In the ever-evolving landscape of skincare, myths often overshadow facts, leading to confusion and potential harm. From old wives’ tales to straight-up unrealistic information spread on social media, it’s crucial to separate fiction from reality. In this article, Dr Alek Nikolic addresses some of the most common skincare myths and provides us with the facts to guide you towards healthier skin.
Myth 1: Skincare products work immediately
There are many new and exciting discoveries being developed with super ingredients and formulas by the beauty and skincare industry. Still, none are going to make much of a difference unless you commit. It can take weeks to months to see noticeable results from skincare products.
Consistency is key, and it’s important to give products enough time to work before expecting significant changes. Good skin requires an investment of time and commitment, allowing your chosen skincare products the necessary time to work for you.
Myth 2: Clean beauty is always better
Many have embraced the rise of “clean beauty”. These are products formulated without harmful chemicals and focus instead on natural, safe, and eco-friendly ingredients. Skincare is subjective – what works for your skin might not work for someone else. With that being said, there are no products that are inherently “better” for you than others.
It is important to focus on what your skin needs. You might discover that your skin requires ingredients like retinol and vitamin C instead of “clean” ingredients such as argan oil and shea butter. The efficacy of a skincare product depends on its formulation and the specific needs of your skin.
Myth 3: Higher SPF provides all-day protection
You are prone to sun damage no matter the season. UVA rays are present even on cloudy days. Wearing an SPF of 30+ is a year-round commitment to protect your skin daily from harsh environmental factors.
While a higher SPF sunscreen provides more protection against UVB rays, no sunscreen can provide all-day protection with a single application. The effectiveness of sunscreen depends on proper application and reapplication.
Myth 4: Face exercises will reduce wrinkles
We have all come across videos on social media claiming that facial exercises will reduce your wrinkles and give you the jawline of your dreams. While facial exercises have been proven to improve muscle tone and skin elasticity, they are not a one-stop solution for ageing prevention.
Ageing involves various factors, ranging from collagen loss to environmental influences. To address wrinkles more precisely, you need to incorporate a well-rounded skincare routine with anti-ageing products, consider adding aesthetic medical treatments when needed, and maintain a healthy lifestyle that includes hydrating products and, most importantly, sun protection.
Myth 5: Hormonal changes only affect women’s skin
The reality is that hormonal changes affect both men and women, significantly impacting skin health. Testosterone, a hormone found in both males and females, can trigger the sebaceous glands to produce more oil, which may cause acne. Although women are likely to develop more obvious skin changes during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, or menopause, men are not exempt from the impacts that hormonal variations have on their skin.
Myth 6: Acne is a sign of poor personal hygiene
The misconception that acne is caused by poor hygiene is also a major one. Acne is not due to dirt or not washing your face thoroughly enough. In fact, too much washing or using strong cleansers can irritate the skin and even promote acne.
No matter what type of acne you’re dealing with, pimples of all types have the same starting point – a blockage of the hair follicle. Breakouts occur when excess oil and dead skin cells clog the pores, leading to the growth of zit-forming bacteria.
While there’s a genetic link to your chances of developing acne, certain triggers may exacerbate blemish-prone skin, such as not getting enough sleep, eating the wrong foods, stress, and using the wrong ingredients in your skincare products.
Myth 7: The right products can shrink your pores
Many products on the market claim that they can make your pores smaller. This is, however, not possible, as the size of your pores is linked to your genetics. Unfortunately, the size of your pores can’t be permanently changed, but exfoliation and in-office extractions can make them look smaller temporarily since they are not clogged.
In conclusion
In your skincare journey, it is important to distinguish the difference between facts and myths. By understanding the truth behind common misconceptions, we can do a better job caring for our skin while achieving healthier and more radiant complexions.
MBBCh (WITS) ATLS (ACS) MBA (UCT)
Dr Alek Nikolic is a doctor with a special interest in aesthetic medicine and is at the forefront of the latest developments in his field. With a focus on skin care, skin ingredients, and cosmetic dermatology treatments such as lasers, chemical peels, Botulinum toxin, and Dermal Fillers, he has performed over 20 000 procedures to date and is responsible for training many medical practitioners both locally and internationally. After receiving his MBBCh from the University of the Witwatersrand (1992) he went on to do an MBA at the University of Cape Town (2000). With over 24 years in private practice, he has lectured and performed live demonstrations across the globe, including Bangkok, Rome, Paris, Monte Carlo, Prague, and Warsaw. Some of his accolades include: Owner of Aesthetic Facial Enhancement, Owner of online skincare store SkinMiles.com, Owner and formulator of Skin Ingredients (sk.in): www.skiningredients.com, Founding member of the South African Allergan Medical Aesthetic Academy, Advisor to Allergan Local Country Mentor in Facial Aesthetics, EXCO Member of the Aesthetic and Anti-Aging Medicine Society of South Africa (AAMSSA), and is an Associate Member of the American Society of Laser Medicine and Surgery (ASLMS).
- Dr Alek Nikolichttps://www.aestheticappointment.co.za/author/dr-alek-nikolic
- Dr Alek Nikolichttps://www.aestheticappointment.co.za/author/dr-alek-nikolic
- Dr Alek Nikolichttps://www.aestheticappointment.co.za/author/dr-alek-nikolic
- Dr Alek Nikolichttps://www.aestheticappointment.co.za/author/dr-alek-nikolic
