The “face” factor

Aging. A natural process which we either embrace or find ways to delay it from taking our looks away. Some are lucky; they still look youthful despite their advanced age, whereas others are not as lucky. In today’s beauty market, there are a plethora of anti-aging formulas that promise to reverse the damaging effects of time, making this a very lucrative industry. On top of that, beauty treatments that use medical therapies have helped many to counter the aging process. At Medical Aesthetics, our certified doctors can help you combat skin aging. We offer services ranging from oral to topical treatments to medically proven treatments to suit your skin needs. Regain your confidence once more with our treatments. Let us find out more on why our skin ages. 

Let’s zoom in to the top reasons why our skin ages prematurely. Extrinsic or external factors, typically coupled with intrinsic (internal) factors which is the natural aging process, contribute to making you looking older than you really are. Poor health and unhealthy lifestyles merely speeds up the process. Here are some reasons that rob your skin of its radiance:

Sun exposure- Freckles, age spots, spider veins on the face, rough and leathery skin, fine wrinkles, blotchy complexion, and skin cancer are all related to sun exposure. Photoaging occurs with repeated exposure to the sun, whereby the skin degenerates prematurely. Repeated UV exposure breaks down collagen and hinders the synthesis of new collagen. Skin thus becomes loose, wrinkled, and leathery faster with unprotected exposure to sunlight.

Smoking- By now, we already know most of the harmful effects of smoking and passive smoking. Exposure to cigarette smoke significantly increases skin wrinkles and dryness, since it depletes the body of vitamin C which keeps our skin moist and plump. Usually, heavy smokers develop deeply wrinkled, leathery skin than a nonsmoker.

Lack of exercise- A sedentary lifestyle gives way to crow’s feet, eye bags, wrinkles and lines. Moderate regular exercise helps keep the muscles toned, thereby preventing sagging and wrinkling.  Regular exercise increases energy and blood flow to the skin cells, therefore improving circulation and ensures that blood flow occurs at a good rate.

Alcohol abuse- Since alcohol dehydrates the body, it leaves the skin dry and that is how wrinkles form. Vitamin A, which is critical for cell renewal and turnover is depleted from the body. Alcohol increases blood flow and dilates the tiny blood vessels near the skin’s surface, causing unsightly broken capillaries on the face when it “bursts”.

Lack of sleep- The first signs that indicate insufficient rest are dark circles, eye bags and saggy skin. Growth hormone which is the youth hormone, is released during sleep that enable the body cells to undergo repair which leads to positive effects on the immune system and the skin.

Pro-inflammatory foods- Sugars and starches accelerate aging. There is loss of skin radiance and tone, formation of dark circles, increased fine lines and wrinkles and pore size. For acne-prone skins, it will also cause flare ups. 

So now that you have read about the common mistakes that people do to their skin, how can you prevent signs of premature aging? Here are some skin-friendly tips:

·         Apply sunscreen with at least SPF 30 or higher. Apply 20 minutes prior to heading outdoors and reapply after perspiring or in water.

·         Stop smoking. Research has shown that those who have smoked for many years, or smoked heavily at a younger age, show less facial wrinkling and improved skin tone when they quit smoking.

·         Exercise regularly to improve circulation and give the skin a healthy and radiant glow.

·         Limit alcohol intake as it not only is bad for the skin, but to health as well. Opt for red wine instead as it offers more health benefits than alcoholic beverages.

·         Aim for 8-9 hours of sleep each night as it is essential to maintain radiant skin. Too little sleep makes you look and feel tired.

·         Avoid processed foods and include more low fat staples such as fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet.

At Medical Aesthetics, we offer minimally invasive treatments such as Botox and injectable fillers for those looking for convenience without any downtime. We also provide laser resurfacing, chemical peeling, microdermabrasion, and topical treatments that will help restore a youthful and more radiant complexion.

Make an appointment today with our doctors to get a more customised consultation. To find out more on our treatments, you may wish to drop us an email at enquiries@medical-aesthetics.sg or contact us at 93387432 from 9am to 9pm.