Your skin is an important barrier to the outside world, and it is exposed to a lot of agressors, which is sometimes easy to forget. Agressors from both inside out bodies, and from the weather and pollution of the ouside world. Considering that double onslaught, it’s amazing our skin holds up as well as it does. Our skin will eventually start to exhibit damage and age, no matter how good our skincare regime. When that time comes, there are various technologies and innovations you can explore to correct those lines, uneven texture and blemishes.

At-home skincare

There are many ways to treat and look after your skin at home. From applying serums, moisturisers and treatments, to the many high-tech devices now on the consumer market. The success of skincare at home, however, relies on consistency and a bit of knowledge about the skincare ingredients you are applying to your skin. There is also only so much a topical product can do to correct and preserve the healthy look of our skin. While maintaining a quality at-home skincare regime is always important, you may need to back that routine up with some clinical intervention as well.

Clinical skincare technology

As you may know, technology has changed how we do things, and has made the process of correcting things we don’t like about our skin so much easier. It’s fascinating to watch how clinical skincare technology continues to develop every year too. For example, there are now multiple laser devices designed to treat skin ailments. However, before you go down a route like this and try them you have to know what you are getting into. Every device is different and all can do serious damage to your skin if they are not used correctly.

Skincare with Ablative and Non-Ablative Lasers

One of the first decisions you have to make when you are considering a laser treatment is whether you need surface treatment such as a laser peel or a deep tissue laser treatment. Surface peels are performed with ablative lasers. They target and help to correct specific areas on your skin’s surface. While they can also affect lower skin layers, their primary purpose is to strip away imperfections and debris that is visible.

In contrast to ablative treatment, non-ablative treatment is done with a skin-penetrating laser. It makes almost no changes to the surface of your skin. Instead, it heats cells below that surface layer. Your body reacts by making collagen molecules move close together. That action binds them together tighter, which promotes firmness and elasticity over time. Some non-ablative treatments can also cause your body to start collagen synthesis processes. The result is that your skin looks plumper, with less lines and a good ‘spring-y’ elasticity.

Check out my guide to a chemical peel also!

Is laser technology right for you?

Laser treatments are not suitable for everyone. However, with technological advancements, there are lasers to treat all skin types and offer results. For example, years ago you could not easily have laser treatment if you had a dark skin tone, as the laser would cause light pigmentation patches. Today, multiple lasers are available to treat darker skin with very few side effects.

Although you may be eligible for laser treatment regardless of skin colour or skin type, you do have to take your time when selecting a clinic and a procedure. You should be attending consultations and seeking a lot of advice before taking the plunge. First of all, locate a local clinic offering the treatment you think you need. Make sure the team have a wealth of experience and good reviews, then attend a consultation to check the treatment is right for you, and that your skin in right for the treatment. Today, the process of laser treatment selection is easier than it used to be because many clinics have multiple laser types on site. There are also now certain all-in-one lasers that can be calibrated to perform several different treatments on various skin types.

Do your homework

In this current social media climate, all clinics offering skincare treatments should have an online presence. Choose a clinic who aren’t afraid of having an Instagram page full of before and after images from their procedures, and who aren’t afraid to have open reviews and discussion on their Facebook page. Use these reviews to contact previous clients to check their opinions of the clinic. A clinic that is as transparent as possible online, means that they have less to hide and are probably very reputable. Google them, Google the clinicians and read extensively about your treatment, as that will eliminate any possibilities for surprise; which you don’t want with a potentially dangerous clinical procedure.

Some more online resources if you are considering laser skin treatments can be found here and here.

You can see more of what I’m loving, and what I’m doing, over on my Instagram.