1) Reduce your skin’s exposure to the sun

• Wear a hat
• Stay in the shade
• Avoid going out when the sun is at its strongest.
• Wear a good sun protector with a high SPF we recommend 50+

UV light is damaging to the skin and encourages free radicles, the main cause of prematurely aged skin.

At Cheshire Lasers we stock Heliocare sun protection,designed for the face and all skin types, protection goes up to 50+

Heliocare is available as a cream, a spray, a gel, a makeup and a  fantastic moisturising foam. Why not call in and try the products.

Don’t worry ladies makeup can still be applied on top it glides on really well.

2) Use an antioxidant serum

Antioxidants are molecules that control and / or prevent free-radicals. Free-radicals are the main reason for skin damage created by sun exposure, smoking, alcohol and other environmental factors. You can prevent free radical damage  by consuming more antioxidants in your diet, usually found in fruits or vegetables deep in colour. Applying an antioxidant serum can also make a big difference.

Most of these serums contain vitamin C, and some contain vitamin E.

At Cheshire Lasers we sell many antioxidant serums choose from:

• Medik8 C Tetra for your 20s and 30s
• Medik8 C Tetra LUXE for 40s +
• Neostrata Antioxidant Defence
• Neostrata Vitamin C + PHA Serum
• Obagi Serums

3) Use a Retinol or Retin-A based product

Retinol is basically pure Vitamin A.

Retin-A ( Tretinoin) is a chemical exfoliant used by dermatologists for many years to treat acne.  Retin-A is retinoic acid, a derivative of Vitamin A. But it is so potent that it is available only on prescription.

The use of Retin-A in cosmetics is prohibited because the side effects of irritation, flaking, redness, dryness and over-sensitivity to sunlight can be severe. Scientists had to look for another, less aggressive way of effectively using Vitamin A as the active ingredient in beauty products. The result was Synthetic Retinol.

Retinaldehyde is a newer retinol derivative; which delivers results faster than retinol and is more effective at stimulating collagen. The great news is that it is usually better tolerated and causes less irritation.

Retinol and retin-a-derived products all work by stimulating cell growth deep in the skin’s basal layer, increasing the skin’s cell turnover. They also stimulates collagen production and exfoliates the top layers of skin to reveal fresher, younger-looking skin. It decreases wrinkles, fades and improves pigmentation, as well as improving the skin’s texture and reducing spots and blemishes.

To reduce irritation we arlway recomend you perform a test patch before starting these products. We also advise you  start on a low strength, apply at night every few nights, and slowly increase the frequency of use to every night. Over time, you can slowly increase the strength of the retinol product you use, and after a few months, you should start to see some improvements. You may want to progress onto a prescription Retin-A product for more aged skin after a consultation with your doctor.

You must always use a good SPF when using retinol, as the skin can be more delicate and sensitive to the effects of UV light.

At Cheshire Lasers, our favourite retinol products are:

• Medik8 has a wide range of Retinal and Retinaldehyde products
• Medik8 also has a range of Retinaldehyde products for more sensitive skins
• Zo Skin Health also has a wide range of Retinol products 
• pHformula Vitamin A cream

Our prescription products are available only after a consultation with Dr. Teri Johnson; we recommend using a retinol-based product for at least a few months before considering this option.

4) Cleanse your skin with an exfoliating cleanser

Using an exfoliating cleanser removes the old dehydrated cells on the skin’s surface that contribute to the appearance of ageing skin. These cells make your skin look dry and wrinkled. Exfoliating reduces pore size and reduces congestion in the skin.

We recommend a cleanser that contains either:

• AHAs
• BHAs
• Enzymes

AHAs are alpha hydroxy acids, sometimes referred to as fruit acids, and can also be derived from nuts and milk:

They include:

glycolic acid, derived from sugar cane
lactic acid, derived from milk
mandelic acid, derived from bitter almonds
citric acid, naturally found in citrus fruit but deriver from many fruit and vegetables
tartaric acid, derived from grapes
malic acid, derived from apples and pears

AHAs work by exfoliating the top layer of skin, allowing newer, healthier skin cells to show through. They are particularly useful in dry skin and may help diminish wrinkles’ appearance.

Studies have shown that AHAs may also stimulate collagen production and reduce the changes caused by the sun damaging the skin.

BHAs – Usually, salicylic acid is ideal for acne and spot-prone skin; it smooths the skin, reduces pore size, and reduces lines, wrinkles and pigmentation.

Enzymes are effective exfoliants; they are gentler than scrubs as they do not scratch or irritate the skin. The upper layer of your skin consists of dead skin cells containing keratin protein. The enzymes work by specifically breaking down the keratin protein, resulting in smoother skin.

Here are a few of our popular exfoliating cleansers

• ZO Skin Health Exfoliating Cleanser 
• pHformula Exfo Cleanse
• Obagi CLENZIderm Foaming Cleanser 
• NeoStrata Skin Active Exfoliating Wash with Gluconolactone and Maltobionic acid (advanced AHAs)
• Revision Papaya Enzyme Cleanser

5) Hydrate your skin with a B5-containing serum or cream

Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) is lightweight and easily absorbed; it has excellent water-retaining properties to quench your skin and provides excellent skin hydration, unlike standard moisturisers that sit on the skin’s surface.

Use B5 products day and/or night (or whenever you want a hydration boost), non-sticky/oily.
When using a serum, you only need to use a couple of drops under your usual moisturiser to keep your skin hydrated for longer.

If you require more intense hydration, we recommend a cream that contains B5/Panthenol combined with a range of other advanced ingredients, such as lactobionic acid.

At Cheshire Lasers, we like:

• Medik8 Hydr8 B5 Serum 30ml
• Medik8 Hydr8 B5 Intense 30ml
• Obagi Hydrate Luxe 48g
• Suzan Obagi MD Intensive Daily Repair 60g