How do I brighten my skin? Prevention, skincare & treatments to help

One question many clients ask is: How can I brighten my skin? In this month's blog, I’ll discuss preventing dull skin and ways to enjoy a more luminous complexion.

As we age skin can lose its youthful glow. Several factors, including how you look after your skin, can have a big impact. 

Sun protection

As it’s skin cancer Awareness Month, let’s take a moment to remember that protecting our skin from UV exposure will reduce our chances of developing skin cancer later in life. Taking 5 minutes, perhaps on the 1st or last day of each month to scan over your skin, checking for any changes to existing moles or freckles, and being aware of any skin growths, are good habits. If you notice any unusual changes, always get these checked out by your GP.

In my younger days (before we knew better) I did seek out the sun in pursuit of an elusive suntan. As a redhead, it was too much effort for not a lot of golden glow. Many of my clients have also enjoyed the sun and I’m always a bit amazed when on holiday to see the hardy sunbathers and those turning varying shades of pink! Keeping your skin safe and reducing the risk of skin cancer should matter but surprisingly many still are unaware of the rising skin cancer rates.

A sun tan was considered healthy and is still as popular as when Coco Chanel popularised tanning in the 1920s. However, regular tanning accelerates skin ageing and contributes to a duller complexion. When you're young it may present as a golden glow, however, every skin health industry expert agrees that protecting your skin from solar rays will lead to healthier skin that ages at a normal rate rather than at an accelerated one.

Antioxidants

Oxidative stress occurs when free radicals are produced within our skin as a result of normal biological processes and is also created as a result of UV radiation, and pollution. Free radicals create unwanted cell damage.

One way to neutralise cell oxidisation is by using skincare with antioxidant ingredients and to include foods within your diet that contain antioxidants.

Caring for your skin holistically may simply mean including a few antioxidant-rich foods regularly into your diet. A diet rich in colourful fruits and vegetables will also ensure you’re getting additional vitamins and minerals that are skin-beneficial too. Citrus fruits also contain Vitamin C, one of the most powerful antioxidants.

Here are a few foods you may like to eat more of for an extra antioxidant boost:

• Red grapes contain resveratrol, known to inhibit pigmentation, neutralise free radicals and increase skin elasticity.
• Kidney beans are an excellent source of antioxidants and beneficial for our gut health. Most colourful fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants which help the body to reduce oxidative stress, further reading can be found at www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
• All berries and dark leafy vegetables contain a good range of antioxidants, polyphenols (beneficial plant compounds with antioxidant properties), vitamins and minerals that will provide excellent nutrients for good skin (and other) cellular health.

Skincare

AllSKIN MED

Adding one or two active products into your skincare routine to target dull, dehydrated, rough or pigmented skin is an effective way to brighten your skin at home.

Here are products, I’d recommend to brighten your complexion:

AllSKIN Med’s Pigment Control serum: Effectively targets all stages of melanin synthesis within the skin as well as hydrating and softening the skin. Packed with a cocktail of active ingredients, Pigment Control Serum is a highly-rated product for any dull, sluggish skin, pigmentation, skin recovery and ageing skin.

At home skin boosters

ASM Brightening Ampoules provide your skin with a 28-day course of intensive skin brightening. To give your skin a powerful boost of antioxidants with 15% stabilised Vitamin C, combined with growth factors, to boost collagen and elastin production, look no further. AllSKIN MED has added Proteoglycans (a protein which occurs naturally within the skin’s extracellular matrix, providing hydration) too, providing your skin with intensive moisturisation. Ideal for ageing and photodamaged skin, fine lines and wrinkles, tired and devitalised skin, dehydrated skin and post-illness recovery.

AKM Renewal Serums offer a cocktail of antioxidants and anti-pollution as well as Hydroxypinacalone a retinol which is highly effective and well tolerated by the skin. Introducing any retinol into your skincare should be done gradually, following the relevant safety precautions. Skin irritations often occur when the skin barrier is not in good condition. When first using an active (not all retinol products are) retinol product, the skin goes through a process called, retinisation, whereby it acclimatises itself to the retinol. This process takes around 6 weeks. Ideally, anyone using a potent retinol-based product should be advised on the correct application and precautions to avoid any skin irritation. Retinol products are not suitable during pregnancy.

At the end of 2024, European laws are changing regarding the use of Retinols. I think this is very welcome:  even teens are using retinols, not needed and are potentially harmful to their young skin. Also, some skincare enthusiasts use active products, including higher strength retinol (over.5%) on their skin, when perhaps it’s just not suitable for their skin, and can leave their skin sensitised and irritated for some time.  I do recommend working with a skin specialist who is trained and knowledgeable about the products they are recommending and also provides the correct usage information to keep your skin healthy and comfortable.

Fernblock

Fernblock is a supercharged, patented antioxidant formulation found exclusively within ASM skincare and is a key ingredient within ASM Mineral filter factor 50 SPF. Fernblock is clinically proven to protect against damage caused by UV, visible light and infrared A, Fibroblasts (cells which produce collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid), collagen, Langerhans cells (white blood cells, found in skin). Skin cell DNA and against pigmentation.

dermaviduals

Prescriptive skincare from DV, in the form of Serums, creams, microbiome sprays, eye creams and pure actives, allow me to give a client's skin exactly what it needs, by making a product specifically for their skin.  Whenever needed, I have a broad choice of antioxidants. When using in combination with other ‘Actives,’ I am able to blend the perfect bespoke skin product for my clients, to optimally care for their skin year round.

Some antioxidants work synergistically like Vitamin C and E, so are more potent when combined. I currently have Vitamins A, C, E and Green Tea Grapeseed ECGC and Co Q 10, which I can choose from when blending client's formulations.

In-salon treatments

Microneedling is an excellent treatment for improving the overall condition and luminosity of the skin, as well as inducing collagen to improve skin firmness and quality. However, during the Summer months it is not recommended, due to the possibility of it creating post-inflammatory pigmentation. For this reason, a course of 3 to 6 microneedling treatments can be commenced in the Autumn, and gradually produce visible skin improvements as new collagen matures over 3 months to 2 years. Planning ahead for such treatments with skincare to improve a skin’s cell renewal and barrier function will optimise your treatment results.

dermaviduals Enzyme Renewal

Clients love this Enzyme treatment for its kind and gentle desquamation which provides an instantly smoother and brighter complexion.  Enzyme Renewal is an essential element within any dermaviduals skin health treatment as it is also the perfect way to prepare the skin to receive actives and other treatment modalities.

Enzyme Renewal also provides a safe, easy and fast way to enliven your skin's complexion at home. One Enzyme powder sachet provides enough product to carry out 4 treatments. Depending on your skin requirements, the enzyme mask can be left on for up to 30 minutes. Where a client has excess keratinisation the Enzyme is safe to use each day and will safely help to clear a build-up of dead skin and sebum whilst not upsetting the skin barrier. I always advise each client on how to adapt this product's application to best suit their skin.

Dermalux

Phototherapy works in several ways inside the skin and activates an increase in cellular energy resulting in cell activity within the Fibroblast cells. Important for anti-ageing, these cells produce collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid. Dermalux Compact Lite sessions are fully customisable to deliver the correct amount of energy required during treatment to accelerate healing, improve skin clarity, reduce pigmentation and improve the overall appearance of your skin.

Fascia and facial lifting massage

Facial massage has many benefits, including stimulating the skin's cellular processes and increasing blood flow, which brings fresh oxygen and nutrients to the skin cells. Fascia, the skin's connective tissue, can develop restrictions which create holding patterns, making lines and wrinkles appear more prominent. Fascial release techniques including stretches, restore its original and free movement allowing expression lines to be softened and facial features to be lifted. Performed with my lifting and sculpting finger-tip massage techniques, client's skins are oxygenated, revitalised, and expression lines softened.

Further help: I’m happy to advise you on how specifically you can brighten your skin

If you would like some help with your skin and or advise about which skincare products are best suited to help you achieve the results you’d like, please book a Consultation and Skin Assessment with me.