Myths and facts about skincare
THERE are many schools of thought when it comes to ideas about skincare — we’ve heard that cucumbers help baggy eyes, sweet foods cause breakouts, and a whole host of other notions, some of which have no basis in fact.
Below, Dr Dian Robinson, dermatologist, clarifies some of these beliefs.
Is it OK to pop a pimple?
Dr Robinson said when you pop a pimple you damage the skin, get scars, pigmentation and bacterial infections. “Extracting whiteheads and blackheads should be done by an experienced aesthetician, dermatologist or dermatology nurse,” she said.
Do cucumbers help with bags under the eyes?
According to Dr Robinson, cucumbers will help fatigue and tiredness, but not persistent bags under the eyes. “That is a surgical issue. It may give a temporary relief for small bags and soothe them, but it is not definitive,” she said.
What’s the deal with home-made scrubs?
“You can use home-made scrubs such as cornmeal and oatmeal mixed with honey to exfoliate, but do it gently,” Dr Robinson said. She warned that if you have eczema then you should not be using scrubs of any sort. “Know your skin type. People with very oily skin can exfoliate two to five times per week and those with normal skin can do it once per week, but remember to be gentle.”
Can toothpaste reduce/get rid of pimples?
“No,” Dr Robinson said. She explained that toothpaste will burn the skin and burn away the pimple, and while the bump may go down, it doesn’t mean that it won’t return. “It will go down for a time. The burning from the toothpaste may leave scars and cause hyperpigmentation which may be permanent,” she said.
Will cake soap remove blackheads?
Dr Robinson said cake soap is not a treatment for blackheads. “They will recur. Lots of people use cake soap and swear by it, but it is not advisable as the cake soap does not contain anything to get out blackheads and the harsh whitening chemical may give you burns instead,” she said.
Is oil on skin caused by greasy food?
The dermatologist said oil on the skin comes from the sebaceous glands, and the overproduction of oil is usually genetic or related to hormones stimulated by androgen.
Is hyperpigmentation on the back of the neck dirt?
Dr Robinson explained that this is associated with diabetes and weight gain. “It is not dirt, and it could be a sign of being overweight or being pre-diabetic. Exercise and diet change can help this,” she said.
Do sweet foods cause acne?
“Acne is genetic and hormonal and is caused from the clogging of the pores,” Dr Robinson said. She explained that the skin exfoliates every 28 days, but some people take longer and the dead skin can clog the pores. She also said that the androgen levels affect the oil production, while the oestrogen levels affect the exfoliation process, which form white heads. “It’s how the skin reacts to the hormonal changes in the body,” she said.
Does make-up cause wrinkles?
“Make-up can clog the pores if it isn’t removed properly. Don’t sleep with it on. If the skin is dry, eventually you’ll get fine wrinkles. Cleanse your skin properly and moisturise it before you apply make-up,” Dr Robinson said.
Sunscreen needs on a cloudy day
According to Dr Robinson, the ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun are always around. “You don’t have to be in the sun to get UV exposure, and a small amount of exposure over time is usually what leads to problems in the long run,” she said. “A small amount is needed. Too much can accelerate ageing and lead to cancer.”
Is scrubbing the skin essential for clean skin?
Dr Robinson said scrubbing the skin is not good as it can lead to breakouts and if there is active acne, it can lead to inflammation and bacterial infections.
— Kimberley Hibbert
