Always wondering what are the best skincare tips to keep your skin youthful-looking? What are the most crucial steps in making sure your skin does not age rapidly? Searching for many answers online but unsure if they are credible?
Here are 10 skincare tips from Dr Meg Sison, a Philippine Dermatological Society (PDS) Board-Certified Dermatologist specialising in both medical and cosmetic dermatology!
Dr Meg Sison, PDS-Board-Certified Dermatologist from the Philippines
Q1: How do moisturisers work?
Dr Meg Sision: Moisturisers prevent moisture loss from the skin and prevent it from becoming dry and dehydrated.
Q2: What are the different types of moisturisers (i.e. the different ingredients in a moisturiser) and which one is the most effective?
Dr Meg Sision: Moisturisers are composed of occlusives, emollients and humectants. The best moisturiser has a combination of these 3 components.
Q3: What is the one most important facial and skincare tip you can share with everyone?
Dr Meg Sision: Wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 is the most important skincare tip that everyone can do.
Q4: How important is it to apply and use sunscreen?
Dr Meg Sision: Sunscreen prevents skin cancer and premature ageing. It is also helpful in medical conditions like melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, sun spots and photo-aggravated dermatoses among others.
Q5: Are there any recommended skin care regimen? How many steps are there and what are the steps involved?
Dr Meg Sision: The most essential skincare steps are using a gentle cleanser, moisturiser, and sunscreen. All other skincare products like toners, serums, sheet masks, and eye creams are optional.
Q6: There are currently products in the market that claim the use of different coloured LED light therapy for different purposes. Do they actually work, and if they do, how do they work?
Dr Meg Sision: Beauty tools like LED masks are marketed to consumers as an add on to one’s skincare routine but they are actually optional and not a must-have. Studies done on these devices are small, uncontrolled, industry-sponsored and done in a single institution so there is insufficient evidence to claim that they work. It’s best to consult a board-certified dermatologist for an individualised treatment for your skin concerns.
Q7: Other than topical creams and ointments, do diet and exercise/physical activities affect your skin?
Dr Meg Sision: Yes, a healthy lifestyle is very important because it helps in management of skin conditions like acne and psoriasis. Consult a board-certified dermatologist for any skin, hair, or nail concerns that you might have.
Q8: What are the misconceptions people have for acne and what do you have to say about them?
Dr Meg Sision: Some misconceptions about acne are the following: acne will clear more quickly if you scrub your face clean and that it will clear on its own once teenage years are over. The reality is that over-cleansing can actually worsen acne because it can strip off the skin’s barrier. A mild, fragrance-free cleanser is recommended instead. For the 2nd misconception, there is no guarantee that acne will end with your teenage years. Some people have acne until they become adults. Some women who had few acne as a teenager develop severe acne as adults.
Q9: Are moles dangerous?
Dr Meg Sision: Moles are evaluated according to their asymmetry, border, colour, diameter and if they are evolving. Consult a board-certified dermatologist to have your moles checked if you have doubts.
Q10: How do one prevent acne scars and for those affected by acne scars, how to treat them?
Dr Meg Sision: The best way to prevent acne scars is to treat acne at its early stages. Treatment options for acne scars depend on the type of acne scar and these are usually combined to give the optimal results for every patient. Examples are chemical peels, fractional lasers, micro-needling, fillers, subcision, and punch excision.
Check out Dr Meg Sison on her website and various social media platforms and find out more skincare tips from her:
