True or false? We solve your most common questions
By Bri Williams, RN, BSN
We all want to look our best, and the beauty industry is full of information, products, tips and tricks to help us do just that. But what information out there is true, and what is a myth?
Below we break down some common misconceptions and set your beauty record straight.
Botox and filler will make me look unnatural and “done.” False. Botox and filler are wonderful tools for helping you to age gracefully and continue looking like you! But you need to find an aesthetic provider who shares the same vision and approach. The technique used to place the product, the type of product used and the amount of product all plays a role in your outcome. Do your research before choosing a provider. Look at their before and after photos and schedule a consult before treatment to ensure that you are on the same page. When done well, “work” should be undetectable. You should still look like you, only refreshed.
Junk food can cause breakouts. True. High sugar and high fat (particularly hydrogenated fat) diets can increase the body’s sebum production, which then creates inflammatory responses in the body—sometimes in the form of acne. Further, overindulging in junk food can increase your chances of becoming deficient in skin-healthy nutrients found in fruits, vegetables and healthy fats. It is best to keep junk food to a minimum and stick with nutrient-dense foods to help ward off breakouts.
I do not need to wear sunscreen because there is SPF in my foundation. False. The amount of protection provided in your makeup is not enough to protect you from UV damage. According to Dermatologist Leslie Baumann, MD, “You need seven times the normal amount of foundation and 14 times the normal amount of powder to get the sun protection factor on the label.” It is important that you wear a dedicated sunscreen under your makeup. Look for one that is labeled “broad spectrum,” meaning it protects from UVA and UVB damage.
Department store skin care is good because it is expensive. False. The high price tag on department store beauty counter goods can fool you into thinking it is high quality. Big price tag must mean high quality, right? Wrong. While some may be better than drugstore brands, they still do not have to meet criteria set forth by the FDA to prove efficacy. They fall under the category of “cosmetics,” meaning that they are only “considered to make people more attractive.” Medical-grade skin care, on the other hand, falls under the category of “drugs,” meaning that the product has been proven to change the structure or function of the skin. So, when a medical-grade product claims to diminish fine lines for instance, it has been scientifically proven to do just that.
So why the higher price tag with department store brands? Advertising and packaging, whereas medical grade is more expensive because of research, blind clinical trials and FDA approval. Which would you rather pay for?
It is important to do your research when it comes to your health and beauty routine. It is easy to get caught up in mainstream hype, celebrity/influencer advice and big marketing, but look to your professionals for the facts.