Just when you thought it couldn’t get worse, it turns out sugar isn’t only bad for your waistline, it’s also bad for you skin; and we’re not just talking possible breakouts, but signs of aging too. Dr. Paul Jarrod Frank, head of the 5th Avenue Dermatology Surgery and Laser Center, dishes on this and more when we spoke to him about some beauty myths you might not have known about.
Shaving
It’s a myth that if you shave, the hairs grow back thicker and darker. The hair shaft tapers at the end and when you shave it, you’re crossing the midshaft, so it seems like it’s thicker and more coarse. As the hair gets longer however, it will begin to feel softer and it will not appear as dark in comparison to your skin.
Fillers
People falsely believe that if they get fillers and then decide to stop, their skin will be worse off from it and/or more wrinkled. This is untrue as many of these fillers do stimulate the production of collagen and other essential components of the skin. Another common myth is that people who get fillers look fake. We only notice the bad work. The whole point of getting fillers is to make someone look naturally rejuvenated.
Diet
It is a myth that your diet has little to do with how your skin ages. Sugar, carbs, caffeine, etc. can all affect the skin.
Sun Exposure
It is a myth that standing in the shade protects you from UV damage. It is important to wear sunscreen daily, preferably one with broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection from the sun because you risk UV damage whether standing in the sun or shade.
The SPF Number Tells You the Amount of Protection You’re Getting
There are two types of damaging sun rays: UVA, which are responsible for aging the skin; and UVB, which are responsible for burning it. The SPF number on a bottle of sunscreen only gives a guide for how much UVB protection the product offers. It doesn’t tell you whether or not the product protects from UVA rays (which are also responsible for melanoma). All sunscreens protect from UVB rays, To fully protect yourself, wear sunscreen all day, everyday, 365 days a year.
Wrinkles
It is a myth that wrinkles are formed by facial expressions. Wrinkles can occur from facial expressions since muscles are being used, but the loss of volume in the face has a greater effect on wrinkles. As we age, collagen and fat are reduced in the face resulting in sagging and wrinkled skin.