When it comes to skincare, the plethora of advice available can sometimes feel overwhelming. But when you’re considering a non-surgical aesthetic treatment, following expert advice can make all the difference in maintaining a healthy, glowing complexion. The secrets that aesthetic medicine experts often reveal combine both professional treatments and simple, day-to-day practices. Here are the top skincare tips from professionals who truly understand the science and art of a radiant complexion.
### Invest in Sun Protection
One of the most frequent pieces of advice that experts from any top aesthetics clinic in Bristol will share is the importance of regular daily sun protection. Sun damage is cumulative; even on cloudy UK days, harmful UVA and UVB rays reach the skin. This is often the biggest contributor to premature ageing, with fine lines, pigmentation, and sometimes even broken capillaries.
An appropriate broad-spectrum SPF should be applied every single day, even in winter or indoors if you’re seated near a window. One client, Sandra, an outdoor swimmer in her late 40s, noticed significant differences in her skin after she took the plunge and made sunscreen a non-negotiable step in her skincare routine. By sticking with SPF 50, she not only saw a reduction in pigmentation but also in overall skin texture, simply by guarding her skin against the element many of us forget: the sun.
### Retinoids Hold the Key
If you haven’t already incorporated a retinoid into your routine, now may be the time. Retinoids (derivatives of vitamin A) are among the most researched and effective ingredients. They support skin cell turnover, which helps diminish fine lines, acne, and pigmentation. Many of the clients who come for non-surgical treatments report seeing a much-improved effect when combining their skincare regimen with professional retinoid use.
However, it’s crucial to introduce retinoids under expert advice, as many over-the-counter versions may cause irritation if not suited to your skin type. Aestheticians skilled in medical-grade skincare will often start their clients off at a low concentration, as Dr Brad often suggests, to gradually acclimate the skin to higher levels. This precision ensures the skin benefits without any unnecessary dryness or irritation that’s associated with misuse.
### Maintain Hydration — Inside and Out
Hydration is not about simply consuming lots of water throughout the day, although that is an essential part of skin health. For your skin specifically, external hydration plays an equally important role. Many individuals don’t realise the importance of incorporating humectants like hyaluronic acid into their skincare routine. These can draw moisture to the skin and keep the surface plump and dewy.
One patient, Michael, consistently sought dermal fillers to improve the look of dryness and fine lines around his eyes. After Dr Brad advised adjustments to his daily skincare, including a targeted hyaluronic acid serum, Michael found his dermal fillers lasting longer and his skin retained a healthy fullness. Hydration optimises the appearance of aesthetic treatments and allows interventions like dermal fillers and anti-wrinkle injections to work to their fullest potential.
### Don't Skip Professional Exfoliation
Something that often goes unappreciated in a personal skincare routine is the benefit that gentle but consistent exfoliation can offer. Whether via chemical exfoliants like AHAs and BHAs, or controlled in-clinic treatments such as chemical peels, exfoliation helps to slough off dead skin cells that can make your complexion look dull or uneven.
Of course, in-clinic exfoliation goes beyond what you can achieve at home. Medical-grade procedures offer deeper results, repairing skin from within, smoothing it out and effectively reducing pigmentation. A quick, comfortable peel performed by medically-trained practitioners like Dr Brad can reveal newer, healthier skin without the aggressive abrasion of physical scrubs. Just be mindful not to over-exfoliate at home – less is often more.
### Needling for a Smoother Complexion
Micro-needling, also known as collagen-induction therapy, is a growing favourite at aesthetics clinics across the UK. Tiny, controlled injuries on the skin surface prompt a natural repair process, leading to a smoother texture and firmer appearance. When combined with other treatments like skin boosters (e.g., PRP injections or mesotherapy), results are taken to an even higher level.
Julie, a busy professional in her early 50s, knew that her lines were becoming more accentuated and hated the deepening texture in certain areas of her face. Concerned about looking “overdone,” she worked closely with Dr Brad, who recommended a needling course to stimulate collagen while maintaining a natural look. The micro-needling results were subtle yet highly effective, softening her skin and diminishing fine lines in an entirely natural way. Such results can rarely be achieved with high-street skincare alone.
### Less is More When it Comes to Skincare Products
Benefit from keeping your regimen simple. Trying out every new product the beauty market pushes at us can cause skin confusion, irritation, or clogged pores from too many ingredients working against each other. Professionals, including Dr Brad, often recommend choosing just a few key products tailored to your skin type: a cleanser that respects your skin's natural barrier, a targeted treatment (such as a retinoid or vitamin C), good moisturiser, and a daily SPF.
Simplifying your skincare routine gives you the consistency needed to see real improvements. It's also worth remembering that when combining products with professional services, consistency is key to optimising results. That glowing post-facial or post-injection look isn’t only about what happens in the treatment room – it’s the little things you do each day that help sustain it.
### Seek Expertise for Personalised Recommendations
While you may find blog posts and online advice helpful, your skin is unique, and its needs are truly best addressed by an expert. Treatments that work for others might not be suitable for you, and tailing off incorrect advice could be highly counterproductive.
Regular consultations with a skilled medical aesthetics professional, such as Dr Brad, ensure both your products and treatments are not only effective but also completely safe for your unique skin type and concerns. A personalised recommendation will always triumph over generic advice – and in return, your skin will thank you with consistent, nourished, and refined results.
This article does not constitute medical advice. Please book with Dr Brad for a formal opinion.