We read and hear a lot about our skin, the dangers we should avoid, and treatments we should use. But what statements are true and what should we ignore?
1. Acne only affects teenagers
False. Although more common in teenagers, acne can affect anyone at any age. An article in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science stated, “Recent epidemiological studies show that there appears to be an increase in post-adolescent acne, and that the disease is lasting longer and is requiring treatment well into the mid forties.” There are multiple acne remedies (http://www.skindirect.com/acne.aspx) to treat all sorts of cases from moderate to severe and they come in pill form or topical treatments.
2. Going to a tanning salon is safer than natural tanning from the sun
False. No tanning is safe or good for your skin. The UV rays emitted from tanning beds are stronger and denser than the sun’s natural rays. People tend to think this is a good thing because it allows them to achieve their tan in less time than tanning outdoors. The reality is that your skin is being damaged much more than it would outdoors. You might think that the pink, red, or gray tones you see in your skin when leaving a tanning salon are signs that your skin is getting tanned, but in actuality, it’s a sign that your skin was damaged by the UVA and UVB rays. You should always wear sunscreen with minimum SPF 15 to protect your skin from the risks of these rays, indoors or outdoors.
3. Drinking 8 glasses of water a day will keep your skin hydrated and moist
True and False. Drinking enough water throughout the day will keep your body and the lower layers of your skin hydrated and moist. However, the texture of your epidermis, the outer layer of your skin, does not rely on internal factors. You must keep your skin hydrated on the outside to prevent drying and cracking of the top layer of your skin. You can do this by exfoliating your skin weekly or biweekly to remove dead skin cells and applying a moisturizer or lotion to your skin to protect it from environmental stressors.
