One of the most common aesthetic end goals is youthful, healthy skin — and rightly so. It is, after all, the largest part of our body and a highly protective organ. That said, our skin is exposed to daily stressors such as ultraviolet rays from the sun and could affect skin health.
Fret not! Because sun damage is reversible. Read on for more facts on other modifiable factors you can work on for healthier skin.
Sun damage is not always visible to the naked eye
Especially in Singapore’s climate, we experience all year round summer sun. Sunlight consists of a spectrum of rays of varying wavelength. The longer the wavelengths, the more likely it can penetrate deeper into the skin and can cause damage that is not visible to the naked eye. In fact, all our UV ray exposure accounts for 80% of our skin’s ageing. [1]
How so? The short-wavelength UV rays will interact with the skin and generate highly reactive free radicals. These excessive free radicals can cause cell damage, which also causes skin ageing and heightens the chances of us developing skin cancer. [2]
This is why it is paramount to apply the right amount of sunscreen daily to protect your skin. SPF30 and above is generally sufficient when applied in the right amount. Otherwise, opting for sunscreen with SPF50 or higher would allow more protection for less amount of sunscreen.
If the sun’s already done some damage to your skin and you find yourself with wrinkles, you could consider a NeoGen Nitro-Plasma treatment. This treatment works by using high energy level to administer plasma directly to targeted treatment areas without affecting the surrounding tissues, effectively treating early signs of ageing such as pigmentation, age spots, fine lines and wrinkles. The thermal energy also encourages skin regeneration and allows your skin to replace old damaged collagen and elastin.
Dry skin can be harmful
As it’s not always visible to the naked eye, we tend to have the assumption that our dry skin simply means we have to drink more water — it sloughs off and we move on with our day.
While there is truth to this and occasionally dry skin may not be harmful to you, when not cared for regularly, consistently dry skin may lead to Atopic Dermatitis, also known as eczema. If you’re prone to this condition, excessive dryness can lead to activation of the issue that will cause redness and inflammation. Having regular dry skin can also lead to infections. Dry skin that cracks could mean a compromised skin barrier, allowing bacteria to enter and cause infections.
It helps to have a proper skincare routine and to utilise daily moisturisers and hydrating creams to keep your skin hydrated, especially if your skin is more prone to dryness.
You could also give your skin a quick boost with an OxyReplenish facial. This treatment works by replenishing the skin cells with much-needed oxygen and hydration, leaving your skin supple and smooth. It is also the only treatment capable of generating 95-98% oxygen that is deeply infused into the skin, up to its germinative basal layer.
Exfoliation is necessary
Your skin may have dead skin build-up and clogged pores as a result of environmental stressors such as pollutants or dirt. These should be gently removed by washing your face daily and regular exfoliation. Exfoliation helps to:
Clean and purify clogged pores
Slough away dead skin cells and encourage new cell turnover
Boost circulation
Enhance skincare penetration
For proper exfoliation, you could try a variety of home recipes containing sugar and honey or over-the-counter scrubs and chemical peels. For a deep cleanse, you could consider an Aquajet Microdermabrasion Facial.
This technology targets the uppermost layer of skin cells and uses gentle water jet streams and extremely fine aluminium oxide powder to deeply cleanse pores without extraction or damage to the skin.
Stress affects your skin
Chronic stress can have serious consequences on our skin as well. It can manifest itself in dry skin, wrinkles and acne. Stress pimples are caused by the increased production of cortisol when we get stressed. Cortisol, in turn, triggers the production of another hormone called corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH), which stimulates oil release from the sebaceous glands. Too much oil production then leads to clogged pores and acne.
Over-the-counter pimple creams and natural remedies such as tea tree oil may be just what you need for your acne woes. For more severe cases of acne, you could consider the Jet Pulse Plus+ facial that helps to:
Remove blackheads
Tighten pores
Control acne and sebum
Clear oily and congested skin
Bad skin may be a sign of underlying health issues
While most skin issues resolve within a month or two, recurring bad skin may indicate an underlying health issue. Your skin is your largest organ and changes in the skin such as discolouration or a new growth could be an early sign of a more serious problem.
For example, rosacea is a chronic skin disease that goes through a cycle of fading and relapse. It is usually due to triggers like alcoholic beverages, spicy foods and intestinal bacteria Helicobacter Pylori, and usually triggered by consumption of foods that do not agree with the body. On the other hand, bronzing of the skin could indicate an issue with iron metabolism while yellowing could signal liver failure.
Hopefully, these facts helped you learn a little more about your skin and how to give it the love it deserves. Try to adopt a daily ritual that fortifies your skin. If it’s damaged, there are always methods that help rebuild your skin barrier. Lastly, always remember that your skin is still an organ and it can carry clues on your general health. When in doubt, book a consultation for a proper skin analysis in order to find a treatment plan best suited for you.
Poljšak, B., & Dahmane, R. (2012). Free radicals and extrinsic skin aging. Dermatology research and practice, 2012, 135206. https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/135206
