In your teens and 20s, good skin health is usually a given. A decade ago, I could afford being lazy at times and jump into bed without really cleaning off my makeup, my skin seemed to forgive me quite easily the next day.
Fast forward to 33, my skin has turned into the pettiest thing I know. A blemish takes a little longer to heal, and a little too much alcohol makes me regret the puffiness the next morning.
The truth is, in our 30s, collagen production slows down and this is the age when neglect in the past starts to creep up on us. Needless to say, any further lack of love and nurture for it and you will see how it will wage war on you in later life. If you have not had the opportunity to start on simple lasers earlier, it is definitely not too late to start it in your 30s.
Here are the top 3 reasons why you should get started.
Keep It Glowing
“The 30s marks the beginning of age-related skin changes. These appear as patchy skin discolourations which manifest as uneven skin tone and dull skin texture” says Dr Michelle Lim, Senior Medical Consultant at the SW1 Clinic. “In this decade, collagen and elastin in skin dips, and many may find fine lines or even permanent wrinkles forming as early as their early 30s”.
Dr Michelle recommends going for non-ablative fractional laser treatments, such as SW1 Clinic’s Fraxel Light treatment, which uses a low setting which improves these early skin aging signs without significant downtime. Frequently paired with LLLT (low-level light therapy), cellular function, healing times and skin rejuvenation is improved. The result? An unmistakably smooth and glowing complexion.
Guard Against Pigmentation
The late 20s and early 30s mark the beginning of happy changes or additions in life, such as pregnancy and childbirth. However, many women suffer from hormone-related pigmentation, known as melasma, as a result of these. If you suffer from melasma, you will understand how difficult this pigment is to treat!
“This is almost like a chronic skin disease which lasers can improve” says Dr Michelle. She recommends the 1927nm Thulium fractional laser, which is very adept at treating superficial pigmentation. SW1’s BB Aquatouch laser, touted as the laser that gives a “photoshop makeover effect” cleans up pesky pigmentation effectively, although Dr Michelle warns that notoriously difficult pigments usually requires commitment to several sessions at least to see satisfactory results.
On normal skin, this laser acts to rejuvenate and refines texture and pores. “The stimulated collagen will help even out fine lines and prevent future ones from forming.”
Collagen Bank for Saggy Days Ahead
“Collagen banking is the key. The currency of firm and young skin is collagen and elastin, so preventive measures such as FDA-approved skin lifting and skin tightening treatments at this age will delay facial skin sagging and premature wrinkles forming” says Dr Michelle.
At this age, open facelifts are probably not indicated and treatments are more preventive or only mildly corrective in nature. Ulthera is popular non-invasive once-a-year treatment with a good track record. For those looking to start out, SW1 Clinic’s Youth Illuminage Program combines a full face (or face+neck) Ulthera protocol with 2 sessions of Excel V Light Lift.
At 33, my tardy attitude towards skin health has evolved from an unpleasant obligation to a responsibility which I now undertake wholeheartedly with creativity.
As the saying goes, “Nature gives you the face you have at 20, it is up to you to merit the face you have at 50”. This is that face I’ve got and I am working on it.