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Author Archives: Hilary Lowry

  1. How to get rid of acne scars

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    It is never too late to initiate treatment for scar tissue. Red scarring associated with healing spots can be frustrating, upsetting and lead to low self esteem. Unfortunately, if you have been prone to an oily skin type and prone to breakout activity you will know exactly where I am coming from. Blemishes left behind from painful spots can be hard to get rid of and often last for months. There are many treatments and products to help speed up cell renewal and get rid of unsightly scar tissue. Acne scarring is very common and is one of the main reason clients frequent a beauty clinic and have often spent a fortune on products.

    In terms of treatments, if you have suffered form severe acne which has caused ice-pick scarring or deeper rolling scars then a fractional laser offers the best treatment, this treatment can improve the edges of the scars, the skin will appear smoother and the scarring less deep. These lasers are more commonly used by medical practitioners and Dermatologists.  Mild Atrophy can be treated successfully using IPL, this will lift the red colour out of the scar and can improve slight volume defects (very superficial). Usually for best results a course of 3 – 6 treatments are recommended at 4 weekly intervals. This treatment is often carried out by aestheticians as well as medical practitioners. Ensure you look for clinics with the appropriate registration, assuring you of high standards of safety and training.

    Environ cool peel treatments taken as a course of 6, once a week will sterilise the skin, reduce inflammation, refine the pores and promote collagen formation essential for healing. Used in conjunction with the correct Environ Vitamin A moisturiser these treatments have significantly benefited customers suffering with acne and blemish prone skin. Applying vitamin A topically has many benefits, it strengthens the skins outer layer and balances sebum secretions. Dr Des Fernandes founder of Environ says ‘Everything that defines healthy looking beautiful skin is a direct result of Vitamin A’.

    Micro needling can be done at home with a facial roller and is recommended to speed up the recovery of scar tissue ( never on active spots or broken skin), The outer layer of the skin, the stratum corneum is the ‘dead layer’ so you aren’t damaging the skin but instead creating tiny holes to allow better penetration of your Environ products.

    The best products to enhance the professional peels are in the Environ focus clarity range. This is a 3 phase system tough on breakouts but easy on the skin. It cleans, controls and clears the way to breakout free, healthy looking skin. I have used this system myself until I no longer needed to, before reverting back to the Environ Youth essential range. It only took a few weeks to notice a huge difference in my skin.

    Treatment and lifestyle modifications are often needed if you suffer with acne. A poor diet, lack of sleep and stress can all have effects on the skin. In my last blog I talked about the correlation between the skin and the gut, poor digestion leads to elimination of toxins often manifesting on the skin as conditions such as acne, eczema and psoriasis. Treating the skin from within with quality supplements will help enhance the effects of your topical products. When you are healthy your skin heals at a faster rate, the healthiest things for skin repair are energy, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals. In particular Vitamin A, C and E are key for skin health, food supplementation can help support overall skin wellness.

    Skin Accumax is a popular supplement which works from within to produce a clear, flawless skin. It contains Vitamins A, C, E and phyto nutrient DIM which encourages the liver to process correctly and detoxify. It should be taken along with a multivitamin and is contra indicated in pregnancy. Another popular supplement is Youth Biome, a probiotic, its benefits include, enhanced wound healing, it reduces infection through improved immunity and fights against free radicals.

    It may of course be necessary to seek advice from a GP if you cannot manage the skin, often antibiotics are recommended and in more severe cases Roaccutane may be prescribed by a Dermatologist. Roaccutane is a very high form of Vitamin A and is usually only prescribed once other options have been exhausted as it can cause unwanted side effects.

    For advice on any of the products or treatments discussed or to arrange an online consultation please get in touch via email or our social media channels.

     

     

  2. The correlation between the Skin and Gut

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    If we want perfect skin its not simply about our skincare routine, we also need to look after the inside. In addition to enhancing your general well being, taking supplements is the way forward for healthy skin.

    Many clients will make a connection between their food and skin. For example with regards to Rosacea, we know that dermatologists frequently recommend diet modifications to avoid trigger foods and beverages. Many clients notice rosacea flares up with spicy foods or with hot drinks. Food allergies and sensitivities and their relationship to skin are perhaps best researched with respect to eczema. An interesting article I read recently regarding eczema and psoriasis points to a correlation with certain foods:

    ‘According to a presentation attended by Dr Helen Cox, clinical lead consultant paediatric allergy at Imperial College NHS Trust, children with eczema are 30% more likely to suffer from food allergies, and removing the common triggers of dairy, wheat, egg, soy and nuts has become standard practise for paediatric food allergists. She advised that this approach is just as valid for adults with eczema. With psoriasis, there is an increased correlation with coeliac disease, or non coeliac gluten sensitivity. This is thought to be due to an abnormality in the cytokine pathway, which also increases the likelihood of autoimmune conditions occurring alongside the psoriasis.’

    So how does gut health affect the skin?

    When we chew our food, the stomach and intestines are stimulated to release acid, bile and enzymes, if we eat too quickly there isn’t enough time for those messages to come through resulting in insufficient stomach acid, bile and enzymes, the food therefore isn’t sufficiently broken down before it passes to the small intestine. Nutrients are absorbed here but larger undigested food particles are not easy to absorb and carry on to the large intestine. This is where all the gut bacteria is found, the composition of gut bacteria largely depends on what we eat and how we digest our food. The gut bacteria can break down fibre and extract nutrients from it, including the B complex and vitamin K. The nutrients and vitamins absorbed by our body will have an impact on our skin health. The wrong bacteria can cause damage to the gut lining and toxins can pass though which need to be eliminated, this elimination can happen through the skin ……

    What supplements should we consider?

    I recently trained in the Advance Nutrition Programme range of supplements.They are a science led range of supplements designed to promote a healthy, youthful skin. Free from artificial preservatives, colours, flavouring, PCB’s and fillers with no added sugar, salt, soya, wheat, gluten, yeast, lactose and dairy products.

    The skincare supplements are designed to target specific skin concerns and recommended to be taken alongside a multivitamin. The bestsellers within the range include:

    • Skin Accumax which contains Vitamins A, C and E to support healthy skin, commonly recommended for problematic skin types.
    • Skin Omegas formulated with Vitamin A and Omegas 3 & 6 for dry and dehydrated skin.
    • Skin Youth Biome formulated with 4 strains of bacteria and Vitamin C, youth biome will support gut flora and improve the skins complexion
    • Skin complete will compliment all the good work your skincare is doing, contains Vitamins A &D, promotes normal skin health and promotes cell renewal.

    Taking a combined approach to skin health given the link between the skin and the gut is the way to go, when you body has the correct nutrients to help produce healthy cells on the inside, you have the foundations to help it look radiant on the outside.

     

     

  3. Create you own at-home-spa

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    Three weeks into COVID 19 lockdown and you may be starting to feel relentlessly bored, perhaps you are running out of creative ideas to keep busy or maybe you are worried about job losses and have financial concerns. It’s a very unsettling time for all of us and self care is more important now than ever. Whilst you may not be able to get a massage or facial at your favourite clinic anytime soon you can recreate a spa environment at home.

    When you enter a spa what is the first thing you notice? It’s the gorgeous scent isn’t it?  What better way to set the scene for your own DIY spa: Light a scented candle, there are many recommendations for scents, some for relaxation, some are energising, some will help you sleep but in my experience regardless of what it says on the tin so to speak just choose one that you like, whether its for relaxation or to boost energy, either way if you enjoy the scent that’s a great start.

    Set the mood with relaxing music. I use Amazon’s Alexa and ask Alexa to play me a spa music playlist, it’s a great playlist and guaranteed to help get you in the mood.

    Switch off your phone and run yourself a bath, remove your make up and allow the steam from your bath to open the pores. I absolutely love Jo Malone bath oil, Pomegranate Noir, it’s a luxury but worth every penny. Following your bath, treat yourself to a DIY facial, cleanse again, exfoliate, using a face oil, massage your face and neck for about 5 minutes and then apply a nice mask.  Environ revival masque is my favourite at the minute (Nick named face lift in jar its our best selling mask) however if you don’t have a mask you could make one, I did find one online you can make at home, mix one tablespoon each of turmeric, raw honey, and milk (the mixture should be thick, not too runny) …. I tried this just to check it out.

    If you have any Moroccan hair oil, I’d apply at this point also. You can either remove it at the same time you remove your face mask or leave on overnight (this is what I would do).

    Finally apply a dry body oil or body cream leaving you skin soft and hydrated … your home spa treatment is complete and hopefully in doing something nice for yourself you’ll feel better.

    To aid relaxation I’m using a great app called headspace at the moment, it can be used for daily meditation or simply to help you sleep as and when you feel you need it.

    I read a quote today which I thought was lovely: ‘If 2020 is telling us anything, its telling us to enjoy the moments we have and don’t take any day, anything or anyone for granted’.

    Stay Safe x

     

     

     

     

  4. Surviving Self Isolation.

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    Self isolating and social distancing doesn’t mean your beauty regime has to stop. In fact if anything we have more time on our hands and can focus on some much needed ‘me time’

    Week one of quarantine done: so far this week, in addition to the shopping trips which I have come to dread,  I have managed to exercise every day, achieve some alone time listening to my book on audible, cooking, which I love but don’t usually have a lot of time to do, walk my adorable lurcher each day and have allocated time for some beauty treats. Leg wax and painted toe nails first on the agenda, followed by one of our new skin treatments, a moisture boost cool peel.

    We recently launched the Environ Cool Peel treatments, there are 7 new facials to choose from. The Environ Cool Peel is described as a new, modern facial peel. Instead of the aggressive acid peels of old, which can strip away vital layers of the fragile epidermis, this uses a lower concentration of lactic acid over light, repetitive treatments. The peels can be very mild and gentle for first time users. This treatment can also be intensified to become a more advanced experience if the skin requires it.

    The moisture boost cool peel is designed to gently buff the skin’s surface and focus on revitalising dry, tired-looking skin, revealing a healthy-looking glow.This peel is suitable to do all year round with no visible peeling. My skin felt soft and looked much brighter after this treatment. I also did a blemish control facial on my son, the ideal protocol to follow, would be weekly intervals for this one. I’ll report on his progress after another couple of treatments, that said his skin looked instantly better even after one treatment.

    Tomorrow, I start physiotherapy sessions with my husband via Skype with a physiotherapist. After recent shoulder surgery his treatments were due to start this week although as we are all quarantined we are doing this online ( with guidance). I’m not sure who is more concerned! I don’t think we’ll ever take online apps such as Skype, face-time etc for granted again.

    Have some fun at home, don’t allow self isolation to bode badly for your normal regimes, & enjoy those make up free days, hopefully we’ll be back up and running in no time, we cannot wait for you to try our new facials …. take care X

  5. Beauty In Quarantine.

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    The COVID – 19 pandemic has come as a real shock to most of us. Social distancing and government guidelines have required practically all of us to stay at home for the time being. Its early days yet, but so far, my house has never been so clean, my washing and ironing up to date and I’m building some exercise into my daily routine. Skype and face time conversations are the ‘new normal’ ……. thank goodness for technology.

    The beauty industry amongst many others is taking a hit but whilst salons are closed you can do a little ‘at home grooming’. You may not get the same result but it will be enough to get you through until businesses reopen again.

    Facials & Skincare

    Its an ideal time to give your skin a break from make up. You aren’t going anywhere so give it a whirl. Recreate a salon facial at home, play some relaxing music, light some candles, wash your hands and begin your cleansing routine. Double cleanse first and then tone your skin, steaming the face if possible is next, either in a hot shower or wash out a flannel in hot water and place on the face for 20 -30 seconds. Follow with an exfoliator if you have one.Remove Exfoliator and give yourself a pressure point facial massage, even just for 5 minutes followed by a mask if you have one. There are lots of ideas online for making a mask at home, such as mashed avocado, sliced cucumber for the eyes, do a little research to find your favourite one and give it a go. Leave on for 10  minutes, remove and apply moisturiser and eye cream. Voila, your DIY facial is complete.

    Hair Removal.

    If you are a regular waxer then you will most likely find that your hair growth is slower and less coarse than it used to be. You can buy wax in many pharmacy’s to heat in the microwave, just be careful not to overheat it.  I would only recommend waxing at home for experienced users.

    Electrolysis.

    If you have been having regular treatments, you will no doubt be concerned about the interruption to your treatment. My best advice is to either shave or trim the hair, try to avoid plucking as this will set the treatment back.

    Nails.

    Nails are relatively easy to do at home. If you live with others perhaps you could take it in turns to do each others nails, or even paint the kids nails for a bit of fun. Begin by filing and shaping the nails, if your cuticles are a bit overgrown, steep your fingers in warm soapy water, or maybe do this after you have had a relaxing bath. Once the skin is softened, push the cuticles back, if you don’t own a hoof stick, just push back gently with your fingers. Apply hand cream, at the moment we are all so frantic about washing our hands, I don’t know about you, but my hands feel so dry. Make sure there is no hand cream on the nails before painting, apply a little nail polish remover to make sure. Always apply a base coat first, this protects the nail from discolouration, follow with two coats of colour and then a top coat. Sit back and relax and allow the nails to dry completely.

    Whilst we are all staying indoors, if you are running low on products please email us at beautyhaven@btconnect.com We have set up deals with our suppliers to send products directly to you so don’t panic if you run out of anything.

    If you have any beauty related concerns we can arrange a consultation via skype or whatsapp. Email or send a facebook message and I will respond as soon as I can.

    In the meantime, stay at home if you can and stay safe.

     

     

     

  6. Laser Hair Removal,your questions answered.

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    Hair removal is time consuming and becomes part of our routine. There are several options to remove hair such as shaving, tweezing, waxing, electrolysis, threading, bleaching and/or using hair removal creams. Laser hair removal is a fast growing industry and offers a convenient way to remove unwanted hair quickly on small to larger areas. We have put together a list of the most popular questions asked by our customers.

    Laser hair removal, your questions answered.

    What is laser hair removal?

    Laser hair removal is hair reduction using smart wave technology. (SWT) This SWT sends a light down to the follicle where it heats up and destroys the hair and discourages new hair growth within the follicle.

    How permanent is laser hair removal?

    Permanent hair reduction of up to 95% which means new hair may appear eventually over time. However the regrowth will take longer to appear and the hair will be finer. Once you commence a treatment plan and complete your course you may require top up sessions once or twice every one or two years as a maintenance programme. Or the first course of treatments may be enough.

    How many sessions are required?

    Because hair grows in 3 stages and the cycles can vary from 4 to 12 weeks depending on what part of the body you are considering, we recommend between 6 – 8 sessions. Some clients experience a significant amount of hair reduction after a couple of treatments with an overall slower growth pattern.

    How much does treatment cost?

    Depending on the area being worked on and if you decide on paying as you go or opting for a treatment plan, prices start from as little as £35  for a single treatment. If you purchase a plan of 6 sessions you pay for 5 treatments and the 6th treatment is free. We provide offers throughout the year, check our website or call us for the latest offers.

    What are the benefits of laser hair removal?

    There are many benefits to laser hair removal, setting aside the success rate of up to 95% permanent hair reduction.

    1. No longer do you have to wait until your hair is a certain length, unlike waxing where the hair has to be a minimum of 2cm long. Should you need to shave between sessions so there is no visible sign of hair you have that option.
    2. The treatment is virtually pain free, many clients describe as a tingling sensation and some clients don’t feel any discomfort at all.
    3. No more skin rashes from daily shaving or bumps from ingrown hairs.
    4. Larger areas of the body can be worked on as the laser targets several follicles at once. A typical session of laser hair removal on both legs can take less than one hour.

    Can everyone be treated?

    Your hair colour will determine if you are suitable for laser hair removal. The treatment works best on dark hair and gives excellent results. Due to the pigment in the skin and hair, for blonde, red or grey hair the laser will not work.

    Is there any pre or post treatment care? 

    Yes it is very important to adhere to these guidelines 30 days before and after treatment.

    Pre and Post Treatment Care 30 days before treatment:

    1.  Do not sunbathe or use sunbeds.
    2.  Do not use self tanning lotions or creams.

    Post Treatment Care 

    The area being treated will feel slightly warm afterwards and sometimes will be red and tender. These symptoms may appear immediately and can last a few days after treatment, this is normal and nothing to worry about. We recommend using Aloe Vera afterwards to reduce redness and you must wear a minimum of SPF30 to protect the skin from hyper-pigmentation and sensitivity if the area is exposed when you are outside.

    After treatment we will advise you to exfoliate after 48 hours, this should be done 3 times a week for 3 weeks to encourage the dead roots to fall out.

    Our highly skilled  therapists have a wealth of knowledge and experience in laser hair removal. Why not allow them to talk you through the procedure and answer any further questions or concerns you may have. We are only a phone call away.

     

     

     

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