Skin Myths

Decide whether each statement is true or false.

1. Eating greasy food causes acne.

2. Tanning beds are a safe way to get a tan.

3. Blackheads are pores clogged with dirt.

4. Tattoos can be easily removed.

5. If you ignore a skin condition, it will go away

6. Birthmarks cannot be removed.

All of these statements are false. They are some of the many myths about skin care, conditions, and treatments. We hope to answer your questions and raise your awareness about this important but often neglected, part of your body.

Take Care of Your Skin: It's Forever
Did you know your skin is an organ? Think about your other organs: heart, lungs, liver, brain. They are all inside your body safely protected. But skin is on the outside, exposed to the elements. This vulnerability makes it very important that you do all you can to take care of your skin.

First of all, although skin's primary purpose is to protect your body from the elements, you want your skin to look good. A visit to a dermatologist, a physician specializing in the medical, surgical, and cosmetic care of skin, hair, and nails, can help you determine how to best care for your skin.

A dermatologist is trained to treat rashes, skin cancer, psoriasis, acne, warts, athlete's foot, acne scarring, and any other skin, hair, or nail conditions. When you visit a dermatologist, he or she will talk to you about your skin, hair, or nail concerns. You will be asked to provide your medical history. The doctor will perform an exam, do any necessary tests, and give you a diagnosis and treatment options.

Most skin, hair, and nail problems are treatable, so as soon as you notice a problem, visit a dermatologist. It's even a good idea to schedule a visit without a problem because a dermatologist can help you improve your skin and can look for things you may not notice. For example, your parents may get regular skin checks for signs of sun damage, wrinkles, or skin cancer. A dermatologist is trained to recognize these conditions early, and early treatment for skin cancer is critically important.

A Ban on Tan
 

MYTH: A tan is healthy.
Sun damage is sneaky. The damage may not show up for many years. So if you tan while you are young, you may think you look good, but you are setting yourself up for premature wrinkling and possibly skin cancer. Sunburns that you get in your teens can cause problems later in life. Eighty percent of sun damage occurs before age 18. Ultraviolet radiation from the sun or tanning beds is the leading cause of skin cancer.

MYTH: A tanning bed is safer than sun exposure.
There is no such thing as a safe tan. Tanning beds emit UVA and UVB radiation. Both types of UV radiation are also found in the outdoor sun and can cause premature aging and skin cancer.

MYTH: Tanning is OK as long as you don't burn.
Even if you don't burn, sunbathing can increase your risk of skin cancer and can cause premature aging. Damage from the sun accumulates over time, so even if you never have a severe sunburn, the damage is building up.

MYTH: If you have darker skin, you're safe.
Sun damage may take longer to show up in people with darker skin, but it still happens. People with lighter skin are at greater risk for sun damage.

There are simple steps you can take to minimize sun damage:

• Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. if possible.

• Wear protective clothing such as a broad-brimmed hat, long pants, and a long-sleeve shirt.

• Wear sunglasses that provide 100% UV protection.

• Always wear broad-spectrum sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 or higher and apply it 30 minutes before sun exposure. Remember to reapply every two hours or immediately after swimming or strenuous activity.

Myths and Realities of Acne
Take a look at #1 on the quiz. Were you surprised to learn that eating greasy foods does not cause acne? You're not alone in your misconceptions. The many myths about acne date back years and years. Let's set the record straight.

• Acne is the word used to describe pimples, lumps, and blackheads on the face, neck, chest, back, shoulders, and upper arms.

• Acne is caused by normal hormones that cause the oil glands beneath pores to enlarge. The oil from the glands mixes with skin cells and blocks the pore. Bacteria then grow, causing the site to become red and swollen and then burst.

• Acne is not caused by certain foods, not chocolate, not pizza or chips, despite what you may have heard.

• Tanning does not clear up acne. If you tan, you'll still have acne, but you'll also risk sun damage, if you have acne, be sure to use an oil-free sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher.

• Acne is not caused by dirt. Even the black in blackheads is not dirt. It is dead skin cells and oil. if you scrub your face, you can actually make acne worse by irritating the skin. The best way to clean your skin is to wash twice a day with a gentle cleanser and pat dry.

• If you have acne, you don't have to wait it out. You should see a dermatologist to determine the best treatment. Treatments include creams from the drug store, as well as creams, antibiotic lotions, and oral antibiotics your doctor prescribes. Remember that any treatment only prevents future acne, so the earlier you can see a dermatologist, the better.

• Isotretinoin is the only medication that safely and effectively controls severe, cystic acne--the most serious form of this skin disease.

• Last but not least, acne can leave scars. The best way to avoid scarring is to treat acne early. However, if in the future you find you have some scarring, there are a variety of new treatments available from your dermatologist, including lasers.

Myths about Reactions - Could You Be Allergic?
Piercing is a current fad today, and while it is easier to reverse than a tattoo, it is still a potentially dangerous practice. One potential side effect seen is metal allergies. The metals used for piercing jewelry vary, but often contain nickel, chrome, and cobalt, which are common allergens. The symptoms of a metal allergy include redness, swelling, and blistering. If you have any of these symptoms, even if you only pierced your ear, see a dermatologist.

Metal isn't the only common allergen. The bath and hygiene products both men and women use contain substances that could be allergens. Make-up, soap, shampoo, cologne, perfume, sunscreen, and body lotion are some of the items that may cause an allergic reaction. Symptoms vary but can include redness, itching, swelling, and blistering. If you have any of these symptoms, see a dermatologist who can help you determine the cause and treatment.

Natural rubber latex allergies are a third relatively common condition. The causes of these allergies include adhesive bandages, disposable rubber gloves, balloons, water toys, and plastic bags.

Fad or Forever
Tattoos have never been more popular. Twenty years ago, there were about 300 tattoo parlors in the U.S.; today there are about 4,000. Tattooing can be a dangerous practice because it involves injecting the skin with a needle, and some very serious diseases are spread through a shared needle. Because tattooing is not regulated, there is no way to check the safety of the equipment. Tattooing is a fad, but unlike other fads, it is permanent. Sooner or later, many people with tattoos change their minds. Dermatologists can remove most tattoos by laser surgery, but it can be an expensive and time-consuming process.

Wrap-Up
Your skin not only protects your body, but it acts as a window to your health. So be "Skin Smart:" take care of your skin, avoid potentially harmful situations, learn to recognize possible problems, and visit a dermatologist. Learn more by visiting the American Academy of Dermatology website at www.aad.org and feel free to ask questions of your dermatology provider in our office.