Ageing may be inevitable, but scientific advances in skin care have done wonders for softening the visible effects of time on the skin.
Board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr Donald B. Yoo believes three crucial components form the foundation of any serious anti-ageing skincare routine: retinol, sun protection and hydroquinone.
“Retinol should be the cornerstone of any anti-ageing skin care regimen for its efficacy in reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and making skin look younger,” he explained.
Put simply, the vitamin A derivative works by speeding up cellular renewal and helping to transform the skin’s underlying biology. While it is never too late to start the treatment, an earlier start is recommended.
Retinol is often described as the ‘cornerstone’ of anti-ageing skin care
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“The best time to start using retinol is when fine lines and wrinkles begin appearing, which can start in the early 20s for many patients,” Dr Yoo added.
Equally important is sunscreen, which the surgeon maintains is one of the simplest yet most powerful tools for preserving youthful and supple skin.
Wrinkles, enlarged pores and discolouration are often the result of years of exposure to ultraviolet light.
“Protection from the harmful effects of UV radiation will reduce the risk of developing skin cancers and, more importantly, reduce the prematurely aged appearance of the skin,” Dr Yoo noted.
For optimal protection, sunscreen users should prioritise SPF of 30 or above and reapply the product every three hours throughout the day. For skin already affected by long-term sun exposure, hydroquinone may help – particularly for addressing uneven complexion.
Hydroquinone can help even out the skin tone and improve the complexion
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Dr Yoo explains that melanocytes on the skin are stimulated by sunlight to produce pigment, which typically manifests as freckles, sun spots, melasma and other forms of hyperpigmentation.
“Under proper medical supervision, hydroquinone is effective at evening skin tone and improving complexion in patients with pigmentary issues,” the surgeon noted.
The treatment, he adds, is particularly valuable for anyone who lacks access to advanced laser treatments.
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