Deepavali, Christmas and the year-end festivities... there's plenty of reason to look your best in the coming months. And, with that in mind, here are some tips on how you can look dramatically younger.

COSMECEUTICALS

These are creams containing active anti-ageing substances such as vitamin A (retinol, retinoic acid), vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, alpha or beta hydroxyl acids (fruit acids).

Cosmeceuticals are most important as they form the foundation for anti-ageing procedures to rejuvenate the skin further. It is also important in the long-term maintenance of youthful skin.

Cosmeceuticals are mostly prescribed by doctors as some of the substances, such as retinol, require doctor's supervision.

CHEMICAL PEELS

Unfortunately, chemical peels have had bad publicity but they are one of the most effective anti-ageing procedures, plus they are not expensive.

Chemical peels clear up fine lines, pores, uneven pigmentation and tighten the skin over time. The bad publicity is the result of misuse of peels through lack of adequate knowledge by untrained personnel, thus causing too deep a peel which then results in thinning of the skin and sensitivity to sun.

SKIN TIGHTENING DEVICES

There are two such technologies presently in vogue. One is radiofrequency (Thermage) which has been around for more than 10 years. The other is ultrasound (Ulthera) which has been around for only a few years. My pick is Thermage as it has longer lasting results.

FILLERS

This is one of the most popular procedures to pull back the effects of age.

Also referred to as a liquid facelift, a fillers procedure takes several years off the face and the result is instant.

Fillers mostly contain hyaluronic acid and plump out areas that have lost collagen, such as the naso labial line and cheeks.

BOTOX

It erases the aged look that fine lines can cause on your face. It is also used to tighten the loose skin along the jawline, called the Nerfertiti procedure.

There you have it. We cannot stave off the effects of ageing, but we can fight back and look our best for the upcoming festive season.