Does hair grow faster if I cut the tips more frequently? Is it enough to keep drinking a lot of water for beautiful skin? 

Many misconceptions about skin and hair care are persisting. Unfortunately, some can be harmful to your health. But don’t despair: Here is our myth buster!

Myth 1: Frequent cutting of hair tips makes the hair thicker.

Wrong. Tip cutting does not affect the growth or quantity of hair. They only appear fuller. The reason: The tips are the oldest part of the hair. It is exposed the longest to weather, hairdryers, or indoor heating. Over time, the tips become thinner and thinner. If a hairdresser cuts them off, the hair looks thicker.

Tip: Protect your tips. Wash your hair only lukewarm, press gently with a towel, do not rub and blow-dry at a low temperature.

Myth 2: Toothpaste makes irritated pimples disappear.

No. It can even make the inflammation worse. Flavoring substances like menthol, which are contained in some kinds of toothpaste, can irritate the skin. “A thick layer of toothpaste can seal the pimple so that it cannot empty,” says Maja Hofmann, a dermatologist at the Charité in Berlin.

Tip: creams and gels containing the active ingredient benzoyl peroxide can help. Talk to your dermatologist to find out whether the substance is suitable for your skin type.

Myth 3: Reapplying extends the protection time of sunscreen.

Wrong. Reapplying cannot extend the effect of sunscreen. The sun protection factor (SPF/LSF) indicates how your skin’s protection time is extended by applying it. If the skin reddens unprotected after about 5 minutes in the sun, this period can theoretically be extended 30-fold with sun protection factor 30, up to 150 minutes. Anyone who sweats or goes swimming during this time can maintain the protection by reapplying cream, but not extend it.

Tip: Do not exhaust the calculated sun protection time. After about two-thirds of the time, seek shade. Do not risk a sunburn.

Myth 4: 100 brush strokes a day, ensure healthy, shiny hair.

On the contrary, brushing your hair 100 times puts a lot of strain on it. It becomes brittle and will break faster. The sebum produced by your scalp is spread all over the hair, and it can appear greasy. To avoid hair breakage, you should only brush as much as it is necessary to untangle the hair.

Tip: Shampoos should smooth the hair structure so that the brush can glide gently through the hair. Among other things, the silicones often contained in hair care products contribute to this effect. Studies indicate that they do not accumulate on the hair. However, they are considered to be challenging to break down. There are also shampoos without silicones. In most cases, it’s indicated on the packaging.

Myth 5: Lip balm is addictive.

No, it is not the ingredients of Blistex, Labello, and Co. that are addictive, but the feeling of soft lips. Untreated lips simply feel drier in comparison.

Tip: Use lip balm sparingly. It will still nourish your lips, but you will not get addicted to it.

Myth 6: Hypoallergenic products are good for sensitive skin.

A misconception. We associate the term easily – and wrongly – with ‘allergen-free’; thus, a false sense of security is implied. The term “hypoallergenic” is not legally binding. Manufacturers can use the word as they wish without the products having to adhere to precisely defined criteria.

Tip: The dermatologist will test which substances you are allergic to and note them in an allergy card. Compare this with the lists of ingredients on packaging labels when buying cosmetics.

Myth 7: Nail polish does not let the nails breathe.

No. Unlike the skin, the nail plate, which consists of corneous tissue layers, does not need an oxygen supply. That nail polish fans nevertheless often have porous nails is due to the frequent use of nail polish remover. The solvents it contains can dry out the nails.

Tip: Urea cream and a break from nail polish can be beneficial for the nails after nail polish removal.

Myth 8: Daily washing makes the hair greasy faster.

Wrong. Today shampoos are so mild that daily washing is no problem. In the past, some shampoos contained such aggressive washing substances that the skin dried out considerably and the sebaceous glands on the scalp produced more grease after washing.

Tip: Whether hair re-greases particularly quickly depends on the quantity and productivity of the sebaceous glands. “This is a predisposition, shampoos cannot change this”, says Maja Hofmann. If the hair looks greasy again shortly after washing, dry shampoos might help. They are supposed to absorb excess grease.

Myth 9: Drinking lots of water keeps the skin beautiful.

No, drinking alone does not protect the skin from wind and weather. Drinking up to 2 liters (67 oz) of water a day is good for your health, supports blood circulation and connective tissue. However, the outer layers of the skin, such as the face, quickly lose moisture without additional care.

Tip: creams rich in fat form a barrier that protects against dehydration. In summer, the skin does not dry out as quickly, but UV protection is particularly important now.

Myth 10: Hemorrhoid ointment helps with swollen eyes.

No. That the vasoconstrictive substances that some hemorrhoid remedies contain reduce the swelling of bags and eyelids has not been scientifically proven. It has not been investigated what health damage the agents, some of which contain painkillers, can cause to the eye – for example, when they reach the mucous membranes.

Tip: Cooling with face masks or slices of cucumber is more effective for swollen eyes.