People sure do believe some crazy things about their skin - from the good old toothpaste on the pimple trick to believing pore size changes with temperature; some are old housewives tales while others have been propagated by magazine beauty 'hacks'.
Let’s break it down
MYTH 1 - You can boost the collagen in your skin with a collagen-containing cream or serum
“Collagen is a protein found in the deep layers of the skin that make it elastic, supple and plump. Unfortunately when topically applied, collagen molecules are too large to penetrate the skin's surface, meaning you can’t boost levels in the skin with a cream.”
“Collagen in your skin naturally weakens and unravels with age, however there are things to avoid that can cause further damage like sugar, the sun, smoking, pollution and stress.”
- Dr Katherine Armour, Dermatologist
So is there anything you can do to increase the collagen in your skin?
Collagen-stimulating treatments like Pelleve, Venus Viva, Fraxel and skin needling are your best options.
MYTH 2 - Toothpaste is an effective way to treat a pimple
"Chances are you've heard this at least once in your life but toothpaste is definitely meant for teeth and not skin! While it may be helpful in drying out a pimple, the fluoride in toothpaste can damage your skin, over-drying it, and even causing burning which can leave obvious red marks long after the pimple has gone.”
- Dr Lee Mei Yap, Dermatologist
If you find that your skin is acne-prone, perhaps consider a visit to your dermatologist. Otherwise, a consistent, medical-based skincare routine should keep your skin clear enough to avoid toothpaste!
MYTH 3 - Toning is an important step in your daily skin routine
While they are part of many skin care ranges, toners and astringents should be avoided by almost all skin types. This is especially the case for those with dry skin, as they strip the skin of all oils, both good and bad.
“Toners often contain harsh astringent chemicals that remove the remnants of the cleanser but simultaneously strip the oils from the skin completely and unnecessarily after the cleanser has removed what it can.”
“Depending on the ingredients, toners can even be too drying for those with oily complexions.”
- Associate Professor Greg Goodman, Dermatologist
MYTH 4 - Blackheads are a buildup of dirt in the pores
"Despite sometimes looking like little grains of dirt, blackheads are not caused by dirt on the skin. They are actually a build-up of oil and shed skin cells that become trapped in the follicle on the way to the skin’s surface. This plug of dead cells and oil is called a comedone, another type of comedone is a whitehead. Blackheads get their colour because this plug contains dislodged melanin which are the cells that give our skin colour."
- Associate Professor Greg Goodman, Dermatologist
If you're prone to getting blackheads, there are many treatment options to clear the congestion and reduce the appearance of pores.
A professional skin evaluation bridges the gap between beauty and science in addition to helping educate patients on the best ways to care for their particular skin. Not to mention, it helps a patient avoid any detrimental or ineffective myths!
DIV is still open for all medical dermatology concerns five days per week. Note that we are not currently offering some treatments - for more information, call us on (03) 9826 4966 or send an email at dermatology@div.net.au