Skincare is a topic surrounded by numerous myths and misconceptions, making it difficult to separate fact from fiction. With so much conflicting information available online and from well-meaning friends and family, knowing what skincare advice to follow can be challenging. As a result, many people unknowingly adopt harmful habits that can damage their skin, leading to acne, premature ageing, and other skin conditions.
To help clear up some of the confusion, the best dermatologist in Bangalore, Dr. Rasya Dixit, has busted some of the most common myths about skincare. By debunking these myths, we hope to empower you with the knowledge you need to make informed decisions about your skin health and achieve the best possible results. So, let's dive in and separate skincare facts from fiction!
Myth 1: People with darker skin tones do not need sunscreen.
Everyone should wear sunscreen. There are two types of UV rays from which you should protect your skin. UVB rays cause skin burns, while UVA rays cause skin ageing. UVA rays are the reason doctors won't stop nagging people to use sunscreen every day because they occur in rainy and cloudy conditions, not just when the sun is out. Perhaps most importantly, using SPF will aid in preventing skin cancer. Sun damage is one of those occasions where it is better to be safe than sorry.
Myth busted: Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen daily, regardless of skin tone, to protect yourself and the skin from UVA and UVB radiation.
Myth 2: If a person has oily skin, they do not require a moisturiser.
This is the most common intuitive misunderstanding, and the critics are banding together to correct it. Even though one's skin is oily, one should moisturise it because oily skin is prone to certain problems, such as acne. Many individuals feel that they should moisturise less if they have oily skin. However, the opposite of this is true.
Some acne treatment solutions dry the skin, which is undesirable. When the skin becomes dry, it generates oil to compensate, causing it to become oily. When combined with bacteria, excess oil can combine with dead skin cells to clog pores, resulting in acne, blackheads, and blemishes.
Myth busted: Even if the skin is oily, moisturise it. Experts advise using a lighter moisturiser and applying less but never skip it.
Myth 3: Expensive skin care products are the most effective.
If a person's skin is oily, no product intended for normal skin, no matter how expensive, will work for them. Routine skin care products such as a cleanser, moisturisers, toners, and sunscreen should be chosen carefully. They should improve skin health and be well tolerated. Depending on the weather, a person may need to switch products. A summer product may not work in the winter. Individuals can also seek the advice of a dermatologist, who will examine their skin type, work schedules, needs, finances, and so on and recommend an appropriate skin care plan.
Myth busted: It is not essential. Many cosmetic brands are expensive but not as effective as the dermatologist-recommended cosmetics. Visit Dr. Dixit Cosmetic Dermatology Clinic, the best skin clinic in Bangalore, to learn more about the skin products that can work well for your skin type and their unique needs.
Myth 4: An individual doesn't need sunscreen on a cloudy day.
A person should protect their skin from UV exposure every day, all year. UV-B rays, which play an important role in developing skin cancer, peak in the summer. UV-A radiation, which can cause melanoma, accelerate the ageing process, and cause drooping, and wrinkled skin, is present during all daylight hours of the year, even on cloudy or snowy days.
Myth busted: The lesson is clear: use sunscreen even on foggy days.
Myth 5: Soap cleansing will maintain acne-free skin.
Acne is a condition of the skin's pilosebaceous (oil) glands. Adequate washing of oily, acne-prone skin is critical to preventing outbreaks. Scrubbing the face with soap, on the other hand, will merely stimulate the oil glands to secrete more oil, leading to more outbreaks. Furthermore, soaps are more damaging to sensitive, acne-prone skin because of their alkaline nature. Instead, go for a gentle or medicated face cleanser.
Myth busted: Soap can make the skin more susceptible to infections and is also dehydrating.
Myth 6: Shaving the facial hair will cause it to regrow thicker.
This is one of the most popular misconceptions. Shaving facial hair will merely put it all through the same development cycle, making it appear thicker. As a result, one may logically believe that shaving facial hair does not cause it to grow back thicker.
Myth busted: Shaving the facial hair will never cause it to regrow dark and thicker.
Myth 7: Makeup causes acne.
Makeup enthusiasts may breathe a sigh of relief; applying makeup for extended periods of time does not result in acne. The villains, in this case, are the methods of people applying cosmetics and the products they use. Contrary to popular assumption, the foundation is not intended to be absorbed into skin pores but rather to produce a coating on top of the skin.
Using expired products is another major cause of acne. Another reason makeup is supposed to cause acne is that if a person goes to bed wearing makeup, they may wake up with a breakout due to the fact that not washing their faces clogs their skin pores with the dust and dirt of the day.
Myth busted: There is no scientific evidence that makeup causes acne, but if it is not removed effectively and regularly, it will cause complications.
Myth 8: Popping a pimple will assist it in healing.
It's never a good idea to squeeze pimples at home. Unclean hands will bring more bacteria into the skin, and applying too much pressure may cause additional damage. All of these may result in an even longer healing period. To fix the spots, incorporate topical medicated creams into your skincare routine, avoid touching your face, and limit makeup use until your skin clears up.
Myth busted: Never pop a pimple on your own. It may spread the infection further and result in scarring. It is preferable to see a dermatologist to remove blackheads or whiteheads.
Myth 9: It is best to begin using anti-aging skincare as soon as possible.
It is not always best to get there earlier. There are several preventative measures that everyone should take, such as moisturising correctly, wearing sunscreen every day, and avoiding excessive physical friction on the skin. When it comes to skincare, there's no need to actively seek out "anti-aging" products because they're usually too costly. They are attempting to reduce the pace of skin cell turnover, but a person in their teens or early twenties is likely to have it working at a pretty healthy rate.
Myth busted: A person should respect your skin! It's wise and knows how to take care of itself.
Myth 10: Spots can be healed using toothpaste.
Putting a thin layer of toothpaste on irritated areas is an age-old tip that many youngsters use. Although it can produce results, the negative impact is more likely than the positive.
Myth busted: Toothpaste can also clog pores, resulting in more spots. It may also result in a burning feeling.
Consult Dr. Rasya Dixit at Dr. Dixit Cosmetic Dermatology Clinic, the best skin clinic in Bangalore to learn more about skin health and tips and treatments that can help rejuvenate it.
