4 essential tips to protect your skin from premature ageing

While we can’t turn back the hands of time, we can  stop the clock from moving forwards too quickly. If you’re looking to stop signs of ageing, you’re too late. 

These days, it’s all about premature ageing – preventing ageing that should not even be there to begin with. 

From signs to look out for to getting an anti-ageing facial treatment in Singapore, here’s how you can reclaim your youthful skin. 

Understand the signs of premature ageing

Premature ageing refers to the acceleration of the natural ageing process, often caused by lifestyle, environmental and health factors. Some of the key signs to look out for are:

Fine lines and wrinkles: These are often the first signs of aging skin. They usually appear around the eyes and mouth where the skin moves most. Premature wrinkles may appear due to factors like overexposure to sunlight, smoking, or repeated facial expressions.

Loss of skin elasticity: As we age, our skin loses collagen and elastin, the proteins responsible for our skin’s firmness and elasticity. Premature loss can result in sagging skin and the formation of deeper wrinkles.

Dryness: The skin’s ability to retain moisture decreases with age. If you are always in an air-conditioned environment or regularly under the sun, you’ll notice that your skin is prone to dryness a lot more. 

Increased skin sensitivity: Premature ageing can lead to a weakened skin barrier, causing the skin to be more susceptible to irritation, redness, and sensitivity. 

Hyperpigmentation and age Spots: These dark spots, also known as liver spots, are often associated with sun damage. An early appearance might suggest premature ageing, as the skin’s ability to regenerate and repair sun damage decreases.

Visible capillaries: As the skin thins and loses fat, tiny blood vessels, especially around the nose and cheeks, can become more visible.

Dull complexion: Over time, skin cell turnover slows down, leading to a build-up of dead skin cells on the skin’s surface. This can result in a dull complexion, a common sign of prematurely aged skin.

Uneven skin tone: This can be a result of damage to the skin cells that produce melanin, leading to patchy pigmentation or redness.

Loss of volume: Decreased production of substances like collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid can lead to loss of facial volume, making the face look hollow or sunken.

Enlarged pores: As the skin loses elasticity, pores may appear larger. This can also be exacerbated by decreased skin cell turnover, leading to build-up and clogged pores.

Practise good skincare habits

Once you understand the signs of premature ageing, you can start practising the right habits to get the best for your skin. 

Sun protection

The first, and most crucial habit is sun protection. The sun’s harmful rays contribute significantly to premature skin ageing. That’s why using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30 is recommended. Additional protection in the form of sunglasses and hats, or simply staying in the shade during peak sun hours, can further protect your skin.

Hydration

Choose a quality moisturiser tailored to your skin type and consider ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which aids in skin’s moisture retention. To enhance the absorption of your skincare products (which we are huge advocates of), consider going for derma roller facials. A derma roller is a microneedling device that carefully creates small punctures in the skin to stimulate collagen production and increase permeation of skincare ingredients. 

Choose the right products

Do a patch test to know what products work on your skin before using them on your skin. It will take some time to get a good working skincare routine, but this can help you in the long run.

Read: The best skincare routine guide for all skin types (with products included)

Use targeted skincare products 

Thanks to advances in medical aesthetic science, numerous skincare products and treatments that focus on stemming the tides of time are readily available. These include:

Retinoids: Products containing retinol or prescription retinoids, like tretinoin, can reduce fine lines and wrinkles by boosting collagen production. They also encourage the formation of new blood vessels, which improves skin colour.

Vitamin C: This powerful antioxidant protects your skin from damage caused by free radicals and UV exposure. It also promotes collagen production, helping to maintain your skin’s elasticity and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs): AHAs, such as glycolic and lactic acid, exfoliate the skin, removing dead skin cells and revealing a fresher, smoother skin surface.

Peptides: These small proteins stimulate collagen production, aiding in skin firmness and elasticity. They’re found in various anti-aging products like serums and creams.

Hyaluronic Acid: This naturally occurring substance in our skin helps retain moisture, keeping the skin hydrated and plump, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Niacinamide: A form of vitamin B3, niacinamide helps improve skin elasticity, enhance its barrier function, erase discolorations, and revive skin tone and texture.

Have a healthy lifestyle

Skincare habits and treatments are important, but good lifestyle choices also contribute to your fight against premature skin ageing. 

Quit smoking and drinking

If you smoke, or love to drink, then you should know that both habits accelerate skin ageing by damaging its strength and elasticity. If you’re serious about caring for your skin, you will need to quit smoking and limit alcohol intake to preserve your skin’s youthful appearance.

Have a good diet

Eating well also plays a significant role in skin health. A balanced diet rich in antioxidant-loaded foods is beneficial. Fruits like berries, along with green vegetables, nuts, seeds, and fatty fish, can help maintain healthy skin.

Exercise

Regular exercise is a habit that enhances overall health, including your skin. It promotes increased blood circulation, nourishing skin cells and imparting a natural glow.

Protect your skin with an anti-ageing facial treatment

Anti-aging facial treatments can provide significant benefits to the skin by targeting the signs of ageing and improving skin health overall. Here’s how they work:

Stimulate Collagen Production: Many anti-aging facial treatments aim to stimulate collagen production. Collagen is a protein that provides structure and elasticity to the skin. As we age, collagen production naturally decreases, leading to sagging skin and the formation of wrinkles. By boosting collagen production, these treatments can help reduce these signs of ageing, resulting in firmer, smoother skin.

Improve skin tone and texture: Through exfoliation and deep cleansing, anti-aging facials can help remove dead skin cells and unclog pores. This promotes cell turnover, which leads to improved skin tone and texture, making the skin look more youthful and radiant.

Increase hydration: Many anti-aging treatments involve the application of serums or moisturisers that hydrate the skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Proper hydration also makes the skin appear plumper and more youthful.

Boost circulation: Facial treatments often include elements of massage, which can boost blood circulation in the facial area. Improved circulation brings more oxygen and nutrients to the skin cells, promoting cellular health and giving the skin a healthy glow.

Address specific ageing concerns: Anti-aging facials can be tailored to address specific skin concerns, such as hyperpigmentation, age spots, or under-eye bags. By targeting these issues, these treatments can help to achieve a more even and youthful skin appearance.

SkinLab’s top anti-ageing facials picks: 

• Peptide Peel Facial + Lumenis M22 – a unique peeling system enhanced with Lumenis M22 for added skin rejuvenation
• Bojin Bliss Facial – a clever combination of Bojin TCM techniques and Western skincare technology 
• Melasma Peel Facial – specially formulated for early age spots and pigmentation 

Book an appointment with SkinLab

You don’t need to look older than you are. All you need is the support of experienced, well-trained professionals who know all about anti-aging facial treatments. At SkinLab, Singapore’s largest medical spa chain, our highly trained therapists will give you the youthful, radiant skin you desire and deserve.

Contact us now.