Be Religious About Applying Your Sunscreen
Heard of the Slip-Slop-Slap campaign that was raised to raise awareness about the risks of skin cancer in Australia? Well, since we can’t Slip on a shirt over our faces, Slop-ping on the SPF50 sunscreen is probably more important in this respect. Don’t be fooled and skip the sunscreen on a less-than-sunny day. Fact is, our skin doesn’t need to feel the sun in order to be damaged. UVA rays are potent “silent’ skin agers and do not burn skin at all.
For those who need some quick advice, physical sunblocks are also known as mineral sunblocks, and these contain zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, or both. Compared to chemical sunblocks which contain active ingredients like avobenzone or oxybenzone, physical sunblocks are more stable and less likely to cause skin irritations. However, if the thought of zinc oxide leaving a chalky cast on your face puts you off, try a wash-on sunscreen.
Read more: I Found A Wash-On Sunscreen. You Are Going To Want It.
Include A Retinol Cream In Your Skincare
The first retinoid, the Retin-A, received its FDA approval over 40 years ago as a prescription acne treatment, but doctors soon realized that patients on Retin-A experienced clearer, softer and brighter looking skin. Most over-the-counter retinoids now are known as retinol, which is converted to retinoic acid and considered less potent and with impressive line dissolving and anti-discoloration results. Expect results in approximately 3 months.
Boost Your Skin’s Collagen Production
As we age, our skin gradually loses its turgor, resulting in thinner and sagging skin. To slow this down, invest in a collagen boosting treatment. Methods like drinking collagen will probably not help, but the FDA-approved Ultherapy skin lifting treatment will. Using focused ultrasound energy to target the deep skin layers richer in collagen, the skin adapts to the treatment by generating a productive wound healing response. Sustained collagen production ensues and continues over the next 3 to 6 months, resulting in visible lifting and tightening of the skin. This is a once-a-year treatment and considered by many as the anti-aging holy grail.
Try Skin Rejuvenation Lasers
Laser Toning, once considered the all-in-one (and too-good-to-be-true) no downtime laser treatment, has probably lost much of its original appeal in the last year, largely due to overuse (and abuse) by certain establishments. The Light Lift treatment by SW1 Clinic uses the FDA-approved GentleYag laser, which bypasses the surface of the skin and penetrates deep within to stimulate collagen and skin repair. This laser beam is preceded by a quick burst of cold air to prevent overheating of the skin, followed by an intense shot of laser beam, which works to tighten and tone skin over time.
For visible fine lines and wrinkles, try a resurfacing laser such as the SmartX Lite carbon dioxide laser treatment, which erases lines and closes up enlarged pores. Results can often be appreciated as early as after one treatment. This laser can airbrush away signs of age on the face, neck and even the eyelids.