Living through a pandemic and three lockdowns in the space of a year has taken a toll on many Brits’ health and wellbeing. As well as affecting the mental and physical health of the nation, it seems that lockdown is the gift that keeps on giving, in that it has also aged us with what internationally-renowned, Harley Street aesthetics expert Dr Yursa has termed “Pandemic Droop.” 

Last year two independent surveys commissioned by cosmetics companies suggested that six million Brits fear that lockdown has aged their looks by at least five years.

Prolonged stress, increased screen time and fighting back the boredom with food and drink are just some of the reasons why many are emerging from the pandemic looking far from fresh-faced. Chronic stress harms the integrity of the collagen in your skin. Collagen gives your skin elastic support and when this breaks down, skin appears thinner and shows the signs of ageing, with fine lines and wrinkles appearing.

6 ways lockdown has aged us 

1. More stress

2. Poor diet & drinking

3. Less exercise

4. Less sleep

5. More screen time

6. Maskne 

Dr Yusra says “I am currently seeing more clients than ever affected by Pandemic Droop and concerned about the visible signs of ageing brought on by the stress of lockdown. Dark circles, tech neck, dull skin, sunken hollows and lockdown weight gain are some of my clients’ top concerns.”

She adds: “We often see the first signs of ageing in the area of the face often referred to as ‘the triangle of youth’. As we age this youthful triangle becomes inverted and the face becomes more oblong, cheeks flatten due to midface volume loss and jowls appear due to the descent of superficial fat pads and recession of the chin. The lower face and jawline becomes square and the triangle inverts.”

6 signs of Pandemic Droop 

1. Wrinkles

2. Dark circles & sunken hollows

3. Loss of facial fat padding

4. Weight gain

5. Tech neck

6. Dull skin

However, Dr Yusra advises that Pandemic Droop can be slowed down and, in some cases, reversed through non-invasive treatments and non-surgical tweakments, such as bioremodelling, radiofrequency and microneedling. Also switching to medical grade skincare and using a SPF daily can make a huge difference.”

Here, Dr Yusra shares the best ways to address Pandemic Droop and get your glow back:

6 things you can do to prevent Pandemic Droop

1. Reduce stress

2. Manage blue light exposure

3. Wear SPF daily

4. Wear sunglasses

5. Get your beauty sleep

6. Vitamin D supplements

6 things you can do to reverse Pandemic Droop

1. Upgrade to medical grade skincare 

2. Eat a Mediterranean diet

3. Take regular intensive exercise

4. Make time to meditate & have ‘me time’

5. Book in an ULTRAcel treatment

6. Invest in injectables

6 products to invest in, coming out of lockdown

1. Mineral SPF – Colourscience face shield (plus an SPF spray)

2. Retinol – Obaji Retinol

3. Vitamin C – Skinceuticals Phloretin CF

4. Niacinamide – Skinceuticals Niacinamide Discolouration Defense Serum

5. Liquid exfoliant (Glycolic acid, Lactic acid, Polyhydroxy acid) – Exfoderm forte by Obaji

6. UV blocking sunglasses

6 aesthetics treatments to invest in to get your pre-lockdown glow back

1. Skin booster hyaluronic acid injections to rehydrate skin

2. Profhilo fillers

3. Dark circle correction

4. Chemical skin peel

5. INTRACEL radiofrequency and microneedling

6. ULTRAcel face tightening and lifting

To find out more, or to book an appointment at the Dr Yusra clinic centre of excellence, contact us. 

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Anayah
Anayah
2023-02-16
Dr Emily made me feel at ease and explained everything thoroughly, as a first person attending , the staff are lovely would highly recommend
Hana Algeilani
Hana Algeilani
2023-01-31
I have been a patient of Dr Yusra for almost a decade. She is exceptionally knowledgeable, hard working, talented and kind hearted. I trust her implicitly with my face and I am a very critical person. I whole heartedly recommend her to my friends and family
Angela Law
Angela Law
2023-01-26
I have visited Dr Yusra Clinic several times. The clinic in Liverpool is beautiful and all her staff are amazing. Dr Yusra is a very knowledgeable and kind doctor. My skin is vastly improving with her advice and treatments.
Gemma Cribb
Gemma Cribb
2023-01-25
I just wanted to reach out and say a huge thank you to you all from my visit as a model yesterday. From arrival to departure. You made me feel welcome, at ease and excited for my treatment. Although I’m swollen and a bit bruised today, I’m so excited to see my outcome and journey start to feel my own worth again and I cannot thank you all enough. Dr Yusra, as Expected was outstanding professionally and I felt her confidence instantly made me feel at ease. Even down to getting me some soup for lunch. Just shows how much you care for the people behind the skin as Much as making them look and feel great!
SD18 D
SD18 D
2023-01-24
Excellent results from Dr Yusra - thank you so much!
Waldemar Spetany
Waldemar Spetany
2023-01-23
Great customer service and fantastic time
Hayder Hassan Al Kazaz
Hayder Hassan Al Kazaz
2023-01-23
Amazing experience! Everyone at the Clinic was extremely professional, polite and friendly! Dr.Yusra herself is phenomenal. She has great knowledge, listened to exactly what I wanted and most importantly the results were what I dreamed of! Highly recommend to all and will be back soon! Thanks again
Joanne Hunt
Joanne Hunt
2023-01-19
I am writing this review to highlight the experience I have had while being at patient with Dr Yusra over the last 3 years I supply bespoke Italian medical wear and this is how I had the fortunate opportunity to meet Dr Yusra and her team. I meet and work with a number of wonderful clinics on a monthly basis, mostly in the London area however I still choose Dr Yusra to handle all my facial Aesthtics, most importantly this is who I also recommend to all my friends. The reason I choose Dr Yusra - Highly qualified Knowledgeable and skilled An eye for perfection and precision to deliver Gentle, compassionate and ethical Natural looking result driven for the patient Holistic approach to all treatments No pressure to commit to treatments or products Access to all the latest techniques and treatments Great clinic atmosphere and team Always a great experience to visit the clinic. I trust Dr Yusra with all my heart and would recommend anyone looking for the above to have a consultation and see for yourself the results are overwhelming. I can't recommend the clinic enough
F Taher
F Taher
2023-01-19
I can’t recommend this clinic enough, especially Dr Yusra. So much care and attention is put into each consultation. She provides excellent care and treats you in a holistic manner. She’s not afraid to tell you that you don’t need a particular treatment so is very ethical in her approach is so rare nowadays. You’ll no doubt be in wonderful, safe and capable hands.