BEAUTY MYTHS YOU NEED TO STOP BELIEVING NOW
We hear several grooming tips from our mothers, friends and find them online but how many are actually true? Dr Kiran Lohia decodes 5 common beauty myths.
MYTH: Toothpaste helps remove pimples
FACT: No, it does not. It is true that the mint in it does dry the pimple out, but a pimple that is already broken is only worsened with its use. “Modern paste will more likely burn your skin than help get rid of the zit. The mint present in it has almost no benefit,” says Dr Lohia.
MYTH: You should never put oil on oily skin
FACT: The most common beauty sin we make is to compromise on using moisturisers and oils on our skin if it’s already oily thinking it will look greasy or cause breakouts. “We tend to over-dry our skin and paradoxically create over secretion of sebaceous glands trying to compensate for the desert our skin has become. Oil is healthy,” she says.
MYTH: Applying Vaseline on your face prevents ageing
FACT: False. “Vaseline is the most effective moisturiser in the world. It has a 100% transepidermal water loss rate, meaning it forms a perfect barrier and doesn’t let any moisture out,” tells Dr Lohia. Adding moisture to the skin only makes the lines on the face look lighter. So, Vaseline does not serve as an anti-ageing cream.
MYTH: Stretch marks can be eradicated using cocoa butter
FACT: Not really. Stretch marks are caused when the skin expands, usually when you gain a lot of weight, especially during pregnancy. This is a result of the breaking of the elastin fibres that support the skin. The problem that occurs is that stretch marks are formed under the upper layer of the skin, an area where cocoa butter or any other cream is impossible to reach. “But they can be prevented somewhat through the boost in elasticity that the heavy moisturisation this butter provides. So, stretch marks cannot be treated with cocoa butter,” adds Dr Lohia.
MYTH: Cellulite can be reduced using creams
FACT: The lumpy texture under your skin is caused due to fat deposits between fibrous bands. “While cellulite cannot be reduced by creams, it can be reduced through treatments such as Ulthera, Ultralift, Accent Ultra and resculpt nir, which boost collagen synthesis so the lattice network of the skin gets stronger and pushes the fat back into the compartment it belongs to,” Dr Lohia suggests.
Dr Kiran Lohia is renowned as the top skin specialist in Delhi. She has the distinction of being one of the few physicians worldwide with both Cosmetic Formulation and Dermatology degrees, making her a worldwide expert on skin care products and their topical applications. Follow her on Facebook , Twitter , Instagram and website.
