Steal the thunder in your 30s

Most of the advertisements about anti ageing creams talk to women about fine lines and wrinkles. 30’s are when women might start noticing fine lines, discoloration of skin due to sun damage or adult acne.

Factors like stress, pollution, harmonal imbalances and artificial air conditioned environment can be the cause of some of these skin problems.

It is as important to choose a healthy life style and simple home care as it is to choose the right skin care products.

Following simple skin care routine can help in keeping the skin healthy. Using a gentle cleanser in the morning and evening keeps pores clear.

A good sunscreen helps prevent fine lines and wrinkles in addition to preventing sun damage. Applying a sunscreen 15 minutes before sun exposure and repeating the application after 4 hours is recommended.

As we age our skin becomes drier. A good moisturiser will keep skin hydrated and plump. Anti-aging creams with retinoids help to keep skin smooth and might even help with adult acne and scarring. A good eye cream can help with providing moisture and reduce lines around the eye.

Manage stress to improve the skin quality. Increased stress can mean acne flare-ups and might make the skin condition worse.

Getting regular exercise and maintaining a healthy diet are an integral part of good skin. Regular exercise also helps reduce stress which in-turn means better skin.

Including fresh fruits and vegetables and reducing sugary carbohydrates in your diet improves skin conditions and prevents hormonal breakouts.

It is important to drink 8 - 10 glasses of water to keep the body and skin hydrated. Getting good amount of sleep is very important for skin health. Skin repairs and renews when we sleep, it is necessary for healthy glowing skin.

Prevention is always better than cure! Simple lunch time procedures with minimal downtime and side effects can help delay onset of fine lines and wrinkles.

Two such procedures are Chemical peel and Photo facial.A simple lunch time procedure to improve the quality of the skin is called Chemical Peel.

As we grow older, the skin turnover rate reduces, leading to the appearance of dull skin, pigmentation and spots.

Peels help improve the skin's tone, texture and firmness by removing dead layers, and promoting new cell and skin regeration. Regular peels can also reduce wrinkles and large pores.

A chemical peel is a simple procedure to rejuvenate and treat many common skin conditions. In this treatment, a chemical agent of known concentration is applied to the skin to be treated for a fixed duration.

This causes a controlled exfoliation of the outermost layers of the skin, which in turn stimulates new skin production. The new skin is smoother, brighter and less wrinkled than the older skin.

Most chemical agents used in peels have been originally discovered in fruits, they are called hydroxy acids.

For example, the commonly used glycolic peel finds its origin in Sugarcane juice, Lactic acid from milk or sour curd. Scientists have isolated and perfected the correct concentrations of the peeling agent in these, and we now benefit from the same.

Chemical peels can be used to treat acne and acne induced scarring and pigmentation. They can also address tanning and sun induced damage to the skin.

Chemical peels can be used to rejuvenate fine lines and dark circles around the eyes and mouth. Skin that is dull in texture can be brought back to its normal texture with peeling treatments.

A slightly stronger procedure for rejuvenation of the skin is the photofacial. This procedure uses a Q YAG laser or an IPL laser to brighten the skin and tighten the pores.

A modification of this treatment is called a Carbon peel. These treatment bring a lot of glow to the skin and helps reduce the redness associated with constant sun exposure. They are a great pre party procedure.

It is imperative that you choose the correct lifestyle to help delay onset of skin ageing. Your dermatologist will be your guide in selection of procedures and home care to protect and preserve skin youth.