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Here, Dr David Harris shares some of the top myths he hears and shares his professional tips that help his patients achieve genuine skin health.
Skin damage is not irreversible. It's true that 80% of skin ageing is environmental and the majority is pre-determined by your level of sun exposure before the age of 12. But it's certainly never too late to start taking care of your skin when in the sun.
Miracle: There are licensed prescription products in USA that can aid the reversal of photo (skin) damage, called retinoids that utilise the benefits of vitamin A.
The only guarantee these creams can give you, is that your purse will be a lot lighter! Currently, Botox®, or one of the dermal fillers like Restylane®, are the only agents able to give you a quick 10 years off your look both quickly and effectively. But many people don't want to take this route. It's very expensive and it's not suitable for everyone.
Miracle: The safer, more practical approach is to choose an anti-ageing cream containing mainstream active agents that are scientifically proven to work. These agents include antioxidant vitamins A, C, and E which protect against free radical damage.
Most nail problems, believe it or not, are correctable by adopting a similar type of care plan to the one you'd use for your skin.
Miracle: Follow and stick to these simple steps and the results may surprise you:
This is the biggest myth! Drinking three litres of water a day will keep your kidneys functioning well but, sadly, it has little effect on the appearance of your skin.
Miracle: Far better to try the power of vitamins from within to keep skin well fed with essential nutrients. Healthy skin really does begin on the inside. As the largest organ of the body, skin represents an external fingerprint of your nutrition and performs vital functions such as body temperature regulation. It manufactures essential vitamin D and provides a barrier to disease and injury.
Nothing beats a healthy, balanced diet to provide all the nutrients we need. But when this isn't possible, supplements can help. This article isn't intended to replace medical advice. Please consult your healthcare professional before trying supplements or herbal medicines.