Skin Care Myths That Need to Be Laid to Rest (Like Yesterday)

By Dr. Tomi Mitchell, MD – Family Physician, Wellness & Performance Coach, Medical Aesthetics Expert

Let’s go ahead and rip off the hydrocolloid bandage: Aesthetics isn’t about pain, vanity, or pretending to be someone you’re not. And it’s certainly not about walking around with a frozen face or maxing out your credit card chasing every beauty trend.

As a board-certified family physician and wellness coach with a deep love for aesthetics, I’ve seen it all—the overfilled lips, the underwhelming regimens, the fear, the hope, and everything in between. This isn’t just about skin. It’s about how people feel in their skin. And at Bonsai Medical Aesthetics, that’s our true focus: empowering people to reclaim their confidence, without the fluff or fear-mongering.

Over the years, I’ve heard some wild things.

“Will Botox make me look like I’m permanently surprised?”

“Is skin care anything more than fancy lotion?”

“Do I need a second mortgage to have good skin?”

Let me set the record straight—once and for all. Let’s break down the most persistent skin care myths that must be buried.

Myth #1: You Should Look Like You Got Work Done

I can’t count how many people have told me they’re scared to get anything “done” because they don’t want to look like a mannequin. Let me be clear: Something went wrong if you walk out of a clinic looking like someone ran a Snapchat filter over your face in real life.

At Bonsai Medical Aesthetics, our approach is rooted in subtlety and precision. I’m not interested in creating a new version of you. I’m here to enhance what’s already beautiful—just dialled in with care. Think: well-rested, lifted, and refreshed. Not overdone, obvious, or artificial.

When I treat clients with neuromodulators like Botox or Xeomin, I target the muscles causing those deep frown lines or the subtle droop that makes you look more tired than you feel. It’s about supporting your natural features—not replacing them. A 2024 study published in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal confirms what we already know in the field: most patients want visible but natural results. That’s the art—and science—of good aesthetic medicine.

When someone tells me, “You look amazing, but I can’t quite put my finger on why,” that’s the ultimate compliment. That’s the Bonsai way: enhancing what’s already there, not overwriting it.

Myth #2: Good Skin Care Has to Hurt

Somewhere along the way, we got the idea that pain equals effectiveness. “If it burns, it must be working!”—nope. Let’s retire that thinking right now.

Specific treatments like microneedling or chemical peels can involve temporary discomfort, but with proper technique and patient care, even those are manageable—and often surprisingly gentle. Most of our clients are pleasantly shocked. I had one woman grip the treatment chair in anticipation of microneedling, fully expecting to need a bravery award. Ten minutes later, she was chatting about her favourite rom-com and texting her sister to book next.

We use medical-grade numbing creams, cooling devices, and calming post-treatment care to ensure your experience is tolerable and comfortable. The goal is practical and empowering, not traumatic.

At Bonsai, your comfort is part of the outcome because no one should be afraid of their glow-up.

Myth #3: Skin Care Is Just for Women

This one’s overdue for retirement. The idea that taking care of your skin is a “feminine” act is not only outdated—it’s flat-out wrong.

Your skin doesn’t know your gender. It ages, reacts to stress, sun, and pollution, and responds to treatment whether you wear lipstick or a lumberjack flannel. And more men are catching on. Men are the fastest-growing group in both skincare and medical aesthetics worldwide.

I’ve had male clients—from construction workers to corporate executives—come in with the same goals: “I just want to look less tired,” or “I want to feel like myself again.” One client, a newly single 47-year-old professional, came in quietly, unsure what to expect. We created a minimalist routine, added a neuromodulator, and focused on education. Now he strides in like he owns the place, telling me his colleagues keep asking if he went on vacation. (Nope. Just a new routine and renewed confidence.)

There’s nothing vain about wanting to feel good in your skin. For anyone.

Myth #4: It’s Too Expensive to Get Great Results

This one has a kernel of truth but misses the bigger picture. Yes, some treatments can be pricey. But do you know what adds up? Wasting hundreds on gimmicky serums, influencer-endorsed lotions, and products on your half-used shelf.

Here’s the thing: you don’t need more products—you need the right ones. A few well-formulated, medical-grade essentials can outperform a 10-step routine, often costing less over time.

At Bonsai, we love working with brands like Vivier and ZO Skin Health because they’re not just trendy—they’re clinically backed, stable, and designed to actually penetrate your skin, not just sit on it.

One of my clients was drowning in a sea of skincare bottles. When we stripped her routine down to three power-packed products, not only did her skin clear up, but she also saved over $500 a year—and gained about 30 minutes of her life back every morning.

You don’t have to spend like a celebrity to look and feel radiant. You just need expert advice and a plan that works with your life, not against it.

Invest smart, not hard. And remember, confidence is the best ROI.

Myth #5: You’re Too Young (or Too Old) to Start

Skin care isn’t a one-size-fits-all journey. It’s a lifelong relationship. Your skin’s needs evolve, which means your approach should too.

Starting in your 20s? Great—this is the time to build healthy habits that protect your collagen and prevent sun damage. In your 40s or 50s? Perfect—we’ll focus on restoration, hydration, and targeting visible signs of aging. Even in your 60s and beyond, your skin is still responsive. Renewal doesn’t stop because of your birthdate.

One of my favourite stories is about a client who started with me at age 63. Her goal wasn’t dramatic—she simply wanted to glow at her granddaughter’s wedding. We worked on tone, texture, and radiance. A few months later, she was the unofficial star of the family photo album. Her feedback? “I didn’t know my skin could still do this.” That moment still gives me chills.

Skin doesn’t expire. Neither does self-care.

Myth #6: Skincare Is Just for Your Face

Your face might get all the attention, but your neck, chest, and hands are just as vocal regarding aging. They often shout in your face, even whisper.

The neck has thinner skin and fewer oil glands, meaning it’s more prone to sagging and wrinkling. The chest gets sun exposure and pigmentation. Hands lose volume and show spots from years of unprotected exposure. All of these areas deserve the same care and attention.

At Bonsai, we treat the whole picture. Our philosophy is rooted in full-body wellness, not just Instagram-ready selfies. We offer treatments for the neck and décolletage, hand rejuvenation, and more.

One woman was embarrassed about the “disconnect” between her glowing face and aging hands. A simple rejuvenation protocol later, she was confidently wearing rings again for the first time in years. “They finally match,” she said with a grin.

Skin care isn’t just vanity—it’s dignity, empowerment, and feeling whole in one's own body.

Final Thoughts

Skincare doesn’t have to be complicated, painful, expensive, or exclusive. It just needs to be honest, informed, and centred on you.

At Bonsai, we don’t push trends. We build trust. We meet you where you are and help you become the version of yourself you already see in your mind—the version that’s rested, radiant, and confident.

So, see us at Bonsai Medical Aesthetics. We don’t make you look like someone else. We help you feel more like you, just fresher, brighter, and more confident.

And that’s always the goal.