6 Detrimental Factors that Affect Skin Health
Radiant skin is key to our confidence. However, with a myriad of facial treatments and options out there, which do you choose for healthy, glowing skin? The key to good skincare starts with understanding how your skin works and combining it with the right treatment. By following the guides below, you’re on your way to healthier skin.
This is no surprise for all beauty gurus out there. Exposure to UVA rays from the sun (even through a window) can damage our skin health. Although sunlight is a vital contribution of Vitamin D for our bodies, prolonged exposure without sunscreen protection throughout our lives can cause premature aging of our skin. This happens because UV radiation causes collagen to break down at a higher than normal rate, resulting in the abnormal accumulation of elastin. When elastin builds-up, enzymes are produced which inadvertently breaks down the structural collagen that supports the walls of the skin’s tiny blood vessels.
As we age, this collagen damage makes blood vessels more fragile and more likely to rupture. The effects include photo-aging (premature aging of the skin) and also actinic purpura (bleeding from fragile blood vessels beneath the skin). The solution? As simple as it is, NEVER forget to put on your sunscreen for full protection, even when you are at home!
Tobacco is a real enemy to our skin health. The harmful chemical contents present in it causes toxins to build up in our bodies and thus causing a tremendous and damaging impact on our skin. People who smoke will experience premature wrinkles, drier and more brittle skin with a greyish colouration.
Unless you live in the wilderness, we are all susceptible to the harmful effects of pollution from micro-particles when living in an urban city. These micro-particles from soot, smoke and dust floating in our atmosphere penetrates our skin and can cause premature skin aging. Some of the aging side effects include hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, rashes, dehydration of our skin and inflammation.
Since exposure to air pollution is inevitable, be sure to clean your face twice a day with specific products that are appropriate for your skin type. For sensitive skin, try micellar water or cleansing gels.
The adage ‘beauty is only skin deep’ is probably a wise reminder of how we should care for our skin health. We are what we consume.
Food such as meat, butter, dairy products, sugar or alcohol cause early aging of the face and the appearance of wrinkles. Contents from some of these products also cause inflammation and hypersensitivity of our skin, resulting in varied reactions from acne, scarring to irritated skin.
When it comes to food, choose a healthy and balanced diet. If you are a meat, dairy or sugar lover, opt for a varied diet that includes vegetables, legumes and olive oil, which are a great contribution of vitamins for the skin. Be mindful of foods rich in antioxidants, which include molecules capable of fighting skin oxidation.
When we are asleep, our body carries out thermo-regulation and the secretion of hormones such as melatonin and cortisol, which directly affect the skin. It has been proven that chronic sleep deprivation causes wrinkles, loss of subcutaneous fat and sunken skin.
When suffering from prolonged stress or anxiety, our body releases (among other substances) cortisol. This stress hormone causes the breakdown of collagen and elastin, responsible for giving elasticity to our face. Cortisol also weakens the skin’s immune system, leading it to increase sensitivity and acne.
So, what can you tweak in your daily routine for glowing, radiant facial skin?
Facial Treatment 1: Chemical Peel
This treatment consists of a controlled alteration of the dermis, where the superficial layer of the skin that causes a build-up of debris and pollutants is removed, allowing newer skin cells to resurface.
Through this facial treatment, a brighter face is obtained and it is considered very effective when the first wrinkles and blemishes appear.
Facial Treatment 2: Radiofrequency Therapy
A non-invasive radiofrequency (RF) therapy that can smooth, tighten and contour skin to achieve a younger-looking face. The collagen in our skin takes several months to produce, RF is a bulk heating mechanism which works to stimulate new and gradual collagen formation over a period of 3 - 6 months. Each treatment takes around 30-90 minutes, depending on the area of treatment. You can expect to see a fuller and lifted appearance over time after a few sessions of RF therapy.
Facial Treatment 3: Collagen Stimulator
The Collagen Stimulator (PolyCaproLactone) is an advanced rejuvenation filler injected into skin by a trained doctor to restore loss of volume & improve skin quality associated with skin aging. It is made of soft biomedical PolyCaproLactone (PCL) microspheres suspended in a tailor made gel. Once injected, it gives an immediate volumising and sculpting result, that lasts up to 24 months, and at the same time, the PCL microspheres will begin to stimulate your skin to produce collagen. The Collagen Stimulator (PCL) is totally bioresorbable and will naturally be reabsorbed by the body over time.
Facial Treatment 4: Vitamin C Treatments
Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid and L-ascorbic acid, is a vitamin that we can only get through our diet or supplements. It is an essential nutrient for enzymatic production and tissue repair. It also helps to produce collagen and protects our skin cells from harmful free radicals caused by UV exposure.
One effective way to increase the benefits of vitamin C on our skin is to apply it directly onto our skin. This allows a direct and more potent intake as compared to oral supplements.
With vitamin C facial treatments, you will see an increase in the production of collagen resulting in firmer and more youthful skin. It also inhibits melanin production, which helps to even out brown spots and enhances your overall skin tone.
Conclusion
Keeping your skin healthy and radiant does not necessarily mean breaking the bank by purchasing expensive creams or going for high-end surgeries; by addressing these main factors, and trying these non-invasive treatments you can make dull and lifeless skin glow again naturally!
