The most important thing to recognise is that, although we all age, there are definitely many ways out there to avoid accelerating the process. Keep reading to find out ways how to reverse the signs of ageing with the right skin care regime. Once you have started to adopt a better lifestyle, such as getting adequate sleep, staying hydrated, and using sun protection to name a few, evidence-based skin care can help to take care of the other half of the battle.
The skin’s structure
The skin is composed of a superficial layer (the epidermis) and a deeper later called the dermis. These layers are manipulated with products such as alpha hydroxy acids and glycolic acids, amongst others, to cleanse and revitalise the skin and collagen-enhancing products to thicken the skin to reverse the signs of ageing. Sun-damaged (photo-damaged skin) is one of the most common causes of ageing skin and the commonest cause of skin cancers.
Benefits of medical grade skin products
There are plenty of benefits to medical-grade skincare products. To name a few:
- They are anti-inflammatory.
- They are anti-fungal.
- They are anti-microbial.
- They help with deep pore cleansing.
- They can neutralise free radicals.
- They can help with decreasing skin dullness.
- They can help reduce melasma and sun spots.
- They can improve skin blood flow.
- They can help with improving skin texture, pores, and acne.
- They help with increasing cellular turnover.
- They stimulate collagen production.
- Lastly, they help improve fine lines and wrinkles.
How to look after your skin
Having a regular 4-step skin care regime is the most important part of looking after your skin. Here are the four steps to look out for when crafting your next skin care routine:
- CLEANSERS
Cleansers off oil, dirt, and bacteria (which cause inflammation on the skin’s surface and deep inside the skin pores). You should not use cleansers that have detergents in them. Potent active ingredients like glycolic acid or salicylic acid are the preferred potent active ingredients that quickly work to improve skin. Glycolic acid is suitable for normal skin while salicylic acid is suitable for acne-prone and oily skin. - REVITALISE
Exposure to UV rays can lead to the formation of free radicals, which damage the skin’s cell membrane and DNA. This leads to the reduction in cell function. Free radicals activate melanocytes which produce melanin and can cause pigmented skin. Vitamin C serum prevents daily damage to cells which improve the skin’s glow and vitality and increases collagen synthesis.
- EXFOLIATE
The utilisation of alpha hydroxyl acids (AHAs) gives superior results to off-the-shelf products because they can penetrate deeper into the skin. Regular exfoliation with AHAs removes dead skin which smoothen skin texture, reduce spots and prevent breakouts due to clogged pores.
- STIMULATE
There are just a few ingredients in skincare medicine that stimulate collagen. The most well-known one is Vitamin A (Retinol). Retinoids are more potent and are prescription only. Retinols are available over the counter and are weaker as they need to convert to retinoid acid and therefore lose strength in the conversion process. Results using retinols are not quite as intense as using retinoids.
Retinol-based products can be tricky, so take note of these tips to using retinol:
- Use sun protection: Retinol can make your skin extra sensitive to light.
- Start slowly: Retinol can cause redness, drying and irritation. At first, use it only every other night or third night to build up tolerance.
- Give it time: Retinol can take 3 months to start showing an effect on your skin and up to a year for optimal results.
Lastly, enjoy your new skin care regime… results will follow!
