Fight Ageing With Good Skincare
We are often asked to comment on skincare products readily available on the UK high street and called upon to advise our patients on ingredients they need to look out for in effective products. At the very least, we should all be using skincare products which moisturise the skin to help keep it hydrated and include a sunscreen. These ingredients, however, are not going to be sufficient to actually treat the skin as well – all they will do is provide a moderate degree of protection against ageing. If you want more from your skincare then you will need to step up your game.
If you are looking to fight the signs of ageing, you need effective anti-ageing products. To be effective, products need to have high percentages of active ingredients to have a chance of making a difference to the skin and make any visible improvements; active ingredients which have been scientifically proven and extensively researched.
Some of the ingredients we talk about can be found in some shop bought ranges – but be warned, its unlikely these products will contain more than around 2% of these active ingredients. To be really effective you need levels far higher. Products like this can only be found in aesthetic clinics specialising in non surgical treatments. Surprisingly, they are not as expensive as many of the famous designer brands which promise the earth and deliver far less. No self respecting clinic will sell products unless they are supported by independent clinical trials. These products can only be sold in this environment as only clinic staff specially trained and qualified to do so should be selling such strong products.
Once you have found a clinic stocking skincare products what do you need to look for?
High strength AHA's encourage the repair and regeneration of the skin. Ideal for encouraging faster skin turnover so you no longer need to include harsh scrubs or exfoliants in your skincare regime. The top layer of the skin is visibly improved, by the loosening of dead epidermal cells, which exfoliates the skin and helps boost collagen production. Clinic strength AHA products can give the effect of a mild chemical peel within 3 months of daily usage. Typically, this ingredient originates from natural substances such as sugar cane and fruit acids. With repeated use, products containing this ingredient will improve the appearance of ageing skin, uneven texture and skin tone and reduce the appearance of age spots, improve pores, fine lines and wrinkles.
Retinols are effective at a deeper layer of the epidermis. Strictly speaking this is vitamin A and its therefore a great antioxidant. Products containing this ingredient will speed up cell renewal, increase collagen production and fight free radicals. Studies have shown that topical vitamin A increases epidermal thickness and helps decrease collagen breakdown caused by sun damage.
Products containing peptides will treat the skin at even deeper levels of the epidermis. These antioxidants contribute to increased collagen synthesis, encouraging the production of new collagen. Building new collagen will help treat lines and wrinkles, improve the skin's firmness and appearance and thicken the skin also.
Finally, antioxidants are capable of penetrating down to the subcutaneous level, the deepest layer of the skin. Alpha Lipoic Acid is one of the most recent antioxidants. It attacks both fat and water soluable radicals (whereas other antioxidants only deactivate one or the other). It also boosts other antioxidants such as vitamins E and C. It is believed this substance prevents glycation, the attachment of sugar to protein, which causes proteins like collagen to break down.
These products are also useful armour in your battle against ageing skin. But be warned – there is only so much they can be expected to achieve, so don't expect miracles. For more immediate or deeper, stronger results and/or to treat extensive signs of ageing, products alone may not give you the effects you are looking for. It is at this stage that you may need to consider aesthetic treatments, particularly if there is extensive sun damage, advanced evidence of ageing and/or deeper lines and wrinkles.
Products containing all of these ingredients are available from Complete Rejuvenation Medical Aesthetics Clinic, as well as aesthetic treatments including Botox, dermal fillers, chemical peels, dermaroller/medical skin needling and Laser Lipo treatments. Clinics are available throughout London, Hertfordshire and Essex.