'I wish I did LED earlier.' A dermatologist on 5 things she wishes she could tell her younger self.

Question for you: What kind of skincare advice would you give your younger self?

After spending years speaking to some of the top experts in the beauty industry, I've realised there's a bunch of stuff I could've done differently to keep my skin healthy, happy, and not so bloody irritated. Like, many. 

In fact, I've written a whole list of them before - right here.

Because it's pervy hearing other people's mistakes! We froth over it. Especially when it comes to skin experts.

Watch: Here are 7 ways to improve your skin while sleeping. Post continues below.

That's why I couldn't stop watching this clip from dermatologist Dr Shammi Theesan (who goes by Dr Shammi). 

Here, the Melbourne-based dermatologist and founder of ODE Dermatology shared with her followers all the skincare stuff she wishes she'd known earlier. 

And because we're nosy little skincare nerds, we've rounded them up below.

1. Broadband Light (BBL).

"What would the 42-year-old Dr Shammi Theesan tell the 30-year-old Dr Shammi Theesan? Well, in terms of skin and hair, I wish I was aware of all that cutting-edge technology and protocols you get to have," said Dr Shammi.

One of the specific technologies Dr Shammi goes on to talk about, is a procedure called broadband light - also known as BBL (not to be confused with the Brazilian butt lift!). 

In case you haven't heard of it before (don't worry - the skincare world is full of confusing acronyms!), it's basically a device that uses different wavelengths to help change the texture of the skin. 

"I would have told that super over-worked dermatology registrar doctor to do a BBL treatment. I believe the earlier you get into anti-ageing your skin cells at a cellular level, the more you will get the long-term benefits."

Not only is BBL great for 'anti-ageing' your skin's cells, but it can also be used to treat any underlying conditions that might contribute to ageing skin, such as sun damage and rosacea.

*Immediately books BBL treatment*.

2. LED light therapy.

Yes! LED therapy. Have you tried it before? It's the red light treatment!

"I wish I did LED a lot earlier than I did," said Dr Shammi. "The earlier you do it, the better."

In case you're not across it, Light Emitted Diode (LED) light therapy is one of those all-rounder kind of treatments. 

Not only does it improve skin health and overall skin rejuvenation, but at the right wavelength, it can also improve luminosity and fine lines over time. 

"It reduces inflammation while stimulating collagen production," adds Dr Shammi.

3. Eat more antioxidant-rich foods.

It's not all about skin treatments, people! Dr Shammi goes on to say that if she could go back, she'd tell her younger self to focus on supporting the health of her skin from the inside out. More specifically, by eating more antioxidant-rich foods.

"I would definitely have reduced my animal intake and focused on eating an antioxidant-rich plant-based diet," she said.

While you're probably aware just how good antioxidants are for your overall health, you might not know that they're just as important for your skin - they offer a wide range of benefits.

Not only do they help protect your cells from free radical damage, which can cause premature ageing, but also help to reduce oxidative stress, which is a major cause of things like acne and breakouts.

4. EmFace treatment.

Another treatment Dr Shammi wishes she could go back and do? Something called EmFace. 

It's basically a new device that uses electrical stimulation to lift and tighten the skin and the facial muscles, promising to help reduce wrinkles and all of that jazz.

At Dr Shammi's Melbourne-based clinic, it's dubbed 'the ODE muscle lift'. 

The treatment is non-invasive and involves using pads/applicators that are placed on different areas of the face - for example, one on the forehead and one on each cheek. These applicators transmit radiofrequency energy to the skin and muscle.

"I wish the ODE muscle lift existed when I was 30!" said Dr Shammi.

Serious question - where do we sign up?

5. SPF.

This. This is one most of us can relate to. 

Lastly, Dr Shammi said, "I would have re-applied my sunscreen a bit more."

Because as we should all know by now, applying sunscreen every day (and then re-applying it!) is the best thing you can do for the health of your skin, in order to prevent premature ageing and (obviously) skin cancer.

So, there you have it! Five pieces of skincare advice a dermatologist wishes she'd known earlier.

Wanna hear more from Dr Shammi? Check out her Skin Summit interview on the best non-injectable options for your face. You can also find her on Instagram.

What advice would you give you younger self? Share with us in the comment section below.

Feature Image: Instagram; @drshammitheesan.