What your mom always told you might not be true.
There are some tips and tricks we hear over and over about our beauty and health regimens that we never stop to question. Read on for 10 popularly believed “facts” that are actually myths and why we should stop believing them!
1. Tanning beds can cause skin cancer, but tanning outside is safe. As much as we hate to admit it, the glow you get from tanning–whether at the beach or the tanning bed–is indicative of skin damage, caused by UV rays. Some exposure to the sun is normal, but excessive tanning (no matter how you do it) is unsafe for your skin and is capable of contributing to skin cancer.
2. You need to give your nails time to breathe by removing your polish every so often. First of all, nails are incapable of “breathing,” at least in a conventional sense. Although some nail polishes and acetones can cause dryness and chipping, this has little to do with your nails’ ability to take in oxygen. Keeping your nails trimmed, eating healthy and drinking water, and using a base coat or other nail health products will help keep your nails looking great, but leaving them polish-free may not be necessary unless you want to.
3. Trimming your eyelashes will help them to grow longer. It may seem that trimming the tips of your eyelashes, like trimming your hair, will stimulate growth, but this just isn’t true. Considering the small amount of hair on your lashes, this practice is unlikely to change the appearance of their length. Additionally, we have eyelashes to prevent dust, dirt, and other foreign particles from entering our eyes. By trimming your eyelashes, you may be preventing them from doing their job and risk causing damage to your eyes.
4. Going vegan pretty much guarantees weight loss. Sticking to plant-based cuisine can contribute to your overall health, but no diet plan is perfect for everyone (and not all vegan food is healthy, either!). Do your research, consult your doctor, and make sure you understand the benefits and risks of any major dietary change before jumping in.
5. You should wear a bra all the time to have perky breasts. Your girls look great when you’re wearing your most expensive push up, so it seems like this migh help to prevent eventual droopiness, but this isn’t the case. Breasts become saggy due to age and gravity, and your bra will do little to help in this matter. According to some studies, wearing a bra can actually cause your breast tissue to weaken over time, contributing to even more sagging. Wear whatever makes you comfortable, but consider ditching your bra for bed at least.
6. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Contrary to popular belief, this old saying may not be true! Research has yet to prove that breakfast is more “important” than any other meal, or even that it is essential. So if you don’t wake up hungry, don’t force feed yourself. Listen to your body, and eat when you need to.
7. Drinking green tea will cut down belly fat. This myth isn’t entirely untrue, but comes with strings attached. Drinking green tea in combination with a healthy diet and exercise can have powerful effects (like helping to boost your metabolism), but green tea on it’s own can’t work miracles.
8. You should use dry shampoo every day for clean-looking hair and added volume. Dry shampoo works by soaking up the oils on your hair and scalp. On the occasional extra greasy day, dry shampoo is a great alternative to a full wash to give your hair a cleaner look. However, when used too frequently, dry shampoo soaks up all your hair’s natural oil, making your hair dry and dull-looking.
9. The best place to spray perfume is the inside of your wrists. Your wrists aren’t a bad place for your favorite spray, but try other spots for maximum long-lasting fragrance. Places on your body that radiate heat, such as behind your ears, in the crooks of your elbows, or behind your knees, will help project your scent. Body parts that are concave, like your collarbones or belly button, can also be prime spots, as well as parts that move, such as your ankles or hair (just beware that spraying perfume directly into your hair can cause dryness).
10. This tip worked for my friend, so it will probably work for me. Every person’s body is completely unique. Just because a health or beauty tidbit is effective for one person does not mean it will be for everyone, so do your research, listen to your body when your try something new, and remember that, no matter what, you are beautiful inside and out!