Aesthetic Nurse Hannah Depledge based in Sheffield, explains the difference between medical grade skin care and the products you can buy over the counter.
A little bit of SCIENCE...
The skin is the largest organ in the body, often being the most neglected, with its main goal being to maintain the balance between the body and the external environment. The skins outer layer is called the epidermis, this layer amongst other things defends us from the harmful rays of the sun. Below the epidermis, is the dermis, this layer is responsible for the firmness and the elasticity of the skin, giving the face volume.
Ageing takes place in every part of our body, and I discussed in my last blog the changes that happen to the face and the skin as we age. Changes that occur at the skin level include; the appearance of brown spots, enlarged red vessels, wide pores and visible wrinkles and creases. One of the most important but simple tings you can do to improve the quality of your skin is to invest in a good daily skincare regime.
There is much confusion about what constitutes a good skincare range and in my clinic I hear a lot of “I’ve always looked after my skin” and “I use really good products, Clinique, Clarins, Crème de la Mer”. It often shocks people when I tell them that although these products are very expensive and may make the skin feel nice, they are over the counter products and therefore do not contain the right ingredients at a level high enough to make any significant changes to the skin. They can actually be contributing to the individuals skin complaints. Whereas products that you can buy from skin clinics, medical grade skin care, that cannot be sold over the counter, without seeing a trained professional are what you should be using to get the results you want for the money you spend.
Over the counter moisturisers are one of the worst products you can apply to the skin on your face, they actually contribute to the ageing process. The skin is very clever and has natural moisturising factors in the dermis, when you apply a moisturiser to the skin, it tricks the skin into thinking it is hydrated promoting the skin to reduce the amount of natural moisture in the skin. Dehydrating the skin, leading to dry, sensitive skin and promoting the production of fine lines and wrinkles. The moisturising cream plasters down the dead outer layer of the epidermis (the stratum corneum) that usually sheds daily, like covering it in cling film, and does not allow this natural exfoliation to occur, causing a build up of dead skin, making it feel rough and look dull.
So what do you do about it?
At Eterno Aesthetics we stock a couple of ranges of at home medical grade skin care and after a consultation I will advise you of the best products to use for your individual skin problems and devise a plan for going forward. I would be recommending daily washes, creams and serums that exfoliate the skin, encourage the production of elastin, and UV protection to prevent further damage.
There are also in clinic treatments such as skin peels and microneedling that combined with the skincare would enhance the quality of your skin. Look out for my next blog on microneedling and the wonderful benefits of this minimally invasive treatment.
