The Injustice of Getting Older

The life of a teenager can truly be difficult; you aren’t in control of basically anything, you have awakened to the importance of your physical appearance at a time when your skin condition is at its most volatile, and you realize that things that seem unpleasant now — such as school, work, and exercise — are basically here to stay for the rest of your life. Oh, and hair loss becomes an issue.

Yes, hair alone poses enough of a headache to make teenagers the world over wish for a time machine so they can jump ahead a decade or two. The problem is that unless treated early, the problem can get worse. Hair regrowth in Utah is a major industry for aestheticians, as is laser hair removal.

Stimulating the scalp’s follicles with FDA-approved creams and pills can do a lot to help young people hold on to the hair that they have. Choosing to wash their hair less or increase their vitamin consumption as a way to combat hair loss, on the other hand, is not recommended. And yet, myths surrounding showering habits, testosterone levels, and hat-wearing are all feeding into a narrative that you are overpowering your genetics by your actions.

Beware of Myths

It seems unjust that those who are most prone to believing myths — teenagers, for example — should have so many to sort through when their scalp and skin care routine is in most need of an overhaul. As experts in facial plastic surgery here in Salt Lake City, the doctors at Barr Aesthetics know a thing or two about skin care fibs.

Below are a few well-known myths that are still tricking people today, regardless of their age, into believing that certain actions will either help or harm their skin. We’ll take a look at what the myth says and provide a better tip for you to follow.

Myth #1 — Changing Your Diet Cures Acne

This is one of the oldest myths in the book. We’ve likely all heard our mothers tell us that eating naturally oily foods, such as too many nuts or olives or chocolate, will create an overabundance of oil to build up in our skin, causing a breakout.

Fact: The truth is, acne is in part a product of sebum, an oil produced only in the skin. In general, our pores are clogged by dead skin, dirt, and oil, which then leave bacteria to build up within the pore. This build-up creates the infamous pustules or cysts by which acne is known.   

Fix: There are plenty of over-the-counter products that help scrub away the remnants of dead skin from your trouble areas, such as soaps, masks, and creams. Microdermabrasion is a technique used by our Barr team to help your skin naturally shed its dead cells without clogging up your pores. By controlling this process, our doctors can help you reap numerous benefits of new skin, such as:

  • Better exfoliation
  • Less pronounced scars
  • Reduce discoloration
  • Repair acne and sun damage
  • Softer skin

Myth #2 — The Best Anti-Aging Serum is Retinoic Acid (Retin-A)

At first blush, this sounds like a bit of a cheat: Retin-A is a common ingredient in most well-reviewed anti-wrinkle creams because it has undergone extensive lab tests. If it didn’t work, it wouldn’t be found in all of our skin care products.

Fact: While it is certainly true that Retin-A can make a positive difference over time, relying on it solely, or just liberally applying it in greater amounts, will ultimately leave you feeling let down.

Fix: The best anti-wrinkle regimen involves using plenty of sunscreen (even in the Fall and Winter) and quitting smoking. Barr Aesthetics can also target specific areas of your skin for more robust treatment with a Medlite laser. Next to the help we provide Utah with laser hair removal, the Medlite laser is one of our most requested treatments, as it heals:

  • Sunspots
  • Tattoo scars
  • Wrinkles
  • Freckles and moles

Myth #3 — Frequent Scalp Massages Slow Hair Loss

With the rise of “spa culture,” where more people are including aesthetic and comfort treatments in their monthly routine, an idea has taken hold that by massaging specific nerve points in the head, we can somehow reverse hair loss. 

Fact: Unfortunately, this isn’t the case. Baldness is a genetic attribute that affects both men and women, starting (as we’ve already discussed) anywhere between the teenage years to the mid-30s.

Fix: There are a number of surgical and non-surgical procedures that we use at Barr Aesthetics in order to promote hair regrowth or stop hair loss. These include: 

  • Propecia tablets
  • Low-level light therapy
  • Hair transplants

Meeting with an experienced dermatologist for a consultation is the best way to know which option is right for you.

Myth #4 — “Botanical” is the Magic Word in Skin Care

Many products claim to be “botanical” or “all-natural,” claiming to only use products found in nature. These treatments are supposed to work with the skin’s own oils to create a clean and healthy glow.

Fact: In many cases, skin care products boasting natural oils or botanical elements cause allergic reactions in users because the product itself is unregulated.  

Fix: Barr Aesthetics employs a host of safe and effective facial peels that help soften fine lines and reduce troublesome bacteria, among other things.

No matter what is troubling you about your skin, our team of licensed professionals can help you look and feel your best. We are one of Utah’s premier hair regrowth experts and have a deft touch in getting your skin to shine with a youthful luster. Call us today for a consultation.