According to an Asiana mag article i read:
**.THE MYTH:**8 GLASSES OF WATER A DAY IS A MUST
We know it’s been declared by almost every magazine that guzzling eight glasses of water a day is essential – but the shocking truth is that there are absolutely no studies that have ever proved you must drink this much. Dermatologists say that the key is to drink what’s appropriate for you instead of paying too much attention to the exact amount. The right amount can vary from person to person depending on your weight and how effectively your body uses that water. And there is such a thing as over-hydrating – drinking too much water, but you’d have to drink a lot to get to that point.
THE MYTH: APPLYING OIL TO THE HAIR WILL MAKE IT GROW
No matter what your mother or grandmother keeps telling you the truth is that the actual oil does nothing to promote hair growth. However, regular head massages can stimulate the circulation in the scalp, which causes the hair bulb to be flooded with the nutrients necessary for healthy hair growth. The oil itself will only work to nourish and condition the hair and make it appear shiny and luscious.
THE MYTH: SKIN LIGHTENING CREAMS MAKE YOUR SKIN FAIRER
‘Harsh chemical bleaching ingredients such as hydroquinone and mercury and kojic acid can lighten even the darkest of skin tones, but, they do this by totally stripping the skin of its melanin, which is needed to protect the skin from UVA and UVB rays. So whilst the results can be permanent, they are by NO means recommended’, says Athar Iman from Fairness Direct. Skin specialist and scientist, Sujata Jolly says ‘Certain skin lightening ingredients such as hydroquinone, mercury (which are banned in the EU) and kojic acid (banned in Switzerland, Japan and Korea) can lead to permanent, long term damage to the skin and in extreme cases even liver damage. From a purely cosmetic perspective rather than the desired effect of lightening the skin the bleaching agent can actually cause a darkening of the area. This then causes the user to apply more of the product to the skin, hence entering into a vicious cycle, which can eventually lead to ochrinosis – a darkening and thickening of the skin.’ So ladies, think twice before slathering on the creams and do your research on its ingredients. The good news is that there are products that can help you achieve an even complexion without the risk of any side effects. ‘Plant extracts such as willowbark, liquorice, mulberry and Vitamin C in their natural form are all ingredients that do not penetrate the basal layer of the skin so do not inhibit the production of melanin - making them a safe alternative. These natural extracts have been used effectively for centuries to help achieve a clearer and more even complexion’, adds Sujata Jolly.
THE MYTH: TEST THE COLOUR OF FOUNDATION ON THE BACK OF YOUR HAND
The colour of the skin on the hands is usually a lot darker than the colour of the skin on our face, mainly due to the fact that they have been exposed to a lot more UV light and a lot less exfoliaton. ‘The best way to test foundation is by drawing stripes on the jaw line and examining them in natural light. The colour that blends in perfectly is your shade’, says make-up artist Nina Haider.
THE MYTH: YOU SHOULDN’T WASH YOUR HAIR DAILY
‘Without a doubt, shampooing is the most effective way to keep hair shiny and healthy,’ says trichologist Philip Kingsley, author of the Hair Bible. ‘If it’s not, you’re either using the wrong product or using it incorrectly. Think about how dirty your face gets by the end of the day, and you take you hair to the same places! You wouldn’t dream of not washing or cleansing your face on a daily basis, so why leave out your hair? Frequent shampooing is the single most important way to happy hair days’, says Philip Kingsley. New York dermatologist Dennis Gross adds, ‘If hair seems dry and brittle, then shampoo as needed. But if it looks healthy, there’s no reason to stop.’
