As we age, we often think it’s fine lines and wrinkles that we need to reduce to maintain a youthful look.

But this isn’t always the case! Other common skin concerns can have an ageing effect on our skin and be the real giveaway of our age. Read below to find out what could be making you look older than you are…

SUN DAMAGE
Sun damage is a common factor that can add years to our age. This shows itself in pigmentation, age spots and uneven skin tone. In New Zealand we are particularly at risk due to our outdoor lifestyle and harsh sunlight in the southern hemisphere. Photo rejuvenation can help reduce the signs of sun damage for a more youthful and refreshed look. It works by using a Variable Pulsed Light (VPL) system to pulse high energy light beams through the skin to target pigmentation and age spots. For best results, a course of photo rejuvenation treatments is recommended. The Murad Environmental Shield Facial at Caci can also help diminish sun damage – this facial uses Vitamin C to help the skin fade pigmentation while restoring the skin’s natural smoothness and firmness.

FACIAL REDNESS
Redness and rosacea are a common skin concern which can make our skin appear aged and unhealthy. As we age, little red veins and broken capillaries can start to appear around our nose and cheeks. There are a range of treatments that can help with facial redness – photo rejuvenation as mentioned above is an advanced solution for reducing redness, using VPL to target the problem area. Sonophoresis infusion is another top treatment for reducing skin redness, using soundwaves to penetrate products deep within the dermal layer for reduced redness, optimal hydration and lasting results.

SCARRING
Whether it’s from acne in your teens or environmental damage, facial scarring can be a big giveaway of your age and skin health. Collagen induction (also known as dermal rolling) is a popular and effective treatment for improving the appearance of scars and skin texture. Collagen induction involves using tiny needles to prick the skin. When our skin is damaged it produces collagen tissue which is stronger and firmer than before. Over a course of treatments collagen fibres are strengthened and the skin becomes stronger smoother and firmer with improved texture.

UNEVEN SKIN TEXTURE
Lack of skin smoothness – rough, dry patches and enlarged pores – can be a major telltale sign of ageing. Skin hydration and environmental factors are common causes along with excess dead skin cells building on the skin’s surface. Microdermabrasion is a top treatment for combating uneven texture by resurfacing the skin with advanced exfoliation. This skin resurfacing process removes dead skin cells and encourages circulation to treated skin in turn promoting smoother and healthier skin.

*This article was brought to you by Caci. To find out which treatment is best to address your skin concerns, take the Caci Skin Quiz.