Skin Health: False Myths And Truths

Some misconceptions about skin care can compromise our health. Added to this is that we often ignore crucial habits to protect it. Would you like to know more? Skin health is a topic that only sometimes gets the attention it deserves. Although it is one of the body’s most important and extensive organs, we sometimes tend to forget about it. Furthermore, most of us take care of it for purely aesthetic reasons.

But beyond this, the skin has the task of protecting the body from external agents. It acts as a barrier against changes in temperature, air, bacteria, and so on. Skin conditions can also reflect abnormalities affecting other parts of the body. Did you know that specific cancers — such as those affecting the lungs — can trigger hives?

Indeed, many systemic disorders manifest themselves in the early stages through this symptom. Moreover, the skin allows us to experience the sense of touch, which affects our appearance, sexuality and self-esteem. For this reason, in this article, we will explain the commonplaces and the truths about skin health, leaning on the comprehensive studies found on Dr. Berg’s blog.

Does Hydration Affect Skin Health?

This is a reality. Drinking water is necessary to ensure the functioning of our entire body and keep the skin hydrated and firm. However, it is not true that you need to drink 2 liters of water a day to keep your skin healthy. Although drinking between 1.5 and 2 liters of water per day is recommended, this is an average. The water you need varies based on several factors.

Physical activity, environmental temperature or the type of diet can increase our need for water. Furthermore, the water we drink does not directly affect the state of the skin.

Also Read: Anti-Acne Diet: What To Eat And What To Avoid To Improve Skin Health

Does The Sun Cure Acne?

This cliché is widespread. Most people think that sunbathing improves acne. However, that’s not the case. First, you must know that most of the medical treatments applied for acne have photosensitivity. This means that if you take acne medicine, exposure to the sun can cause a skin reaction. Furthermore, if you do it without sunscreen, you could burn yourself. This will make your acne even worse. On the other hand, sunbathing will make the marks even more visible if you have recent pimple scars. Avoid the strongest hours of sunshine and apply adequate sunscreen.

Does The Skin Renew Itself Regularly?

This is true. The skin is an organ with its renewal cycle. The cells of the deepest layer regenerate continuously. From there, they travel to the epidermis (the topmost layer of skin) and replace old cells. However, with age, this pace slows down. Sun exposure, insomnia and poor diet also influence this.

Skin Health And Exfoliation

Many women think that exfoliating the legs or buttocks can help eliminate cellulite. Cellulite is an accumulation of fat in the deeper layers of the skin. With exfoliation, we stimulate the topmost layer. For this reason, thinking that exfoliating the buttocks or thighs will eliminate cellulite is just a false myth. To mitigate it, you must maintain a balanced diet and regular physical activity. Consult your doctor or a personal trainer if you want to achieve this.

Does Stress Affect Skin Health?

This is true. As explained in a study published in Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, continued exposure to stress damages skin health and overall well-being. It has been observed that this factor influences some dermatological alterations and diseases. Psoriasis, for example, is a chronic skin disease characterized by the appearance of red spots with whitish scales. It can manifest as pain and itching in the affected areas. It also gets noticeably worse with stress. Another example is alopecia areata. It is an autoimmune disease whereby the immune system causes hair loss in certain areas.

Conclusions On Skin Health

These examples demonstrate that not everything we hear or think about the skin is true. Consequently, you should consult your trusted doctor in case of doubts and problems. Taking care of the skin’s health and the whole body is also possible with a few simple tricks. Keeping yourself hydrated and resting properly improves the functioning of your body. Finally, we already know that sun exposure between 12 and 14 can harm our skin and pose a risk to our health. The idea is always to apply sunscreen suitable for your skin type. Remember to prioritize your well-being!

Also Read: Your Skin Reveals A Lot About Your Diet And Overall Health