Fiction: Drinking water keeps your skin from drying out.
Of course water is good for us, but can it really give dry skin a refreshed, hydrated appearance? Not on its own, says Dr. Lisa Kellett, a dermatologist in Toronto. "If this were true, then the simplest cure for dry skin would be to drink more water." What keeps skin hydrated is oil, in conjunction with other factors. "Dry skin is caused by changes in the top layers of skin called the epidermis and stratum corneum," she adds. Dr. Kellett treats patients' dry skin with high-performance diamond and silk peels, which remove dead skin cells and leave complexions looking fresh.
Fact: Split ends can't be repaired with hair products.
If your ends are looking frizzy and dull, chances are that you're plagued with split ends. Some products on the market claim to salvage your split ends, but truthfully, nothing beats a regular trim. "The only way to get rid of split ends is to cut them off. A haircut every six to eight weeks is best, especially for people with long hair," says Nhi Tran, Sassoon Salon's creative director. The best defence is a good offence: Tran suggests using heat-activated protective products, which can help prevent damage caused by styling tools.
Fiction: You only get cellulite if you're overweight.
Fat chance. It's actually the luck of the gene pool that dictates who will get cellulite (fat deposits that are trapped in pockets beneath the skin). It doesn't matter if you're tall and full-figured or petite and svelte – no one is safe! "Anyone can get cellulite," says Dr. Paul Cohen, a Toronto-based dermatologist. "It has nothing to do with your weight. It's [caused by] hormonal influences on the way the fat in your body is compartmentalized." Firming creams, self-tanners and basic moisturizers can temporarily diminish the appearance of cellulite, but not even liposuction offers permanent results.
Page 1 of 2 – Will keeping your nail polish in the fridge really make it last longer? Find out on page 2.
