SkinTipTuesdays || Tipping a Winner…or Not!

November 15, 2016June 28, 2017Leave a comment

Well I never.…. who could have predicted America’s political #trumptastrophy…and I didn’t, as didn’t a lot of other people?

Judging from my Instagram feed and the media fallout post election, most people are incredulous at the unexpected outcome of the American Presidential campaign.

I, alongside many other people, sit mouth agape, amongst the campaign carnage, perplexed and amazed at how ‘the Donald’ actually ‘Trumped’ his way to victory?

In my mind, @HellYeahforHillary was going to romp it in, but now both Hill and I are having to ‘fall on our swords’ and, ‘concede defeat. Obvious now I didn’t tip the winner and with the benefit of hindsight, I’m graciously withdrawing from my inaccurate forecasting of American politics, taking a tip from the universe and sticking to what I do know. Skin!

Instagram users have an insatiable appetite for skin care tips and like the American staple of buffalo wings with blue cheese dressing: one is never quite enough is it? Bring on #SkinTipTuesdays!

Instagram SkinTipTuesdays are where I feed practical tips and science, evidenced based skin care advice, to those devoted to all things skin, on Instagram. Tips which deconstruct and demystify the ‘smoke and mirrors’ surrounding skincare, helping you get more bang from your skin care buck.

So ‘Skin Up’, back away from those buffalo wings, and console yourself with a generous serving of my favourite #SkinTipTuesdays Instagram posts…… reliable, winning tips with a ‘proven projected’ outcome !

16. 0f My Top #SkinTipTuesdays 2016!

1. HYDRATE on repeat!

Hydration is what keeps the cellular processes in our body functioning optimally. For every alcoholic drink your body expels 4 glasses of water! Its recommended to alternate every 1-2 alcoholic drinks with a glass of water

2.Your lips are often a good indicator of when your skin needs more moisture.

If your lips are feeling a bit dry, humidity may have dropped and it might be time to add more moisture into your skincare routine.

3.Keep EYECREAMS in the fridge!

Not only does it extend the shelf life of the product, it is soothing whilst having a vasocontricting (tightening) effect on blood vessels helping to reduce redness and puffiness.

4. Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant, important for skin health.

Vitamin C is very unstable when exposed to air and light, turning a brown/orange colour. Any skin preparations containing Vitamin C or Ascorbic Acid which have discoloured should be discarded. This means they’ve oxidised and cannot provide any skin benefits! Tip;Use your vitamin C at night!

5.When performing your routine skin checks for skin cancer, Ensure the skin underneath TATTOOS are thoroughly checked as they can disguise new skin growths and moles especially if the ink is dark!

6.Avoid using over-the-counter skin care products containing RETINOL and prescription retinoids

Discontinue Vit A derivatives two to five days prior to waxing.Vit A increases photosensitivity in the skin creating an increased risk of burning when exposed to UV light and light based treatments, and also helps to reduce the risk of removing skin along with hair when waxing.

7. ACNE News

Isotretinoin is still the gold standard when treating Acne Vulgaris. A new study shows the combination of isotretinoin together with antihistamines have a significant decrease in acne lesion counts, sebum, erythema and side effects such as dry skin and mucous membranes caused by isotretinoin.

8. To B3 or not to B3?

Cosmeceutical companies are taking advantage of the many benefits of Vitamin B3. In skincare products you’ll recognise it as niacinamide, nicotinic and nicotinate esters. Niacinamide is most commonly used as it’s able to penetrate the skin without causing irritation.Some of It’s many benefits include;• enhances barrier function • helps reduce sensitivity and irritation • acts as a skin lightener- preventing the transfer of melanin to skin cells • helps to reduce fine lines and wrinkles • helps to reduce the onset of Actinic Keratosis We should definitely B3ing!

9.Get the best out of your products by knowing when to use them, it’s all in the timing!

✔️AM || use products containing sunscreen and antioxidants.

✔️PM || Retinols and richer more nourishing products.

10. Lets get Fruity

Fruit enzymes are used in ‘exfoliators’ to help remove superficial layers of the skin,improving texture, hydration, pigmentation and assisting in the absorption of companion skincare products. Types of enzymes used include bromelain- derived from pineapples, and papain – derived from papaya; allergies from papain are very common so it’s a good idea to patch test prior to use. Tip || Test on the inside of the forearm once a day for 3 days, checking for any redness or irritation….any irritation will be your stop light!

11.Get more out of your products by applying to damp skin-helps skin absorption and easier application.

12.October is breast cancer awareness month and a good time to remind us all to check our breasts regularly. Something else to look out for are changes in skin colour and texture.

When the lymph vessels that help our bodies fight infection become blocked by cancer cells, they can cause the breast skin to change in colour and texture. Redness, swelling, itching, scaling, dimpled or skin which becomes puckered are signs you need to get checked …just saying!

13. Retinols/Retinoids/Vitamin A are all degraded by light or when exposed to air.

In order to maintain product efficacy correct packaging is important, that is; a pump which reduces oxidation when exposed to air or metal packaging preventing light degradation. A shelf life of 6-9 mths can be expected.

14. MYTH BUSTING

A common misconception is that wounds should be air dried and a scab allowed to form. Recent studies now confirm that keeping wounds moist and covered with dressings not only reduces pain and the risk of infection but also results in faster healing times when compared to dry wound healing.’ ….busting a myth from my recent blog in SCAR FREE || TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR SCAR MINIMISATION EXPLAINED!

15. If your skin care products are packaged in a pot,,inhibit bacteria growth by using a spatula rather than fingers when applying to your face!

16. HOT HOT HOT || SUNSCREEN TIPS!

Here’s one of my helpful tips from an older blog post – apply sunscreen 20-30 minutes before you go into the sun and then again 15-30 mins after sun exposure begins – this is the key to protection! Titanium and zinc based sunscreens offer immediate protection.

If you’ve developed an appetite for #SkinTipTuesday come join me on Instagram every Tuesday, I’d love to see you!

Susan x

SKIN DIARY OF A DERMAL CLINICIAN – what a skin professional uses on her own skin !

August 17, 2016August 17, 20164 Comments

This month I’m getting down, dirty and a little bit personal, opening my bathroom cabinet with a peek inside my personal skin care toolbox, with a little too revealing of my no fuss, no muss approach to skin care.

As a Dermal Clinician and skin health professional I’m sharing my daily skin care diary with a glimpse into what a skin health professional does (or rather doesn’t do) to keep her skin healthy and looking it’s best…..you may be surprised!

You won’t see a bathroom cabinet heaving with products. I maintain a simple skincare philosophy; combining ingredients that deliver results, backed up by scientific evidence. My message of Keeping Skincare Simple is what works best for my skin.

Acknowledged or otherwise, being on the front line of skincare/skinhealth means there are pressures to maintain and present a happy, healthy skin…. after all, you wouldn’t go to a dentist with bad teeth would you?

My minimalistic streamlined approach to skincare was born from lack of time with a splash of laziness – no Robinson Crusoe here – so what little I do do for my skin needs to be both effective and time efficient and able to treat the visible signs of ageing, of which there are a plenty….I’ll get to that!

You would expect and assume, with my background in skin sciences I’d have this ‘skin thing’ all sown up, with the perfect formula for radiant, glowing and youthful skin at my fingertips. As they say, ‘careful, assuming makes an ASS out of U and Me’ and it not surprisingly, I don’t always have the perfect skin 100% of the time. Yes, being a Dermal Clinician means I have the skills and resources in my skin care arsenal to know what works and what doesn’t when treating my own skin, but there are times when my skin doesn’t always play nice!

Under the magnifying lamp…

With my Dermal Clinician hat on, there’s no denying that this more than middle aged woman is suffering from the effects of the visible signs of ageing, due in part to a misspent youth on the beaches of Sydney. Pigmentation/ skin laxity/increasing dryness together with the occasional spot and ohh, my arch nemesis – fine lines and ‘wrinkles at rest’ all combine to produce the visible signs of ageing. They’re referred to as ‘wrinkles at rest’ because they remain permanently etched long after that last laugh… well, find a seat somewhere else!

Whats in that cabinet….

Morning routine

I use a gentle Cosmedix oil based cleanser – Purity Solution morning and night as I find this to be the most efficient in removing makeup and dirt. I tend to steer away from foaming cleansers as the lauryl sulfates needed for foaming to occur are a bit drying on my skin.
2-3 times a week and in the shower I exfoliate with Clinicians Complex Microdermabrasion Cream which contains fine magnesium oxide crystals helping to remove a buildup of dead skin cells.
You can never have enough sun protection so I use a broad spectrum UV sunscreen doubling as my daily moisturiser…..might be a little lazy but it does the job!
Colour Science manufacture a ‘Sunforgettable’ mineral based powder with 50+sunscreen – water resistant , great when exercising.

Night-time weapons

I repeat my cleansing ritual using a face washer which helps to exfoliate.
Whilst my skin is still damp I apply SkinMedica Vitamin C+E Complex serum which I allow to absorb-approx 1 minute (taking up almost ½ of my allocated routine)
This is followed by a prescription strength 0.05% Vitamin A – commonly known as Retrieve

Tip; Vitamin A and Vitamin C are best used at night as they’re oxidized by air and light.

If I extra moisture is needed i reach for Cosmedix Rescue Balm/Mask which can be left on overnight – this can be quite occlusive and not for everyone but I love the thick texture and how hydrated my skin feels in the morning!

Tip; Don’t forget your neck and décolletage – extend product onto these areas as they’re often exposed to the sun.

And with a little help from my friends…

Bi-annually I enlist the help of my colleagues for some IPL keeping pigmentation and redness under control.

I’m a fan of medical grade peels which resurface the skin. Both these treatments involve a little downtime but are well worth it when chasing a more youthful even skin tone.

I’ve made friends with muscle relaxants and dermal fillers but less is definitely more, when it comes to muscle relaxants and dermal fillers.

What I should do more of…..

Eat less sugar –sugar causes inflammaging –a low grade chronic inflammation at the cellular level and sits alongside the sun as one of the causes of aging and in the aggravation of acne.

2. Drink more water- this hydration calculator will help you assess if you’re drinking enough water

3. Exercise more- – exercise helps to reduce cortisol, the hormone released when we’re stressed.

I plan on ageing disgracefully …. those visible signs of ageing are in for quite a fight… glove up wrinkles and pigmentation – I will not go quietly!

Disclosure :Lastly I’d like to mention this post is my personal skin diary as a Dermal Clinician and I have included products I have purchased and found to be effective…..also no animals were kicked or maimed in the writing of this post!

A BUMPY RIDE……Treatment Options for Keratosis Pilaris or Chicken Skin!

July 26, 2016December 15, 2016Leave a comment

The warmer months are when we’re more likely to see and feel the dry bumpy, sandpaper-like skin that flags the skin condition keratosis pilaris. Summer can be an embarrassing time for sufferers, and is when we’re more likely to notice the dry, sometimes itchy and inflamed bumps that resemble chicken skin; although the colder, drier months are when the condition typically worsens in appearance.

If you can answer yes to any of the following questions you’re probably suffering from this common, easily identified, benign skin condition called keratosis pilaris or ‘chicken skin’.

Do you have skin, which looks perpetually goose-bumped or cold?
Do you suffer from dry, bumpy skin on your upper arms, thighs or bottom?
Do the bumps tend to worsen during dry weather?

Don’t get ‘cooped up’, Keratosis pilaris is not infectious or life threatening, just cosmetically displeasing. Whilst there’s no ‘cure all’ for this chronic skin condition, thankfully, there are many treatment options which can relieve the symptoms and help to reduce the appearance.

For some, keratosis pilaris causes sufferers to become extremely self-conscious, continuing to wear winter clothing long into sweltering summer conditions for fear of exposing their chicken skinned bingo wings, to the queuing anonymous behind them at the local supermarket.

If teenage years aren’t difficult enough…..

Keratosis pilaris affects 50-80% of adolescents and commonly presents in puberty, resolving for the majority of sufferers in adulthood. No need to cry ‘fowl’ of this embarrassing condition, ‘cluck’ into action; there are treatment options available!

What is it?

Keratosis pilaris is a common skin condition characterised by rough, dry patches and tiny bumps on the upper arms thighs cheeks or bottom. Keratosis pilaris is a buildup of skin cells called keratin which form a plug, blocking the hair follicle, forming the bump.Sometimes a small hair may be coiled beneath the bump.

Why do we get it?

The origin of keratosis pilaris is unknown but it more frequently affects people with dry skin or sufferers of other skin conditions. It may also be an inherited condition affecting more females than males.

Although there is no known cause there appears to be a strong genetic link; 30-50 % of sufferers have a family history of keratosis pilaris, also people who also suffer with atopic dermatitis, dry skin, asthma and allergies have an increased predisposition.

What can be done-Scratching around for treatment options!

Avoid cleansers containing sodium lauryl sulfates which may irritate the skin, instead use mild, gentle, non-soap cleansers such as an oil based cleanser.
Moisturise daily and often where possible.
Include Alpha Hydroxy Acids in moisturisers to help exfoliate dry skin such as lactic and glycolic acid.
Use loofahs or mitts to gently exfoliate the affected areas during showering, avoiding if bumps are inflamed.
If the affected area is inflamed, consider salicylic acid which will help with exfoliation in addition to helping to reduce inflammation – salicylic get levitra pills new is commonly seen in formulation with Urea cream.
Urea cream is a keratolytic used in helping to breakdown hard, scaly skin.
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) and Lasers have also been found to be helpful with improving the overall skin texture and in reducing redness.

Keratosis pilaris “don’ts”

Don’t use harsh soaps cialis vente libre pharmacie france or cleansers.
Don’t scrub harshly or try to scrape off the skin especially if the area is inflamed.
Don’t expect immediate results with topical creams; be patient, diligent and consistent!
Never give up hope.

In-clinic, I always try to encourage my clients to begin with the ‘KISS’ approach before embarking on expensive alternative treatment options; often the simple treatments result in the best outcomes. Remember, keratosis pilaris is a chronic skin condition requiring patience and long term maintenance for optimal results.

ASkinSolutions x

Do you have any treatment options which have worked, I’d love to hear them?

WHEN IS A PIMPLE NOT A PIMPLE – When its Milia?

June 15, 2016December 15, 2016Leave a comment

‘Pearls are always appropriate’ Jackie O

They maybe, when stranded around your neck and teamed with your favourite Chanel jacket but when these small persistent pearl-like bumps randomly appear around your eyes or cheeks, somehow I don’t think they’ll define you as being fashion forward!

Often confused with white heads or pimples, milium or when in clusters milia, are more common than you think, with 85% of women experiencing these whitish, dome shaped cysts.

Personally I’ve struggled with these annoying ‘accessories’ and more recently I’ve received some questions from clients who have unsuccessfully tried removing milia at home, and frequently ,at their ~~pearl~~ ,I mean peril, resulting in scarring and infection.

Don’t be alarmed these stubborn cysts are more of a cosmetic annoyance than anything more sinister.

What are they?

They’re not pimples or whiteheads
They’re not harmful or infectious
They’re not caused by bacteria
They can appear singular or in crops called plaques
They’re benign

Commonly presenting around the eyes and cheeks Milia appear as whitish-yellow, small, hard, dome shaped, pearl-like bumps sitting superficially under the surface of the skin….get the picture? They can also occur in unusual places such as genitalia and mucosal membranes where they are referred to as Epstein’s Pearls… no thank you!. Milia are benign cysts containing a protein called keratin, of which skin cells are made . These skin cells get trapped underneath the skin, hardening to form a cyst.

Often they are seen in infants and referred to as milk spots, usually resolving themselves within a month post partum and without any intervention needed.

When they appear in adults, they rarely resolve spontaneously, are quite stubborn and require removal.

2 types of classification

Milia or milium are classified into primary and secondary lesions.

Primary cysts appearing http://www.cialisgeneriquefr24.com/cialis-dapoxetine/ on facial skin are thought to arise from the immature vellus hair follicle, which explains why 40% of newborns are diagnosed with milia.

Secondary milia arise after an injury to the skin involving the sweat ducts, eg; skin trauma such as dermabrasion, laser resurfacing, burns (including sunburn), contact dermatitis or even tattoos can trigger secondary milia lesions. Reactions to medications have also been documented.

Other causes which may contribute to milia are a build up of dirt and makeup getting trapped beneath the surface of the skin, in addition to heavy or occlusive creams which may clog the skin.

Treatment options-Don’t try this at home.

Since milia don’t pose a health risk, they don’t need cialis paiement paypal to be removed unless like me, you find them frustratingly annoying. My preferred method of removal is deroofing. Deroofing is where a small nic or incision is made and the contents expressed with either a paper clip or comedome extractor – fingernails just won’t do!

Other methods used are CO2 ablative lasers, diathermy or cauterisation which create a small scab lifting the milia with the scab as it heals.

Try this at home!

Exfoliate regularly-this will help them make their way to the surface link

Vitamin A-use products containing this gem.

AHA’s BHA’s –include products which contain alpha and beta hydroxy acids.

Avoid heavy clogging creams if youre prone to milia especially if they contain mineral oil use instead a lighter water in oil based cream.

Sometimes the temptation not to take matters into your own hands is too great but in the interest of scar prevention, it’s best to seek removal of milia from a trained professional!

ASkinSolutions X