Your skin is the body’s largest organ and acts like a shield, so it requires constant basic care. what do you eat, Environment Where you live, and what you apply to your body can have a direct impact on your skin. Therefore, it is essential to fully understand the underlying science.
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HT Lifestyle contacted dermatologist and wellness expert Dr. Jaspreet Kaur (MBBS, DDV, FAL) to understand what’s best for our skin, how to care for it at each stage of life, the secrets to getting nourished and glowing skin, and more.
What are some dermatologist-approved tips and tricks to get glowing and healthy skin for people who are just starting out?
The most important thing for healthy, glowing skin is your current age, as every decade of life has different concerns. Yours lifestyle It’s very different for a person in their 20s and someone in their 40s or 50s. Stress is a different factor.
It completely depends on the stage of life you are in. With women, there are definitely hormonal fluctuations involved – whether they’ve recently had a baby, postpartum conditions, etc. These things need to be considered.
However, the basics, which are the pillars of good, healthy skin, include drinking plenty of water, getting 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep, and following a healthy diet. A rainbow diet that includes all types of colors on a regular basis is very important. A good protein, low-carb, low-sugar diet and avoiding fried foods – when followed diligently over time – gets results.
As far as skin care goes, a good cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen are essential. If you have a specific skin concern — such as pigmentation, acne, or dark spots — a repair product can be added at night.
The nighttime routine should be straightforward: a good cleanser, a repair product, and a moisturizer. A good sunscreen should be included in the daily routine. that is enough. Nothing else is needed.
What non-invasive treatments would you recommend for individuals in their 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s?
For anyone over the age of 20, the focus should be on prevention. It is very important to prevent damage caused by pollution and sun exposure. It is important to apply sunscreen every day, especially in countries like India, where the UV index is quite high, and we are geographically close to the equator.
Even 2 to 3 minutes of sunlight during the Indian summer can cause long-term damage. So prevention is the most important thing in your 20s.
In your 30s, prevention remains important, but you should also focus on building reserves for the future – especially collagen. Collagen remodeling treatments help improve existing collagen and build reserves for your 40s and 50s.
Non-invasive treatments like microneedling are my personal favorites. PRP is another beautiful treatment. This is completely natural as it depends on your own blood. Blood heals beautifully, which is why PRP-based treatments combined with microneedling work so well in your 30s.
In your 40s, stress becomes a bigger factor – for both men and women. Non-invasive treatments like MNRF help in skin tightening. Axion and Hyaluronic Acid Boost treatments use radiofrequency and ultrasound to increase your body’s own hyaluronic acid production without needles or fillers.
But in your 40s and 50s, internal health is paramount. Light aging has already started, so prevention is something that should be basic, no matter what decade of life you are in. If you don’t take care of your skin in your 20s, it will be very difficult for any dermatologist or doctor in the world to repair 20 to 30 years of damage in just 2-4 sessions.
Sunscreen is especially important for people in their 20s and 30s. What should one consider when choosing a sunscreen?
It entirely depends on your skin type and the texture or consistency you are looking for. Today, there are many options available. If your skin is very oily or acne-prone, look for a water-based, lightweight, non-comedogenic sunscreen. Dermatologists can help you choose the ideal product for your specific skin type.
In their 20s, people use a lot of products and keep changing them. You should use a good sunscreen and only change it if it really doesn’t suit your skin – not just because you’re bored.
Chemical sunscreens are great, and I personally like them because they don’t leave white spots. However, they should be applied 10-15 minutes before going out so that they can activate properly.
Physical sunscreens – zinc oxide or titanium dioxide based – also work beautifully on Indian skin. At first, the white cast was an issue; However, tinted formulations are now available that suit Indian skin tones well.
In my opinion, physical sunscreens are great because once you put them on, you can walk right out. You don’t need to wait 10 or 15 minutes. The only initial problem was that it left a slight white layer, but nowadays, there are such wonderful formulations available.
Is there a one-size-fits-all facial treatment that any beginner can choose?
The most important thing is to know your skin type, because nowadays, facials, including medical-grade treatments, are offered by salons; However, the concern is that the skin is not always diagnosed properly. Facials should suit your skin needs and season.
For example, in the Delhi NCR region, pollution and winter conditions can lead to dehydration, so facials should focus on hydration. However, the same facial is being given to someone at the age of 20 and someone at the age of 60, and even seasonal changes are not being taken into account.
Your concern should center on the face, whether it’s fine lines, pigmentation, acne, extractions, or more.
Hydration is the most important factor. Barrier repair treatments are beneficial for everyone. If your skin barrier is compromised, no treatment will work effectively.
Infusion treatments that focus on barrier repair, hydration, texture refinement and help with long-term skin health. They also give that “lit from within” glow that people look for in facials.
What’s one non-negotiable tip you would give for all skin types?
Barrier repair is essential for everyone. A good cleanser is extremely important, especially in polluted environments. It should be cleaned thoroughly but gently without stripping the natural oils.
Oily skin still needs hydration, and dry skin needs a nourishing moisturizer. The basics remain the same: a good cleanser, moisturizer, sunscreen, and a repair product.
Is there a repair product that should be used for all skin types?
Hyaluronic acid and ceramides are essential for all skin types. Ceramides are the building blocks of skin and become weaker with age.
The ratio of ingredients may vary – oily skin may need more hyaluronic acid, dry skin may need more ceramides – but everyone needs a good moisturizer with these ingredients.
Active ingredients such as vitamin C, B or A may be added depending on specific concerns such as dullness or pigmentation, but the basics remain unchanged.
Pollution and high AQI levels are a major concern, especially in metros. How can people protect their skin?
Treatments such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy, red light therapy, and far-infrared sauna therapy aid in internal healing.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy enables you to breathe pure oxygen under pressure, aiding the repair of tissues, skin and cells and also promoting overall well-being.
What should and should not be kept in mind before visiting a dermatologist for the first time?
Do not self diagnose. Google is just a helpful tool to help you, but ultimately, a professional diagnosis is important. Incorrect self-treatment can make the condition worse. Be honest about your medical history, past treatments, lifestyle habits, smoking or alcohol consumption. Doctors are non-judgmental and need complete information to create an effective treatment plan. Transparency helps dermatologists provide the best, most personalized care.
Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions you may have about a medical condition.
