These top skin care myths are so widely circulated that people often take them as they are. It’s not easy to unlearn old habits, so it’s better to separate the fact from the myths early on before it becomes a routine.

Top skin care myth #1: Facial exercise tones up the facial muscle making it look younger.

Contrary to popular belief, facial exercises can actually lead to more wrinkle lines on the face. Although, you may not be aware of it, but the muscle and the skin on the face attach directly to each other, sans any tissues or ligament in between. Hence, the constant smiles would lead the development of laugh lines. Similarly, other daily facial exercise can develop furrows and lines along with sagging.

Top skin care myth #2: Having a tan can alleviate the acne problems.

Although UV light is believed to kill skin bacteria but getting it straight from the sun light may not be a safe option. While your tanned skin would hide the acne, you would expose yourself to the risks of skin cancer. So, discuss it with your dermatologist for better ways to deal with your acne problem. Doing it through sun exposure is fraught with serious danger and hence is not advisable.

Top skin care myth #3: Washing the face with soap and water would make it acne-free.

Cleaning the face with soap and water regularly is desirable. But while it is okay to clean the dirt and make-up off your face, scrubbing it vigorously is not good. Massaging it gently with a cleanser with tiny exfoliating beads or soft tissues is the ideal way to do it. Using alpha-hydroxyl acid lotion to clean up the old cells and generate new ones is also advisable. To remove mascara, use something that is specifically meant for it.

Top skin care myth #4: Wrinkles can be erased with wrinkle creams.

Notwithstanding all the tall claims made by the ads, the fact of making the wrinkle lines less visible temporarily is achieved through the humectants and moisturizers that hydrate the skin. In order to have a marked improvement in the texture of the skin and erase wrinkle lines significantly, you need to go for surgical or laser treatment. Although wrinkle lines can be filled in through Restylane, the process need to done repeatedly (more than twice in a year). Similar is the case with Botox. Now researches are being conducted to assimilate active ingredients like hylaronic acid into nano particles so that they reach deep into the skin. Use of Vitamin A creams is presently the best way to deal with the problem, as it helps the collagen formation and accentuates regeneration of cells.

Top skin care myth #5: Squeezing out the pus helps the pimple to heal it soon.

The practice of squeezing out the pus from the pimple is a smart thing to do. By squeezing out the pus, you may actually force the pus and its debris deep into the skin, thereby making it prone to inflammation and scars later. Using a comedone extractor to press and roll it over the pimple to extract the pus is a better way to do it.

Top skin care myth #6: Shaving the legs accentuates the growth of the hair.

Researches have confirmed this age-old belief to be wrong. Hair growth is dependent upon the environment, hormone and age-related genetic factors. So, go for waxing, shaving or use of depilatory creams without any apprehension of any change in the texture of hair and pace of hair growth. In case of excessive hair growth, opt for laser hair removal.

Top skin care myth #7: Healing of the wounds and prevention of scars through vitamin E ointment.

As an anti-oxidant, vitamin E promotes the utilization of oxygen by the body and hence may protect the skin from damage. But it is not known to prevent scarring. On the other hand, its prolonged use may lead to the development of allergy on the skin. Massaging the new scar gently to facilitate circulation and taking vitamin E rich foods like green leafy vegetables and fortified cereals may help it heal faster. Applying silicone elastometer gel to newly healed skin is a new way of preventing scarring.

Top skin care myth #8: Eating junk foods may lead to the development of acne.

While taking high amount of junk food is undoubtedly unhealthy, it is yet to be firmly established as a contributory factor for acne. Anxiety, use of anabolic steroid, increased levels of testosterone, use of facial creams to clog the pores and genetic history are the factors that are responsible for the development of the acne.

Top skin care myth #9: Vitamin D is necessary. So, we should tan our skin more.

Doctors always recommend of having more vitamin D. Although it is important to have enough vitamin D, but having it through excessive exposure to sun is not the proper way to do it. Getting it through adequate doses of vitamin supplements is ideal. You would find many such vitamin D and calcium supplements in the market.

Top skin care myth #10: Some skin care products are effective for the elimination of cellulite.

It is a fact that cellulite can occur both in case of thin and obese women and it is very stubborn despite massaging and moisturizing the area. Even wearing support hose, mechanical manipulation and suctioning also do not help, apart from the lessening the appearance of cellulite in women. The dimpling is due to the fibrous bands occurring between the fat cells. Anti-oxidants like acai and active ingredients like caffeine are being used of late, but without much success. The cellulite can be camouflaged to certain extent through the use of self-tanners.

How many of these top skin care myths have you heard of? Do share with us if you know of other myths.

Here is a good all-purpose skin care regime for men to follow: cleanse morning and evening with a gentle facial cleanser (no bar soap since it will only dry out skin and lead to problems), use a mild shaving product when shaving, exfoliate areas not shaved or if you don’t shave regularly exfoliate the entire face 1-3 times per week, treat breakouts with a disinfecting product, use sunscreen with SPF of 15 everyday, and use a moisturizer over areas that are dry.

Since shaving facial hair sets men apart from women, the subject should be discussed further. If you suffer from ingrown hairs, razor burn or any other kind of irritating reaction from shaving, I want you to know that this isn’t normal. If you’ve ever wondered why aftershave products sting or even if they should, just remember “pain equals no gain”. Using a razor over your skin scraps the surface of your skin leaving it vulnerable; if you apply a product with an irritating ingredient afterwards, it is going to sting.

If you experience rash like reactions after shaving, most likely it is due to the product being used before, during or after shaving. Many shaving products contain ingredients that may sound nice on the label, but in reality they are very irritating to your skin. Here are some common ingredients put in shaving products that tend to cause problems: alcohol, menthol, camphor and peppermint. If you have products with any of these ingredients and you experience irritation with shaving, I suggest trying something new.

Look for shaving creams, foams or gels that contain emollient ingredients to allow for a moisturized, calm, more soothed skin. Look for aloe, silicone, or allantoin to be listed in the first 5 or so ingredients of a shaving product. On the front of shaving products many times the word “enriched” indicates it may contain skin soothing vitamins and emollient ingredients that will moisturize your skin instead of drying it out. Another important indicator of a potentially non-irritating product is “alcohol free.”

So, to the men who are reading this, remember, “pain equals no gain.” If the shaving product you’ve been using seems to irritate your skin, it is time for you to try something new. For all the ladies, take my advice and pick up some new shaving cream for the man in your life and casually swap it with what he is using now, he’ll thank you for it eventually.

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Many myths are floating around out there about the causes of acne and what can be done about it. The truth of the matter is that these myths only serve to make the acne worse especially for those who are looking for the right treatment for acne. Listed in this article are seven of the most common myths and the reason for their falsehood.

Acne Is For Teens Only

Most of those looking for treatment for acne are in the teens but many adults are suffering from the problem, as well. The degree of severity in adults will vary with each person. Individuals who are over 50 years of age are the ones who will not experience acne as much. Women who are 40 and older are only about five percent likely to have acne. For men forty and older, it is only 1 percent. Teenagers who are looking for a treatment for acne fall in the 75 percent range. Acne is a hereditary problem that can come on as a result of other factors.

Dirty Skin Causes Acne

Having dirty skin will not be the cause of acne but can make it worse for those who are trying to find a treatment for acne. The skin needs to be gently cleansed and patted dry two times a day to reduce oils. Rubbing can cause the skin to be more irritated. The cleansing of the acne prone skin will help to remove the bacteria which causes the breakouts

Sunbathing Will Help Acne Problems

Sunbathing will not improve the circulation or the acne but can make it worse. Not to mention, exposure to the sun can cause skin cancer and wrinkles to appear.

Acne Should Be Left Alone

Acne should never be left alone to run its course. There is too much knowledge available and treatment for acne to suffer from this problem. Acne is simple to clear with the help of a few lifestyle changes and products created to help. If you have tried treatment for acne and it has not helped, the next step is the dermatologist.

Acne Is Curable

Acne cannot be cured in any way. There are some great treatment options to try. Lifestyle changes will help to reduce or take the acne away for longer periods of time.

Makeup Cannot Be Worn

Makeup and cosmetics are fine to wear if you have acne as long as you purchase the water based products. Oil based can clog the pores and aggravate the acne.

Stronger Medication Is Necessary

Benzoyl Peroxide is the most common medication for acne. Stronger medication is not necessary. The proper amount of the benzol peroxide in a product is 2.5 percent and no more. This dose works well for most acne and is the smallest dose that can still be gentle on the skin. The stronger the product, the more chance you have of drying the skin. This means more money to treat the acne and longer times waiting to clear skin. When the acne is clear, continue to use the products to keep it away.

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Why it happens

Body acne is largely caused by genetics, irritation caused by clothing, leftover soap on cloth and incomplete cleansing during a bath. Body acne can be painful since the pores on the body tend to be larger, so the eruptions are large. Besides, their location is such that there is regular contact with another surface which exacerbates the problem. The constant contact with another surface causes the acne to burst and spread to other pores. If you are the sporty type, one reason could be that you have not cleaned the perspiration effectively. This leads to infected pores and acne pustules. Harsh cleansing agents are another cause for acne. You have to adjust your habits to suit your body responses.

What you can do

Body acne responds well to simple habit changes related to cleansing and reduced contact with other material. However, when there is an eruption, you may need to take antibiotics or use topical creams to subdue it. Ensure that you wash the clothes that remain in direct contact with your skin in plain water after soap washing. This is useful in removing any leftover soap and chemicals that remain embedded in them. Ensure that your bed clothes are spotlessly clean. Avoid excessive use of perfumes that further irritate the skin. Use mild soaps and deodorants and avoid the use of creams and lotions on the affected area. Bathe twice a day in the summer season and

What to avoid

Avoid touching the body acne since that can cause it to spread. Avoid situations that allow sweat to remain on your skin for a long period of time. For example, if you have an exercise sessions, ensure that you have a plain water wash all over your body if it is not possible to have a soap bath. Avoid synthetic materials that do not allow your skin to breathe. Identify soaps, talcum powders, perfumes and deodorants that impact your skin and avoid using them. Avoid high fat and high sweet content in your food and stick to fruits and vegetables in their natural form. Avoid the use of steroidal creams on the affected area and opt for acne creams that suit your skin type.

What to know

It helps to know that body acne is a controllable condition and can be managed with simple lifestyle changes. Most changes are related to food, fluid and stress management. Contact a specialist for advice on managing the problem. You must know that this is a common disorder and is not a reason to avoid doing the things that you like. If you are an avid sports person, you will need to incorporate cleaning habits to control the occurrence. If you like to spend time seated in front of the television, make sure that your surrounding surfaces are clean and any cloth that touches your skin is properly washed.

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There are a number of topical and oral products that have proven to be effective in the treatment of acne symptoms. An acne product is intended for preventing the condition, or healing the symptoms. Other types of acne treatment are dedicated to removing the effects of scarring from the lesions. Choosing the best of products in each of these groups relies on doing the research to educate yourself about how the product works and how well it works. The best product for you needs to work with your lifestyle. Look for testimonials from unbiased users of the product as well as information about clinical trials.

Philosophy of Use

Find the best acne product lines by first checking into the philosophy of the product. Is it one of the medications that rely on topical antibiotics or oral antibiotics? Perhaps the product is intended to cleanse the skin. Other products are intended to soothe and heal damaged skin, especially if the problem is the result of acne blemishes. Another major purpose of the product is to help to dry up the sebum or the output from the sebaceous gland. Choose the top product in each category of needed use.

Reputation

In looking for the best acne product for your particular type of acne condition, you should place some importance upon the reputation of the product and of the company that produces it. Reputable companies have quality control mechanisms in place to make certain that only the best ingredients are used in the production of the product. When you are dealing with appearance, it is important that you be able to trust the products you are using on your face, neck and other common locations for acne breakouts. Look for unbiased testimonials about the company and the product. Information about the scientific studies from source material is also helpful in judging how well the product and company is regarded.

Directions for Usage

As with any product, it is important that you follow the directions for use of the acne product, exactly in order to achieve maximum effectiveness. If the product calls for application morning and evening, be certain that you don’t skip an application if you expect it to work correctly. Often, when there is significant improvement in the condition noted, the acne victim will forget to take medication, thinking it doesn’t matter any more because the cure has been achieved. In fact, this can be quite dangerous when taking antibiotics, because the organisms can develop a tolerance for the drug so that it becomes less effective.

Clinical Trials

Choosing the best acne product should also take into consideration the results of any clinical trials on the product that have occurred. If the product is scientifically proven to be helpful in alleviating or preventing the symptoms of acne in others, you can assume it is more likely to work for you as well. These published results help you to know what the side effects if any of the product are likely to be.

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