Question: “I have dull, tired skin. What can I do to make it look better?”
Answer: Many women and men come to our plastic surgery practice in Dallas looking for a quick fix with a laser skin resurfacing treatment. While that may improve things more acutely, a commitment to skin care will allow you to maintain your treatment results. In some cases, that dedicated skincare routine may be all that is needed to help make your skin look new and refreshed.
There are 5 fundamentals to a good skin care regimen:
1. Wear Sunblock!
As we discuss in a related blog post, everything begins with sunblock. If you cannot commit to daily use, go no further. We get sun exposure 365 days a year, so we must use it every day. And it’s vital you choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects your skin from both UVA and UVB rays. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends choosing a water-resistant sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30
2. Antioxidants Are Good for Your Skin
Sunscreen isn’t your only tool for protecting your skin from damage. Antioxidants are also important protectants, reducing your skin’s inflammation and helping it repair itself from the damage caused by free radicals. Vitamin C, vitamin A, and polyphenols such as resveratrol are antioxidants commonly found in effective skincare products.
3. Choose the Right Skin Cleanser for Your Skin Type
Using an appropriate cleanser for the type of skin you have is critical. Skin types are typically categorized as oily, dry, neutral, or combination skin. Oily skin responds best to gentle cleansers, while hydrating cream cleansers are nourishing for dry skin. If your skin is particularly sensitive, look for skincare products that do not have alcohol, fragrance, parabens, or essential oils.
4. Retinol Offers Many Skin Benefits
Tretinoin, also known as Retin-A, helps with skin turnover and increases the collagen within it. Collagen is crucial for your skin’s structure, and your skin produces it naturally. This collagen production declines as you age, causing your skin to look less firm. Free radicals also break down the collagen in your skin, but tretinoin fights that free-radical damage.
5. Use Hyperpigmentation Treatments When Necessary
For some people with brown, gray, or red spots on the face, hyperpigmentation products may help. Look for brightening or lightening serums or products that contain azelaic acid, kojic acid, or tretinoin. Depending on your needs, these products can be part of your daily skincare regimen or just a temporary routine.
Skin care doesn’t have to be complicated—just something in the morning and evening before you go to bed. You will see positive changes within 4 to 6 weeks.
And if your daily skincare routine just isn’t giving you the fresh, healthy-looking skin you want, it may be time to try a chemical peel, specialized facial, IPL or BBL photorejuvenation, or laser skin resurfacing. We have excellent skincare specialists in our practice who help us care for you after a thorough skin evaluation.
To get in touch with one of our skincare specialists and request a consultation, contact us online or call us at (214) 645-3112. We look forward to helping you achieve the skin you’ve always wanted.
Updated July 2022
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