The Biggest Beauty Myths We All Still Believe

Remember the advice our (well-meaning, but ultimately misguided) moms bestowed upon us as kids? Your hair will grow back thicker once you start shaving. And pulling out a gray hair will lead to 7 more in its place. We’ve all heard them. Now that we’re older, wiser, and have the Internet at our disposal, why not clear up some of those myths once and for all? Here are 5 favorites, busted for your enjoyment:

Myth #1: You can repair split ends with _________.

There are approximately 14 bazillion hair products on the market that claim to repair split ends, but frankly, it’s mostly bunk. While some of them can temporarily seal split ends back together, the mend only lasts until your next wash. Nope, the only sure-fire way to get rid of frayed hair is to bite the bullet and visit the salon. If you’re trying to grow out your style, don’t stress — a trim of only about a half-inch is sufficient to get rid of most split ends and keep your long hair looking tidy and healthy.

Myth #2: Liposuction is an easy alternative to diet and exercise.

Celebrity gossip magazines often present liposuction as a quick fix that celebrities undergo on the regular to keep themselves looking svelte, but nothing could be further from the truth. Liposuction is surgery, just like having your appendix removed, a joint replaced, or a broken bone set. It’s not a quick treatment you undergo after a weekend of overindulgence. The website of Dr. Eric Mariotti, who performs liposuction at his Walnut Creek practice, emphatically states that liposuction isn’t intended to be a replacement for healthy living. Instead, it’s meant to selectively reduce smaller, more specific areas of unwanted fat when diet and exercise fail. “Liposuction isn’t designed to be a weight-loss procedure, although it does remove fat. … Good candidates for liposuction maintain a stable weight both before and after their procedures,” he says.

Myth #3: Natural products are always better.

This myth is tricky to address because the word “natural” gets tossed around so much, especially in the world of beauty products, that it seems to have lost its meaning. Because it’s unregulated, there’s no limit on which products can be labeled as “natural.” Most people equate “natural” with folksy home remedies, and there are definitely some that work great (like using coconut oil as a lip balm, for instance). But calling something “natural” doesn’t mean it’s automatically better or even safer than conventional products. In fact, many DIY beauty treatments that routinely make the rounds on Pinterest and other similar sites aren’t vetted by skincare professionals. One popular “warming mask” that regularly gets pinned features cinnamon, which is notoriously irritating to skin. Until rashes become en vogue, use caution and common sense when trying out natural products. Or better yet, ask a dermatologist or other medical provider.

Myth #4: Water is the key to beautiful skin.

Water is essential to a lot of things — kidney function, temperature regulation, and even your metabolism — but, short of some anecdotal evidence, there’s no proof that drinking lots of water can result in a glowing complexion. When I was researching this post, I was surprised to learn that it’s actually consumption of oil, not water, which makes the most difference when it comes to skin health. So help yourself to a buttery salmon filet or a rich dollop of guacamole to help your skin, and wash it down with a glass of H2O for, well, every other part of your body.

Myth #5: Crossing your legs creates varicose veins.

I initially thought this myth was too outdated to include in my list, but somehow this one still regularly makes the rounds. But when it comes to varicose veins (the “3D” veins that bulge from the legs) and spider veins (the finer purple, blue, or red veins that look like spider legs), the experts all agree that sitting with your legs crossed is not the culprit