Dr MCCaffrey’s Expert Advise: Skincare Through The Ages
As we age, our skin undergoes a plethora of changes. All the hallmarks of young skin, plump, smooth and blemish free, are gradually reversed. Whilst it is not possible to prevent skin aging, there are many steps we can take to slow the process down and keep our skin in the best condition possible for as long as possible. To us, aging gracefully means taking the absolute best care of what you have, and ensuring that you’re happy and confident with how you look. We are going to give you the lowdown on the best treatments and most effective skincare ingredients to keep your skin looking good, no matter your age.
IN YOUR 20S
As hard as it is to even imagine growing old in your 20s, this is the age to focus on preventive care for your skin. Taking care of your skin will mean far fewer problems for your future face. The most important preventative is sunscreen. “Use sunscreen on a daily basis”, says Dr Philippa McCaffery, founder and owner of Clearskincare Clinics. “Our climate means we get too much sun, even if we don’t sunbath.” You can try Clear skincare’s 30+ Oil Free Sunscreen. Another common issue in the 20s is adult acne. Unfortunately, adult women are twice as likely to have chronic adult acne than males. “SGA (Sebaceous Gland Ablation) has been designed to combat acne and pimples during your adult years” says Dr McCaffery. “SGA targets and eliminates the “rogue” sebaceous glands that cause Acne and Breakouts. No problem sebaceous glands equal no more adult Acne.” SGA uses an ultra-fine heated probe to penetrate and eliminate overactive sebaceous glands that cause Blackheads, Pimples and inflamed Acne Cysts. We have over 1,200 sebaceous glands per square centimeter of skin, and only a tiny proportion of these malfunction and develop the symptoms of Acne, even in the most severe Acne cases. Clearskincare Clinics have treated over 4,000 clients with SGA since January 2012 and have achieved a 90% success rate after 6 – 10 treatments. “For 20 somethings that would just like to maintain their skin we suggest skin peels and microdermabrasion,” says Dr McCaffery. “Peels will smooth your skin texture, exfoliate dead skin cells and refine open pores and congested skin.” “Microdermabrasion is great for smoother, glowing skin. It acts as a deep exfoliation to refine open pores, deep cleanse congested skin and improve skin texture.”
Ingredients to stock up on: Salicylic acid, to help fight off hormonal breakouts; vitamin C and kojic acid, to help brighten minor pigmentation; and broad-spectrum (i.e. UVA and UVB) sunscreen.
IN YOUR 30S
It’s a time of babies, stress and hormonal swings that can wreak havoc on your skin! Growth hormones start to slow down, so the skin won’t repair itself as it did in your 20s. Breakouts can still occur in the form of cystic acne, those hard, sore underground blemishes that linger for weeks. Many women experience melasma, or brown patches on the skin that become darker with sun exposure. “Try IPL Skin rejuvenation during these years,” says Dr McCaffery. “This will help get rid of skin imperfections and concerns, such as redness, freckles, age spots and uneven skin texture.” “Regular skin peels and LED Crystalite therapy will help minimise fine lines on your skin.”
Ingredients to stock up on: Glycolic acid and prescription Vitamin A for acne prone skin; hydroquinone to help fade pigmentation; broad-spectrum (i.e. UVA and UVB) sunscreen; and Vitamin A and Copper Peptide Serums and creams to stimulate collagen.
IN YOUR 40S
These are the years when some of the damage done in our teenage and early adult years starts to appear in our skin. As well as fine lines, fine veins start to appear around the nose and on the cheeks and sunspots appear in areas of greatest sun exposure. It is also around this age that collagen starts to break and deeper lines start to appear as a result. “For smoother, youthful looking skin, I recommend Anti-Wrinkle injections and Dermal Filler Treatments. They are the perfect solution for smoothing lines and wrinkles around the eyes and forehead. Dermal Fillers are perfect for plumping lips, filling deep smile lines and replacing lost cheek plumpness” says Dr McCaffery. “Laser treatments that target veins and pigment can help restore a clear complexion, which always looks younger as the light is more evenly reflected from our skin” “Skin Needling and fractional laser and radiofrequency treatments are also appropriate in the 40s to stimulate collagen production in the skin.”
Ingredients to stock up on Hydroquinone and Vitamin C to help fade pigmentation; broad-spectrum (i.e. UVA and UVB) sunscreen; and Vitamin A and Copper Peptide Serums and creams to stimulate collagen and Hyaluronic acid serum for hydration.
IN YOUR 50S
With Menopause, many women experience a significant change in their skin, many complaining of dryness and loss of elasticity. As our facial fat decreases, we loose the fullness in our cheeks and once defined necklines are marred by jowls and loose crepey skin. “We can replace facial fat with fillers but always be careful not to overdo it,“ says Dr McCaffery. “Skin Tightening for the neck and jowls is possible, but not all Skin Tightening machines are created equal, so do your research. There are many effective non surgical options to keep looking good through your 50s but regular treatments are essential to maintain results.”
Ingredients to stock up on: Prescription Vitamin A creams to help keep collagen and elastin production churning; light facial oils, vitamin C and hydroquinone to keep pigmentation at bay and home based “Mini “peels containing low strength glycolic acid and trichloracetic acid will help give your skin a weekly boost.
