Top Tips for Glowing Summer Skin
From Surgeon & skincare expert Miss Sherina Balaratnam
As your largest organ, skin is the first thing to show signs of distress when your body is not in harmony. From stress to sun damage, by changing your lifestyle and being smart about skincare, this step-by-step guide will help you achieve fantastic glowing skin this summer:
- Drink lots of water and cut out alcohol:
Drink at least 2.5L of water a day – especially during summer where water is easily lost through the skin. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty, as by then your body has lost 1-2% of its total water content! Alcohol is not only dehydrating, but long-term overuse causes inflammation, which may show in the skin as rosacea.
- Invest in sun protection:
Sun damage is the #1 cause of premature skin ageing and skin cancers, so make sure you use a minimum of SPF30 every day (SPF 50 in summer) and reapply regularly. SPF in makeup isn’t actually enough to get the protection you need, so use a specialized SPF product that protects against UVA and UVB.
- Eliminate inflammation:
It is the root of all skincare problems and causes premature ageing, so try to avoid:
- Sugar and carbohydrate excess: this damages collagen fibers, resulting in a loss of elasticity and dullness
- Stress: increases our cortisol or stress hormone levels, which causes collagen to break down prematurely
- Sleep deprivation: can affect the ability of cells to repair themselves
- Find your unique skincare ingredient mix:
Your skincare should be as unique as you are, so look for ingredients tailored to your specific needs. For example, oily or acne-prone skin may need hydroxyacids such as salicylic acid to gently exfoliate and prevent blocking of pores. For dry skin, look for hyaluronic acid – nature’s own plumper which draws water into the skin to support, hydrate and give a glow
- Get your antioxidant ‘5 a day’:
Antioxidants repair damage caused by oxidative stress in skin cells. Look for skincare with good quality antioxidants such as Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid), Vitamin E, green tea and aloe vera which help reduce inflammation. Daily Omega-3 supplements are another great way to boost your antioxidants!
- Remove make-up before bed:
But not with wipes, as all this does is move make-up and dirt around your face and cause blocking of pores. Look for a good cleanser which works without stripping the skin of its natural oils, which will damage the natural skin barrier and can result in acne and general irritation
- Give your skin a workout from the inside out:
Exercise increases blood flow and nutrients to the skin, as well as flushing away toxins – helping to cleanse skin from within. As we age, the natural 6-week cycle of making new skin cells starts slowing down – problems such as acne and sun damage slow the process down even further. Step up your regime to include Retinols (a derivative of Vitamin A), which increase new cell formation and also have a positive effect on collagen production. For an extra boost, complement this with advanced medical facials to gently and safely increase exfoliation, which enables skin to look fresher and healthier
As featured in Elite Magazine September 2015 edition.
To book your complimentary consultation with Miss Balaratnam, our surgeon and medical director, contact us on 01494 670990 or info@sthetics.co.uk