How Are All the TV Mums Ageing So Gracefully?

ITV’s latest dating show is taking us all by storm! My Mum, Your Dad is all we can talk about, and we are loving tuning in to see the relationships develop. We can’t help but notice how great all the contestants look and has got us thinking about how to best look after our skin as we age. Tweakments? Lifestyle? Skincare? A combination of all? We spoke to Dr Asha Chhaya, senior medical injector at sk:n Clinics to find out more about caring for the skin and found out some top tip and trends...

What treatments are most popular in your middle-aged patients?

 The most popular treatments I am performing for middle aged patients are anti-ageing injectables and Profhilo. They both work slightly differently in that anti-ageing injectables helps to soften lines of expression i.e. frown lines, forehead lines and crows feet when you smile, whereas Profhilo is more for rejuvenation of the skin itself.

I am currently seeing an upward trend in patients opting for polynucleotide treatments which is an injectable treatment that stimulates your own cells to improve the appearance and quality of skin. It is particularly brilliant for the under eyes - an area of concern for many. I am seeing impressive results and due to it being a much safer option than dermal filler, it is proving to be very popular.

What treatments/ tweakments would you recommend for people who want to maintain a ‘youthful’ appearance? 

This really varies from person to person.  I would highly recommend a bespoke consultation to understand each individuals needs and concerns. Personally, my preference tends to be light doses of anti-ageing injectables to help soften lines and then an injectable booster such as Profhilo or polynucleotides to enhance and rejuvenate the skin. I think the most important piece of advice here is: easy does it, you really don’t want to be overdoing it because this can make you look more aged. I believe the best aim is to look as good as you can for your age and a trustworthy medical injector will help you to achieve this and know when to stop.

How does your approach to the consultation process differ between age groups?

My approach to the injectables consultation process varies between age groups due to differences in aesthetic goals, skin concerns, and expectations. Younger patients often seek injectables for preventive purposes and to address minor aesthetic concerns. They may want to enhance their natural features, correct asymmetry, or reduce early signs of aging. I firstly assess to see whether there is truly a need for intervention, and if I don’t feel treatment is necessary or appropriate I advise them as to why injectable treatments are not the right option at the present moment. I tend to place more of an emphasis on investing in medical grade skincare and discuss lifestyle habits that can help prevent signs of ageing.

The majority of my patients are middle aged, and they generally want to address more noticeable signs of aging, such as wrinkles, volume loss, and skin laxity but always emphasise wanting a conservative approach. I carry out a comprehensive assessment of their facial volume, skin texture, and laxity and then formulate a treatment plan to include more specific concerns such as marionette lines, and sagging skin. We also discuss maintenance plans and future treatments to ensure that they are ageing well in the best way they can.

For my more mature patients, they typically seek injectables to rejuvenate their appearance and address advanced signs of aging. As part of the consultation process, I set realistic expectations about what injectables can achieve and tend to focus more on volume restoration with dermal fillers, though other treatments such as Profhilo and anti-ageing injectables also play a part in their overall care.

Is there an ideal time to start tweakments and advanced skin treatments?

I am not really an advocate of having treatments sooner than they are needed. When it comes to treatments such as anti-ageing injectables, it is my opinion that the best time to start is when you notice a line at rest. Anything earlier than this is unnecessary and I would much rather patients invest in a really good skincare regime. If you are seeking injectable treatment for the first time and you are unsure what you may need or if it is the right time,  the best thing you can do is book in a consultation with an experienced medical injector who will give you an honest opinion on what is best.

What are your top tips to help people look their best?

Do not underestimate the impact of lifestyle! Hydrate well, aim for 7-8 hours of sleep a night, maintain a good exercise regime (my recommendation is always - Pilates, strength training and walking), use at least a factor 30 SPF daily, invest in medical grade skincare, eat a diet rich in fruit and vegetables, avoid smoking, don’t overdo it with the alcohol, implement self-care to minimise stress and most importantly focus on being a good kind person! It may be cliched, but those who have a good heart always radiate beauty.

As far as injectable treatments go, they are really not as daunting as they seem and when done well, they can really enhance your appearance which in turn tends to boost self-confidence. If you are considering injectable treatments, my advice is to arrange a consultation with an experienced medical injector and if you feel confident in their abilities then give it a try, you can always start with small tweaks!