Skin Myths Exposed

Debunking Common Skin Care Misconception

We have all heard the seemingly endless list of old wives’ tales: do not cross your eyes or they will stay that way; if you crack your knuckles you will get arthritis. And when it comes to skin care, a surprising amount of fables still abound. With an ever-increasing desire to improve the health and appearance of your skin, it’s time to set the record straight.

In order to separate fact from fiction, we have compiled some of the most pervasive falsehoods and a few enlightening truths regarding the largest organ in the body. Whether you are 15 or 50, it is important to know the realities of skin care in order to maintain a happy, healthy lifestyle. So read on, and help dispel these skin myths!

Myth No.1

Cucumbers contain special ingredients to treat puffy eyes and under eye bags.

This age-old home remedy is tried, but not true. Cucumber slices may feel refreshing, but these greens do not contain special ingredients to reduce under eye bags and puffiness. Although the high water content found in cucumbers can sometimes decrease swelling, coconut extract and organic liquid crystals are far more effective at replenishing natural reserves and nourishing the skin around the eye area. Professional skin care treatments are generally the best solution for dark circles and puffy eyes, as they are specially formulated to hydrate, condition and repair delicate eye skin with potent, clinically tested ingredients.

Myth No.2

A good cleanser should foam on the skin.

Many of us believe that if your cleanser foams, it is working. Not only is this false, but it is hazardous to your health. For example, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is a highly effective foaming agent—chemically known as a surfactant—that is found in 90 percent of all commercial soaps and shampoos. But beware: that foaming sensation comes at the price of potentially harmful, long-term side effects including skin damage, cataracts and liver toxicity. Due to its abrasive chemical makeup, SLS is also found in floor cleaners, laundry detergents and engine degreasers. So, the next time you wash your face, make sure your cleanser does not belong in your laundry room or garage.;

Myth No. 3

Sunscreen is not required during the winter.

Despite popular belief, overcast skies do not exempt you from wearing sunscreen. Approximately 30 to 40 percent of UV rays will penetrate through clouds, leaving your skin vulnerable to the damaging effects of sun exposure, including sunburn, unsightly wrinkles and skin cancer. Snowboarders and skiers heed this warning: snow can reflect up to 85 percent of the UV radiation that reaches it, which means that you may still be exposed when you are in the shade. Furthermore, powerful UVA rays can easily penetrate through windows, so remember to lather up with a double-digit SPF even if you are staying inside. Winter is a time to take extra precaution, not neglect your skin.

Myth No.4

The best way to deal with oily skin is to dry it out.

Wrong! Even oily skin needs moisture. Hydration helps calm, soothe and support the dermal matrix, keeping skin supple and helping to maintain a proper pH balance. Attempting to dry out your complexion will strip the epidermis of its natural, vital oils, leading to rough, flaky skin, clogged pores and inflammation. Rather than scrubbing your face with harsh ingredients, wash with a mild, exfoliating cleanser to slough off dead skin cells without over-drying and restore epidermal regularity. Remember, your goal is to bring balance to your skin, not to dehydrate it.

Migraine and Massages

Far from being simply a feel-good treatment, massage therapy helps relieve the debilitating pain of migraine headaches by relaxing muscles, improving blood flow, reducing stress, lowering blood pressure and improving sleep. In addition, massage therapy seems to provide some long-term benefits for migraine sufferers even after the treatment.

Evidence of Effectiveness

Scientific research has confirmed anecdotal evidence that massage is an effective therapy for treatment of migraine headaches. Researchers at the University of Queensland in Australia randomly assigned 47 people with migraine to a massage group and a group that received no massage. Those who received weekly massages experienced fewer migraines, reduced stress and anxiety, better sleep, slower heart rate and lower levels of cortisol, the stress hormone.
"The findings provide preliminary support for the utility of massage therapy as a non-pharmacologic treatment for individuals suffering from migraines," the researchers declared in a research paper published in Annals of Behavioral Medicine. Furthermore, there is evidence that massage therapy may reduce incidence of migraines after treatment is ended.

Sponsored Links

Reiki CertificationReiki master teacher for Level 1 and 2 private classes www.GoldenInsightsHealing.com

Incidence of Migraines

Some 18 percent of women and 7 percent of men in America endure the torment of migraines. Common signs are excruciating headache, nausea and extreme sensitivity to sound and light. Migraines are commonly triggered by stress and lack of sleep. In many cases, an initial treatment to control an attack involves lying down in a dark, quiet room free of sensory stimulation.
Medications frequently prescribed to prevent migraines, such as pain relievers, when used heavily over a period of time can actually produce another type of headache known as medication overuse headache that is more difficult to treat than migraines. Those with gastrointestinal problems and cardiovascular disease---plus pregnant or breastfeeding women---are sometimes unable to tolerate such medications.

Self-Massage

You can massage certain pressure points on your body to bring relief from migraines. Place the pads of your thumbs or first two fingers on the pressure point and apply light to moderate pressure. Press until you feel a lump or tension in the point and allow your thumb or finger to gradually go deeper, then massage with small, circular motions. If the pain at any point is too intense, reduce the pressure.
Keep your thumb or finger on the pressure point until you feel a relaxation, softness or perhaps a feeling of warmth. Slowly release the pressure and lift your fingers from the point. Repeat the procedure as needed. The crucial pressure points include the base of the skull (gently massage the bony based of your skull on the back side), mid-forehead (apply pressure to the point at the middle of your forehead between the eyebrows), eye corners (carefully massage your temples, or spots behind your eyes just behind the bone), hands (apply pressure to the fleshy area between your thumb and index finger) and foot (massage the area on the top of your foot between your big and second toes where the bones come together).

Professional Massage

In addition to self-massage, there are other holistic methods of treating migraines practiced by specialists. These include craniosacral therapy, neuromuscular massage, reflexology and deep-tissue massage. Reflexology involves pressure and massage of points on the soles of the feet. Neuromuscular massage causes tense muscles to relax by massaging "trigger points" on the body. Deep tissue therapy employs pressure, movement and stretching to relieve muscle soreness. Craniosacral therapy focuses gentle touch on the scalp and skull.

Combination Therapies

Whether applied by a professional therapist or by your own hands, massage can provide much relief for migraine sufferers. This holistic approach is indicated when the patient can't tolerate prescription medications. Others who can tolerate medications often combine massage and lifestyle modifications to control their migraines.

Call for an Appointment today 856-985-0700 at Suede Salon Spa and Body.  We offer Swedish, Deep Tissue, Reflexology Massages that can be received in combination.