Good hydration is essential for overall health, and that includes the skin too.
When your skin is hydrated, it is plumper, more elastic, and less likely to develop wrinkles and fine lines.
There are 3 main areas to consider:
- Drinking water
- Hydrating products
- Skin boosters
1/ Drinking water for your skin
Drinking water also helps to flush out toxins from the body, which can improve skin complexion and reduce breakouts.
This is no urban myth. The benefits of drinking water for the skin are supported by scientific evidence.
- A small study published in the journal Skin Pharmacology and Physiology found that people who increased their water intake by 2 litres per day for 12 weeks experienced a significant improvement in skin hydration and elasticity.
- Another study, published in the journal Dermatology, found that people who drank more water had less dry and itchy skin than those who drank less water.
Drinking water is far better for your body than tea/coffee, soft drinks or juices.
However, it is important to note that drinking water can only improve skin health up to a certain point. If you are already well hydrated, drinking more water is unlikely to have a significant impact on your skin appearance.
In fact, excessive water consumption can in itself be bad for you and can lead to a condition called hyponatremia, which is a low level of sodium in the blood. Drinking too much water means that the kidneys can’t get rid of the excess quickly enough, and the sodium in your blood becomes diluted. Symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, headache, confusion, fatigue, weakness, muscle cramps. IN severe cases, it can lead to seizures, coma and rarely, hyponatremia can be fatal.
Here are some tips to avoid drinking too much water:
- Drink water when you are thirsty, but don’t force yourself to drink more than you need.
- Avoid drinking large amounts of water in a short period of time.
2/ Skin care products to hydrate the skin
The skin loses moisture from the body all the time through a process called transepidermal water loss (TEWL). This is the natural process of water evaporating from the skin surface. It is essential for maintaining a healthy skin barrier and regulating body temperature. However, too much transepidermal water loss can lead to dry skin.
There are a number of factors that can affect this, including:
- Climate: Dry, low-humidity climates can increase moisture loss.
- Temperature: Hot temperatures can also increase moisture loss.
- Age: As we age, our skin’s ability to retain moisture decreases, leading to increased moisture loss.
- Skin conditions: Certain skin conditions, such as eczema and psoriasis, can also lead to increased moisture loss.
- Medications: Some medications, such as diuretics and corticosteroids, can also increase moisture loss.
In addition to TEWL, the skin can also lose moisture through:
- Sweat: When we sweat, water and electrolytes are lost from the skin.
- Bathing/showering: Long, hot showers and baths can strip the skin of its natural oils, leading to dryness.
- Harsh soaps and detergents: Harsh soaps and detergents can also strip the skin of its natural oils.
To counter this, there are a number of skin treatments that can help to hydrate the skin, trapping in moisture and slowing down the natural dissipation of your body’s hydration. Hydrating ingredients found in creams and serums include:
- Humectants: Attract and retain water in the skin. Common humectants include hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and propylene glycol.
- Occlusives: Form a barrier on the skin to prevent water loss. Common occlusives include petrolatum, mineral oil, and lanolin.
- Emollients: Help to soften and smooth the skin. Common emollients include ceramides, fatty acids, and squalane.
Which skin treatment is right for you will depend on your individual skin type and needs. If you have dry skin, you may want to use a moisturiser that contains humectants and occlusives. If you have oily skin, you may want to use a moisturiser that is oil-free and contains non-comedogenic ingredients, which will not clog your pores.
If you have never tried prescription skincare, then it is worth a consultation to find out what products and regime would be best for you. This is available at advanced skin clinics such as Mulberry House Clinic.
3/ Injectable skin boosters
Skin boosters are a relatively new way to improve skin hydration. These injectable products work by increasing the amount of hyaluronic acid (HA) in the skin.
The treatment delivers small amounts of HA into the dermis, the middle layer of the skin. This helps to increase the skin’s hydration capacity and improve its overall appearance.
HA is a naturally occurring substance in the skin that helps to retain moisture. As we age, our levels of HA decrease, leading to dry, dehydrated skin. Using injectable HA products directly improves skin hydration, producing a healthy glow, radiance and luminescence that lasts for months.
There are a number of potential benefits for using skin boosters and injectable HA products:
- Increased skin hydration
- Improved skin elasticity and firmness
- Reduced fine lines and wrinkles
- Smoother, more radiant skin
- Reduced pore size
- Improved skin texture
If you are considering using skin boosters or injectable HA products to improve your skin hydration, be sure to consult with an experienced provider. These are relatively new products and it is important that the injector has the training and experience to give you the best advice and a safe and effective treatment.
Skin Boosters at Mulberry House Clinic, Northamptonshire
Mulberry House Clinic has extensive experience and expertise in providing the latest skin boosters, which it describes as Injections for Skin Quality.
Based in Northamptonshire, the team offer expertise and experience; together with a selection of top injectable products to ensure optimal results for each patient. Top UK brands of skin boosters available at Mulberry House Clinic include:
Mulberry House Clinic
Established 2003
Mulberry House Clinic has an excellent reputation in the Northampton area as an independent, doctor-led practice with vast experience of the industry. Cosmetic skin treatments are carried out by Dr John Tanqueray, who works closely with leading manufacturers to remain at the forefront of the medical aesthetics.
A private consultation is the starting point for all patients in order to facilitate a full discussion about the desired results as well as detailed facial and skin assessment. Find out more about first consultation.
For further information or to arrange a confidential consultation, please complete our contact form, call 01604 702630 or email: info@mulberryhouseclinic.co.uk.
