Keeping young and beautiful without Botox

Just how do these ladies do it? How do female dermatologists, the skin experts, get their faces to look at least 10 years younger than they are on average. According to these “dermal artists,” the skin’s age can be made to appear younger than physical age depending on how people take care of themselves.
Three skin experts shared their secrets on how-to skin care: Kim Tae-eun, head of the Eun Skin Clinic; Chang Sung-eun, a dermatologist at Asan Medical Center, and Chang Ka-yeon, a dermatologist at Arumdaunnara Clinic.
The main principle in skin care these dermatologists suggest is for women to begin taking measures in their 20s when the skin is shiniest. They say skin can either age dramatically, or not, based on the control of five skin “enemies” ― ultraviolet rays, smoking, dryness, skin exposure and stress.

It is natural to get a couple of deep wrinkles when the skin gets thinner as a woman turns 50. But when Kim Tae-eun, 50, head of the Eun Skin Clinic laughs, only a few fine wrinkles show. From her appearance alone she looks to be in her early 40s. Dr. Kim said she hasn’t had Botox injection or peeling treatment, but admitted she pays great care to prevent wrinkles as basic care becomes more difficult with age.
In order to prevent her skin from drying, she drinks 10 cups of water a day and at least two mugs of green tea. In order to provide nutrients to the skin, she also takes Imedeen and Esthe.
Imedeen is a skin nutrient necessary for the formation of collagen, which is responsible for skin elasticity. Dr. Kim has taken one tablet a day for the past five years after she read a paper published by the European Society for Dermatological Research. Esthe, hyaluronic acid extracted from soybeans and the crest of chickens, also contributes to the elasticity of inner skin. In addition, she takes herb extracts believed to work as antioxidants.
Taking pills is not the only skin care measure Dr. Kim uses ― ultrasound treatments help to form collagen in deep skin layers. She also takes care to block ultraviolet rays, as she gets older.
“In the morning, I apply a product that blocks both ultraviolet rays A and B, as A goes through glasses, and B causes pigment darkening,” Dr. Kim said.
As she believes that what is good for the body is also good for the skin, she sleeps enough and does regular workouts ― a “Pilates” program once a week, and yoga twice a week.

Chang Sung-eun, 37, a dermatologist at Asan Medical Center doesn’t have enough time to take care of her skin. She has to come to work by 6:30 a.m. and she is also a mother of three kids.
But still her skin looks 10 years younger. What is her secret? Dr. Chang removes melanin pigments and dead skin cells with a cleanser made up of alpha hydroxy acid (better known as AHA) diluted to 3 to 5 percent, and glycolic acid, an organic acid extracted from sugar cane. The regimen doesn’t take much time ― just apply the products and then clean them off after five to 10 minutes.
Dr. Chang also recommends Retin-A, developed to cure acne, which is also effective in removing dead cells and forming collagen in deep skin layers.
In addition, Dr. Chang uses lotion with no fragrance, and moisturizing cream developed for atopic dermatitis patients, because her skin is super dry and very sensitive. Products for these patients are effective in moisturizing and aren’t too pricey. She also uses liquid cleanser and warm water to keep her skin moisturized.
In order to prevent skin drying, Dr. Chang uses a humidifier and drinks more than seven cups of water and green tea a day. She does aerobics, swims twice a week and takes short naps when she doesn’t get enough sleep.
“If your skin is very dry, don’t wash your face with strong alkali soap or cleanser, or rub the skin with rough towels,” said Dr. Chang.

The skin of Chang Ka-yeun, 37, a dermatologist at Arumdaunnara Clinic is thin, dry and whiter than the average Korean’s. The skin texture is good, but such skin easily develops fine wrinkles and pigment darkening.
Dr. Chang’s skin care theme is that “excessiveness is worse than insufficiency.” She makes sure not to overuse cosmetics, applying only one or two products depending on her skin condition that day. It is important to provide moisture or oil to the skin, but natural moisturizing factors that the skin creates itself are reduced if one depends too much on cosmetics, Dr. Chang said. She added it’s better to apply a moisturizer and wait until it is fully absorbed, and then apply another product, if you need more. It is also good to choose non-alcohol products with more moisturizer, if your skin is dry.
Dr. Chang also recommended regular facial massages and use of a face-pack once or twice a week. She said the massage speeds up metabolism by raising the temperature of the skin’s surface, and packs peel off dead skin cells. The two also provide balanced moisture and oil to the skin and help active elements to be absorbed into the skin.
In the morning, she only uses basic cosmetics that contain arbutin and vitamin C. Arbutin prevents the formation of melanin and vitamin C also whitens the skin. She avoids excessive peeling of dead cells, or excessive cleansing as these can make the skin drier.
“It is important to sleep from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. when the cell’s metabolism and skin regeneration speed up,” Dr. Chang said.

by Ko Jong-kwan