Did you know that the skin is your body’s largest organ? Taking care of your skin ranks high in importance for a number of reasons. It protects you from bacteria, minimizes water loss, and protects blood vessels, nerves, and organs like the lungs, kidneys, and heart.

Where skin care is concerned, there are common misconceptions that need debunking. In fact, the following thoughts about skin care are fictitious:

• Tanning booths are safe – Sunbathing regularly can lead to skin cancer and can prematurely age skin. Tanning booths are no different. In fact, they’re worse because UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin.

• Higher SPF sunscreens provide better protection against the sun – This type of product only provides protection from UVB rays and sunburns. It does not protect against UVA unless it contains mexoryl, oxybenzone, avobenzone for UVA protection or titanium dioxide. A minimum SPF of 15 is needed as well, so make it part of your skin care routine.

• Sunscreen is unnecessary on cloudy days – UV rays are present even when the sun isn’t around. For maximum protection, follow this skin care regimen: apply sunscreen every day and reapply it every two hours after swimming or sweating. Don’t buy into the idea that makeup with SPF protection is enough. Apply sunscreen and your choice of foundation together as a precautionary measure.

• Scrubbing with soap keeps skin clean and healthy – This is not necessarily true. The more you scrub, the more you remove protective oils and barriers from your face. This can leave certain skin types red and prone to rashes. You may want to ditch this skin care regimen for something healthier and less drying.

Contact Summit Skin and Vein Care

Now that you know the difference between fact and fiction, taking care of your skin is easier than ever. Follow the tips listed above and cultivate healthier skin care habits. After all, can be hard to reverse damage once it’s been done. Simplify your skin care routine by knowing what does the most harm and what does the most good.

For more information about skin care myths, please contact Summit Skin and Vein Care today at (816) 533-4398.