Truth or Myth? Melanomas cannot occur in areas of skin not exposed to the sun.
It is true that excessive sun exposure, especially multiple sunburns, can cause melanoma. In addition, there is a genetic component to melanoma development, and melanomas can occur on ANY are of the skin. It is recommended that you do regular self-skin checks to look for any changes in your moles. A yearly skin check with your dermatologist is also advised.
Truth or Myth? If I have acne, I shouldn't use any facial moisturizer.
Many topical acne prescriptions may tend to cause differing degrees of dryness. Sometimes it is necessary to apply an oil-free moisturizer so that your skin doesn't become irritated thus preventing regular use of the medications which ultimately will clear your skin. Only use the moisturizer if you need it and remember that applying too many layers of moisturizer ( even if they're all oil-free) can clog the pores and lead to more acne.
Truth or Myth? Eating Chocolate or french fries can cause acne.
There is no scientific evidence to support this myth. The development of acne is multifactorial including genetics, excess oil production, bacteria, hormones and stress. Eating fried foods, fatty foods, or chocolate and drinking soda does not cause acne.
Truth or Myth? Scrapes and other skin wounds heal better when left uncovered so they can be exposed to the air and 'dry out'.
This is a myth. All skin wounds heal better if they are kept covered by a bandaid or gauze bandage as this allows the wound to stay moist. Scientific studies have shown that moist wounds heal faster than wounds that have been left to dry out.
Truth or Myth? Though new laser technology has been effective in treating spider veins of the legs, once the spider veins are removed from one part of the legs the laser treatment causes new veins to develop on other areas of the legs.
This is a myth. Laser treatments to remove spider veins from the legs do not cause new veins to develop elsewhere. If new veins occur in other places on the legs they would have developed whether or not lasers were used.
Truth or Myth? All skin peels require the application of chemicals to the skin.
This is a myth. The term skin peel refers to a variety of different procedures. Several of these do involve the use of chemicals but newer ones such as the Power Peel involve the use of tiny crystals (micro-dermabrasion) to remove fine wrinkles, acne scars, pigmentation, etc. Other types of skin peels utilize lasers to improve the skins' appearance (go to the 'contact us' page for more information).
Truth or Myth? One can catch poison ivy from touching the fluid from the blisters of someone who has poison ivy.
False. The blister fluid is generated by the body's reaction to the poison ivy resin and does not contain the posion ivy resin.
Truth or Myth? Vitamin E can decrease scar tissue.
False. Vitamin E contains no properties for healing scar tissue other than its moisturizing qualities. There have even been reports of allergic contact reactions to Vitamin E.
Truth or Myth? The most common cause of cracking in the corners of the mouth is a vitamin deficiency.
False. Modern diets seldom lack the necessary vitamins to support growth of skin. The most common reason for cracking in the corners of the mouth is laxity of the skin from aging and loss of dentation with trapping of saliva that irritates the skin.
Truth or Myth? Failure to wash properly causes acne with dirt and oil clogging pores.
False. Most patients are very conscientious about cleaning. It has been shown that the dead layer of the skin a protein keratin blocks pores and this cannot be removed by washing or scrubbing.
Truth or Myth? One can prevent sunburning by going to a tanning salon to get a 'base' tan before going on vacation.
False. Although a tanning salon can increase melanin pigmentation, this pigmentation doesn't protect against sunburning since it is not associated with the thickening of the skin which comes from exposure to 'natural' sunlight. However, both are damaging to the skin and increase the risk of skin cancer and aging of the skin.