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Author Archives: Hilary Lowry

  1. Are you ready to deal with skin changes in the menopause

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    Menopause – a word that often carries a sense of negativity and change. But what if we could reframe it as a natural transition, one that can be navigated with knowledge, self-care, and glowing skin?

    The Changing Tides:

    Around the age of 45-55, most women experience a shift in their hormonal landscape, known as menopause. This decline in estrogen can impact the body in various ways, including skin changes. But remember, you’re not alone! Around 1 in 100 women experience early menopause, and many others face similar challenges.

    Embracing Skin Changes:

    One noticeable effect of menopause is drier, thinner skin. Collagen, the protein responsible for plumpness and elasticity, starts to decrease. This can lead to wrinkles, fine lines, and a loss of youthful vibrancy.

    Nourishing Your Skin from Within and Out:

    Here are some key strategies to embrace your skin during menopause:

    • Hydration is Key: Aim for 1-2 litres of water daily, especially during the winter.
    • Cleansing with Care: Use a gentle, cream cleanser instead of harsh foam washes that strip moisture. (e.g., Environ Mild Cleansing Lotion)
    • Moisturise, Don’t Compromise: Apply moisturiser twice daily. Consider Environ’s step-up system with increasing levels of Vitamin A to gradually boost your skin’s resilience. (e.g., Environ AVST Moisturiser)
    • Target Concerns: Address specific areas like the neck and decolletage with targeted products like Environ Avance Elixir and Hydrating Oil Capsules.

    Beyond the Basics:

    While these are great foundational steps, a holistic approach is key:

    • Embrace Antioxidants: Eat a diet rich in colourful fruits and vegetables to support your skin from within.
    • Manage Stress: Consider practices like yoga, meditation, or deep breathing to help manage stress, a significant factor in skin health.
    • Move Your Body: Regular exercise, like walking, improves circulation and promotes a healthy glow. It also helps maintain muscle tone, which can decrease with age.
    • Prioritise Sleep: Aim for quality sleep to allow your body to rest and rejuvenate.
    • Seek Support: Don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor, family, or friends for guidance and support during this transition.

    Menopause is a unique journey for every woman. By understanding the changes, embracing self-care, and implementing these tips, you can navigate this natural transition feeling empowered and confident, with glowing skin to match!

  2. Revive Winter skin with an Active Vitamin Facial

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    The winter months can often play havoc with our skin, not only the cold wet harsh conditions, but also the lack of Vitamin D from the sunshine can leave the skin looking dull and lifeless. The extreme change in temperatures from hot to cold and central heating can cause changes to our skin. The blood vessels are working overtime to accommodate the fluctuating temperatures.

    At the British Skin Foundation a Consultant Dermatologist recommends the following tips to help your skin survive the winter onslaught.

    1. Moisture regularly using a face and body cream that is right for you. Remember to protect your lips and use a lip balm and barrier cream during the harsh conditions.
    2. Protect the skin and wear a scarf, hat and gloves when outside. Its wise to invest in good waterproof coat and trousers.
    3. Try to avoid turning up the central heating as the air becomes drier and affects the moisture levels of the skin.

    Getting sufficient sunlight is the best way to help the body produce enough vitamin D. Vitamin D supplements are available  plus there are several food sources that are plentiful in vitamin D :

    • fatty fish, such as salmon, mackerel, and tuna
    • egg yolks
    • cheese
    • beef liver
    • mushrooms
    • fortified milk
    • fortified cereals and juices

    The Environ Active Vitamin Treatment is popular at this time of year. Its an advanced facial and can be taken as a 60  or a 90 – minute treatment. Environ’s pioneering dual electro-sonic technology uses low frequency sonophoresis together with pulsed iontophoresis in combination with Environ’s professional skin care products, helping deliver more of what skin needs where it needs it most. The treatment helps soften the appearance of fine lines, sun-damage & sagging skin for a more youthful experience. Prices are £65 for a 60 minute and £85 for a 90 minute treatment. Clients report a visible difference in the skin immediately. We recommend using alongside the Environ skin care range at home. The benefits from using Vitamin A are many. Vitamin A regulates sebum production, locks in moisture, can minimise redness and protect against photo damage. Environ is a sold only following consultation to ensure you are not contraindicated to the use of topical Vitamin A. Its a step up programme so you begin with low levels of Vitamin A, working your way up through the steps. When used at home we can then increase the serums we use within the facial so that you can achieve better results.

    If you wish to revive winter skin with an Active Vitamin facial then call us on 028 90 666628

    Should you require any further information on our Environ facials or the range of products, please check our website or call or visit us to discuss in more detail.

     

     

     

  3. What can I do about thread veins?

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    Are you looking for a more permanent solution to thread veins?Perhaps you are fed-up covering your face with concealer to hide your thread veins? Thread veins are harmless but can cause self esteem issues, especially if you have them on your face. They are common amongst people in their 40’s and upwards and can appear anywhere on the body.

    What are Thread veins?

    Thread veins are small blood vessels which when damaged or disrupted form a web design on the surface of the skin, hence sometimes called spider veins or broken capillaries.

    What causes Thread veins?

    Genetics play their part but mainly placing undue pressure on the small blood vessels causes thread veins to appear. Certain foods and beverages will trigger the condition, spicy foods, caffeine and alcohol all contribute. Also prolonged exposure to the sun and sun beds can help the formation of thread veins.

    What can I do about thread veins?

    As with most health conditions, prevention is better than cure. Keeping a healthy vascular system and including exercise in your regime helps blood pressure to remain normal. Avoid excess sun exposure and understanding your triggers, for example spicy food and alcohol can cause the skin to flush excessively in some people. However, should you have thread veins then its worth considering laser technology. We use the Ellipse Sirius, the system operates by delivering pulses of energy that directly target the vessels that require treatment without affecting the surrounding vessels.

    What can I expect during treatment?

    We would book you in for a 20 minute consultation to meet with you and discuss your treatment goals. A small patch test using the Ellipse system will be carried out on the area we plan to treat. Any questions you have will be answered and a treatment plan including costs will be discussed.

    What happens after consultation?

    After your consultation we ask you to call us to arrange an appointment, providing you have no adverse reaction to the patch test.  The Ellipse system uses exclusive selective wavelength technology to deliver narrowband light direct to the area being treated, allowing less heat on the skin.

    How many treatments are required?

    The number of treatments will depend on the location and the number of vessels being treated. Usually 3 treatments are recommended with 4 weekly intervals. The treatment time depends on the area to be covered and the number of distinct vessels. Smaller vessels can disappear quickly after treatment, whereas larger vessels will fade away gradually over the next few weeks. Patients experience low downtime, with possible swelling, and redness which disappears within 1 to 4 days.

    Will they be gone for good?

    Home-care is important to the success of the treatment. Incorporating key products into your regime will help, plus avoiding your triggers and sun exposure.

    Statistics recently received form Nordys, the system suppliers reported 83% of patients had a greater than 50% improvement in cleared vessels. 78% of patients with rosacea reported being very satisfied after treatment.

    Recommended products

    Environ RAD SPF a must to protect the skin from further damage from the sun.

    Environ Colostrum Gel to protect the skin from internal and external stress.

    Dermalogica Barrier Repair a moisturiser to help protect the skin from environmental assault and aid with restoring a healthy barrier function.

    The Ellipse system has clinically proven results across multiple types of vascular lesions including Rosacea.

    Regain your confidence, rejuvenate your skin and keep a younger and healthier look.

     

  4. Top Tips for Reducing Stress

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    What is Stress?

    Stress is a normal physical and psychological reaction to positive or negative situations in your life. What’s important is how we deal with stress.  Stress can build up over a period of time and if not addressed can lead to physical and mental problems within the body.

    Identifying the cause of stress

    If you know what is causing you stress then it might be easier to find ways to manage it or to avoid a stressful situation although that may be easier said that done.

    Some examples of things that contribute to Stress include:

    1. Bereavement
    2. Divorce
    3. Moving house
    4. Redundancy
    5. New Job
    6. Financial difficulties
    7. Loneliness
    8. Mental Health Issues

    Some ideas to help you reduce stress:

    • Prioritise workloads, write a list of things to do and mark in accordance of their importance or urgency. At times we all feel overwhelmed with our “To Do” lists and this has been highlighted as a common cause of stress. Try to delegate to others as much as possible. Of course the opposite can apply, if you have too little to do or not enough challenges or you are out of work, then daily stress can heighten.
    • Meditation and breathing exercises only takes a few minutes each day. Either standing or sitting, breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. Try to aim for 5 seconds of breath intake and 5 seconds of breath out take. Take it slowly and build up to 5 seconds. Evidence suggests slowing down your breathing will help you feel calmer and improve your mental health and wellbeing. There are some useful apps such as headspace which guide you through meditations.
    • Yoga/Pilates are great stress busters. Find a good class to enrol on and practice in a group or with a partner. Yoga has been around for over 5,000 years and there are more than 100 different forms of yoga. The more common ones are Hatha which is a series of basic movements and breathing. Vinyasa is a series of poses that smoothly flow into one another. Yoga does more than burn calories and tone muscles. It is a mind and body workout combining stretching, strengthening poses with breathing and relaxation techniques.
    • Take time out and read a book or listen to music, do not feel guilty about your “To Do” list. It is important to lose yourself in a book and the mind and body will thank you for this.
    • Meeting up with friends and family to stay connected is important for mental wellbeing. Friendships are so vital to share experiences and help each other especially in times of stress. Having a conversation with a friend to find out how they cope with stress in a similar situation may help you to try something different you never thought about.
    • Research has showed that learning new skills can help improve your mental health and wellbeing. Learning something new is exciting and helps you connect with others. Raising your self esteem and boosting your confidence.
    • Treatments such as Massage, Reflexology or Indian Head massage can help you to manage stress, anxiety, insomnia and will promote a feeling of well being. Treating yourself may feel a little indulgent however looking after yourself can benefit every area of your life.

    One of my favourite quotes:

    “The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another.”  so true !!!

     

  5. The Best Winter Skin Care Products

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    Winter weather can play havoc with your skin. The cold, wet and windy conditions can result in dry, itchy, cracked and flaky skin.  The wind sucks the moisture from the skin and hair leaving us battling to find the products to deal with the onslaught. The reason this happens is that the pores tighten up when the cold air hits the skin resulting in the body reducing blood circulation to the area and the blood going to the parts of the body that need it most – the organs, because of this, the naturally occurring sebum produced from the sebaceous gland is compromised and protection of the skin is decreased. This creates further problems for acne conditions because due to the lack of sebum, the bacteria has a greater chance to enter the body. The areas of the face and body that are exposed to the elements will be the most affected. We tend to forget about protecting our face as we cannot really cover up like we can with other parts of the body. We can wear hats, scarves, gloves, long coats, trousers and boots but covering our face is more difficult.

    The most troublesome area is often the lips, with colds and flues rife at the moment the immune system is compromised and the herpes simplex virus  which lies dormant has a chance to breakout. Not only are these cold sores painful, they are hard to disguise and leave you feeling run down. At the first tingling apply Zovirax antiviral cream to the area and reapply as advised on the Patient information leaflet (PIL). If your lips are dry or cracked, its hard to beat the old fashioned remedy of applying vaseline. Keep it in your pocket and reapply throughout the day.

    Your skin is the first line of defence against disease and foreign bodies entering the body via the skin therefore protection is paramount. The average human body is made up of around  60% water. Therefore water is vitally important for healthy skin, hair and nails, as well as controlling heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature. Research has found there are many people deficient in water levels in the body resulting in a huge decrease in athletic performance and fatigue that is caused by the lack of hydration. Stay hydrated by drinking enough water to hydrate your skin. ( about 2 litres per day)  I carry a bottle of water with me everyday and you will be surprised how sipping throughout the day, how quickly you can consume your daily quota. You can stay fully hydrated with other fluids as well, herbal teas are excellent along with eating foods with a high water source, mainly fruits and vegetables.

    S0me of our favourite products for dry, dehydrated skin:

    Dermalogica body hydrating cream is a moisturising body cream to use after the shower or bath or anytime of the day to relieve skin dryness and keep skin hydrated, it locks in moisturise to leave the skin feeling and looking smooth, healthy and silky. Free of artificial fragrances, colours or parabens.

    Dermalogica Barrier repair from the UltraCalming range is a facial moisturiser that helps shield the skin against environmental and internal triggers that causes skin stress. The product contains Oil of Evening Primrose to help restore a healthy barrier. Do remember exposed skin can be susceptible to windburn or other winter rashes. This is a great product to help shield against the elements.

    Dermalogica Solar Defence Booster is a SPF50 broad spectrum sunscreen that can be added to your moisturiser or foundation to give critical defence against skin ageing UV light.

    Environ RAD SPF15 antioxidant sunscreen is for the face and body with UVA & UVB broad spectrum medium protection. This is a light weight suncream that is suitable for everyone.

    Environ Avance Elixir serum can be applied before your recommended Environ vitamin A moisturiser to give added moisture to the skin day and night.

    Environ Hydrating Oil Capsules. These capsules feel amazing when applied, they can be used if you are feeling the skin is dehydrated alongside your usual moisturiser.

    Above is a small selection of the best winter care products we have in stock. If you have any questions or queries on your skin care regime please do not hesitate to contact the salon via our website, telephone or facebook.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  6. Start the New Year with Laser Hair Removal

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    Have you made any new year resolutions?  The five most common ones are very predictable:

    1. Join a Gym and workout more.
    2. Go on a diet and/or eat healthy food.
    3. Alcohol free January
    4. No more eating chocolate, once the Hero’s and Celebrations tins are finished.
    5. De-Clutter your home.

    Perhaps you have been considering laser hair removal, this may even be on your list of New Years Resolutions. The winter months is the ideal period of time to commence treatments as its easier to avoid direct sunlight. Protecting your skin from the sun is very important before receiving laser hair treatment and 30 days after treatment, which can damage sensitised skin. So if you want hair free skin in time for summer then January or February is the perfect time to begin, treat yourself and start the New Year with Laser Hair Removal.

    Would I be suitable for laser Hair Removal?

    Dark hair and pale skin is ideal for laser hair removal. Not everyone is a suitable candidate for laser hair removal, if your hair colour is red, blonde or grey then the laser cannot treat that colouring. If you are unsure, please call or email the salon and we will be happy to discuss your concerns and advise if Laser Hair Removal is the right option for you, or offer you an alternative hair removal treatment if required.

    What is involved with the treatment?

    Once we determine if you are suitable for treatment we will book you in for a 20 minute consultation which includes a patch test. A form is completed to record your medical history and find out if there are any contraindications to treatment. We will ask you about the results you want to achieve and answer any questions you have about treatment. A treatment plan will be discussed and a realistic time frame of treatment and cost will be advised. A patch test of a small area of the body will be tested with the laser.

    What happens after the consultation?

    You will need to wait 48 hrs to make sure that you have not had any adverse reaction to the area that was tested. Providing everything is OK we can commence treatment whenever is a suitable time and day for you.

    What happens during treatment?

    On your 1st treatment after the patch test your therapist will answer any further questions or concerns you may have. Goggles will be worn during treatment and the area being worked on will be prepared. The beam of light from the laser will be aimed directly on the particular area and held to deliver the light that destroys the hair bulb before moving onto the next area. The laser light is on the skin from as little as 2 mins for upper lip and 30 mins for full leg. The preparation and aftercare treatment is an additional 5 to 10 mins, giving a total time of less than 10 mins for upper lip and 40 mins for full leg.

    How many sessions will it take?

    On average the recommended intervals between treatments are 4 weeks for facial hair and 6 weeks for body hair. We recommend a course of 6 sessions with top up treatments required in the future. This is a guide and of course your hair removal sessions may be going so well that the hair has gone in less time.

    Will I need to return after my treatment plan?

    Once your therapist and you are happy with the results of your treatment and all the hair has been removed you may need to return for maintenance sessions once or twice a year. Your therapist will discuss this with you on completion of your course.

    Should you require any additional information on laser hair removal or any other form of hair removal  please do not hesitate to contact us by email, telephone or facebook. We will be only too happy to help you obtain smoother skin ready for the holidays.

     

     

     

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