TOP 10 TIPS FOR A YOUTHFUL COMPLEXION.

ONE of Scotland's leading specialists in non-surgical cosmetic procedures says the secret to a youthful complexion is not as expensive as you would expect.

Clients often ask Dr Darren McKeown how they can keep their skin looking young.

He said: "I'm sure most would expect my solution to be a non-surgical cosmetic procedure or an expensive face cream but my top tips are actually small, inexpensive changes in your everyday routine."

Here are 10 of his top tips:

1 Always wear sunscreen. Many people underestimate the strength of the Scottish sun but regular exposure to UV rays not only ages the skin but can also cause skin cancer in years to come.

2 Stop smoking. The chemicals inhaled with cigarette smoke lead to the breakdown of collagen and elastin fibers in the skin, causing premature sagging and wrinkling.

3 Avoid yo-yo dieting. As we age, we rely on a healthy layer of fat to keep our face looking fuller and more youthful. Serial yo-yo dieters lose this layer of fat, which can make their face look gaunt and aged.

4 Find a daily skin care regime that works for you. Start with a good cleanser containing alpha hydroxyacids to shed the dull top layers of skin cells.

5 Don't use a toner unless you really need one. Unless you have oily skin which may benefit from a toner, then it is a waste of time and money.

6 Use a good anti-ageing day cream. There is increasing evidence that some over-the-counter products can have an anti-ageing effect, but it all depends on the active ingredients. Look for a cream containing retinoids and penta-peptides.

7 Be realistic about what you can achieve with a skin care product. A good cream will improve the appearance of fine lines and even out pigmentation but it can take months to see the effect and it only works as long as you keep using the product.

8 Exfoliate once per week. Building it into your routine will greatly improve the texture of your skin but over-doing it can leave your face looking shiny.

9 Do your research. When the time comes to start thinking about cosmetic intervention, research all your options. "Miracle treatments" come on the market on a regular basis but few stand the test of time. Stick to tried-and-tested treatments.

10 Try not to worry about ageing. A worried look is never a good one.

For further information, visit www.aesthetic-doctor.com