We've all heard the standard skin care tips: "Drink more water," "Don't eat chocolate," "Proactiv is the best acne cure." Amid all the advice, it's hard to separate fact from fiction. So, now I'll dispel six common skin care myths to help you get the facts straight.
Myth 1: The higher the SPF, the better.
Fact: While an SPF 30 sunscreen blocks 96 percent of UV rays, an SPF of 15 blocks about 94 percent - just a two percent difference. Regardless of whether you use an SPF 10, 30 or 50, they all wear off within a few hours. Thus, reapplying sunscreen is key.
Myth 2: Scrubbing your face with soap will keep your skin clear and acne free.
Fact: When you scrub your face, you strip away some protective oils and barriers, which can allow bacteria to enter the skin and cause rashes. It's better to use a gentle cleanser followed by a moisturizer at night, or sunscreen in the morning.
Myth 3: You can't get sunburn on a cloudy day.
Fact: The sun's rays reach the earth's surface even if it is cloudy, so you really should apply sunscreen everyday. Also, don't think you're protected just because you're wearing makeup that contains SPF. You have to apply up to 15 times the amount of makeup you normally wear to reach the SPF on the label of your makeup.
Myth 4: When you get a pimple, you should squeeze it to get all the pus out.
Fact: A lot of the pus in a pimple lies deeper in the skin than what you see on the outside, sort of like the tip of an iceberg. When you pop it, you push a lot of that pus deeper into the skin, which is why you often get another pimple close to where the first one was. It's best to let nature take its course and stop popping your pimples. But if you can't resist, do it right: press a warm washcloth on your pimple to soften it. Then, instead of squeezing the pimple together, pull the skin around it apart. If the pimple doesn't pop, it's not ready. Leave it alone and repeat in a few hours. Don't worry, your life as you know it isn't over.
Myth 5: A T-shirt will protect you from the sun.
Fact: Wrong! A standard white T-shirt has an SPF of 5 when dry and about 1 or 2 when wet, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. To increase the SPF in your clothes to 30, wash them with laundry detergent that contains added UV protection.
Myth 6: Getting a base coat at the tanning salon will protect your skin before you take off to your tropical destination.
Fact: I'd like to be frank here: there is absolutely no such thing as a "base tan" or a "base coat." It's true that having more melanin, the pigment found in your skin, will prevent sun damage. But a "base tan" is not the same as having abundant, natural melanin. Plus, multiple studies have shown an association between tanning bed usage and skin cancer and wrinkles. That's bad, bad, bad.
Kira Blair Mayo is a University Medical student. She can be reached at k.mayo@cavalierdaily.com.
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