Demystifying Skin Care Myths

By Lee Peterson.

From old wife's tales about stretch marks to urban legends, the myths and stories about skin care that some believe to be true have many an expert confounded.Five common skin care myths are explained below.

1.Tanning beds help prepare your skin for the summer sun. This is not only false, but dangerous. Even tanning booths that do not have UVB rays still generate concentrated UVA rays, which can lead to skin cancer and premature wrinkles and aging of the dermis. A base tan does not mean your body has produced more melanin, it just means the melanin you have has come closer to the surface. Getting a base tan does not protect you from further sun damage, and can be in and of itself quite harmful to your skin.

2. Application of olive oil can prevent pregnancy stretch marks. Stretch marks are caused when the sub-surfaces of the dermis split, usually due to expansion of the skin beyond its elasticity ability. This can occur during pregnancy or because of excessive weight gain. There are no topical preparations that will prevent this scarring from occurring. A healthy diet, hydration and regular exercise are the best ways to ensure your dermis remains healthy and retains its elasticity.

3. Increasing the SPF means you can stay out in the sunshine much longer. This is truly an unsafe belief. A sunscreen with an SPF of 15 will block approximately 94% of UV rays. Increasing to an SPF of 40 will only block 97% of UV rays. Increasing the SPF does not significantly increase the protection. What's more important is to ensure the sun block you purchase protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Another must is to apply the protection before you venture out in the sun and then reapply sun screen every couple of hours, regardless of whether you got wet or not.

4. You don't need sunscreen if you have dark skin. A darker skin tone, whether a Mediterranean olive-toned complexion or the skin tone of a person of color, does not give the person extra protection from the sun. It only means that they have an increased level of melanin. Although this does decrease the risk of skin cancer from the harmful UVA and UVB rays of the sun, it is only a slight decrease, and people with darker skin tones must use sunscreen and take the same precautions as those with a fairer complexion.

5. Chocolate causes acne. This is one of the most common myths. Food products do not cause acne. Your skin regularly sheds dead cells. In acne, these shed cells can stick together, blocking gland openings, which causes a backup of naturally occurring oils. Then bacteria on the dermis will take advantage of the eruption, making the condition worse. A nutritionally balanced diet will promote overall health, including the dermis, but a single food is never the cause of an acne blow up.

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