The skin care market is overly saturated with myriad products that make very large claims due to compelling advertising, hence it may be difficult for the consumer to separate fact from fallacy.
Here are 5 key myths about skin care that I would like to share.
1. Acne can be cured
There is no miracle cure for acne. This is a medical fact, and a difficult thing for most patients to hear. Outbreaks may occur at any age from puberty to menopause, due to hormonal changes, stress, and sometimes with no apparent trigger. Patients may not necessarily outgrow their acne, and even if you have had perfect skin in your teenage years, you can still develop acne later on in life. Commercials for acne products will never tell you that genetics play a large role. But the good news is that acne can be managed. Every individual has a unique skin chemistry, so proper control of acne requires assistance from a dermatologist to prescribe the appropriate treatment.
2. There are treatments to permanently get rid of cellulite
Cellulite, those unslightly dimples on the thighs and buttocks, is a problematic condition for many women, even for skinny ones. The truth is that you can never permanently get rid of cellulite, but you can significantly reduce the cottage cheese appearance of it. There is no cream or lotion that can do this, however with the latest technology available at my clinic, the appearance of cellulite can be greatly improved.
3. Acne scars are permanent
One of the greatest injustices about suffering from acne is that it leaves pockmarks and dark spots on the face and body. Scars need not be permanent. When acne leaves you with hyperpigmented red or dark marks, there are effective topical creams as well as treatments such as vitamin C iontopheresis that can alleviate the condition. However, for deeply indented scars, fractional lasers may help diminish them.
4. Pigmentation can be completely eradicated
Many of the over the counter lightening creams claim to eradicate pigmentation, but this is not possible. Pigmentation depends on many factors like genetic predisposition, hormonal changes and lifestyle choices. Asian women are particularly prone to this problem due to the increased melanin in their skin. The use of laser and light therapy, or deep chemical peels together with the appropriate prescription-based skin care, can cause a lightening effect. Although this problem cannot be completely eradicated, there are ways whereby it can be greatly improved.
5. You can boost your skin’s collagen level by taking collagen supplements
Collagen, the protein which gives the skin its firmness and elasticity, can be found within the dermis (or middle layer) of the skin. It is manufactured by the fibroblasts within the skin. Collagen gets depleted with age and with free radical damage eg from sun exposure or smoking. Therefore, by drinking collagen supplements, the protein ingested will not fuse with your body’s own collagen. Similarly, topical application of collagen and hyaluronic acid can moisturize the skin, but they do not increase the skin’s natural collagen content.
The evidence-based treatments that I use in my office have made me aware of the stark contrast between what people are being sold, and what actually works to alleviate certain skin problems. My goal is to provide safe and effective treatments, and I have been greatly encouraged by my patients’ clinical outcomes.