It’s easy to believe some common beauty “tips” or “advice” when you’ve heard everyone from your mom, your friends, and even acquaintances swear by them. We’ve all heard of the most popular ones like “Smiling causes crow’s-feet,” “hair loss is determined by your maternal grandfather,” “a lack of sleep causes dark circles,” and “you get varicose veins by crossing your legs too much.” A lot of these beauty myths aren’t 100 percent true, but genetics can play a big factor on some traits (like varicose veins). The phrase “I got it from my mama” can sometimes ring true. Think about when you were a kid, looking at old prom and wedding photos of your mom was mesmerizing. You were getting not only a glimpse into her past but also a preview of how you might look when you grew up. As an adult, you still want to know: Will you age like your mother? You might, but it’s all about starting and sticking to a healthy beauty routine. “If you’ve inherited your mother’s ageless looks, you’ve won the genetic lottery. Adhere to a similar lifestyle and you’ve got a good chance of aging like she did,” says dermatologist Whitney Bowe, MD. To get to the bottom of these questions, we asked the experts to reveal how your features are affected by your genes—and for the real truth about the most common beauty myths. Here, they debunk some beliefs and share the steps you can take today to look great for years to come.
