Beauty Myths and Facts

Fact: The only thing that can increase hair growth is stimulation of blood flow to the scalp and follicles, although regular trims are necessary to keep your hair in good healthy condition.

Myth: You will age like your mother.

Fact: Although genetics play a large part in your physical appearance, your lifestyle plays the biggest role in your aging. The biggest factors are sun damage, smoking, drinking and stress.

Always use an SPF of 30 or above when going out into the sun, stop smoking, cut down or out drinking and try to avoid stressful situations.

Myth: Chocolate gives you spots.

Fact: Spots are caused by blockages of the pores, this is an external factor which affects your skin.

Myth: Split ends can be repaired.

Fact: Afraid not, they can be temporarily disguised with some certain products, but the only way to get rid of them and avoid them breaking a significant portion of the hair is to have them cut off.

Myth: You can shrink your pores.

Fact: The size of your pores is said to be genetically predetermined, if you have large pores, you can temporarily reduce them with specific products, but they will not shrink on a permanent basis. Regular exfoliation will keep them clear and stop them from looking larger than they really are.

Myth: Hypo allergenic products can't cause allergic reactions.

Fact: Whilst they are much less likely to cause any reaction, hypo allergenic products are not as closely regulated as other products, their safety factors tend to be overseen by the company.

Myth: Toothpaste helps get rid of spots.

Fact: Triclosan, an ingredient of toothpaste and many skincare products is said to help remove spots, but there are many other ingredients in toothpaste that will block the pores. Also, if you have sensitive skin do not leave toothpaste on your face overnight.

Myth: Organic means organic:

Fact: Did you know that in the UK, a product only has to have 70% organic ingredients to be certified organic? Check the label very carefully.

Myth: Natural is safe.

Fact: There are many natural ingredients that should not be applied directly to the skin, fruit acids, witch hazel and tea tree are all far too harsh to be applied directly to the skin. I found this out to my cost when I left tea tree on my face overnight and woke up to a huge red burn on my cheek.