The beauty industry is full of claims and statements that, let’s be honest, many of us follow blindly. We trust the experts who spout these things because they should know best. While a lot of what you read online does hold up and can be proven, an equal amount falls into the urban myth/legend category. Whether it relates to certain beauty treatments, lifestyle choices or even body piercings, you’ve likely encountered (and believed) loads of myths in your time. Well, now’s the chance to debunk them and learn what you no longer need to believe as we go through some of the strangest legends the beauty industry has created.
Your hair grows back thicker after shaving
An absolute monster of a myth that 99.99% of people believe at some point in their lives. It’s normally when you have to shave your legs or arms for the first time, and everyone tells you it’ll grow back thicker. That’s just not true. There’s no evidence to support this, and the only possible reason is that shaving can sometimes create a bit of an optical illusion. Regardless, you can shave with confidence knowing your hair isn’t getting thicker each time.
Wearing makeup gives you acne
Not true - but there is a tiny bit of truth mixed in with this urban myth. Makeup can clog your pores and lead to spots, but it really depends on three factors:
The type of makeup you use
How much makeup you put on
Your makeup cleansing habits
If you experience breakouts after wearing makeup, it’s likely because you’re using stuff that’s not good for your skin. These days, you’ll find loads of skin-sensitive makeup brands that don’t clog your pores. Also, less is always more; if you layer it on thick, then there’s a higher chance of getting spots. Above all else, make sure you cleanse your face thoroughly after wearing makeup to remove everything. All of these steps mean you can easily wear makeup every day without getting acne.
Multiple piercing myths
Honestly, there are too many piercing myths to list individually, so let’s bundle them all here. The first is a funny one that a lot of men love talking about - it’s to do with a Prince Albert piercing. A common myth is that this stems from the Prince needing a way to make himself look proper in tight-fitting clothing. Turns out that’s a myth, and the Prince Albert piercing got its name from something completely different in the 1970s and 80s.
Other piercing myths include:
Tongue piercings give you a speech impediment - not true in the slightest.
Your piercing will heal quickly if you twist the jewellery - also not true and it does the opposite, so avoid at all costs.
Ear piercings will stretch out your ears - again, not true; your ears will heal, and piercings close up over time.
Two final things to consider before you finish reading. Firstly, how many of these myths have you believed at some point? Secondly, always read beauty advice or tips with an air of caution. If someone’s making an outlandish - or even slightly eyebrow-raising - claim, then do some additional research before you blindly follow what they’re saying. Believe me, many more beauty myths exist that we don’t have time to get through today!
