Dermatologist Lucie Rajska - skin has an elephant's memory
How and when to start with the correct skin-care? Why is it important to create cosmetic habits? This and much more will be answered in the following interview with Dr. Lucie Rajska, Ph.D.
1. It is known that ageing is a natural process of life which can be partially slowed. Is there a specific age or moment of expression of ageing that you would recommend as the ideal start for the prevention of the ageing of skin?
It is scientifically proven, that already around the age of 25, the synthesis of collagen in the body starts to slow, which is the reflected on the skin as well; with the appearance of small wrinkles or lines. This is why, latest, at this age, it is important to start taking regular and targeted care of your skin. Generally, however, in my experience, I try to recommend skin-care to even much younger people. This means youth. This is because, the earlier we create cosmetic routines and habits, the longer we will be able to enjoy the quality of our skin. And even in this situation; prevention is the basis.
2. Staying with the theme of prevention, what cannot be missing in an everyday skin-care ritual?
Actually, you do not need so much – the perfect cleansing of the skin, hydration and proper regular protection from the sun.
Perfect cleansing will rid the skin of makeup, dust, sweat and other pollutants. At the same time this prepares the skin for the other steps of the skin-care routine and also allows it to gain the most from them.
Sufficient hydration of the skin, not excluding greasy or oily skin, is very important. The skin will, thanks to it, stay visibly juicy, fresh and bright. And especially youthful.
Last but not least, we must protect our skin from UV-rays because it is one of the greatest factors contributing to the ageing of the skin. It causes the degradation of both elastin and collagen. Supports the creation of wrinkles and lines as well as blotches of pigment, which, I think, we do not dream of. Furthermore, by protecting our skin from UV-rays we also prevent the creation of skin cancers.
3. In your opinion, is there some sort of effective preventative procedure that does not necessitate an invasive procedure, that slows down the ageing of skin effectively?
A preventative procedure is every procedure with which we take care of our skin. If it is done at home or by a professional. Personally I recommend (and undergo), regular cosmetic treatment by a professional. It is both, a form of relaxation to be taken care of by someone else, which is of course very important for us, it is also specialized care that is very often built just for us and the needs of our skin. And because our skin has the memory of an elephant, same as with our sins, it will return our regular care for it with interest.
Out of the procedures available, that do not necessitate invasive medical intervention, I like to recommend my favorite ‘sculpturally buccal facelift massage’. It’s a sort of comfortable lifting of the skin without the use of needles or sewing. This activates the lymph and at the same time perfectly massages the facial muscles. This, in combination, sends blood to the affected regions and results in an effective facelift. Of course, such an effect only lasts a few days, however, a visible lasting effect in combination with rest and relaxation does a lot for the prevention of skin-ageing.
4. Collagen drinks have gained a lot of popularity I the last couple years. What is your opinion on this trend? And, which criteria should we follow, in order to select the correct collagen if we want to start using this dietary supplement?
I admit, that personally I have a preference for hyaluronic acid rather than a collagen drink. This, however, does not mean that collagen is bad or ineffective.
The current market offers up to three types of collagen – native, denatured or hydrolyzed, also known as collagen peptides. The latter is the most beneficial for the organism; this is because it is digested and absorbed the best and fastest. Of course, everything depends on the amount of collagen that is used so that it can fulfill its intended function. Ideally, you should also take Vitamin C together with collagen because it plays an important role in the synthesis of collagen in the body.
5. What is your opinion, as a medical professional, on the use of dietary supplements and can you also tell us if you use any yourself? If yes, what criteria do you follow when you are selecting which to use?
Personally, I cannot but recommend the use of dietary supplements. In some cases, they can even improve the overall state of the body and mind and are a fantastic addition to our treatment process. For example, in the case of hair-loss, I love to recommend methionine.
I do not support, however, the thoughtless buying up of supplements. It is more practical to carefully study the composition of the active substances that are present in said treatment.
I also use dietary supplements regularly. As I have stated earlier, I cannot forgo the use of hyaluronic acid. I also use vitamin C, resveratrol, zinc and sometimes I also add vitamin D. Additionally, for more than a year I have regularly been taking probiotics and the effect, I must say, is better than amazing. I recommend it to everybody. It is a common misconception that probiotics should only be used in combination with antibiotic therapy; the opposite, however, is the case. Probiotics maintain a healthy gastrointestinal microbiome and the effect is visible both on your immunity but also the condition of the skin.
However, it is important to mention that in the first place it is most important to live a happy and healthy life. Make sure to get enough sleep, a healthy and balanced diet that is rich in antioxidants, don’t smoke, etc. You cannot just rely on the idea that you will be saved by a fist full of pills when you don’t have your life in order.😊
6. Is complexity important in the selection of a suitable dietary supplement?
It is always preferable when a dietary supplement has such a composition where the effects of one substance are maximized or balanced by another substance, has reasonable concentrations and therefore as a result is also maximally effective.
7. What is your favorite component in the about your BEAUTY drink, that, from your medical perspective, should not be missing from the prevention of the ageing of the skin?
My opinion is that the ‘about your BEAUTY’ drink has the ideal composition that a product promising prevention from the ageing of the skin should have. As a lover of hyaluronic acid I truly appreciate its inclusion in the form of a low molecular weight type, that supports the softening of lines in the skin. The fans of collagen will also be excited about the inclusion of collagen peptides in the ideal accompaniment of vitamin C that effectively activates collagen. An interesting component are also ceramides that support the correct functionality of the skin barrier. Zinc, selenium, vitamin E as well as biotin are all just the perfect icing on the cake.