From The Straits Times    |

SW1 Clinic

Foundation is rightly named: It’s the bedrock of a makeup routine, applied every morning to create a flawless starting point for the rest of your products. But recent trends show runway models without a slick of foundation – just clean, shining skin, with a flush that looks youthful and real. If models can do it, are we also able to? Here’s what you need to do:
 

Exfoliate
Exfoliation is key to keeping pores purged and utterly clean, an essential prerequisite for the nude-skin look. If you have not been removing your makeup with zealous care daily, it’s time to invest in special makeup-remover products that excel in erasing every trace of cosmetics, including the waterproof kind, from skin. A weekly facial scrub also keeps dead cells in check, as can using mild fruit acids as part of your skincare routine.

 

Use complexion-perfecting lasers
Let’s admit it: Not all lasers are created equal. While some excel in lightening pigmentation, others target redness or flushing. For transforming your complexion from dull to problem-free, you need a multitasking laser that covers all bases – from evening out skin tone to refining pores. The Clear & Brilliant laser checks the right boxes. “My patients find that when it comes to transforming the complexion, commitment is key,” says Dr Kenneth Lee, medical director of SW1 Clinic.

SW1 Clinic

In response to the nude-look trend spurring a demand for complexion-perfecting lasers, SW1 Clinic offers its Lustrous Skin Program, which comprises six sessions of Clear & Brilliant with LED Red photobiomodulation and vitamin C skin therapies for an all-round improvement in the appearance of your skin.

 

Apply skin vitamins
Vitamins are a vital part of any conversation about bright skin. Without them, flawless skin might just be a distant dream. While most vitamins are taken orally, there is good evidence to show that for beautiful skin, some vitamins are better applied directly to the areas that need them most – your face, for example. Dr Low Chai Ling of SW1 Clinic says that vitamin A and vitamin C are most vital to skin health. Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) neutralises free radicals in skin. It is said to be anti-inflammatory and to help the skin heal itself. It also hydrates skin and boosts collagen production, which in turn reduces the appearance of wrinkles, giving you a more youthful look.

While it’s true that there is no magic bullet for perfecting skin, one ingredient comes pretty close – vitamin A. “Prescription retinoids and over-the-counter retinols (which are derived from vitamin A) increase skin-cell turnover and stimulate collagen synthesis,” explains Dr Low. With consistent use, you can expect to see an improvement in fine lines, texture, dark spots and the evenness of your skin tone.

 

SW1 Clinic
Dr Low Chai Ling, founder of SW1 Clinic at Paragon, says: “Foundation is about covering up flaws and giving you an even skin tone. To sport the nude look, you need skin so good and healthy that you can abandon this layer of coverage.” So how do you accomplish that with skincare alone? A careful laser regimen, packed with the right powerhouse products, can utterly transform skin – and, according to Dr Low, is more attainable than you might think.

 

SW1 Clinic is at #13-01 to #13-06 Paragon Medical Suites, 290 Orchard Road.

For more information, call 6817-8888 or visit www.sw1clinic.com.