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Author Archives: Hilary Lowry

  1. Our top reasons you should get laser hair removal.

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    Laser hair removal is a popular treatment for many reasons, however the top reasons clients give when enquiring about laser are as follows:

    1. Cost
    2. Time
    3. Hair Management
    4. Eliminate Ingrown hairs
    5. Boost Confidence

     

    1. COST: For most of us the cost of wax treatments, razors and shaving creams over a lifetime, or any other temporary method of removing hair can in the long term cost a fortune. The most used form of hair removal is shaving the hair as cost is minimal. This method is used by men to remove beard and chest hair and by women for mostly legs and underarms. Experts suggest daily shaving can benefit the skin as the razor acts like an exfoliant and will remove dead skin cells. However, shaving can cause irritation to the skin causes a shaving rash and sometimes hair bumps or ingrown hairs can be problematic.Although costly to start with, laser hair removal is more cost effective in the long run. The initial outlay of money can be slightly daunting, however many clinics now offer payment plans. It is usually more cost effective to buy a course of treatments,rather than pay as you go as there is usually a discount on bulk buying.Once you have finished your treatments the only outlay should be occasional top up treatments.
    2. TIME: The second major benefit for deciding on laser hair removal is the time factor. Shaving, waxing, tweezing, and use of hair removal creams are time consuming, its time we have to factor into our daily routine whereas with laser hair removal (also referred to as permanent hair reduction)  you have long periods of being hair free, the treatment is fairly quick, for example to carry out a laser a full leg treatment can be as quick as 40 mins. Following a course of 6 – 8 treatments at 6 weekly intervals you should see a massive reduction in hair growth in 36 weeks with only maintenance treatments required in the future.
    3. HAIR MANAGEMENT:Laser hair removal is a hair reduction management system. Over a course of sessions you will notice the hair reducing in regrowth. We recommend a course of 6 sessions because the hair grows in different stages. Most clients notice a reduction very quickly, often in as little as  after 2 -3 treatments, once your course is completed you will require top up sessions at a later date, this can range from 1 to 3 year intervals.
    4. INGROWN HAIRS:With waxing or shaving on a daily basis the chances of getting ingrown hairs is high. Every single hair on the body grows from one hair follicle but sometimes there will be a cluster of hairs emerging from that one follicle. Ingrown hairs form when a hair is growing back after shaving or waxing and gets trapped under the skin. Sometimes hair follicles become inflamed due to a bacterial or fungal infection, this is called Folliculitis, this can be painful and can also be tempting to try and remove the hair yourself, avoid picking, this can lead to infection and scarring.
    5. BOOST CONFIDENCE: Persistent hair growth and ingrown hairs, can lead to low self esteem, doing something about this on more permanent basis can improve self confidence.

    After considering all of the above if there is any reason you can think of for which you may want to know more to help you decide on laser hair removal. Please do not hesitate to contact Beauty Haven and speak to our members of staff who will be delighted to help you further. Team Beauty Haven have a wealth of knowledge on Laser hair removal.

  2. Environ Frown Serum Review: Ingredients and How to Use for Frown Lines

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    I’ve always hated my frown lines, I’ve tried Botox a couple of times and although I liked the result, enough isn’t known about the long term effects of using Botox cosmetically so I choose not to have toxins injected into my body on a regular basis.

    Lets face it, frown lines are ageing, stepping up your skin care regime and hydrating the skin not only by moisturising but drinking plenty of water can help. A dehydrated skin can cause fine lines and frown lines to appear more prominent.

    I discovered Environ frown serum about a year ago and I admit I was sceptical at first, nick named no-tox the promise of no frown lines with just the use of a serum seemed to good to be true. Have a look at my before and after photographs, this was after using the product for 12 weeks. I didn’t notice the improvement as I was using it and resisted the temptation to take photographs too soon but I was shocked when the 12 week photo was taken and the results speak for themselves.

    The product is enriched with a concentration of peptides to help soften and improve the appearance of expression lines. Its priced at £122 which is around the same price as having one treatment of botox but you have enough product to use on the forehead and frown lines so actually it will work out more cost effective and you aren’t having to worry about what you are injecting into your body.

    Well worth a try in my opinion.

  3. Holiday Treatment wish List.

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    Who doesn’t hit the gym as soon as the summer holiday is booked?  Nothing inspires me more to go to the gym than the thought of wearing a bikini. Holiday prep doesn’t have to be all about hard work, the treatments we require prior to our holiday is the nice bit …… Time isn’t always on my side, with a hectic work schedule and managing my home life but I always try to find time for my ‘must have treatments’

    • Waxing is an absolute must when I am going on holiday .Once I book in for this treatment I know I am not far off my holiday. If I get no other treatment, this one I will definitely have. I love the silky smooth skin after waxing.
    • Summer holidays is the perfect time to experiment with fun colours on your hands and toes. From a shape and paint to a luxury manicure/pedicure, or opting for gel overlays is ideal to guarantee longevity whilst basking in the sun, chip free polish that can last up to 3 weeks.
    • Nothing can beat getting a professional Body Scrub. We can all do our own but it is difficult to reach all of the back area and get a good pressure to scrub the body of dead skin cells. Thalgo Exotic Island Scrub leaves the skin extremely smooth, supple and soft. Sand, coconut shell and salt on a base of nourishing oils for gentle exfoliation.
    • If I have time, I try to factor in an Inch Loss Body Wrap, a single wrap or a course of wraps is ideal for instant inch loss. Measurements are taken on 16 different parts of the body. The body is then wrapped in warm bandages which are soaked in a solution of Aloe Vera, Vitamins and Minerals that removes toxins and conditions the skin. Left in your cocoon for one hour, unwrapped and re-measured. Lose from 6 to 20 inches on your first wrap.
    • When on holiday during the day I don’t wear makeup only sunscreen and some lipstick, plus I usually swim quite a bit to cool down. I like to get my Eyebrows and Eyelashes tinted which helps my lashes look as if they have mascara on.
    • Last but not least I always get a Spray Tan during the holiday season, either a professional spray tan at the salon or I use the He-Shi self tan which is quick and easy to apply. I prefer not to sunbathe but do like to have a natural glow on my skin.

    Following your holiday, its a great idea to have a facial, perhaps you have a bit of a tan or had one or two glasses of wine too many. These factors can leave the skin very dehydrated and lack lustre. There are several facials to choose from:

    • A Dermalogica Prescriptive Facial is a deep cleansing facial that is customised at every step of the way by your skin care specialist who will use the products to suit your skin type. Expect to leave the salon with your skin feeling radiant, hydrated and a clearer complexion.
    • Environ Advanced Active Vitamin Treatment has to be my all time favourite facial. Environ facials use Low frequency Sonophoresis, this is a sound wave without the electrical current and pulsed Iontophoresis which is small electrical pulses to penetrate products into the deeper layers of skin. This facial is packed full with nourishing, anti-ageing ingredients. The Active Vitamin treatment is suitable for all skin types and is particularly effective at addressing sun-damage, pigmentation, premature ageing, dryness, uneven skin tone and scarring with measurable differences after just one session.
    • Mesoestetic Facial Peel can be tailored for your skin’s requirements such as hyper pigmentation, skin aging, acne, stretch marks or any other skin imperfections. After the peel the skin will appear younger, hydrated and luminous.

    At Beauty Haven we pride ourselves in offering the best treatments to get you ready for the most important season of the year – summer holidays. Have fun and stay cool in the sun.

     

  4. Weekly product review. Dermalogica conditioning body wash

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    If you haven’t tried this gorgeous body wash yet, you really should treat yourself. The product lathers up beautifully and feels lovely on the skin. It contains botanical extracts to give it a lovely fragrance.The product provides soap free cleansing thats acid balanced to prevent drying out or stripping the skin.

    Whilst I use this in the shower you can add to running water and soak in the bath if you prefer.Either way using this product re creates a spa experience at home, the skin feels and smells fantastic and of course I can’t stress enough that looking after your skin doesn’t just mean the skin on your face. The fragrant essential oils of sandalwood, lavender, orange and clary sage moisturise your skin, leaving it smooth and conditioned.

    This product retails at £39.50  and is suitable for all skin types, it may seem expensive for a shower gel but once you have tried it, I’d be surprised if you weren’t hooked.  Finish with Dermalogica hydrating body cream (great for Keratosis Pilaris) , throw in a glass of vino and your fav Netflix box set and I’d say thats an ideal night in.

    For further information please don’t hesitate to get in touch. www.beautyhavenbelfast.com

  5. Healing acne scars with laser treatment.

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    If you have acne now or have suffered from this common skin care condition then the chances are you could have acne scarring. Treating acne will reduce the likelihood of the appearance of acne scarring. The first thing to do is to get advice from your doctor or a skin care specialist. Acne can be successfully treated and controlled with the right treatment routine.

    Acne is most common in teenagers and young adults. About 80% of people aged 11 to 30 are affected by acne. Acne is common in girls from the ages of 14 to 17, and in boys from the ages of 16 to 19. Of the over 25’s about 5% of women and 1% of men have acne. Acne can cause psychological distress, resulting in intense feelings of anxiety and stress, which can sometimes make people with the condition become socially withdrawn. This combination of factors can lead to people with acne getting depressed.  Having visible acne really affects peoples self esteem.

     Some self-help techniques to follow:-

    • Frequent washing can irritate the skin and make symptoms worse, wash skin twice a day only.
    • Keep hair of your face and wash regularly,
    • Refrain from squeezing blackheads and spots, this can make them worse and can cause permanent scarring.
    • Keep makeup to a minimum and use water based products that are non-comedogenic (which means less likely to block pores).
    • Always remove makeup before bedtime.
    • If dry skin is a problem, use a fragrance free water based emollient .
    • Regular exercise cannot cure your acne but it can improve your mood and self-esteem. Shower as soon as possible after exercising to remove sweat from your skin which can irritate the acne.

    There are 6 main types of spots caused by acne:-

    • Blackheads  –  small black or yellowish bumps that develop on the skin and can be easily squeezed out.
    • Whiteheads  –  are similar in appearance to blackheads, but may be firmer and not so easy to squeeze.
    • Papules  –  small red bumps that may feel tender or sore.
    • Pustules  –  similar to papules, but have a white tip in the centre, caused by a build-up of pus.
    • Nodules  –  large hard lumps that build up beneath the surface of the skin and can be painful and carry a risk of causing scarring.
    • Cysts  –  the most severe type of spot caused by acne, they are large pus filled lumps that look similar to boils and also carry a risk of scarring.

    Acne scarring can sometimes develop as a complication of acne. Any type of acne spot can lead to scarring, but is more common when the type of spots like nodules and cysts burst. This tends to damage the skin nearby.

    Scarring can also occur if you pick or squeeze spots, so it is vitally important not to do this.

    The three main types of acne scars are:

    • ice pick scars – small, deep holes in the surface of your skin that look like the skin has been punctured with a sharp object.
    • rolling scars – caused by bands of scar tissue that form under the skin, giving the surface of the skin a rolling and uneven appearance.
    • boxcar scars – round or oval depressions, or craters, in the skin.

    It is important to have realistic expectations about what cosmetic treatment can achieve. While treatment can certainly improve the appearance of your scars, it can’t get rid of them completely.

    • Laser treatment can be used to treat mild to moderate acne scarring. At Beauty Haven we use the Ellipse Laser skin rejuvenation treatment which targets scar tissue and helps even out skin complexion. It can also treat active acne as it has an anti-bacterial effect on the skin.

    After treatment for acne scarring, most people notice a 50-75% improvement in their appearance.

    We are only a phone call or email away. Please get in touch if you are affected by scarring and would like some further advice.

     

  6. Weekly product review. Environ Clarifying lotion

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    Age spots, also known as liver spots or sun spots are the result of an excess production of melanin, or skin pigment. Doctors don’t always know why age spots develop. Skin aging, sun exposure, or other forms of ultraviolet (UV) light exposure, such as tanning beds, are all possible causes. You’re most likely to develop age spots on the areas of your skin that receive the most sun exposure.

    Age spots are harmless but all the same, we don’t like them, especially when they are on areas such as the face and hands. I recently started using  Environ’s Clarifying Lotion because I had a few marks on my hands that I was concerned would only get worse. I have always been so careful about my face, using SPF daily, winter or summer but somehow its easy to forget the hands although they are equally exposed. The clarifying lotion is formulated to supply skin with important ingredients that control the production of melanin in skin cells resulting in a clearer, more even skin tone.It’s a lightweight lotion that penetrates the skin with ingredients that reduce pigmentation issues, interrupt the skin’s production of melanin, and brighten the skin for a uniformly brilliant skin tone. Once you have been using for about 3 – 4 weeks you could opt for laser skin rejuvenation treatment, which is what I did. The results were fantastic, I have attached photographs of my hands before and after using the lotion and having one treatment.

    Prevention is always better than cure so my best advice is to apply SPF to your hands every day but if you do have a few age spots you are fed up trying to conceal then try Environ Clarifying lotion and a couple of laser treatments, it worked for me.

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