We've all heard multiple silly beauty myths, and many of them seem to have stood the test of time. In today's blog article, we've compiled a list of the top 8 beauty myths and provided a reasonable explanation for why they're not true. Interested? Continue reading...
Myth 1: Collagen drinks enhance skin elasticity and texture.
Do collagen beverages work? Is there such a thing as veggie collagen? Collagen is exclusively found in animal tissues and cannot be produced from plant sources . In the vegetable world, cellulose and polysaccharides will fill the roles of this fibrous and structural protein.
We also need to consider the fact that oral collagen, which has been hydrolyzed to make it more absorbable, gets broken down in our digestive system into its component amino acids before it enters the circulation. If so, how can anybody ensure that they will be transmitted to the skin? If collagen is in short supply in other tissues, it will be sent there immediately. At this stage, the judgement on collagen beverages and supplements is unclear. The monthly cost may not be worthwhile, particularly when inexpensive foods such as bone broth, gelatin, and agar (gelatinous polysaccharide derived from red algae) may operate in a similar manner.
Myth 2: Oils are bad for oily skin and acne.
Here we go again! The most despised oils. Taking Eastern cultures as an example, we should have understood by now that oils are crucial for skin health. Did you know that human sebum contains fatty acids, squalane, vitamin E, triglycerides, and waxy esters?[4]Oily and acne-prone skin has lower amounts of linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid, and vitamin E[4]. This causes the squalane to oxidise and harden, increasing the appearance of impurities. In addition, a deficiency of specific lipids impairs skin barrier function, resulting in dehydration and inflammation.
Research has shown that restoring the linoleic acid balance considerably reduces the size and frequency of comedones. Think carefully before buying an oily skin product, since the oil-free craze is causing more damage than good. Instead, look for solutions with a high concentration of linoleic acid-rich oils, such as argan, jojoba, pomegranate, rosehip, squalane and keep oleic acid-rich oils to a minimum, such as coconut, cocoa butter, palm, soy, and so on.
Myth 3: Shaving your legs causes hair to grow back thicker.
This is a difficult one since the scientific explanation does not reflect what many women have seen in real life. According to science, this myth is incorrect. When we shave, we cut the hair shaft at its thickest point at a blunt angle. So when it grows back, it will be thicker, darker, and rougher. If we allow our hair grow to its full length, the thickness and pigment will normalise; nonetheless, it will remain bristly to the touch. The awful and sad news is that most of us never regain our "old hair" after shaving. It is much more obvious, and we feel compelled to shave it as soon as it appears in order to prevent the "prickly" appearance. Whatever your shaving experience has been, the most crucial factor is determining how often to shave the legs (or any other body part).
Myth 4: Exfoliation is not a necessary.
The skin sheds dead skin cells on a daily basis, but this does not imply we can depend entirely on natural desquamation to maintain a healthy and beautiful complexion. Keratinocytes make up over 80% of the epidermis cells (the skin's outermost layer), and they renew themselves in about 40-56 days if no factors interfere with this cycle. Cell turnover decreases as we age, making it take 2-3 times longer for skin cells to reach the skin's surface. Furthermore, we are now engaged in an environment that is nothing like the clean one we enjoyed when we first began our journey on planet Earth. We are exposed to thousands of contaminants from many sources, including cosmetics, cleaning chemicals, industries, cigarette smoke, and automotive exhaust fumes. All of this gunk collects on the skin's surface, whether you want it to or not.
Myth 5: Chocolate causes acne.
If someone asked us, "Does chocolate cause acne?" Our honest response would be: it actually depends on the sort of chocolate you consume. Cocoa is an excellent natural supplier of magnesium, copper, potassium, and iron. It also contains flavanols, which are powerful polyphenol antioxidants that keep the skin looking young. Cocoa contains oleic acid and saturated fats, however they are generally non-cholesterol-raising. These lipids are responsible for the softening and protecting characteristics that cocoa butter offers. We hate to inform you that eating ordinary chocolate is an entirely other scenario. Why? Because it is created from sugar and milk. According to studies, meals with a high glycemic load, such as sugar, cause more severe acne lesions.
Myth 6: Only medical-grade skincare works.
This one is a clear no. Medical-grade formulations are sometimes referred to as cosmeceuticals, which are a cross between cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. As a result, they are considered to have larger concentrations of active chemicals, superior delivery methods that translate into more benefits, and have undergone extensive clinical research to back up their claims. The word "cosmeceutical" has no legal meaning in the United States or Europe; your product is either a cosmetic or a medication (or both). It's that easy. Regular skincare companies may also be quite beneficial, and many of them conduct performance testing to demonstrate their efficacy on the skin. There is also no reason why they cannot use novel elements.
Myth 7: the Higher The more SPF the better.
We already reviewed the UV filtering capabilities of various SPFs. According to the protection percentages given below, there is not a significant difference between an SPF 30 and an SPF 100 sunscreen
SPF 15 blocks. SPF 30 protects against 93% of UVB radiation. SPF 50 protects against 96.7% of UVB radiation. SPF 100 protects against 98% of UVB radiation. 99% UVB rays.
Now, let us examine these data from a different angle, focusing on the amount of photons (light particles that reach the skin). SPF 15 is 7, SPF 30 is 3.2, SPF 50 is two, and SPF 100 is one. These values were established in a laboratory environment and may differ in a real-world context. Because sun damage accumulates over time, doctors believe it is prudent to use a sunscreen that admits the fewest photons into the skin, especially if you have had skin cancer. Many physicians advocate for a higher SPF since most individuals do not apply sunscreen consistently or appropriately. Follow the 2mg/cm2 guideline or reapply every 2 hours. This implies they'll probably have half the protection they intended.
The problem of high SPF compositions is that they do not specify how much UVA protection they give unless they are branded as wide spectrum. Furthermore, consumers often grow overconfident while using a high SPF and fail to reapply as instructed. The FDA has now regulated the highest SPF labelling to SPF 60+ in order to prevent deceiving consumers and creating unrealistic protection expectations.
Myth 8: Certain foods cause acne.
This is a follow-up to the chocolate-acne myth. Aside from high glycemic index meals and dairy products, which we have previously discussed, there are no reliable studies that can demonstrate a link between other foods and acne. Furthermore, the medical profession still does not recognise food intolerance and allergy testing as proof of this assumption. This does not mean that the answer to the question "Can food cause acne?" will always be no. More research will undoubtedly be required, but the most crucial part is to determine how your body reacts to various meals. If you believe that a certain meal is causing you to break out, eliminate it from your diet and reintroduce it 1-2 weeks later. Keep a notebook and keep track of what occurs once you restart eating the "questionable food".