Younger people are increasingly seeking out anti-ageing skin treatments, with Gen Zs in particular becoming more influenced by social media when it comes to appearance.
Using such treatments prematurely, however, can result in unwanted results. Evanna Breen, Clinical Director of Eavanna Breen Skincare and Laser Clinic, joined Drivetime to discuss why skipping more intensive skin treatments can make our skin healthier in the long run. Listen back above.
Speaking about teenagers using preventative cosmetics and treatments early on, Breen said: "It's a good idea to have a skincare routine, it's a bad idea to use an anti-ageing skincare routine".
"At that age you don't need the likes of retinol and vitamin C and these active ingredients they're using. They're already trying to prevent ageing and slow ageing at this young age but the reality is that we're trying at our age to look like them.
"There's a switch that needs to be done, they definitely don't need it."
Simple routines are all we need at that age, she said, including washing your face and using sunscreen.
When it comes to harsh chemicals and active ingredients at that age, she noted that "you can actually bring on conditions like acne or eczema and really sensitise the skin", as the skin's protective barrier is more vulnerable when we are younger.
Speaking about people under the age of 25 using Botox, which she said she believes is rare, she noted that there's an "ethical" argument around it.
"For somebody who's in their early 20's having Botox done, it's not needed." One example she mentioned was potentially hereditary features like 11 lines, which are deep furrows between the brow, which someone might want to remove.
She suggested considering Botox after the age of 30.
However, more people want to "age proactively" and "get ahead" of the ageing process, she noted.
"Through social media, we're constantly looking at these images of perfection. There is no such thing as flawless skin or a perfect skin because we all have lumps and bumps and texture and pores. Social media is using filters and airbrushing to hide all of these things that are naturally there."
She said that women seem to feel more pressure to look a certain way, compared to men, but men are taking much better care of their appearance now, and with that can come a similar pressure.
"My dad would never have put anything on his skin and actually, to his detriment because he ended up with skin cancer. The younger generations are realising that yes, you have to wear sunscreen on a daily basis and that's an important step in anyone's skin routine."
She noted that young men are coming to her clinic for facials and "want to learn the right way to take care of their skin, which is positive".
It's also becoming more common for men to get Botox and filler treatments, she said. "And when it's done well you won't know that it's done!"
For the full interview, listen back above.
