Doctor reveals the festive habits ageing your skin
The festive season is almost upon us, and our diaries are already filling up with Christmas celebrations. While we're definitely looking forward to bringing on the fun, overindulging in all the mince pies and mulled wine can have a detrimental and ageing impact on our skin.
Thankfully, there are some ways to minimise the effects of our Christmas escapades.
Here, aesthetic doctor Dr Aamer Khan, from ABG Lab breaks down the seasonal habits causing the most skin damage, what you can do to deter them, and how to detox your skin after the festivities.
The Christmas cocktails
From festive fizz to mince pie martinis, is it even Christmas without a tipple or two? But while an increase in alcoholic drinks isn't great for our health (hello hangover!), it can play havoc with our skin too.
"Alcohol acts as a diuretic, so it has a dehydrating effect, which means that your skin loses fluid and nutrients that are vital for keeping it looking and feeling healthy," Dr Khan explains.
Dehydrated skin can appear dull, bloated or more wrinkled.
The solution? Drink at least 8 glasses of water throughout the day and use the 'one-for-one rule' when drinking any of your favourite festive beverages.
"This means for every alcoholic drink, have a glass of water too."
Skincare wise Dr Khan suggests keeping a water-based moisturiser on hand to keep skin hydrated through the day, and also a hydrating mist to top up through the day and night.
Sipping through a straw
While it could help prevent 'red wine teeth' sipping your seasonal drink through a straw can exacerbate fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth.
"Try drinking from cups and glasses where possible to avoid this," Dr Khan suggests. If you already have these lines, an aesthetic treatment for the perioral zone around the lips, such as MESO-WHARTON P199®, could help invigorate your skin in that area. It's worth noting, however, that this is not an at-home solution.
Watch: I run a Christmas cafe all year round - I never get tired of mince pies
Burning the candle at both ends
At this time of year your sleep takes a major hit and as well as having an impact on your wellbeing, it can also have a knock-on affect on your skin.
"Sleep is the time when your body repairs itself and this is also true for the epidermis," Dr Khan explains.
"When you sleep your body goes into a regenerative state. Not getting enough sleep over the party period can impact your skin, making it appear duller than usual, emphasising fine lines and wrinkles. It’s not called beauty sleep for nothing!"
To counteract the lack of shuteye, he suggests adding Hyaluronic Acid to your daily skincare to put the plumpness back into the skin.
"Check out ice facial sticks or rollers for lymphatic drainage, puffiness, and redness around the eyes for a post party season wake up," he adds.
Festive food
Christmas just wouldn't be Christmas without a family size box of chocs and all the turkey trimmings, but this overindulgence on calorific treats, particularly the sweet stuff, can wrak havoc on out skin.
"Sugar binds to all proteins, including collagen and elastin – the proteins that give your skin shape, structure, and firmness," explains Dr Khan.
"When this happens, the skin can start to look more lined, saggy, dry, and lacklustre.
"Whilst I would never tell you to cut back on any food, especially not during the party season, it is important to ensure your skincare is helping your skin to rejuvenate overnight and is supported and protected during the day."
He suggests using SPF 30 or above everyday to protect against UV damage, and also adding a Vitamin C serum to your regime to keep your complexion bright and clear, and protected against free radicals.
"Post party season detox, your skin will be craving the groundbreaking formula of MESO-WHARTON P199®," he adds. "It initiates cellular renewal and new collagen to rejuvenate your skin from the inside out.
"It also promotes skin stem cell renewal, paving the way for firm, radiant, youthful-looking skin via enhanced extracellular rejuvenation."
Read more about skin health:
Top foods to eat to combat rosacea and acne - and what to avoid (Yahoo Life UK, 4-min read)
From treatments to products, here's your complete guide to getting rid of acne scars (Women's Health, 11-min read)
I tried No7's new dermatologist-led skincare range before it launched and it exceeded my expectations (Yahoo Life UK, 6-min read)
Vera Wang credits McDonalds for ageless skin, but Dermatologist warns against it (Yahoo Life UK, 4-min read)
