The Coronavirus pandemic has forced many of us to stay at home more than ever before. As the country prepares to ease out of the third national lockdown, many people are conscious of their current appearances.

The stress of the pandemic has taken its toll and combined with salons and clinics closing their doors, many of us are feeling a little worse for wear. Our usual youth-boosting treatments have been put on hold, and a lot of people have let their daily beauty habits fall by the wayside during lockdown.

Has Staying Indoors Been Good For The Skin?

At the beginning of the pandemic, many people thought that time at home would mean minimal makeup and less environmental pollution, which should be good for the skin. However, in fact, people have noticed that being indoors is causing drier skin, breakouts and blemishes.

So, what’s been affecting our skin?

Anxiety

Stress and anxiety are much higher at the moment for a variety of reasons. The stress hormone cortisol is known to be a trigger for inflammation in the body. It can trigger inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema and acne.

With this in mind, stress-relieving practises such as mindfulness and meditation can not only calm the mind, but they can benefit the skin too.

Lack Of Routine

Despite people having more time at home, skin routines have fallen by the wayside for some people during lockdown. Leaving and coming home from work may create a habit of skincare. This is often lost in lockdown. For example, people who wear makeup may have a routine for cleansing the skin when they come home. If you are not wearing makeup every day, you may not feel the need to conduct your normal skincare routine. However, this may mean missing out on vital skincare steps such as cleansing and moisturising.

Lack Of Vitamin D

Being indoors is good news for reducing UV exposure and skin-damaging pollutants. However, you may notice skin looks duller or more sullen after extended lockdown periods. This could be due to a reduction in vitamin D, which is vital for skin rejuvenation, thanks to how it grows and repairs skin cells.

Using vitamin D supplements can help improve skin health when it is harder to activate vitamin D levels using sunlight.

How To Improve Lockdown Skin

Eat Complexion Boosting Foods

We all know the age-old saying, you are what you eat. This couldn’t be truer when it comes to your skin. Signs of ageing come from deep within the skin. Consequently, your diet plays an important role. Incorporating these skin-vitalising foods into your daily diet can help you to stay looking youthful during lockdown:

• Green Tea: Green tea offers endless benefits, one of which is its powerful anti-ageing properties. It is extremely high in antioxidants, which helps to protect the skin against free radicals. This helps to protect the collagen within the skin and maintain the skin’s youthfulness.
• Fatty Fish: Packed full of Omega 3 fats, fatty fish like salmon can keep you looking youthful while salons are closed. Fatty fish protects against inflammation, which can help leave the skin looking younger.
• Vegetables: Vegetables are great for our bodies for many reasons, but many don’t realise how good they are for the skin. Vegetables that are high in carotenoids, such as beta carotene, can protect against signs of ageing. Carrots, pumpkins and sweet potatoes are all good sources of beta carotene.
• Avocados: Super rich in healthy fats, avocados offer many youthful properties. They contain polyhydroxylated fatty alcohols, which protect the skin from sun damage and can repair damaged skin cells.

Address Skincare Concerns At Home

Even when clinics are closed and aesthetic treatments are out of the question, your skincare doctor can help keep your complexion looking youthful. Powerful skincare products like the Obagi Nu-Derm System can be used from the comfort of your home.

Obagi uses a blend of active and prescription ingredients to offer impressive anti-ageing results that can’t be achieved with over-the-counter skincare products. Because of the prescription ingredients, Obagi is only available from a medical professional, and the dosage and frequency need to be determined by a doctor.

Obagi skincare products are incredibly effective for keeping your skin looking youthful during lockdown. They increase the cellular turnover in the skin, prevent hyperpigmentation and stimulate fibroblasts to increase collagen production. The penetrating technology in Obagi skincare is designed to delve deep into the skin tissue and help the active ingredients work beyond the skin barrier for long-lasting results.

Skin is left youthful, glowing and smooth, and specific products can work to diminish the appearance of lines and wrinkles.

Find The Right Skincare For You

Here at Hans Place Practice, we are on hand to help you address skincare concerns from home. Dr Mike Comins is a leading practitioner in aesthetic medicine and has been helping patients improve their skin confidence for many years.

Dr Mike Comins recommend and prescribe the best course of Obagi treatment for your unique skin needs. Furthermore, he is on hand to answer any questions you may have about the products. Obagi skincare can be used alongside other aesthetic treatments, so if you are considering treatment after lockdown, they can be combined. Many patients use the Obagi Nu-Derm System alongside Dermal Fillers, INTRAcel or Velashape 3.

For more information about the Obagi Nu-Derm System and how it can help keep you looking youthful during lockdown, get in touch with our team. We are on hand to answer any questions you may have and recommend the best treatment options for you. At Hans Place, we offer all patients a complimentary consultation. This is so you can discuss your personal requirements and treatment options in detail. Book your consultation today here.