If you spend a lot of time on social media, you’ll likely have seen countless skincare hacks, promising to perfect your “flaws” in an instant. But can you really improve your skin that quickly?
Honestly, no. While there are some treatments that provide instant results, these are generally fillers, not treatments that tackle specific skincare issues.
So, what should you expect on your journey to great skin? Let’s find out…
How long your journey to incredible skin will take really depends on your skin. It’s a very personal thing and one that we can only really determine once we’ve sat and had a chat about what it is you’re looking to achieve.
Everyone is different, with unique skin needs, so it’s impossible for me to sit here and tell you that your skin will be exactly as you want it to be in a matter of weeks or months. And that’s why it worries me when I see so many people online promising the Earth before they’ve even seen the skin of the person reading their post or watching their video.
As a medical professional, I always urge people to go for a proper skincare consultation, and, in my clinic, I use consultations as a chance to get a full picture of what a patient’s main concern is. For some, it might be a skin condition such as rosacea, where they’d like to reduce redness. For others, it might be that they want to minimise the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Others might want to reduce pigmentation.
Once I understand what it is they want to do, then I can use my vast medical and skincare expertise to help them build a skincare routine that works and is tailored specifically to their needs – perhaps even discussing the possibility of skin treatments that are known to work on that particular skin concern if I think it will be of benefit to them. But it’s important to note that it’s not an overnight win. Great skin takes time and patience.
Again, this really comes down to you and your individual skincare goals…and realistic expectations. What I can tell you is that one thing everyone’s skin does have in common is our natural skin cell turnover. This is where new skin cells form and move to the surface, replacing dead ones. The cycle takes anywhere between roughly 28 days and 45 days, but this could be more or less, depending on various factors such as age.
Then, dead skin cells naturally slough off the surface every three months or so. During this time, the key is to be consistent with your personalised skincare products, allowing the active ingredients within them to tackle your concerns and improve your skin’s appearance, providing additional care, such as boosting cell renewal and protecting from environmental damage.
Regular exfoliation (1-3 times a week) can aid in removing dead skin cells, allowing the active ingredients in skincare products to penetrate more effectively and work their magic. While some improvements can be seen within a few weeks, achieving the full benefits of a skincare routine may take several months.
Sometimes, it might be the case that the use of multiple skincare products or treatments will lead to a better outcome. This is where choosing the right aesthetic practitioner will really pay off. Someone who has working medical experience with skin, skin conditions, and a range of medical treatments will be able to advise you carefully.
Choose someone you feel comfortable with. Someone who isn’t just interested in pocketing your money but respects their duty of care to provide you with what they believe will work best for you and your needs. Whether it’s a course of treatments or a combination of treatments and skincare products, mixing multiple solutions (as long as done safely), can have incredible results.
As the title suggests, skin care isn’t a quick fix. It physiologically can’t be, despite what you see on TikTok. But it can – and should be – a wonderful journey; a journey that will help you uncover your own beautiful skin.
Remember to always visit a medical expert who can provide you with the correct advice and best skincare products or treatment plans based on your individual needs. Let them know exactly what it is you want to achieve so that they can deem whether that is realistic.
Then, don’t forget to stick to the routine you’re advised to follow. While it may take some time to see results, with dedication and patience, the wait will be well worth it.
Ready to get started on your skincare journey? Get in touch! It’d be my pleasure to join you for the ride.
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