Busting Beauty Myths with Kelly Rutherford and Dr. Lily Talakoub

Yesterday, I headed downtown for a discussion with Dr. Lily Talakoub and actress, Kelly Rutherford as we examined some of the most popular beauty rumors in search of answers.

Kelly Rutherford was our questioner and hilarious host (looking all amazing and svelt in her Valentino dress and Louboutins) and Dr. Lily Talakoub of Mclean Dermatology Center was our myth buster.

So here we go… TRUE or FALSE?

1. Running for 15minutes with a garbage bag on will make you 5lbs thinnerFALSE.

We checked. There was a volunteer who stepped on a scale, then ran 15 min and then stepped back on the scale– she gained a pound. Myth busted!

Funny enough, I’ve heard this rumor but in the rendition I’m used to it’s garbage barrels (not bags) that shed those pounds.

2. Injectable Fillers wear off after 2 months FALSE. According to Dr. Talakoub, injectable fillers such as Restylane lasts up to 18 month when done with a repeat injection after about 4 ½ months.

3. When you shave hair it grows back thickerFALSE. It just appears thicker since the follicle is larger at the base but as it grows out it thins out.

 4. Toothpaste applied to pimples reduces the swellingFALSE. There’s no pimple-fighting ingredient in toothpaste and some may even cause allergic reactions so it’s best to keep it off your skin.

I’m gonna agree but note that I’ve tried this a few times and thought it worked. In my case it’s always the same scenario, I’ve been flying, my skin is reacting to all the travel and I’m in a hotel sans medication and use toothpaste as a last resort. And it only works before bed as it dries the pimple out (not because there are acne fighting ingredients) and by morning the swelling is down (that and the toothpaste keeps me from playing with it). Again, I’m not endorsing it for regular or as a substitute for your current spot treatment, and if you have moderate or severe acne stay away from it, but for for anyone who doesn’t have sensitive skin or allergies, and gets random one-off white heads here or there and is in a bind, it may just surprise you.

All lip fillers are FDA approved – FALSE. Restylane is the only FDA approved dermal filler for lip enhancement in patients over 21 years of age. Not only does it provide volume and fullness to help smooth laugh lines and lines around the mouth but also to help fill in thin lips.

I’ll admit anything that involves injections, fillers or prescriptions are not my specialty – and may not be yours so Dr. Talakoub recommends before going in for anytype of procedure, do your research (read reviews, blogs…) and make sure the doctor is trained in the product, trained in the aesthetics of the face and is board certified.