In the last few years, a range of innovative skincare products and treatments have been introduced to the market. While some of them are outright strange, (vampire facial anyone?) some are truly ground-breaking. Though all are aimed at solving common, shared issues, such as premature aging, UV damage, and imperfections, they work in very different ways. And when it comes to skincare options, so many of us are now looking at alternatives beyond over the counter products. With that in mind, here are 5 IDEAL and innovative skincare solutions.
TURMERIC MASKS
Nature has everything we need for a perfect skincare routine, if only you look hard enough. For every discovery of cinnamon as a great exfoliator, a person has rubbed cowpat on their face expecting results. It’s all trial and error after all. One which definitely falls in the positive column is turmeric. And the best thing about turmeric masks is that they’re completely natural; no need to expose your skin and body to harmful chemicals, then.
Turmeric has many healing properties and has been used in ayurvedic medicine for years. It’s an extraordinary anti-inflammation agent, which has tons of benefits for the skin. In addition, it also has great anti-microbial properties and can be used to reduce inflammation, acne symptoms, skin irritation, and to smooth out wrinkles.
You can make a turmeric mask at home, using items found in your store cupboard; just mix the powerful ingredient with honey and warm water if you want to treat acne, or use it as an antibacterial treatment. If you’re looking for a soothing treatment for irritation, you can combine it with some pure organic aloe vera gel. Turmeric can be used to fight wrinkles and hyperpigmentation using lemon juice and yogurt. And if you want to get all of its anti-inflammatory benefits, simply mix it with some distilled or filtered water and apply to the face. Wowzers.
RED LIGHT THERAPY
Red light therapy, or RLT for short, may be completely new to you, but it’s slowly growing in popularity because of its non-intrusive qualities and noticeable results. It works by beaming red light at low wavelengths to the skin and has been shown to be efficient in the removal of scars, persistent wounds, wrinkles, and other cosmetic conditions.
RLT is also commonly used to treat conditions like psoriasis, slow healing wounds, and even side effects of chemotherapy. What’s more, it can also help treat conditions such as rosacea and acne. Is there anything it can’t do?
Want further good news on the subject? There are tons of devices out there that allow you to self-administer this treatment from the comfort of your home. Check out this website which has tested a whole bunch of devices for a useful comparison of those currently on the market.
Make sure to shop red light therapy machines on reliable stores only.
Read: 5 IDEAL products to add to your skincare routine this summer
CHEMICAL PEELS
Chemical peels are particularly popular for their anti-aging properties, working by applying a chemical solution to the skin that peels off its outer layer. While the treatment requires some recuperation time, the results can be dramatic.
The team at Dr Saba Raja Cosmetics in Norwich tell us that ”this treatment may reduce blemishes, age spots, uneven pigmentation and smooth fine lines and wrinkles”, and is particularly effective since it exfoliates and removes environmentally affected layers of external skin.
It should be noted that chemical peels are often put under the same, catch-all umbrella, but they widely vary in terms of application, strength and benefits. For instance, weaker glycol-based chemical peels can be done at home, and work mainly through exfoliation. Moderate peels aim at correcting things such as hyperpigmentation, for instance, while strong peels are efficient at removing wrinkles. Note that these latter treatments can be much more demanding, and should be performed by a professional, under a sedative or anaesthetic.
LASER SKIN RESURFACING
Laser skin resurfacing is one of the most ground-breaking and efficient forms of non-intrusive skin treatments you can find out there. It’s also very safe. This therapy is often used as a way to remove scars and signs of hyperpigmentation. It can also be used to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in the face and around the neck area. Professional clinics of non-surgical skin rejuvenation in Toronto and other major cities offer a wide array of treatments and great procedures that you can undergo if you want to get a fresher, rejuvenated and more even skin complexion.
Read: 5 IDEAL types of skincare products and what to expect from them
LASER SKIN TIGHTENING
Laser skin tightening is another treatment that uses laser technology, and though it’s often confused with laser skin resurfacing, both treatments work in very different ways. While laser skin resurfacing works on the surface, laser skin tightening works beneath it.
How it works is that it penetrates the skin and gently heats the layer right under it, promoting the production of collagen in the area, making the skin look plumper and fuller. There is also an alternative which combines both heat and micro needling known as the Morpheus8 skin lift to maximise your skins collagen production.
Many people see these procedures as a viable alternative to facelifts, as it’s completely non-intrusive, and considered safer, relatively. It also doesn’t require sedation, the use of a scalpel, and no recuperation time either.
All cosmetic surgery procedures in the UK must take place in a hospital or clinic which has been registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC), which publishes ratings regarding the quality of care offered. You can check here to see if the clinic is registered; simply enter your postcode or the same of the clinic.
In addition, any cosmetic surgery in the UK must be performed by a registered doctor. You can check on the General Medical Council online register to see if the person carrying out your surgery is registered.