I’m a dermatologist – here are five popular skincare myths you should ignore
A dermatologist has warned about the biggest skincare myths and why you should ignore them.
Lindsey Zubritsky MD, FAAD, is a US-based dermatologist and content creator on TikTok, where she is known as @dermguru.
She provides skin care advice to her 1.1 million followers and specializes in general medical dermatology, surgical dermatology, cosmetics and pediatric dermatology.
In a recent TikTok Seen by 85,000 people in just a few days, she debunked the skincare myths that most people think are true.
She told viewers: 'I'm not sure where these skin care lies started, but as a dermatologist I'm here to set the record straight and reveal the skin care truth' – read on to find out all the myths to discover which you should know to ignore.
Lindsey Zubritsky MD, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist and content creator on TikTok, where she is known as @dermguru
Drinking more water will repair dry skin
The first myth the expert wanted to debunk is that drinking more water can help with dry skin.
She explained: 'Drinking more water won't cure your dry skin.
“Yes, drinking more water is good for overall health, but it won't cure dry skin and it won't cure your acne either.”
However, some people went against the dermatologist's advice, with one user writing: 'I can confirm that drinking more water is helping my dry skin.'
Another said: 'Drinking more water has honestly healed my severely chapped lips. My doctor recommended it.”
London-based aesthetic doctor and surgeon, Dr. Glyn Estebanezadvises: 'It's true that drinking more water won't solve your dry skin problems, but skin is 64% water and to keep it properly hydrated it's important to make sure you drink enough water to keep your skin hydrated. keep body and skin hydrated.
'Dry skin is usually caused by water loss from the outer layer of the skin and can be affected by lifestyle factors such as cold weather and central heating, especially at this time of year.
'For more effective skin hydration and to tackle dry skin in the long term, it is advisable to look at treatments that increase the skin's hydration level.'
In a recent TikTok seen by 85,000 people in just a few days, she debunked the skincare myths that most people think are true
Some example treatments the doctor suggests include Profhilo, which consists of hyaluronic acid that helps bioremodel the skin, “with hydration as one of its benefits.”
He explains: 'It works by stimulating the production of collagen and elastin in the skin, which hydrates the skin and makes it healthier.'
You should use Abreva for cold sores
The dermatologist then advised her followers to stop buying Abreva cream if they have cold sores.
Dr. However, Zubritsky claims that it doesn't actually make much difference.
She told viewers: 'If you have cold sores, use Abreva.
'Studies have shown that Abreva only shortens the time of cold sores by 18 hours compared to regular Vaseline.
“If you want something that really works – Valtrex, that's your girl.”
While not everyone follows the advice, one commenter wrote, “I'm sticking with Abreva. That's what really helped me before anything else.”
Another commented: 'Eighteen hours is a lot when you have a terrible cold sore.'
Dr. Estebanez adds: 'This treatment contains an ingredient called docosanol, which is designed to penetrate the skin and prevent the virus from entering healthy cells.
'It's designed to shorten the lifespan of a cold sore.
'The extent to which this happens varies from person to person, but some report that it helps reduce redness and irritation.'
Abreva has been contacted for comment.
Vitamin E helps with scars
The dermatologist continued, “Next lie, vitamin E for scars. I'm sorry, but studies don't support that this actually works.
London-based aesthetic physician and surgeon, Dr. Glyn Estebanez, gave his opinion on the advice of American dermatologists
“If you want something that really works, save your money on the vitamin E and get silicone and SPF done.”
Although one viewer wrote: 'Vitamin E on my TT scar made it disappear and the surgeon was amazed. (It was recommended by my doctor) Vitamin E definitely works for some of us.”
Dr. Estebanez agrees that there is limited scientific evidence that vitamin E helps with scars.
However, he explained: 'What we do know is that vitamin E is an antioxidant that can help the skin's healing process.
'A more effective treatment for scar reduction can be achieved with Morpheus8.
'This non-surgical treatment combines the benefits of micro-needling and radiofrequency to achieve controlled injury to the skin and deeper subcutaneous layers, stimulating a healing response in the skin.
'This in turn helps the production of new collagen and elastin, which helps scars fade more quickly.'
You don't need SPF
SPF is a must-have in the hot summer months, but can collect dust in the back of your closet during the winter.
The dermatologist emphasizes how important it is, all year round.
She explains: 'This next one really gets to me, people say they don't wear their SPF because they don't go outside.
“People will often say this to me in the clinic and I'll say, how did you get here?
'Did you walk your dog today? Did you receive the mail today? If the answer is yes, you should wear your SPF.
One viewer agreed, saying: 'I'm 51 and have been using sunscreen every day since I was 18, I barely have a line on my face and my hands look so young.'
The London-based doctor agrees that it is 'vital to wear a broad-spectrum SPF of 30 every day, even when indoors'.
Dr. Estebanez said: 'This will help protect against UV rays that can pass through glass, as well as the blue light emitted by computer screens.
'Prolonged exposure to UV can not only cause skin cancer, but can also negatively affect the connective tissue of the skin.
'It can also cause solar elastosis, which results in wrinkling and discoloration. It is therefore important to wear a broad-spectrum SPF with a high factor every day, even if you do not go outside.'
You have to wash yourself with soap everywhere
The final advice from the expert is that you don't need to use as much soap as you are told.
She said, “Lastly, I know you're going to drag me into the comments for this, but you don't have to wash yourself with soap everywhere.
'If you're super dry or have eczema, you can reserve soap for just the dirty spots on your body – save it for the pits, genitals and piggies.'
Dr. Estebanez agrees that washing with soap can lead to skin problems.
He explains: 'Soap works by removing oil from the skin and thus affects the skin's natural pH and natural microbiome.
'For some people this can cause dryness and irritation and worsen skin conditions such as acne and eczema.
'It is not necessary to use soap everywhere, or even every day. Instead of soaps that are often harshest on the skin, choose a body wash that is closer to the skin's natural pH value and therefore has less influence on the skin's natural oils and pH value.'
Viewers thanked the expert for the advice, with one person writing: 'Yes, this is the evidence-based medicine for me!'.
Others added: 'Advice from the highest level!' and 'agree!'.