Does toothpaste work on pimples? Beauty beliefs put to the test

By Susanne Collins Dec 29, 2011, 3:06 GMT

Berlin - Want shiny hair? Brush it 100 times. Need to dry up a pimple? Put a little toothpaste on it. Such beauty tips inevitably get passed down through the generations, and sometimes there's truth in them or their biases over a particular cosmetic product are legitimate.

To help separate fact from fiction, a few beauty experts agreed to answer questions about some common beliefs.

Does brushing the hair 100 times make it shiny?

This has some truth in it, said Birgit Huber of a German association representing makers of personal hygiene and soap products. Hair looks well when it has been combed, said Huber. 'If it hasn't been brushed, it can't shine,' she added.

Proper brushing has its purpose. 'One-hundred strokes is a bit exaggerated, but it is true that when hair is brushed from the roots all the way out, it distributes oils all along the hair shaft,' said Jenny Pohl, spokeswoman for a German association representing makers of medicines, nutrition supplements and personal hygiene products. 'It works against split ends,' said Pohl. 'Beyond that, brushing helps remove dirt and sweat.'

Does hot bath water damage the skin?

'A hot bath just now in the cold winter months does the soul good, but unfortunately, also damages the skin,' said Elena Helfenbein, a beauty expert with a Berlin-based association for cosmeticians. Hot water dries the skin, which can tighten and become itchy. Helfenbein added that it's OK to take a bath once or twice a week, but keep in mind that bath oil pampers the skin, while lotion applied after a bath moisturizes it.

Does toothpaste dry up pimples?

Many varieties of toothpaste contain sodium lauryl sulfate or SLS. It can dissolve oil and fats, but there are other ingredients in toothpaste that can inflame the pimple even more, said Helfenbein. Cleansing the skin every morning and every night is much more effective. Pohl said a bit of tea-tree oil applied using a cotton pad is a better alternative.

Is whitening toothpaste bad for the teeth?

'Unfortunately, the fine abrasive particles that provide the whitening effect also have a negative effect on the enamel,' said Pohl. 'It becomes porous and the teeth are more susceptible to bacteria.' Whitening toothpastes with less abrasive ingredients are acceptable, however not when they are used over the long term. It's best to have stains removed by having regular professional cleaning at the dentist.

Hair grows back thicker and faster after it's been shaved

'Hair growth is neither induced nor slowed by cutting the hair,' said Helfenbein. When hair is shaved, an edge is created where the hair is cut and this makes the stubble seem more bristly than hair that hasn't been shaved, she added. Some alternatives to shaving are waxing and epilation. The hair that grows back after these types of hair removal has a smoother end. There are special creams to slow down hair growth. Their active ingredient inhibits activity in the hair follicle.

Lips can get 'hooked' on care products

There is no scientific proof that the use of products meant to protect the lips can actually dry them out or cause them to become addicted to the product, said Huber. 'When the skin produces only a slight amount of lipids or when the air contains too little moisture, as in winter, lip products should be applied several times daily.'

Pohl added that a natural ingredient such as jojoba oil, almond oil, avocado oil or marigold are best. She advises against using products with mineral oil or glycerin and added that honey is a good remedy for chapped lips. Rub it on pure and briefly let it work in.

It's not necessary to remove makeup every night

This is flat-out wrong, said Pohl. Even when it's already late, taking makeup off every night is a must. The skin regenerates over night. Layers of makeup, dirt and skin oil impede the process. 'A gentle facial cream or cleansing oil free the skin of dirt and bacteria,' said Helfenbein. 'This is the optimal way to prepare for a finishing moisturizer.'

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