Beauty Myths Debunked (Part II)
Myth 10: Applying cocoa butter or olive oil will stop stretch marks.
Sadly, this isn't true. Stretch marks occur when skin expands quickly (as in pregnancy), breaking the collagen and elastin fibers that normally support it. Or they're simply luck of the genetic draw. "Stretch marks are formed below the top layer of skin, where the cocoa butter and olive oil can't reach," says McBurney. The most either can do is quell the itching that occurs when skin expands.
Myth 11: Brushing your hair 100 strokes a day will make it shine.
Marcia Brady, it turns out, was overzealous in her beauty routine. "One hundred strokes is too much," said Christopher Mackin, a trichologist (someone who studies hair). "You'll do more damage than good." Hair will break if you tug on it too much. However, gentle brushing -- a few strokes here and there -- will make hair shine by distributing the natural oils from the scalp down the hair shafts and flattening the cuticles to make them reflect more light. More significant, light brushing removes impurities and stimulates blood flow to the scalp, which nourishes hair follicles and keeps them healthy.
Myth 12: Tanning or dotting on toothpaste can help get rid of pimples.
True to both, but don't run for the tanning booth or apply a Colgate face mask. While some sun exposure may help pimples get better temporarily, you can experience a rebound effect. Plus, sun exposure can lead to bigger problems, such as premature aging and skin cancer. As for toothpaste, it often contains menthol, which can help dry out a pimple. Other common toothpaste ingredients can irritate the skin. And there are much better over-the-counter options than toothpaste.
Myth 13: Sleeping on your back or with a satin pillow will help your face stay wrinkle-free.
That's a big exaggeration with a little truth behind it. As you age, the collagen and elastin fibers in your skin break down, so when you burrow your face into a pillow, putting pressure on these fibers for several hours at a time, the skin is increasingly less likely to snap back. If you have a pattern of sleeping on one side, that side of your face will typically show more wrinkling than the other. Learning to sleep on your back can help your skin a bit, but you'd fare much better wearing a good sunscreen.
Myth 14: Rinsing your hair with beer will make it thicker.
A final rinse of beer at the end of your shower will leave you with more voluminous strands. "The beer builds up the circumference of the shafts," says Philip Berkovitz, founder of Philip B. hair products. One caveat: You may smell like a frat house until the scent dissipates. Instead, try a thickening shampoo with hops, such as Aussie Shampoo Real Volume.
Myth 15: Applying mayonnaise to your hair will make it glossier.
Mayo is made with an oil base, and it makes hair shine. But to avoid a mess, try this method: Apply a cup of mayonnaise mixed with a teaspoon of vanilla extract (to cut the mayonnaise scent) to dry, unwashed hair. Cover your head with a warm towel to help the mayonnaise penetrate, and leave it on for 20 minutes. Before you step into the shower, apply a heaping handful of shampoo to your hair. Don't add any water yet; just massage it in thoroughly for several minutes. That will help break down the excess oil. Rinse with cool water in the shower and your hair will come out shiny and silky.
Myth 16: Never pluck a gray hair, because 10 more will grow in its place.
This is false. If anything, ripping a hair out by its root leads to regrowth that refuses to lie flat. Your best bet for conquering gray? See a colorist.
Myth 17: Hair grows faster in summer than in winter.
Although studies have shown that men's beards grow faster in summer, there is no evidence to suggest that the hair on your head does. Many women say they can tell it grows faster then, but if so, the difference is slight and barely detectable, according to McBurney. The only time women's hair has been proven to grow faster is during pregnancy, thanks to increased hormones.
Myth 18: Drinking water keeps your skin from drying out.
What keeps skin moist is oil, not water. Certainly, drinking water helps vital organs operate properly, and too little water in your body can give you a wan appearance. But your skin can still look dry even if you drink eight glasses a day.
This story, written by Rebecca Sample Gerstung, originally appeared in Real Simple.
