While the advancement of science, medicine, and technology has increased life expectancy, this has not necessarily reflected positively on life quality. Even though the early onset of age-related diseases began attracting much attention from all parties involved, including governments, healthcare providers, researchers, the public, and insurance companies, with all parties strongly agreeing that an unhealthy lifestyle is a key player in this shift, premature skin ageing has not been featured among the alarming signs of the situation.

Driven by a growing sense of self-care in the general public, medical aesthetics treatments are at an all-time high demand, according to the results of a global study. In view of criticism toward countering the signs of facial ageing, sometimes practising medical aesthetics has been perceived negatively. The medical nature of aesthetic procedures is perplexing, as the line between improving someone’s appearance and treating a condition is blurry. Facial wrinkle, hyperpigmentation, loss of skin elasticity, dryness and other signs of skin ageing which are likely the reasons behind an individual’s desire to visit a medical aesthetician could be linked to unhealthy lifestyles such as excessive exposure to solar UV radiation, lack of enough sleep, imbalanced diet, stress and air pollution. The potential link between premature skin ageing and non-communicable diseases have not been well studied. In one of our recent epidemiological studies among women of childbearing age, a high prevalence of unhealthy lifestyles, premature skin ageing and DNA damage was observed. In another study, skin elasticity, hydration, trans-epidermal-water loss, erythema, pH level, pigmentation, pores and wrinkles were assessed among participants (82% in the age group of 18 to 24 years old). Despite the majority being in the very young age group, it was found that skin dryness, mild skin pigmentation, thin facial wrinkles, skin laxity and poor sun protection habits were prevalent.

The holistic approach that an aesthetic practitioner may implement to improve the signs of skin ageing should be valued by taking this as a platform for creating awareness toward the importance of healthy lifestyles. Educating the public about the impact of simple life modification in preventing or reversing premature ageing is critical for reducing the burden imposed by non-communicable diseases. I firmly believe medical aesthetics has the potential to educate the public by targeting those who are willing to take action.