Skin Solutions

By: Ruth Donnelly
Created on 20th February 2012

Cosmetic Surgery & Aesthetics Guide talks to top dermatologist Dr Sandeep Cliff to discover the secret to a glowing complexion

Every girl dreams of having smooth skin, with no spots, no open pores, no lines or wrinkles – the sort of dewy complexion you only see on the silver screen.

But the fact of the matter is that only one in a million of us has that sort of skin naturally. The rest of us have to work at it, but as Dr Sandeep Cliff is at pains to point out, if you want it badly enough, it is within your reach.

What causes skin to look worse with age?

“As we age, the hyaluronic acid in our skin becomes less efficient,” Dr Cliff explains. “Our skin becomes drier, skin support is reduced and fine lines start to appear. The surface of the skin becomes rougher and it becomes less able to reflect light, which gives it that dull appearance.”

And you would have to have been living under a stone for the past few years not to realise the damage the sun can do. “The combination of UVA and UVB rays from the sun breaks down collagen and elastin in the skin,” says Dr Cliff.

“This again diminishes levels of hyaluronic acid and impairs the water binding properties of the skin cells. As a result, the skin loses its ability to hydrate.”

So how can we bring that glow back to our skin?

A key part of keeping a youthful complexion with age is to maintain skin hydration. “Cream technology has advanced in recent years,” says Dr Cliff, “and ideally you should lookfor a skincare range that helps protect and nourish the skin barrier to lock in hydration and resist environmental damage. So the new Restylane Skincare range is of interest to me.”

Produced by the team behind the Restylane dermal filler range, QMed, Restylane Skincare builds on their innovations in hyaluronic acid technology to help you hydrate your skin from the outside in.

We know you’ve heard it all before, but sun protection is another key factor in looking younger for longer. “For SPF to be effective, you should apply a SPF 15 protection cream several times a day,” says Dr Cliff.

And it seems that however beneficial it may be for our figures, fad dieting could be doing our faces more harm than good. “A low fat diet is not good for the skin,” Dr Cliff remonstrates.

“You need essential fatty acids to help nourish the skin, so eat oily fish, dark-leaved vegetables and antioxidants like blueberries and raspberries.”

Sounds good, but what else can we do?

“Hyaluronic acid is fundamental to healthy, hydrated skin and is a buzzword in skin health today,” says Dr Cliff. “So a combination of good skincare, which strengthens and protects the skin’s natural barrier, with proven skin revitalisation treatments like Restylane Vital, which replenishes hyaluronic acid directly into the skin where it is needed, is a very effective way to keep your skin looking smooth.”

Restylane Vital, which is administered in tiny microinjections all over the face, releases hyaluronic acid gradually over time, improving the skin’s overall condition and health. And smoother skin reflects light, so you can regain that youthful glow, too.

Brilliant, so now my skin is smooth and glowing, how can I deal with enlarged pores?

As we get older the pores of our skin open out, the effects of which can be very ageing. The best way to deal with this is to look at ways to improve skin elasticity, which in turn will help with smoothness and tone.

“There are now a number of cosmetic treatments that can help with this,” says Dr Cliff, “including laser ablation of the skin using a resurfacing tool.”

If you don’t fancy the downtime involved in laser resurfacing, however, Dr Cliff tells us that a course of Restylane Vital treatments will also improve your skin’s elasticity and help to shrink enlarged pores.

But what about skin that has already started to sag?

We know how to deal with lines and wrinkles, but lost volume in the face is also very ageing. “Dermal fillers can be used effectively to re-volumise the skin,” Dr Cliff informs us.

“By replacing lost volume in the mid-face and giving cheeks a more defined shape, a youthful look is restored. Dermal fillers, such as Restylane, can also be used in combination with laser treatments. Often a combined approach is the best way.”

So there you have it. Good skincare products, sun protection, a healthy diet and a prescribed combination of noninvasive aesthetic treatments, and you too could have the A-list complexion of your dreams. What are you waiting for?