Skincare Myths on the Internet Debunked by Skincare Expert – Dr. Megha Chaturvedi
Thanks to the internet & old wives’ tales, there are ‘n’ numbers of skincare advice being thrown around—and not all of it is good. In fact, some of this ‘advice’ can really be harmful to your skin & health. With the help of Dr. Megha Chaturvedi (BAMS), a skincare expert at Dr. Health, I investigated five common skin care claims to see exactly why they don’t hold up. Continue to read this article, and see what I found out below, plus, get recommendations for what you should be doing instead.
Everyone wants to feel beautiful with the skin they’re in. So, to take care of your skin, you purchase a bunch of products, listen to advice on the internet or from friends & family, and think you’re set. But unfortunately, it is not always as simple as that.
Today, my blog is all set & prepared to bust some very popular myths on the internet. I asked Dr. Megha Chaturvedi, consultant skincare expert at Dr. Health, to clear up the truth behind these common beauty fables… So without further ado, let’s start with. Here are a few skincare myths you don’t want to be fooled by.
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Myth #1:Not Washing your Face Causes Acne & Breakouts
Fact: By stating this, I am not upholding unhygienic practices. Hygiene is critical to each individual’s overall health & also plays an important role in skincare. Dr. Megha Chaturvedi says, “Hygiene doesn’t play a vital role in the development of Acne. Acne involves oil production, bacteria, clogged pores, & inflammation, with hormones & stress playing a significant role and diet (to a lesser extent) for some individuals.” Not washing your face might not be a great idea when it comes to managing breakouts & Acne, but it is not the definitive cause that leads to them.
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Myth #2: Higher the SPF, the Better the Sun Protection
Fact: Believe it or not, but this is a myth that most of us have fallen for while shopping for sunscreen. Most of the individuals are under the impression that if SPF is higher, the sunscreen will provide better sun protection & prevent them from tanning. However, SPF (Sun Protection Factor) works inversely – above a higher SPF barely has any benefits over a lower SPF. An SPF 30 blocks 97% UV rays, whereas SPF 50 blocks 98% UV rays. Dr. Megha says, “SPF 30 is more than sufficient for everyday use, and anything higher than this is just a marketing gimmick and an unnecessary feed for your skin.”
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Myth #3: You’ll Age Faster if you Wear Makeup Regularly
Fact: Makeup is a women’s best friend, but is it true that makeup can turn into an enemy which causes premature aging? Honestly speaking, this is a myth that I was eager to bust. With a good skincare routine, there is nothing on this planet that can make you age faster. Dr. Megha Chaturvedi says, “one needs to ensure that they are using good quality products & then removing them all before they call it for the day. And, these two things will go a very long way.”
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Myth #4: Dark Circles are a Sign you’re Tired.
Fact: Dark circles are often considered the universal sign of being tired. While a lack of sleep can cause dark circles under your eyes, it’s not the only possible cause. “Discoloration around the eyes occurs when blood & fluids are not circulating efficiently”, points out Dr. Megha Chaturvedi. She also says, “you might be wondering why you have dark circles if you are not tired. A variety of factors can cause you to look tired & worn down.”
Yes, a lack of sleep can definitely exacerbate the issue, but it is not the only cause. It could mean that you have a lack of iron or are not getting enough oxygen, she adds. Not to mention, dark circles also become much more prominent the thinner the skin is, and that naturally occurs with age.
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Myth #5: Only Teenagers can Get Acne & Pimples
Fact: As teenagers, we are often told that we will eventually outgrow Acne as we grow up. Though it is true that teenagers get Acne as they go through puberty & have fluctuating levels of hormones, they are not the only ones who can get it. But, Dr. Megha Chaturvedi (BAMS) claims, “Acne can occur at any point in our lives, including adulthood. While pregnancy & menopause are the common culprits of Acne & pimples, poor lifestyle habits, inadequate water intake, irregular eating habits, pollution, etc., can cause it too.”
Unfortunately, acne triggers are not age-dependent but can be managed using herbal Ayurvedic treatment & skincare remedies. Basic habits like cleansing twice a day, following the basic skincare routine, always taking off your makeup at night, and eating well can go a long way in achieving clearer & better-nourished skin, she says.
Words from Dr. Megha Chaturvedi
Stay away from these skincare myths and follow the right advice. At the end of the day, there is a lot of information out there that might not be true. In fact, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably isn’t. Plus, there are so many people out there who either claim to be experts or find skincare hacks that they think are game-changers but aren’t doing your skin any favors.
Now, it’s time to put your knowledge up & put together a skincare routine that can help keep your complexion in tip-top shape.
Written By: KANIKA GIRDHAR
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