Maintain a Youthful Look with Wendy’s Top 5 Tips

When you visit us here at The Lucas Center, one of the friendly faces you’re sure to see is Wendy Manning, our Registered Medical Assistant (RMA). 

Wendy is passionate about helping our patients achieve the confidence they’re searching for. And after over 20 years in the medical field and almost 10 years working with Dr. Jay Lucas, she also has plenty of expert anti-aging advice to share!

Here are Wendy’s top 5 skincare tips to fight aging and give some love to your skin:

#1 – Use Sunscreen Daily

We all know we’re supposed to wear sunscreen at the pool and the beach. But did you know that daily sunscreen use — even during winter or if you spend most of the day inside — is one of the best things you can do to protect your skin from damage over time? 

For more, check out our blog on why sunscreen is so important. 

#2 – Stay Hydrated & Eat Well

It’s hard to look and feel good if your body doesn’t have all the fluids and “fuel” it needs. So, make sure to nourish your skin (and your whole self) by staying hydrated and maintaining a healthy diet. Drink plenty of water and eat a well-balanced diet with lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. By doing so, you give your body the best chance to feel youthful and to slow down the aging process. 

Plus, try to take note of whether certain foods tend to irritate your skin. Everyone is different when it comes to how their diet may affect their skin, so pay close attention to what may cause breakouts, rashes, or general irritation, and try to avoid those dietary triggers. 

#3 – Establish a Tailored, High-Quality Skincare Routine

Your skincare products are yet another way to nourish your skin and keep it looking youthful and lovely. That’s why it’s worth establishing a good skincare routine that fits your skin type, sensitivities, age, and lifestyle. 

While we can’t cover all the ins and outs of skincare in this space, here are a couple of big-picture recommendations from Wendy: 

Take time to learn what works for you

Just as you may need to study your skin’s reaction to certain foods, pay close attention to how your skin reacts to particular products. If you notice irritation or something seems ineffective, swap that product out to find one that suits you better.  

Avoid products with harsh or harmful ingredients

You care about the ingredients in your food and drinks, right? Since you’re also “feeding” your skin with your personal care products, the ingredients in those products are also important to evaluate. While it can be overwhelming to decipher ingredient lists, a variety of apps and websites, like ewg.org, offer helpful tools to assess what’s safe. 

Read more on the importance of a clean beauty routine here. 

#4 – Elevate Your Skincare with Regular Professional Treatments

On top of your daily routine, proven professional treatments can take your youthful look to the next level. Some examples (all of which Wendy can help you with here at The Lucas Center) include:

• BOTOX® or chemical peels
• Microneedling
• Skin resurfacing with microdermabrasion or dermaplaning

A professional like Wendy can help you decide which treatment or combo of these treatments will help you achieve the radiant results you want. 

#5 – Avoid Trends That May Cause Damage Over Time

You can find all kinds of advice online and on social media, says Wendy — but remember that just because something is trending doesn’t necessarily mean it can be trusted. Before trying a trendy treatment or product on your skin, do a little homework to learn more about it. 

Here are some questions that may help you decide whether it’s wise to try a product or trend: 

• Is this dermatologist-recommended?
• Is it approved by the FDA for this specific use?
• Is the person promoting this an expert?
• Are there any studies showing the trend to have helpful or harmful effects?

Here are some examples of beauty trends from the past few years which dermatologists caution may cause damage:

• Glass skin (for certain skin types)
• Russian manicures
• Beef tallow treatments
• Skipping sunscreen

Your Skin is Unique, and So Are You

If you’d like to receive personalized recommendations from Wendy or explore which professional treatments might work well, you can book a consultation. Wendy can evaluate your skin and would be delighted to help you achieve your goals! Give us a call at (865) 217-0572 or connect with us online to get started.