed to the sun, such as the face, arms, and shoulders. While freckles themselves are harmless, they are a sign of sun damage and evidence that skin has been exposed to UV radiation.
- “I don’t need supplements as I eat a good diet”
Myth & Truth – Whilst historically a healthy balanced diet would be enough to give a good intake of all the essential nutrients our bodies need, sadly now for all sorts of reasons our food is no longer packed with goodness, factors such as soil depletion, cold storage practices, long haul transportation and cooking methods to name but a few. Our trusted fruit and veg. especially can carry sometimes little or no nutrition. So, unless you’re buying it from an organic farmer a stone’s throw from where you live, good quality oral supplements are worth considering adding to your daily routine. They also have a positive impact on skin and can help through those challenging times, such as exam time, puberty, and the menopause.
- “Tanning is good for my skin it always makes me feel better”
Myth – “A tan is a scar” Dr Des Fernandes. Tanning is not good for you in any way and the fact that it has long being associated with health and vitality is quite frankly befogging to me. Sun exposure is certainly important and us Brits are desperately craving a little Vitamin D synthesis about now. In previous centuries it was considered a sign of prosperity to have pale skin as it was meant to show you weren’t a labourer and could sit and play the piano or complete that all important cross stitch rather than pruning your topiary. But nowadays our knowledge alone should make us wake up and realise that craving a tan, by any means is nothing short of madness, with skin cancer now the most common cancer globally. The number of reported cases of skin cancers each year now out numbers all other cancers combined. So, please take it seriously.
- “Squeezing spots makes them go faster”
Complete Myth – I get it, its sooo…. tempting, but did you know that squeezing your spots can push the bacteria into the deeper layers of the skin, causing ultimately a bigger spot with far more inflammation. You’re also much more likely to cause trauma at the skins surface leading to a much higher risk of scarring. So, avoid the temptation.
- “I wear sun cream even if I’m staying indoors all day”
Truth – Harsh lighting and devices are now known to give off blue light (also known as high-energy visible light (HEV)) which is damaging to the skin and eyes. It has been found to cause photo-ageing, pigmentation, inflammation, and a compromised skin barrier. A physical, mineral sun cream is the only type of SPF that can protect against blue light.
- “I like to exfoliate several times a week, it’s good for my skin”
Myth & Truth – Exfoliating your skin can be helpful when treating certain stubborn skin concerns, but certainly not several times a week and certainly not for most skin types. The only skin type that should consider periodic exfoliation, are those with thickened, leathery skin, brought on by such pastimes as too much sun exposure, sunbeds, and smoking. For all other skin types, it is likely to do more damage than good. Our top skin layer, known as the stratum corneum, is a vitally important barrier to our skin and should be left intact to be able to do its job.
- “I’ve used this brand for 20 years and I’ll never change it.”
100% Myth – sticking to the same products for years and years is not going to be the best regime for your skin. Our skin changes over time and what was suitable for us 20 years ago is not going to be what’s needed today, nor should it be. Like anything, getting fit, cultivating a new discipline, or learning a new language, we must constantly be ‘upping the ante’ and continuously pushing ourselves to the next step. The same is true with our skin, increasing levels of vitamin A for example slowly over time, so not to cause a reaction, is excellent for an anti-ageing skin regime. Our skin requires different active ingredients at different stages in our lives and it’s so important to be having regular skin reviews with an expert who can reassess your skins needs. I see it all too often that clients don’t realise how little their current skin care is doing for their skin concern until they change onto a tailored active product that gets to work. All good skin specialists should offer regular skincare reviews as standard, so don’t settle for less.
For any advice on anything you’ve read today please contact me at the clinic, where I’ll be happy to help.
