5 SKINCARE HACKS FOR THE FESTIVE SEASON

What to consider (and when to start)

Christmas parties, family get-togethers, office cocktails, and Old Year’s Night are around the corner, and they all come with what feels like a million photo-ops! 

If you’ve been maintaining a consistent skincare routine, you’ve got a solid foundation, but there are also supporting treatments that might be worth discussing with your dermatologist. The key is choosing correctly for your skin’s needs and allowing sufficient time for recovery.

1. Peel the deal

Chemical peels use carefully selected solutions to exfoliate the skin, with the aim of improving concerns like dullness, pigmentation, uneven tone and texture, fine lines, and even certain types of acne. 

Peels vary in strength and depth. Superficial peels involve less downtime, while medium-depth and deeper peels require longer recovery periods.

When to plan: Depending on the type of peel, visible shedding, redness and sensitivity may last anywhere from several days to a few weeks. A pre-event consultation can help determine whether a peel is appropriate and if so, how much recovery time you should cater for.

The Perfect Derma peel, however, is a medium-depth, medical-grade peel formulated with Glutathione and a blend of acids and antioxidants. Designed to visibly brighten uneven skin tone and dark spots, it also helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, leaving skin looking clearer and more radiant. Most people experience only a few days of visible peeling.

2. Stop at the hydration station 

If your skin has been feeling dry or uncomfortable, a gentle, moisturising facial may help improve its temporary appearance and feel. 

Facials can include cleansing, moisturising masks and other treatments specifically tailored for your skin, and options like Glacē and Oxygeneo are quite hydrating.

When to plan: Gentle facials typically have little or no downtime. Irritation or breakouts can still occur, however, so it’s usually best to avoid an unfamiliar facial just before an important occasion.

3. Be laser-focused

If shaving, waxing or managing unwanted hair is a recurring concern, laser hair removal may be worth exploring.

The treatment targets pigment within hair follicles to progressively reduce hair growth. Because hair grows in cycles, you generally need multiple sessions spaced several weeks apart.

When to plan: Start early. If this is your first time doing laser hair removal, it won’t be an instant solution for holiday events, but beginning a treatment programme now is the first step towards longer-term results for events like Carnival. Bear in mind that temporary redness and swelling may occur after treatment.

4. Thread the needle 

To combat poor texture and certain types of scarring, microneedling treatments create controlled micro-injuries in the skin, stimulating the body’s natural healing response.

Your dermatologist may recommend this treatment if you have certain types of acne scars, fine lines, or uneven texture. You generally see improvements gradually, and multiple sessions may be necessary.

When to plan: Allow time for temporary redness, sensitivity and recovery — and bear in mind that microneedling is not suitable for everyone, particularly those with certain active skin conditions or a history of abnormal scarring.

5. Consult your dermatologist 

Not every skin concern requires a treatment; sometimes, all your skin might need is a professionally guided regimen. 

Depending on your particular skin, your dermatologist may recommend targeted topical treatments. 

When to plan: Begin several weeks in advance, as some products’ active ingredients require gradual introduction and may initially cause dryness or irritation.

One step at a time 

With the pressure of seasonal parties upon us, it’s tempting to want a quick fix, but it’s all in the planning. Remember: like most things worth waiting for, healthy skin takes both consistency and time. 

Regardless of the treatment, results and recovery times vary because everyone’s skin is different. What works for someone else may not work for you, which is why it’s important to talk to your clinician.  

In the end, the best festive skincare decision is the one that works for your skin.

TEENS AND KELOIDS

What every parent should know 

The teenage years bring many “firsts”: acne, ear piercings, and yes — keloids, especially in a society that is as ethnically diverse as ours. Here’s what you should know about prevention and early treatment.

What are they?

Keloids are raised scars that form when the body produces excess collagen during the healing process. Unlike ordinary scars, keloids grow beyond the boundaries of the original wound and may continue to enlarge over time.

They can develop after relatively minor skin injuries, including ear piercings, acne, cuts, burns, and even insect bites. They may be itchy, tender or uncomfortable, and depending on their appearance, can sometimes affect a teenager’s confidence.

Why are teens susceptible?

Keloids commonly develop between the ages of 10 and 30, making the teen years into early adulthood a particularly sensitive time.

Although anyone can develop a keloid, they happen more frequently in people with darker skin tones, including with African, Indian, Asian and mixed ancestry. Genetics also play a role, so teenagers with a family history of keloids tend to be at greater risk.

Piercings, pimples and prevention

Ear piercings are a common trigger for keloids, so it’s best to avoid them during the teenage years, or at the very least, speak with your dermatologist before committing.

Acne is another potential trigger. Picking or squeezing pimples can increase inflammation and damage the skin, potentially contributing to scarring. Managing acne early and avoiding unnecessary skin trauma can help reduce the risk.

Treatment

Not every raised scar is a keloid, so an accurate diagnosis is important. If it is a keloid, there are several treatment options, including corticosteroid injections, silicone-based therapies and surgical removal. 

In some cases, laser treatments can be effective at flattening keloids and reducing associated hyperpigmentation.Your dermatologist will determine the best approach based on size, location, symptoms, and medical history.

Done the right way, keloids are pretty simple to remove, but they can also be tenacious, so it is much better to tackle them early, before they become large, painful, and more challenging to manage. 

When to see your doctor

If a teenager develops a raised scar that continues to grow, particularly after a piercing or breakout, you should have it assessed by a dermatologist.

Early evaluation can help determine what management options are best. Keloids are not just a matter of appearance. They can cause physical discomfort and emotional distress, so awareness, prevention and timely dermatological intervention can make a meaningful difference.

DR. CHRIS ON WHY TEAMWORK MATTERS IN MEDICAL AESTHETICS

Teamwork makes the dream work

I’ve known Mikaili, one of the aesthetic injectors at our practice, for over 20 years. My grandparents and her family lived in the same neighbourhood, we played together as children, and now, I couldn’t imagine doing my job without her! 

One of the many things I’ve come to appreciate in medical aesthetics is that, despite working one-to-one with our patients, we are never truly working alone. There is a huge amount of responsibility that comes with being a practitioner. We make decisions, manage expectations, and sometimes navigate situations where there isn’t one obvious answer. Over time, I’ve realised how valuable it is to have people around you that you genuinely trust.

The entire team at Serpentine support one another in invaluable ways; it’s how we’re able to function like a well-oiled machine. A key aspect of this is trust, which we build through the everyday things: being honest, sharing knowledge, asking questions, and becoming better for it.

Mikaili and I trained on opposite sides of the Atlantic. We have divergent experiences and an understanding of how beauty standards differ from continent to continent. As we continue to work together, her input has become integral to building positively on my aesthetic approach.

Sometimes I’m looking at a situation from one angle, and she asks a simple question that completely changes my perspective. As clinicians, we learn to work in teams, both in hospital and clinic. Every situation has its challenges, so having a colleague who will stand beside you, weigh the options, and share their own experiences makes a huge difference.

“Being part of a strong team doesn’t make you a less capable practitioner; quite the opposite — I believe it makes you a safer, more thoughtful and ultimately better clinician.”

— Dr. Christopher Ready

For me, that’s what good teamwork really means: knowing that you don't have to have every answer, and that the people around you will help you arrive at the best solution for each individual patient. So, when you’re being treated by one of us, you’re really being treated by both of us. In aesthetics, where patient safety and trust are at the heart of everything we do, that is something I think is incredibly valuable.

EXFOLIATION VS. RESURFACING

Both can help refresh your skin, but they don’t work the same way

Exfoliation and resurfacing are used to improve the skin’s appearance and texture — yet, there are important differences between them — particularly when we make a distinction between at-home skincare to professional dermatological treatments.

What is exfoliation?

As part of its normal renewal process, your skin regularly sheds dead cells from its outermost layer. When you exfoliate, you help the process along. Removing some of these surface cells can leave skin looking and feeling smoother and brighter.

Exfoliation can be either physical, using friction or abrasion, or chemical, using ingredients like alpha- or beta-hydroxy acids to loosen the bonds between surface skin cells — but the key word here is surface. Exfoliation primarily works on the outermost layers of the skin.

Professional treatments like medical microdermabrasion offer even more controlled exfoliation, mechanically exfoliating the epidermis to improve dullness, rough texture and superficial clogging of pores.

What is resurfacing?

This involves treatments designed to create a controlled effect within the skin to encourage renewal. Depending on the technology being used, practitioners can even target concerns just below the surface.

Take laser resurfacing: different lasers work in different ways, but these treatments are effective in addressing concerns like uneven pigmentation, sun damage, acne marks, fine lines, and irregular texture.

Rather than simply removing surface build-up, resurfacing treatments typically stimulate the deeper processes involved in skin renewal. 

Is one better than the other?

Not necessarily, because they aren’t interchangeable treatments. Think of exfoliation as buffing and polishing the surface, and resurfacing as working at different depths depending on the treatment.

Exfoliation is often sufficient for someone experiencing mild dullness or roughness, whereas patients with persistent hyperpigmentation, acne scarring or textural changes might do better with a different approach. 

More intensive doesn't automatically mean more appropriate; everyone is different. People with darker skin tones, for instance, can be more prone to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, which may cause increased pigmentation. This is why it is critical to have a proper assessment done: the type of treatment, device, settings and the practitioner’s experience with different skin tones all matter.

How do you tell which you need?

Start with the concern rather than the treatment. If your skin feels rough or looks dull, exfoliation may well do the trick. If you're trying to address pigmentation, scarring, fine lines or deeper textural issues, your dermatologist may recommend a resurfacing treatment or another targeted approach.

Please remember, though: stronger treatments do not always mean better results. Success lies in choosing the best approach for your individual skin.

WHICH FACIAL IS RIGHT FOR YOUR AGE?

Plus: skincare products suited for each decade 

Effective skincare isn’t one-size-fits-all; as cell turnover, collagen levels and the skin barrier change over time, both your products and professional treatments should evolve too.

20s / Protect and prevent

Your late teens and 20s are for establishing healthy habits and protecting the skin you have. Acne, oiliness and clogged pores may still be concerns, and you need to be serious about sun protection, which can help prevent pigmentation and premature ageing down the road.

Facials

• Deep-cleansing or clarifying facials 

• Gentle exfoliating treatments

• Hydrating facials

• Treatments specifically designed for acne-prone skin 

Products

• A gentle cleanser

• A moisturiser suited to your skin type

• A broad-spectrum SPF (30 or higher) every day

• Salicylic acid (if you need help with acne) 

• An antioxidant like vitamin C (for additional protection from environmental damage)

30s / Brighten and maintain

As cell turnover and collagen production gradually begin to slow, you may start noticing fine lines, dullness or uneven pigmentation, so start becoming more intentional about prevention.

Facials

• Brightening and antioxidant facials

• Hydrating treatments

• Superficial chemical peels and microdermabrasion (where appropriate)

Products

• Continue with your cleanser, moisturiser and daily SPF

• Vitamin C in the morning and a retinoid at night (e.g. hyaluronic acid offers additional hydration; niacinamide helps support the skin barrier and improve uneven tone)

40s / Renew and restore

Declining collagen and elastin become more noticeable: skin is less firm and you may have more fine lines. Years of sun exposure can also show up as dark spots and uneven skin tone.

Facials

• Antioxidant facials

• Targeted chemical peels

• Brightening treatments

• Microdermabrasion

• Treatments that support skin renewal and collagen production

Products

• Retinoids (to support collagen) paired with antioxidants, peptides, and niacinamide

• A good moisturiser

• Daily SPF

• Targeted pigment-correcting ingredients that combat dark spots and uneven tone

50s / Replenish and rejuvenate

Around menopause, falling oestrogen levels contribute to dryness, thinning skin, reduced elasticity and changes in collagen. 

Facials 

• Hydrating and barrier-supporting facials

• Antioxidant treatments

• Gentle resurfacing and rejuvenating treatments

Products

• A gentle cleanser

• A moisturiser with ceramides and other barrier-supporting lipids, and hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin

• Retinoids (if your skin can tolerate them)

• SPF (non-negotiable)

60s / Nourish and strengthen

Skin becomes thinner and less able to retain moisture, so you need to counteract dryness, sensitivity and a weakened skin barrier.

Facials

• Deeply hydrating, antioxidant-rich treatments, with gentle exfoliation (when appropriate)

Products

• A gentle, non-stripping cleanser

• A rich moisturiser 

• Antioxidants and peptides remain useful additions

• Retinoids might still be appropriate for some people, but frequency and strength will need to adjust, as skin generally becomes more sensitive

70s+ / Comfort and protect

At this age, skin tends to be thinner, drier and more fragile, so skincare should become increasingly gentle, with an emphasis on protecting the barrier and maintaining hydration. Keep it simple: consistency and maintaining a healthy skin barrier matter most.

Facials 

• Soothing, moisture-rich and barrier-supporting treatments, with only gentle exfoliation that should be individually tailored rather than routine

Products

• A  very gentle cleanser

• A rich moisturiser or emollient that contains barrier-supporting ingredients like ceramides (hydrating serums can be layered underneath moisturiser if needed)

• A broad-spectrum sunscreen, used daily 

Remember: the best facial — and skincare routine — isn’t simply the one recommended for your decade; it’s the one selected for your skin. Your dermatologist can help you figure out which ingredients and treatments are appropriate for you and adjust them as your skin changes over time.