Everyone’s grandmother, aunt, or second cousin twice-removed has claimed to have found the secret to long-lasting beauty.
And I mean everyone.
Whether it’s something simple, like lathering your body in olive oil (I’m pretty sure that’s Jennifer Lopez’s “secret”), or a bit more elaborate, like spending hundreds of dollars on fancy treatments, it’s hard to keep track of what works and what doesn’t.
So, before you go spend your entire paycheck on some potential beauty hack, here are a handful of beauty myths you need to stop believing in:
Wear Sunscreen 24/7
We’ve already discussed anti-aging myths you need to retire, but this one bears repeating — please wear sunscreen all year long.
No, sunscreen is not just something you should put on when you go on vacation or spend an afternoon at the pool in the summer. It is something you should incorporate into your skincare routine all year long, no matter what.
One of the easiest and least expensive ways to protect your skin and keep it looking youthful is to be religious about your sunscreen use. Your future self will thank you!
Toothpaste Shouldn’t Go on Pimples
I cannot tell you the number of times I lathered toothpaste on my face as a teenager, hoping it would get rid of my pimples. Unfortunately for me, toothpaste is not meant for the skin.
Though every teenager in the movies tried the toothpaste trick, the truth is it doesn’t really work. In fact, toothpaste contains harsh sulfates that can actually be very harmful to the skin.
Bottom line, don’t put anything on your face that is not meant to go on your face.
Trim Your Hair, But Not to Make It Grow Longer
I’m sorry to say this, but trimming your hair will not make it grow longer faster. While getting routine trims will make your hair look healthier and fuller, it’s not going to magically help you grow an extra 10 inches in five months.
Unfortunately, like most things in life, it just takes good old-fashioned time to make your hair grow.
Shaving Will Not Make Your Hair Grow Back Thicker
Though it may seem like your hair grows back thicker after shaving, I promise it doesn’t! It’s all just one big illusion.
With dermaplaning becoming a big skincare trend (a cosmetic procedure that shaves away dead skin), many have become worried it’ll cause the peach fuzz on their face to grow back faster.
But fear not, my friends. Dermaplane away!
Pore Strips Will Remove Blackheads
I know it’s satisfying to use pore strips to remove your blackheads, but it’s not really removing the blackheads.
All pore strips really do is remove the top layer of the blackhead, while the remains are still under your skin. So, while it may look like you got the removed, they’ll just pop up again a couple of days later.
So, if you really want to remove your blackheads, I suggest going to a trained esthetician. They know how to properly treat your skin and won’t damage your pores in the process.
