If you're losing collagen in your skin, you can add it back with a cream?
The correct answer: False
There is no way that using a collagen cream can replace the collagen in your skin -- though many cosmetic companies would like us to believe otherwise. Collagen, a protein found in the deep layers of the skin, gives babies' cheeks that plump, pillow-y volume. It's the key to firm, youthful skin but topically applied collagen molecules are just too large to penetrate the skin's surface, explains Brentwood, Calif.-based cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Jessica Wu. Since our cells become less adept at producing collagen with age, protect what you've got by avoiding all collagen "degraders" like the sun's rays, cigarette smoke (even secondhand), pollution and stress. Wu also suggests considering collagen-stimulating treatments like non-ablative lasers, derm-administered chemical peels, Retin-A, prescription-level AHAs (over 30 percent) or Restylane injections (which offer an immediate volume boost and, research shows, stimulate your own collagen production over time).
Blackheads are a buildup of dirt in the pores.
The correct answer:False
Washing your face regularly (which we know you do) would prevent blackheads if this were true. Blackheads are actually caused by oil and sloughed-off skin cells getting trapped in the follicle on the way to the skin's surface, explains Dr. Kenneth Beer, a dermatologist in Palm Beach, Fla. This combo forms a plug that visibly fills the pore and appears dark in color. If you're prone to getting blackheads, use a salicylic acid cleanser or, if they're really problematic, use Retin-A regularly.
Eye drops always make your eyes look brighter.
The correct answer:False
Most of the time, redness-relieving eye drops have a bright side -- but we can't say always if you overuse them. It sounds counterintuitive but this is why: With redness relievers like Visine, a vasoconstricting ingredient (usually tetrahydrazoline) contricts blood vessels and shrinks them so eyes once again look white, not red. However, if you're constantly using eye drops to get a whitening boost even when you may not really need it, you can over-constrict these delicate blood vessels, irritate them and eventually experience rebound redness, explains Dr. Ava Shamban, a Santa Monica, Calif.-based dermatologist.
Toothpaste isn't a safe way to get rid of a pimple.
The correct answer:True
Derms agree across the board that this tip should be filed under "Department of Very Bad Ideas." While toothpaste is helpful in drying out a zit, the fluoride in it can actually burn your skin. There are better OTC options for zapping a zit without the potential burn. For a much safer paste that will help resolve a whitehead, try the home remedy of mixing a little cornstarch and water and dabbing it on overnight, says New York City dermatologist Dr. Francesca J. Fusco.
Nothing you eat can really improve cellulite
The correct answer:False
Irony of ironies -- you actually can smooth out bumpy thighs with food. "Cellulite is at least partially genetic, so you can't completely eradicate it, but ingesting foods that strengthen blood vessels, collagen and elastin fibers has been shown to improve the appearance of cellulite, says dermatologist Dr. Howard Murad, author of "The Cellulite Solution." The goal is to consistently eat a diet rich in cellulite-smoothing foods like goji berries (which are loaded with trace minerals, beta carotene and antioxidants), eggs and soy (because they're full of cell-repairing lecithin) and walnuts, coldwater fish and olive oil (rich in Omega 3s and other essential fatty acids).
Tanning beds are less damaging than the sun because they only emit "tanning" rays.
The correct answer:False
It's shocking how many people still believe this one. It doesn't help that tanning salons prey on the public's desire to look bronzed by advertising "safe" tanning that "blocks burning UVB rays." What you're exposed to, however, are large amounts of aging UVA rays which lead to wrinkles, spots and possibly skin cancer, warns Brentwood, Calif.-based cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Jessica Wu. If you want to get glowing without doing damage to your skin, go faux. Self tanner is a safer alternative.
A cream can't get rid of most dark circles
The correct answer:True
Blame your family for eye baggage, not a "faulty" eye cream. For many people, genetics are the culprit. You might have thin skin around your eyes, so the blood vessels underneath show through the skin. And you can't really change your DNA with a tube of "miracle" eye cream. But if your dark circles are the result of dark pigment cells, topical lightening creams (containing hydroquinone, kojic acid, glucosamine or glycolic acid) might work, says New York City dermatologist Dr. Francesca J. Fusco.
Oil is the best moisturizer for dry skin
The correct answer:False
One of the most common causes of dry skin is under-exfoliating; if you don't get rid of the dead skin cells on top, they just sit there in all their dry, ashy glory. If you slather a bunch of oil on top of dry skin, it doesn't do much good because oil can't penetrate dead skin, and might actually clog pores and cause other problems. The best treatment for dry skin is to first exfoliate, then use a moisturizer containing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which draws water in, and evening primrose oil, which prevents water loss, says dermatologist Dr. Howard Murad.
Shaving makes your hair grow back thicker.
The correct answer:False
"Shaving does not affect the thickness of your hair," says New York City dermatologist Dr. Francesca J. Fusco. "That's determined by genetics and what's happening in the follicles deep beneath your skin." But, since the razor cuts the hair at skin level, making it more blunt, re-growth can look more obvious and feel coarser to the touch.
The correct answer: False
There is no way that using a collagen cream can replace the collagen in your skin -- though many cosmetic companies would like us to believe otherwise. Collagen, a protein found in the deep layers of the skin, gives babies' cheeks that plump, pillow-y volume. It's the key to firm, youthful skin but topically applied collagen molecules are just too large to penetrate the skin's surface, explains Brentwood, Calif.-based cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Jessica Wu. Since our cells become less adept at producing collagen with age, protect what you've got by avoiding all collagen "degraders" like the sun's rays, cigarette smoke (even secondhand), pollution and stress. Wu also suggests considering collagen-stimulating treatments like non-ablative lasers, derm-administered chemical peels, Retin-A, prescription-level AHAs (over 30 percent) or Restylane injections (which offer an immediate volume boost and, research shows, stimulate your own collagen production over time).
Blackheads are a buildup of dirt in the pores.
The correct answer:False
Washing your face regularly (which we know you do) would prevent blackheads if this were true. Blackheads are actually caused by oil and sloughed-off skin cells getting trapped in the follicle on the way to the skin's surface, explains Dr. Kenneth Beer, a dermatologist in Palm Beach, Fla. This combo forms a plug that visibly fills the pore and appears dark in color. If you're prone to getting blackheads, use a salicylic acid cleanser or, if they're really problematic, use Retin-A regularly.
Eye drops always make your eyes look brighter.
The correct answer:False
Most of the time, redness-relieving eye drops have a bright side -- but we can't say always if you overuse them. It sounds counterintuitive but this is why: With redness relievers like Visine, a vasoconstricting ingredient (usually tetrahydrazoline) contricts blood vessels and shrinks them so eyes once again look white, not red. However, if you're constantly using eye drops to get a whitening boost even when you may not really need it, you can over-constrict these delicate blood vessels, irritate them and eventually experience rebound redness, explains Dr. Ava Shamban, a Santa Monica, Calif.-based dermatologist.
Toothpaste isn't a safe way to get rid of a pimple.
The correct answer:True
Derms agree across the board that this tip should be filed under "Department of Very Bad Ideas." While toothpaste is helpful in drying out a zit, the fluoride in it can actually burn your skin. There are better OTC options for zapping a zit without the potential burn. For a much safer paste that will help resolve a whitehead, try the home remedy of mixing a little cornstarch and water and dabbing it on overnight, says New York City dermatologist Dr. Francesca J. Fusco.
Nothing you eat can really improve cellulite
The correct answer:False
Irony of ironies -- you actually can smooth out bumpy thighs with food. "Cellulite is at least partially genetic, so you can't completely eradicate it, but ingesting foods that strengthen blood vessels, collagen and elastin fibers has been shown to improve the appearance of cellulite, says dermatologist Dr. Howard Murad, author of "The Cellulite Solution." The goal is to consistently eat a diet rich in cellulite-smoothing foods like goji berries (which are loaded with trace minerals, beta carotene and antioxidants), eggs and soy (because they're full of cell-repairing lecithin) and walnuts, coldwater fish and olive oil (rich in Omega 3s and other essential fatty acids).
Tanning beds are less damaging than the sun because they only emit "tanning" rays.
The correct answer:False
It's shocking how many people still believe this one. It doesn't help that tanning salons prey on the public's desire to look bronzed by advertising "safe" tanning that "blocks burning UVB rays." What you're exposed to, however, are large amounts of aging UVA rays which lead to wrinkles, spots and possibly skin cancer, warns Brentwood, Calif.-based cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Jessica Wu. If you want to get glowing without doing damage to your skin, go faux. Self tanner is a safer alternative.
A cream can't get rid of most dark circles
The correct answer:True
Blame your family for eye baggage, not a "faulty" eye cream. For many people, genetics are the culprit. You might have thin skin around your eyes, so the blood vessels underneath show through the skin. And you can't really change your DNA with a tube of "miracle" eye cream. But if your dark circles are the result of dark pigment cells, topical lightening creams (containing hydroquinone, kojic acid, glucosamine or glycolic acid) might work, says New York City dermatologist Dr. Francesca J. Fusco.
Oil is the best moisturizer for dry skin
The correct answer:False
One of the most common causes of dry skin is under-exfoliating; if you don't get rid of the dead skin cells on top, they just sit there in all their dry, ashy glory. If you slather a bunch of oil on top of dry skin, it doesn't do much good because oil can't penetrate dead skin, and might actually clog pores and cause other problems. The best treatment for dry skin is to first exfoliate, then use a moisturizer containing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which draws water in, and evening primrose oil, which prevents water loss, says dermatologist Dr. Howard Murad.
Shaving makes your hair grow back thicker.
The correct answer:False
"Shaving does not affect the thickness of your hair," says New York City dermatologist Dr. Francesca J. Fusco. "That's determined by genetics and what's happening in the follicles deep beneath your skin." But, since the razor cuts the hair at skin level, making it more blunt, re-growth can look more obvious and feel coarser to the touch.