The skin is the largest human organ and needs special care. Many myths about human skin are widespread in society, for example, some people believe that in order to maintain their health, it is necessary to drink at least two liters of water a day. But is it so or not? Professor of Molecular Genetic Dermatology Sarah Brown has selected some of the most common myths about the skin and explained which one is true and which is fiction.
The article was published in The Conversation magazine. As you can see, some of the facts widespread among the people turned out to be true, but some of them may surprise you, because they are far from the truth.
1. The skin is constantly renewed
True. The skin is a dynamic barrier between the inside of the body and the outside world. The main cells of the epidermis of human skin, keratinocytes, are constantly dividing, and old skin cells are shed over time and replaced by new ones.
2. Two liters of water a day provides healthy skin
False. The amount of water drunk per day does not affect the condition of the skin. There is no specific amount of water required to maintain good skin condition - it all depends on how much fluid the body loses. Therefore, for skin health, it is essential to drink water whenever you feel thirsty.
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3. Stress can ruin skin health
True. Stress is the cause of many diseases, including skin problems. Studies have shown that difficult life situations can lead to psoriasis, eczema and other dermatological diseases. It is believed that this is a consequence of the active production of stress hormones, in particular, cortisol.
4. Acne appears due to chocolate
False. Chocolate contains a lot of fat, which, of course, does not benefit the body. But chocolate has nothing to do with acne - most often they arise due to the immune response of the skin to clogged pores. Also, the causes of acne can be hormonal effects on the sebaceous glands and an abundance of microbes on the skin.
5. Washing powder causes eczema
False. The substances contained in washing powders can aggravate the disease, but not cause it to occur. They can irritate sensitive skin or cause dryness, which is why dermatologists recommend always wearing gloves.
6. White marks on the nails indicate calcium deficiency
False. Calcium is undoubtedly important for nail health, but white markings are not due to a lack of calcium. The fact is that the nails begin to grow in the area under the upper edge of the nail, and if this area is damaged, air can accumulate in this place. It is he who is the cause of the appearance of white marks.
7. The sun is good for the skin
Both true and false. The sun emits different types of waves, and they affect the skin in different ways. For example, when exposed to UVB rays, the body produces vitamin D, which is essential for healthy bones. By using different rays, dermatologists can treat different conditions, but you need to be careful with them. Excessive exposure to ultraviolet rays can even cause cancer, so wearing T-shirts, hats, and other protective clothing is essential on sunny days.
What you can be completely sure of is that the skin must be constantly cleansed of dirt. At the same time, it is important not to be zealous with detergents so as not to remove all moisture and provoke dryness. If the skin is prone to acne, do not use oily creams, but use water-based analogs.
Ramis Ganiev