Random Facts About Skincare That You Should Know

With so much true and false information about skincare available, it can be hard to keep any of it straight. To help you sort through the information, we want to help you understand some important facts related to skincare.

These skin facts will help you feel confident in your own skin care routine and/or treatment.

Dry skin is not prevented or treated by drinking water. If drinking water hydrated your skin from the inside out then taking a bath would quench your thirst from the outside in. Skin doesn’t work that way because it is a strong barrier. Dry skin is dry because the outer dead skin cell layer is damaged and can’t hold water.

What are the main causes of dry skin?

• Damage to skin barrier lipids due to harsh soaps or contacts with solvents that strip lipids.
• Excessive water loss from exposure to cold and harsh weather and dehumidified air.
• Aging changes to skin structure that weaken the skin barrier.
• Genetically inherited weakness in skin barrier such as atopic dermatitis type of eczema.

Acne is not caused by dirty skin.

Acne is the result of:

• Changes in, and overproduction of, oil,
• Clogging of pores,
• Bacterial or yeast action, and
• Inflammation.

Oil causes dead skin cells to stick together rather than slough out of the pores as they should. Washing your face often does not prevent this from happening and may actually aggravate your complexion by drying out your skin. Over-washing or scrubbing the skin too hard can irritate the skin and create openings for bacteria to infect acne, making it worse.

Sun damage can be caused even when you’re indoors
Being indoors does NOT protect you from the sun. UV rays come in two forms: UVA and UVB. UVB is blocked by windows, but UVA is not. UVA is the most important contributor to wrinkles, and UVB (and to a lesser degree UVA) is the most important contributor to skin cancer.

Protect yourself by wearing sunscreen even when indoors! Apply it every morning as you prepare for your day.

Blackheads are black because of oxidation, not dirt
Blackheads are also known as “open comedones.” Whiteheads, conversely are called “closed comedones." Both are caused by pores getting clogged with dead skin and sebum (oil). Blackheads appear black because the melanin pigment in the plug gets oxidized by oxygen (a chemical reaction) and the result is a dark color. Blackheads are not black because they are plugged with dirt!

Whiteheads are slightly deeper and often covered by a layer of skin so they do not have the same chance to get oxidized.

To know more about proper skincare, contact Shinagawa Aesthetics. We can help.

Schedule a derma consultation with us! Call our Patient Care Lines: (+632) 7-368 5238 l (+63) 917 862 7454 l (+63) 921 217 0517 for inquiries, questions, and appointments or talk to our consultants via LiveChat here on our website.