Good skin care habits can help your skin look and feel healthy, age well and even prevent skin problems. Used consistently, a simple, inexpensive skin care routine can reduce acne, prevent wrinkles and other signs of aging, and reduce the risk of skin cancer. It is worth a few minutes a day for a lifetime of good skin.
The Basics of Skin Care
An effective skin care regimen should include these key ingredients:
- Gentle cleanser and moisturizer: Some of my favorites are La Roche Posay, Vanicream, and EltaMD
- Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen: Wear daily. Protects against both UVA and UVB rays (the culprits behind aging and sunburn). Some of my top recommendations are EltaMD UV Daily, La Roche-Posay Anthelios, and ColoreScience.
- Antioxidants: Helps neutralize free radicals and environmental damage. Consider La Roche-Posay Vitamin C Serum, or Spectrum brand for a boost of protection.
- Retinoid: Promotes cell turnover and helps stimulate collagen and elastin production over time. There are several types of retinoids, including prescription-strength retinoic acid and over-the-counter options like retinol. Retinoids can be tricky to use, so consult your dermatologist to determine the best option for your skin.
Sunscreen in Seattle Gloom?!
One common misconception is that sunscreen isn’t necessary during the cloudy Seattle winters. However, daily sunscreen use is essential year-round. Up to 80% of UV rays can penetrate through the clouds, contributing to aging, dark spots, wrinkles, and an increased risk of skin cancer. The effects of sun damage affect people of all ethnic backgrounds, making sunscreen an essential part of maintaining healthy, youthful skin for everyone. Be sure to apply it to areas like your ears, chin, neck, and hands—especially when driving!
Going Beyond the Basics
If you want to go beyond skin care to look your best, there are several cosmetic procedures to consider. While cosmetic procedures are not necessary, they can complement a good skin care routine and help improve anti-aging results. A few of my favorites for low-maintenance routines are microneedling, chemical peels, and botulinum toxin (Botox, Dysport) injections.
Microneedling is a minimally invasive procedure that creates tiny micro-injuries on the skin’s surface to stimulate healing. When combined with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or platelet-rich fibrin matrix (PRFM), the procedure can boost collagen production even further. PRP involves drawing your blood, spinning off the red cells, and microneedling the resulting serum into your skin. This enhances collagen and elastin formation, reduces dark spots, fine lines, scars, sun damage, and enlarged pores, and improves overall skin texture. The downtime is typically 2-4 days, with mild redness and peeling.
Chemical peels are a cosmetic procedure that uses a chemical solution to remove a top layer (or layers) of skin, revealing smoother, healthier looking skin. This quick procedure improves the look of wrinkles, sunspots and scars, and can be done on most skin types.
Botulium toxin (Botox, Dysport) is another effective treatment for minimizing wrinkles and improving skin smoothness. It works by injecting small amounts of botulinum toxin into specific facial muscles (e.g., forehead, frown lines, crow’s feet) to temporarily relax them and smooth out wrinkles. Botox typically lasts 3-4 months, and with consistent treatment, it can help prevent deep wrinkles from forming. When done correctly, Botox can yield natural-looking results while minimizing visible aging. If you are curious, ask your provider if Botox or Dysport might be a good option for you.
Skin care for everyone
A good skin care routine helps keep our skin healthy and looks its best at any age. With the right products, a simple, inexpensive routine can offer big benefits. However, with so many products and procedures available, it can be helpful to consult a dermatologist to build a skin care system customized to your specific needs. Bring in your current products, be prepared to discuss specific concerns, and work with your provider to create a plan that keeps your skin looking healthy and youthful for years to come!
Roshni Changela, PA-C
Written by Roshni Changela, PA-C, MCHS.
Roshni cultivates strong relationships with her patients, with a focus on patient education and cultural sensitivity, medical, procedural and cosmetic dermatology, with special expertise in skin of color.
