By Dr Chung WL| IYAC Aesthetic Clinic

What will your skin look like in 10 years?

The answer is unlikely to hinge on a single treatment done shortly before that point. More often, the quality of your skin reflects what has been done consistently over the preceding years: how much cumulative sun damage has been prevented, how well the skin barrier has been maintained, how pigmentation and inflammation have been managed, and how the skin has been supported as collagen production and elasticity change with age.

This is the thinking behind skin longevity.

It is not about stopping ageing or trying to look permanently younger. It is about maintaining healthy, resilient skin for as long as possible, so that the skin ages well.

Ageing skin is more than wrinkles

Wrinkles are only one part of skin ageing. Collagen, the protein that gives skin its firmness, gradually decreases and becomes less organised, and elastin, the protein that lets skin spring back, changes too. The skin may become drier, less elastic and slower to recover, while pigmentation and uneven texture become more noticeable. Much of this comes from photoageing, the cumulative damage that years of ultraviolet exposure add to natural ageing.

These changes develop gradually and often begin long before they become obvious. Thinking about skin longevity therefore shifts the focus from correcting established ageing to looking after skin quality throughout the ageing process.

The boring basics matter most

There is something almost unexciting about the foundations of skin longevity, and that is precisely the point.

Consistent sun protection, a healthy skin barrier (the outer layer that holds moisture in and keeps irritants out), adequate hydration and skincare that the skin can tolerate matter more over the long term than constantly adding new products or procedures.

Protect. Maintain. Reassess.

Protect the skin from cumulative environmental damage, particularly ultraviolet radiation and air pollution. In Singapore, regional haze is a recurring reminder that the skin is exposed to more than sunlight alone. Airborne particles contribute to oxidative stress (damage to skin cells and structures from unstable, reactive molecules), inflammation and injury to the skin barrier. Daily broad-spectrum sunscreen remains one of the most important measures against photoageing, while gentle cleansing after exposure to haze removes deposited particles from the skin.

Maintain a healthy skin barrier with well-tolerated skincare. Niacinamide (a form of vitamin B3) and ceramides (fats that occur naturally in the barrier) are useful examples. Niacinamide supports barrier function and may also help with pigmentation and texture, while ceramides replenish important barrier lipids. A well-maintained barrier helps the skin retain moisture and defend itself against external irritants.

This is especially relevant for sensitive skin. A complicated routine that repeatedly causes dryness or irritation is unlikely to be a good long-term strategy. A simple routine that the skin tolerates well is often more useful.

Reassess as the skin’s needs change over time. Someone who is mainly concerned about pigmentation may eventually become more concerned about elasticity or firmness, while another person may simply need to continue with good skincare and sun protection.

These may be the boring basics, but they are the foundation.

Regenerate & Biostimulate

Good skincare is the foundation, but there is also growing interest in treatments that work beyond the skin’s surface appearance. “Biostimulatory” treatments prompt the skin’s own repair and remodelling processes, which support the structures that contribute to strength, elasticity and resilience.

This is where regenerative and biostimulatory treatments such as polynucleotides (PN) and poly-D,L-lactic acid (PDLLA) become relevant.

What do PN and PDLLA actually do?

PN and PDLLA differ from traditional fillers, which are injected deep and mainly used to restore lost volume for facial contouring. PN and PDLLA instead act on the skin’s own repair and rebuilding processes.

PN are purified DNA fragments, often derived from fish, that support skin repair and renewal. Trials suggest they improve hydration, elasticity and texture. PDLLA is a biodegradable polymer injected as tiny particles that stimulate the skin to produce more collagen to improve firmness, elasticity and texture gradually over time.

In simple terms, both encourage the skin to repair, rebuild and renew itself. The goal is not simply an immediate smoother appearance, but better underlying skin quality over time.

Where does Glass Skin fit in?

The IYAC Glass Skin Program brings these principles together. Polynucleotides (PN) and poly-D,L-lactic acid (PDLLA) are chosen according to each person’s skin condition, concerns, age and treatment goals, rather than by following one fixed protocol. The plan is then adjusted as the skin responds.

There is no single definition of ageing skin. One person may be concerned mainly about dehydration and loss of radiance, another about fine lines and early loss of elasticity, another about uneven tone, and another about firmness. Glass Skin is therefore not one look reached in one way. The approach differs for different stages and different types of skin.

Glass Skin is not about “perfect” skin

The name can sometimes create the impression that the skin is impossibly smooth, poreless and shiny. That is not the intention.

Healthy skin naturally has pores, lines and texture. The goal is to improve the characteristics associated with healthy-looking skin: hydration, smoothness, evenness, resilience and radiance. When the skin is well maintained, it tends to reflect light more evenly and appear fresher and more luminous. That is the “glass skin” quality: healthy-looking skin rather than an artificial surface.

Why treat before ageing becomes established?

There is a difference between correcting established ageing and supporting skin quality along the way.

Once there is significant laxity, deep wrinkling or extensive photodamage, more intensive treatments may be needed. Lasers, energy-based treatments, botulinum toxin and structural treatments each have a place when there is a clear indication.

Waiting for these changes to become pronounced is not always necessary. For someone whose skin is becoming less hydrated, resilient or firm, a biostimulatory treatment may be considered as part of a broader strategy.

The principle is simple: the right procedure at the right interval. Choose the intervention, give the skin time to respond, then decide what, if anything, comes next.

Think of skin longevity as maintenance

Maintaining skin quality is much like maintaining dental health. Regular checks help identify changes early, while appropriate maintenance help keep the skin in good condition for longer.

The type of treatment needed depends on the individual’s skin. Some may benefit from laser treatment for pigmentation, others from regenerative or collagen-stimulating treatments, while some need only good skincare and sun protection.

The key is to review the skin regularly and address concerns when needed, rather than waiting until changes become more pronounced.

How often should Glass Skin be done?

Skin needs time to respond.

The IYAC Glass Skin Program is structured around an initial treatment series, followed by maintenance according to the individual’s skin and response. For many patients, maintenance may be considered at approximately four to six-month intervals, but this is not a mandatory timetable.

The principle is to stimulate, let the skin remodel, reassess and maintain when appropriate. Treatment can then be adjusted according to the response rather than simply repeated according to the calendar.

The goal is to age well

No single treatment determines how your skin will look in 10 years. More likely, it will be the cumulative effect of sensible decisions made over time. Consistent photoprotection reduces one of the most important external drivers of skin ageing. Good skincare, barrier care, hydration, niacinamide and ceramides help maintain the skin’s condition, while treatments such as PN and PDLLA add support for skin repair, collagen production and remodelling. The approach can change as the skin changes: what is useful at one stage may not be necessary later, and not every change requires a procedure.

There is no need to stop ageing. The more realistic goal is to preserve what can be preserved, support what can be supported and treat what genuinely needs treatment.

For many patients at IYAC, the Glass Skin Program is part of that approach. It is not simply a way to create an immediate glow, but a strategy for skin quality that uses regenerative and biostimulatory treatments.

The best time to start thinking about skin longevity is before significant ageing changes become established, while there is still good skin to maintain.

---

IYAC Takeaway

Skin longevity is about maintaining quality, not chasing perfection.

Protect the skin from cumulative damage, look after its barrier and overall health, and reassess its needs as they change. When appropriate, clinical treatments such as the Glass Skin Program can add support through regenerative and biostimulatory treatment.

Healthy skin today, and better-quality skin for as many years as possible.

 

References

1. Alhussain MA, Albusayys ST, Alfhadi M, et al. Polynucleotides and polydeoxyribonucleotides for skin rejuvenation, postoperative scar prevention, and wound healing: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials. Cureus. 2026;18(7):e112403. doi:10.7759/cureus.112403
2. Lampridou S, Bassett S, Cavallini M, Christopoulos G. The effectiveness of polynucleotides in esthetic medicine: a systematic review. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2025;24(2):e16721. doi:10.1111/jocd.16721
3. Lee KWA, Chan LKW, Lee AWK, Lee CH, Wong STH, Yi KH. Poly-d,l-lactic acid (PDLLA) application in dermatology: a literature review. Polymers (Basel). 2024;16(18):2583. doi:10.3390/polym16182583
4. Seo SB, Park H, Jo JY, Ryu HJ. Skin rejuvenation effect of the combined PDLLA and non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid: a preliminary study. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2024;23(3):794-802.
5. Hughes MCB, Williams GM, Baker P, Green AC. Sunscreen and prevention of skin aging: a randomized trial. Ann Intern Med. 2013;158(11):781-790. doi:10.7326/0003-4819-158-11-201306040-00002

 

This article is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Individual circumstances vary, and consultation with a qualified healthcare professional is recommended for personalised assessment