Crossing your legs will give you varicose veins.
Sitting down and crossing your legs won't cause varicose or spider veins, but standing may. Pronounced veins often crop up on people who either have a genetic predisposition to them (so thank Mom or Dad) or have jobs that require them to stand a lot makes the vascular network work extra hard to pump blood from the legs up to the heart. If the valves, which keep blood flowing in one direction within your vessels, aren't functioning properly, a pooling of blood can occur and result in unsightly veins. Pregnancy, which puts added pressure on the circulatory system, or a trauma getting hit by a softball or a car door, for example can also lead to varicose or spider veins. "But simply crossing your legs will not cause them.
You can get rid of cellulite.
And for what it's worth, it's not for lack of women's trying. The truth is, nothing can be done to permanently eliminate it not even liposuction. Cellulite consists of fat deposits that get trapped between the fibrous bands that connect the skin's tissues. The bands squeeze the fat under the skin, resulting in a lumpy texture. Luck of the gene pool mostly determines who will and won't get cellulite. It doesn't matter whether you're fat or thin, rich or poor, famous or just plain folks. You can, however, temporarily reduce its orange peel-like appearance. Firming creams often contain caffeine to tighten and smooth the skin. But a basic moisturizer will also work to hydrate and swell the skin, making cellulite a little less obvious. Or try using a self-tanner. A fake tan will help camouflage it.
Shaving will make your hair grow back darker and thicker.
Testing has shown that the growth of hair is not thicker or faster once shaving begins. Many prefer to wax as it gives a smoother result and lasts longer than shaving.
Wearing nail polish all the time will make your nails turn yellow.
True, but you can wear enamel all you like and still avoid discoloration. Nails are porous, and they absorb the pigment in polishes. "Darker colors, especially reds, have more pigment, so they often stain your nails.
You can shrink your pores.
Sort of. It's actually impossible to change the size of pores, but you can make them look smaller and using egg whites, a beauty trick Grandma may have tried, does work. "Egg whites tighten the skin, giving the illusion of smaller pores, but it's a temporary effect. You can also consider making toner part of your daily skin care regimen. Toner removes soap residue, makeup, and dead skin cells, all of which can clog pores and make them appear larger. Toner also restores the pH balance of your skin after washing, helping prevent acne and the fine lines that draw attention to large pores. If you have dry skin, choose a brand with a nondrying lavender, chamomile, or rose base. If your skin is oily, use a more astringent citrus-, vinegar-, or witch hazel-based toner. If you have normal skin, use a dry skin formula during the winter and an oily-skin toner during the summer.
Rubbing your eyes creates wrinkles.
You won't get crow's feet just from kneading your eyes when you're tired. But the tug of gravity and the repetitive movement of facial muscles, as in smiling or frowning, can break down the collagen in your skin and create wrinkles over time. The skin around your eyes is some of the thinnest skin on your body. There's not a lot of muscle or a lot of fatty tissue behind the surface skin of your eyes. Because the skin is so thin and has very little behind it, it's more easily stretched and wrinkles show up more prominently. By not rubbing your eyes, you lessen the stretching and delay the wrinkling. If you're genetically prone to wrinkles (look at your parents and grandparents), use a good eye treatment product.
Tanning or dotting on toothpaste can help get rid of pimples.
True to both, but don't run for the tanning booth or apply a Colgate face mask. "A particular wavelength of light has been shown to stimulate porphyrin, a chemical that eradicates the bacteria that cause acne. But while some sun exposure may help pimples get better temporarily, you can experience a rebound effect. "If the skin gets dry and damaged from the sun, your body's response is to produce oil. Plus, sun exposure can lead to bigger problems, such as premature aging and skin cancer. As for toothpaste, it often contains menthol, which can help dry out a pimple. But other common toothpaste ingredients can irritate the skin. Tea tree oil would be better, it's not an actual oil, but more of an antiseptic. Aloe Vera also relieves redness.
Sleeping on your back or with a satin pillow will help your face stay wrinkle-free.
That's a big exaggeration with a little truth behind it. As you age, the collagen and elastin fibers in your skin break down, so when you burrow your face into a pillow, putting pressure on these fibers for several hours at a time, the skin is increasingly less likely to snap back. If you have a pattern of sleeping on one side, that side of your face will typically show more wrinkling than the other. Learning to sleep on your back can help your skin a bit, but you'd fare much better wearing a good sunscreen every day than sleeping on a satin pillow.
Rinsing your hair with beer will make it thicker.
True, and drinking too much beer can give you a wicked headache. A final rinse of beer at the end of your shower will leave you with more voluminous strands. The beer builds up the circumference of the shafts. Unfortunately, it can leave hair looking dull not to mention smelling like a brewery.
Applying mayonnaise to your hair will make it glossier.
True. Mayo is made with an oil base, and it makes hair shine. But to avoid a mess, try this method: Apply a cup of mayonnaise mixed with a teaspoon of vanilla extract (to cut the mayonnaise scent) to dry, unwashed hair. Cover your head with a warm towel to help the mayonnaise penetrate, and leave it on for 20 minutes. Before you step into the shower, apply a heaping handful of shampoo to your hair. Don't add any water yet; just massage it in thoroughly for several minutes. That will help break down the excess oil. Rinse with cool water in the shower and your hair will come out shiny and silky.
Never pluck a gray hair, because 10 more will grow in its place.
How can you get 10 new hair follicles from plucking one? Anything, ripping a hair out by its root leads to regrowth that refuses to lie flat. Your best bet for conquering gray? See a colorist.
Hair grows faster in summer than in winter.
Although studies have shown that men's beards grow faster in summer, there is no evidence to suggest that the hair on your head does. Many women say they can tell it grows faster then, but if so, the difference is slight and barely detectable. The only time women's hair has been proven to grow faster is during pregnancy, thanks to increased hormones.
Drinking water keeps your skin from drying out.
This is one of the biggest myths out there. What keeps skin moist is oil, not water. Certainly, drinking water helps vital organs operate properly, and too little water in your body can give you a wan appearance. But your skin can still look dry even if you drink eight glasses a day.
When shaping your eyebrows, you have to follow your natural brow line.
Not true. Now, we’re not recommending creating super-high arches that look unnatural, but there is definitely more than one eyebrow shape which suits your face even if it differs from your natural brow line.
Acne is caused by dirt.
In actuality, acne begins below the surface and is not affected by dirt in any way. Linking acne with dirt may give the impression that if you have acne, your face is “dirty” and hence, you feel the need to the need to scrub acne away. Not a good idea! Treat your skin gently for long-term health and beauty.
It is not necessary to wear sunscreen during winter.
Just because you don’t feel the sun’s rays pounding down on you, doesn’t mean its harmful UVA and UVB rays are not penetrating your skin, causing significant damage. Sunlight can penetrate clouds and even cause your skin to burn. A good rule of thumb is this: if you see a shadow, you need sunscreen. Remember, a tan is the result of your skin’s reaction to an injury.
