If your current skincare routine isn’t delivering the results you want, it might be time to consider enhancing your skincare game. Achieving glowing, smoother, younger-looking skin takes time, but there are steps you can take to improve your skin quality immediately.

Why Consider Medical-Grade Skincare Products?

Medical-grade skincare products provide strong clinical evidence of their effectiveness. They use ingredients that are more stable and mechanisms that penetrate deeper into the skin compared to over-the-counter products. These high-quality products are available at med spas and dermatology offices.

Top Recommendations for Your Skincare Routine

1. Use ‘Getting Skin Ready’ Products

The best skin of your life starts with a good skincare routine at home. Every regimen should begin with ‘Getting Skin Ready’ (GSR) products, which include a cleanser, exfoliant, and toner. Choose products suited to your skin type for optimal results.

• Cleansing: Daily cleansing removes impurities and oils that build up throughout the day.
• Exfoliation and Toning: Gentle exfoliation encourages cell turnover and removes dead skin cells, improving skin texture and radiance. Follow up with a toner to soothe, control oil, and restore your skin’s pH balance before applying serums.

2. Incorporate Antioxidants

Serums are essential for targeting specific skin needs, whether it’s improving tone and texture, brightening, or fighting signs of aging. Antioxidants in serums protect against damage, reduce wrinkles, and encourage a healthy glow. Recommended products include:

• PCA Skin’s CE Advanced with Hexylresorcinol and Silymarin
• ZO Skin Health 10% self-activating Vitamin C
• ZO Skin Health Daily Power Defense

3. Use Retinol at Night

Retinol is a powerful anti-aging ingredient that stimulates collagen production and promotes cellular turnover. Only use retinol at night due to potential sun sensitivity. Medical-grade retinol is recommended for its proven effectiveness in improving skin texture, reducing lines and wrinkles, and enhancing skin function.

4. Wear Sunblock Every Day

Daily application of SPF 30 or higher is crucial for protecting your face, neck, chest, and hands from damaging UV rays. Look for water and sweat-resistant formulations for summer and reapply throughout the day. Powder formulations from brands like Jane Iredale and ZO Skin Health make reapplication easy.

5. Choose Mineral-Based Makeup

Mineral-based makeup offers anti-inflammatory benefits and sun protection. Jane Iredale products are free of harmful ingredients and cruelty-free, providing skin-friendly makeup options.

Professional Skincare Services

Consistency with professional facial treatments enhances skin health and maintains a long-lasting glow. Professionals can access advanced products and tools for deeper cleansing, exfoliation, and targeted therapies.

6. Try a HydraFacial

HydraFacial combines advanced exfoliation with peptide and antioxidant infusion, offering deep cleaning with no downtime. It’s customizable, safe for all skin types, and can be done monthly or bi-monthly.

7. Dermaplaning for a Refreshed Look

Dermaplaning gently exfoliates the skin and removes peach fuzz, leaving the skin smooth and refreshed. It’s recommended monthly and can be combined with a HydraFacial for enhanced results.

8. Younger-Looking Skin with Microneedling

Microneedling is a minimally invasive treatment that firms the skin and improves texture by stimulating collagen production. It can be done monthly for specific concerns or quarterly for maintenance.

9. Award-Winning Skin Tightening

Ultherapy is an FDA-approved non-invasive treatment that firms and tightens the skin on the neck, décolleté, chin, and brows. The results last up to two years, making it a long-lasting solution for skin tightening.

How to Treat Skin Problems

Addressing skin problems effectively requires a gentle approach to avoid causing further damage. The golden rule of skincare is: Don’t pick!

Picking at acne, blackheads, scabs, or other skin issues can lead to open wounds, hyperpigmentation, infections, and scars. The deeper the wound, the higher the risk of scarring.

Here are scientifically-backed methods for treating common skin problems:

Acne

Treating acne depends on its severity. For mild acne, over-the-counter products from your local drugstore can be effective. Some recommended ingredients include:

• Salicylic acid
• Benzoyl peroxide
• Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs)
• Adapalene
• Tea tree oil

Always apply sunscreen in the morning after using these products, as they can increase skin sensitivity to sunlight.

For immediate relief from inflamed pimples, try using acne patches or stickers. These clear patches help promote healing and prevent infections by pulling out fluid overnight. It’s best to use them before bed, as makeup can’t cover them effectively.

Sebaceous Filaments

Sebaceous filaments are tiny, cylindrical tubes in your pores that often get mistaken for blackheads. Unlike blackheads, which are a type of oxidized acne, sebaceous filaments are not typically treated by pinching or using pore strips. These methods can lead to:

• Irritation
• Open pores and infection
• Dryness
• Redness
• Peeling

Topical preparations containing retinol or retinoids can help keep pores clear. Alternatively, an extraction tool, which has a small metal circle at the end, can be used. The safest method is to have an esthetician or dermatologist remove them for you, but if you choose to do it at home:

1. Start with a clean face and instrument.
2. Gently press the circle around the bump to see if the filament comes out. Be cautious to avoid bruising and scarring.
3. Treat the area with moisturizer afterward.
4. Sanitize your instrument with rubbing alcohol before and after use to prevent infections.

Applying benzoyl peroxide after washing can also be beneficial.

Blemishes, Scars, and Hyperpigmentation

Blemishes, scars, and dark spots can take weeks to months, or even longer, to heal and fade. To prevent further sun damage and hyperpigmentation, use makeup and sunscreen. Ingredients known to help fade scars include:

• Silicone: Topical silicone can improve scar thickness, color, and texture. Apply silicone gel for 8 to 24 hours per day, looking for products with silicon dioxide listed as an ingredient.
• Honey: Medical-grade honey can heal wounds and scars. Be sure to use medical-grade honey rather than grocery store honey.
• Vitamin C: Look for creams and moisturizers with vitamin C, which works best when combined with other lightening ingredients like soy and licorice. Vitamin C degrades quickly when exposed to light and oxygen, so choose products in brown glass bottles.
• Niacinamide: Effective in reducing blemishes and dark spots, particularly for lighter skin tones. Use topical niacinamide in concentrations of 2% to 5%.
• Retinoic Acid: A combination of retinoic acid and glycolic acid has been shown to improve acne scars in 91.4% of people in one study.

Incorporate these ingredients into your skincare routine after washing your face. Always apply sunscreen after these treatments to prevent sun damage and further hyperpigmentation.

For personalized recommendations, follow up with your Advanced Plastic Surgery Centre skincare specialist. Call us today to find out what’s best for your unique skin type and start your journey to beautiful skin!