There was a time, long, long ago, when I was ecstatic if someone thought I was 18. It meant entry into clubs and bars and I could buy Champagne freely. But then I turned 24 and I cried happy tears when someone would ask for my ID, thinking I was still underage. Why, thank you Mr Bouncer. Suddenly, though, I find myself offering up my ID to anyone who will look just to prove I am still fairly young. And that’s the fact: we all want to look and feel younger than we are, and at the very least we are happy with looking our age. With the effects of our hectic lifestyles though, some people are finding they look older than they actually are.

You need to consider the harmful factors we are exposed to daily – stress, pollution, constant air-con. It’s a toxic environment for your skin, and it will show. Often, our diets don’t provide enough support and nutrients for a healthy youthful skin appearance. And then there’s the most reliable of them all: ageing.

Thankfully, the Aesthetics industry has constant new innovations to combat the signs of ageing and keeping the skin younger for longer. Skin Renewal founding Doctor Maureen Allem, Health Renewal Doctor Graham Duncombe and CEO Victor Snyders have just attended the four day long 13th AMWC in Monaco (Anti-Ageing Medicine World Congress) to stay abreast with the latest technologies and help keep Skin Renewal at the forefront of Aesthetic medicine in South Africa.

The good news is the signs of ageing can be reversed and postponed with strategic treatments to maintain youthful skin. Why don’t you pop in to a Skin Renewal Clinic for a consult? I did yesterday (although I can confirm the doctor thought I was a good four years younger than I am). I’m a great fan of ‘prevention is better than cure’ when it comes down to it. I had a facial peel that will focus on pigmentation from the sun and I tried out the Laser Genesis.

My doctor spoke with me for over 45 minutes before we decided on anything, giving me details and explanations of everything, so I felt comfortable when it came to choosing options. I was nervous of my face peeling off and looking disastrous and all my fears were quelled– my therapist even patiently showed me how the laser would work so I knew what to expect. I was reminded of the importance of sunblock (simply wear it All. The. Time.) and had collagen and elastin explained. In a nutshell, as we age, our collagen levels drop. This creates less glow and elasticity in our skin. Good thing there are treatments for this – have a look at the Miracu Thread Lift or the Liquid Facelift. I’ll never say no to looking good, and these are all non-invasive treatments. It’s like getting a new face without the plastic and without the surgery. Brilliant.

Go on – this is the best time of year to do your face/pigmentation treatments because you’re not going to be laying in the sun on the beach for a few months (not that you ever really should – but have enough sunshine for that Vitamin D we all need!).

Listen the Abstract Aimee talk all things skin with Dr. Bianca of Skin and Body Renewal.