Smooth, baby-soft skin is something we all want, but sometimes fine lines, wrinkles and dull skin can get in the way of achieving it. These tips from the pros can help get you on the right track.
Layer your products
“In the morning, layer on products with antioxidants like vitamin C under your sunscreen,” says New York dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD. “At night, stimulate collagen production with topical peptides, growth factors and retinol. And remember, topicals don’t work overnight and take weeks to deliver their benefits. This is a marathon, not a sprint.”
Swap out your soap
La Jolla, CA, dermatologist Susan Stuart, MD, says that while you may think soap is your skin’s best friend, this is actually not the case. “The reason for this is that your skin has an acid mantle which is a natural protective barrier. When you wash with soap, which is generally alkaline, it can remove this protective layer of oils and dry out your skin, eventually leading to wrinkles. While it is not advisable to stop washing entirely, try swapping out your soap for a pH-neutral and chemical-free cleanser, and also bear in mind that there is such a thing as overcleansing your skin.”
Try in-office treatments
New advances in laser technology have provided quicker, faster and better ways to achieve smoother skin. “New lasers like PicoSure, which uses pico-second waves (waves that are a trillionth of a second) to gently enable changes within your skin’s dermis, can actually lead to new collagen and elastic production when focused through special lens arrays,” says Dr. Zeichner. “The result is smoother skin and reduced fine lines and wrinkles, as well as reduced pore size and dark spots. The Fraxel laser is another good option that can help give you similar results.” Consult with a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon to determine what’s best for your individual skin type.
