Part 2: Habits to give the ‘boot’ to for U and your skins sake…
Continuing on from last weeks blog about the effects of Alcohol on the skin, this week I’m going to focus on another vice, which, at this time of the year, may fall into a habit that you want to give the boot to.
The following maybe an incentive to help you.
Smoking is number two in line of the worst lifestyle habits that we choose to put our bodies and our skin through. Sun still tops the list as our skins worst enemy.
As with Alcohol, smoking has a stimulating effect on the micro circulation of our skin. Remember that this superficial capillary network is vital for feeding our cells and tissues with Oxygen and nutrients and for removing toxic build up. The continued vasodilatation and constriction of these delicate blood vessels can cause damage to their porous walls, thus affecting their ability to oxygenate, feed and then free the skin of waste material.
Look at any smokers skin and you will see the evidence of this appearing as a grey, sallow appearance, deficient in moisture, maybe with spotty outbreaks, visible capillary damage and of course, deep lines and wrinkles.
Still reaching for your lighter? Then read on.
Smoking is one of the lifestyle choices that stimulate the production of free radicals in our body. These unstable molecules wreak havoc and are the ‘thieves of youth’. They course their way round the body causing damage to the proteins in the skin, Collagen and Elastin fibres (there’s your lines and wrinkles); affect the DNA of our cells leading to possible pre cancerous changes.
Then there are the faces that smokers pull. Contorting when dragging on a cigarette gives rise to ‘crow’s feet’ around the eyes and lines around the mouth as well as unsightly blocked follicles that may appear as blackheads or spots and the skin takes on a yellowy hue. Come on you must have extinguished that fag now…right?
All is not lost, it is never too late to, firstly give up and secondly start to repair some of the damage caused to the skin.
Anti oxidants both topically and orally are the first good habit to adopt. Vitamin C in particular is crucial for collagen production and for strengthening that capillary network. 1 cigarette destroys the same amount of Vitamin C as found in 2 whole oranges!
Give yourself an incentive. Several of my clients have started to invest the money, usually reserved for their cigarette habit, on regular skin treatments and active products as a way of reminding them why they are giving up and to reverse some of the visible damage.
If you would like a skin health programme tailored to nurture your skin back to health then call me Louise on 07810 872 633 or email: enquiries@u-treatments.co.uk
www.u-treatments.co.uk
copyright 2009
Sunday, 24 January 2010
Wednesday, 13 January 2010
What effect are those bad habits having on your skin?
What’s your vice then? A large glass of red wine to help you unwind after a hard days work? A chocolate covered biscuit to dunk in your cup of afternoon tea? That cigarette that you just have to have to deal with the stresses of modern life? Or a handful (half a tub) of sunflower seeds that you just have to have pre dinner…..? Yep ok the last sad addiction is mine…could be worse!!
All this over indulgence after the festive season, and yes I did over indulge and no not just on sunflower seeds, got me to thinking that its usual at this time of year to want to kick some of our bad habits and set ourselves that new years resolution (if you haven’t read last weeks blog then Hello! Where have you been?)
So I thought I would, over the next four weeks, take a closer look at the above vices and their negative, and in one case, positive effects on our skin. What are these bad habits are doing to your complexion and some little tips on how you can maybe repair a bit of the damage caused.
This week its; Alcohol…
The immediate effect of your G & T, glass of wine or pint of lager is to cause a flushing sensation in the skin. This varies, in degree, from person to person, however even if you don’t end up looking like you’ve been extremely embarrassed or just stepped out of a sauna, it doesn’t mean that these little blood vessels aren’t working away madly. Now this action, in small doses, has actually, according to research, been found to be beneficial to not only your skin but the whole of your circulatory system. It’s when we start to abuse the quantities of alcohol that this constant constriction and dilation of those little capillaries eventually causes them to become damaged. In some cases they can be seen under the surface of the skin and in lamens terms maybe referred to as broken capillaries.
These not only look unsightly, but are no longer able to do their job which is to ferry Oxygen and vital nutrients to our skin cells to keep our skin looking healthy.
Alcohol is also a diuretic, which tends to be what gives us the hangover. Our body is forced to lose water and unless replaced can lead to headaches and nausea, need I go on. This dehydration is seen on our skins as obvious areas of dryness, sallow colour, and fine, creapy lines.
Then there’s the obvious fact that excessive alcohol consumption causes extra stress on the Liver. I am expecting to see a lot of this effect manifesting itself in my clients skin as outbreaks usually in the mid lower forehead area, since in Chinese philosophy they believe that this area of the face is linked with the Liver.
Help!!... is at hand quite literally as if you have had one of my bespoke facial treatments you will know that my treatments are about taking an inside/out approach to treating the skin. Aside from having professional treatments with a skin therapist and specialist you can start by reducing your consumption and increasing your water intake. This is quite an obvious first step to improving your skins chances of recovery.
Next I suggest taking the tincture of Milk Thistle which is a great Liver support and will aid detoxification.
Look for moisturisers that contain ingredients that will act as ‘Osmoprotectors’ these are molecules that help to attract and bind moisture into your skin. All the products I use and recommend have this ability.
And finally, if you look forward to your weekend tipple then swap spirits for wine or beer and drink plenty of water with your alcohol to stave of that morning after the night before reflection in the mirror.
www.u-treatments.co.uk
All this over indulgence after the festive season, and yes I did over indulge and no not just on sunflower seeds, got me to thinking that its usual at this time of year to want to kick some of our bad habits and set ourselves that new years resolution (if you haven’t read last weeks blog then Hello! Where have you been?)
So I thought I would, over the next four weeks, take a closer look at the above vices and their negative, and in one case, positive effects on our skin. What are these bad habits are doing to your complexion and some little tips on how you can maybe repair a bit of the damage caused.
This week its; Alcohol…
The immediate effect of your G & T, glass of wine or pint of lager is to cause a flushing sensation in the skin. This varies, in degree, from person to person, however even if you don’t end up looking like you’ve been extremely embarrassed or just stepped out of a sauna, it doesn’t mean that these little blood vessels aren’t working away madly. Now this action, in small doses, has actually, according to research, been found to be beneficial to not only your skin but the whole of your circulatory system. It’s when we start to abuse the quantities of alcohol that this constant constriction and dilation of those little capillaries eventually causes them to become damaged. In some cases they can be seen under the surface of the skin and in lamens terms maybe referred to as broken capillaries.
These not only look unsightly, but are no longer able to do their job which is to ferry Oxygen and vital nutrients to our skin cells to keep our skin looking healthy.
Alcohol is also a diuretic, which tends to be what gives us the hangover. Our body is forced to lose water and unless replaced can lead to headaches and nausea, need I go on. This dehydration is seen on our skins as obvious areas of dryness, sallow colour, and fine, creapy lines.
Then there’s the obvious fact that excessive alcohol consumption causes extra stress on the Liver. I am expecting to see a lot of this effect manifesting itself in my clients skin as outbreaks usually in the mid lower forehead area, since in Chinese philosophy they believe that this area of the face is linked with the Liver.
Help!!... is at hand quite literally as if you have had one of my bespoke facial treatments you will know that my treatments are about taking an inside/out approach to treating the skin. Aside from having professional treatments with a skin therapist and specialist you can start by reducing your consumption and increasing your water intake. This is quite an obvious first step to improving your skins chances of recovery.
Next I suggest taking the tincture of Milk Thistle which is a great Liver support and will aid detoxification.
Look for moisturisers that contain ingredients that will act as ‘Osmoprotectors’ these are molecules that help to attract and bind moisture into your skin. All the products I use and recommend have this ability.
And finally, if you look forward to your weekend tipple then swap spirits for wine or beer and drink plenty of water with your alcohol to stave of that morning after the night before reflection in the mirror.
www.u-treatments.co.uk
Friday, 8 January 2010
New year..new U..
New year …new U…
It’s a little obscene, don’t you think, our obsession with looking to a new year before we have even had a chance to eat way too much turkey, drink too much bubbly and jig around to ‘ole Lang syne’ pretending we know all the words. But the promise of a newer, brighter, fitter, happier, younger looking, svelte you is everywhere as the January magazine editions hit the news stands in December.
It’s these types of articles and media hype that come around every year forcing us to all fall into the ‘new years resolution’ trap and ultimately, come February, have failed miserably to achieve any of what we set out to do.
As part of my bespoke facial treatments, I like to not only give product related homecare advice, but little snippets of lifestyle skin health related changes that can be started the minute you have had your treatment and that can be easily achieved.
Like anything in life, whether it’s to become more confident, drop post Christmas weight or gain a glowing, healthy skin, it’s a gradual process that can’t be sustained by quick fixes.
Setting SMART targets (that’s Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time scale) is the way forward and if you read my ‘12 days to glowing Christmas skin…. ’ blog, you should already be well on the way.
Why wait for January the 1st, it just puts you under more pressure to achieve your goals, when you could already be on your way to optimum skin health.
That said if your struggling for the motivation or know how to solving your skin problems then make January the excuse to schedule in that facial and let me set your SMART targets to a ‘new U’, or at least a U with a healthier skin. www.u-treatments.co.uk bookings 07810 872 633
It’s a little obscene, don’t you think, our obsession with looking to a new year before we have even had a chance to eat way too much turkey, drink too much bubbly and jig around to ‘ole Lang syne’ pretending we know all the words. But the promise of a newer, brighter, fitter, happier, younger looking, svelte you is everywhere as the January magazine editions hit the news stands in December.
It’s these types of articles and media hype that come around every year forcing us to all fall into the ‘new years resolution’ trap and ultimately, come February, have failed miserably to achieve any of what we set out to do.
As part of my bespoke facial treatments, I like to not only give product related homecare advice, but little snippets of lifestyle skin health related changes that can be started the minute you have had your treatment and that can be easily achieved.
Like anything in life, whether it’s to become more confident, drop post Christmas weight or gain a glowing, healthy skin, it’s a gradual process that can’t be sustained by quick fixes.
Setting SMART targets (that’s Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time scale) is the way forward and if you read my ‘12 days to glowing Christmas skin…. ’ blog, you should already be well on the way.
Why wait for January the 1st, it just puts you under more pressure to achieve your goals, when you could already be on your way to optimum skin health.
That said if your struggling for the motivation or know how to solving your skin problems then make January the excuse to schedule in that facial and let me set your SMART targets to a ‘new U’, or at least a U with a healthier skin. www.u-treatments.co.uk bookings 07810 872 633
Thursday, 10 December 2009
12 days to glowing Christmas skin…..
12 days to glowing Christmas skin…..
It’s that time of year again where I start giving my clients the Christmas countdown to the party season.
Like most things to do with the festive season, getting prepared for the influx of party invites, carol concerts and school plays, frenzied shopping and subsequent late nights, takes some planning.
I’m guessing this is your countdown so far; buy and write Christmas cards (realising that you’ve missed the international post deadline) check! Make Christmas pudding and cake (good intention, never happens) check! Purchase Christmas gifts (during a rugby scrum style shopping experience) check! Attend 101 parties, drinks and concerts (whose party is this one?) check! Relax with friends and family on Christmas Eve (fall in a heap after your 3rd glass of bubbly realising that you haven’t had time for that leg wax, manicure & gasp! Facial) check!
Or maybe that’s just how my countdown goes, with a few clients to treat thrown in.
I was inspired to write this blog after my recent appearance as a guest on BBC Radio Norfolk’s Graham and Karen show. They had invited me in, this time, to discuss this very subject. How do we ensure that instead of looking grey, tired, puffy and blood shot, that we enter a room radiating health, calm and looking, well, fantastic!
I discussed with the Radio Norfolk listeners there are things that we can start to do leading up to the big day to ensure that come 2010 we haven’t completely ruined the chance of a healthy, young looking skin.
So here’s my 12 days to glowing Christmas skin…
On the first day of Christmas… Book and have a professional skin treatment. This is a very busy time for me since I recommend my clients to have a pre party season facial. As ever it will be totally bespoke to tackle the needs of the client whether it’s a total rescue treatment or something to just maintain radiant skin for the season.
On the second day of Christmas… Water!! Yup it’s a must with all the extra intake of alcohol and centrally heated environments. Aim to up your intake to at least 1 ½ litres a day if you want to avoid puffy, parched skin.
On the third day of Christmas…Start to take a tincture of Milk thistle and artichoke. This is great Liver support and can help with those rich foods and drink indulgencies. The Liver, if not able to function properly, will ultimately cause the skin to eliminate toxins, so start taking it daily now.
On the fourth day of Christmas…Start your way to a brighter skin by using a daily gentle exfoiliator. I recommend the MD Formulations facial cleanser (£25 www.u-treatments.co.uk) rich in fruit acids to encourage cell regeneration without the need for harsh abrasives.
On the fifth day of Christmas… Shoe horn just 10-15 minutes of Yoga into your day. www.yogajournal.com has some fab, short yoga videos you can watch for free. Yoga is amazing for distressing and for bringing fresh blood and nutrients to the skin…I could go on.
On the sixth day of Christmas…Not using an eye product yet? MD Formulations The Temps brighten and tighten eye serum (£26 www.u-treatments.co.uk) which is packed with Peptide technology to, yep you’ve guessed it, tighten and brighten the delicate eye area…I love it!
On the seventh day of Christmas… Make the most of Vit C rich Cranberries by scattering them onto your muesli or porridge. These berries are packed with the anti ageing benefits of antioxidants and will boost your collagen levels and immune system.
On the eighth day of Christmas…Now unless your tee total your undoubtedly going to partake in a glass or two of alcohol. So, if you must opt for red wine since this is rich in polyphenols another powerful antioxidant which defends the skin cells and is good for your heart. (In moderation)
On the ninth day of Christmas…Perform a facial massage at least once a day.
I give my clients some basic self facial massage movements to do when applying their moisturiser.
Even just using upward and outward circular moves can detoxify, brighten and tone the facial muscles.
On the tenth day of Christmas…Sleep! I know this is a tricky one but try and get as much quality sleep as you can especially if you know you have a heavy week on the way.
Studies have shown that sleep loss is linked to increasing the ageing process.
On the eleventh day of Christmas…However tired or merry you may be, do not commit the cardinal sin of going to bed in your makeup!
Sleeping in a cocktail of oils, dyes, chemicals and preservatives whilst your skin is trying to repair will leave you with dry, spotty, grey skin in the morning.
On the twelfth day of Christmas…You’ve made it! And is you’ve been following these golden rules you should be looking radiant.
If however you are not here’s hoping that you have a U Treatments gift card in your stocking www.u-treatments.co.uk
Merry Christmas and a ‘glowing’ 2010!
Louise Thomas-Minns CIBTAC CIDESCO BABTAC
Visit www.u-treatments.co.uk or call Louise on 07810 872 633 for details of her bespoke treatment menu.
Copyright 2008
It’s that time of year again where I start giving my clients the Christmas countdown to the party season.
Like most things to do with the festive season, getting prepared for the influx of party invites, carol concerts and school plays, frenzied shopping and subsequent late nights, takes some planning.
I’m guessing this is your countdown so far; buy and write Christmas cards (realising that you’ve missed the international post deadline) check! Make Christmas pudding and cake (good intention, never happens) check! Purchase Christmas gifts (during a rugby scrum style shopping experience) check! Attend 101 parties, drinks and concerts (whose party is this one?) check! Relax with friends and family on Christmas Eve (fall in a heap after your 3rd glass of bubbly realising that you haven’t had time for that leg wax, manicure & gasp! Facial) check!
Or maybe that’s just how my countdown goes, with a few clients to treat thrown in.
I was inspired to write this blog after my recent appearance as a guest on BBC Radio Norfolk’s Graham and Karen show. They had invited me in, this time, to discuss this very subject. How do we ensure that instead of looking grey, tired, puffy and blood shot, that we enter a room radiating health, calm and looking, well, fantastic!
I discussed with the Radio Norfolk listeners there are things that we can start to do leading up to the big day to ensure that come 2010 we haven’t completely ruined the chance of a healthy, young looking skin.
So here’s my 12 days to glowing Christmas skin…
On the first day of Christmas… Book and have a professional skin treatment. This is a very busy time for me since I recommend my clients to have a pre party season facial. As ever it will be totally bespoke to tackle the needs of the client whether it’s a total rescue treatment or something to just maintain radiant skin for the season.
On the second day of Christmas… Water!! Yup it’s a must with all the extra intake of alcohol and centrally heated environments. Aim to up your intake to at least 1 ½ litres a day if you want to avoid puffy, parched skin.
On the third day of Christmas…Start to take a tincture of Milk thistle and artichoke. This is great Liver support and can help with those rich foods and drink indulgencies. The Liver, if not able to function properly, will ultimately cause the skin to eliminate toxins, so start taking it daily now.
On the fourth day of Christmas…Start your way to a brighter skin by using a daily gentle exfoiliator. I recommend the MD Formulations facial cleanser (£25 www.u-treatments.co.uk) rich in fruit acids to encourage cell regeneration without the need for harsh abrasives.
On the fifth day of Christmas… Shoe horn just 10-15 minutes of Yoga into your day. www.yogajournal.com has some fab, short yoga videos you can watch for free. Yoga is amazing for distressing and for bringing fresh blood and nutrients to the skin…I could go on.
On the sixth day of Christmas…Not using an eye product yet? MD Formulations The Temps brighten and tighten eye serum (£26 www.u-treatments.co.uk) which is packed with Peptide technology to, yep you’ve guessed it, tighten and brighten the delicate eye area…I love it!
On the seventh day of Christmas… Make the most of Vit C rich Cranberries by scattering them onto your muesli or porridge. These berries are packed with the anti ageing benefits of antioxidants and will boost your collagen levels and immune system.
On the eighth day of Christmas…Now unless your tee total your undoubtedly going to partake in a glass or two of alcohol. So, if you must opt for red wine since this is rich in polyphenols another powerful antioxidant which defends the skin cells and is good for your heart. (In moderation)
On the ninth day of Christmas…Perform a facial massage at least once a day.
I give my clients some basic self facial massage movements to do when applying their moisturiser.
Even just using upward and outward circular moves can detoxify, brighten and tone the facial muscles.
On the tenth day of Christmas…Sleep! I know this is a tricky one but try and get as much quality sleep as you can especially if you know you have a heavy week on the way.
Studies have shown that sleep loss is linked to increasing the ageing process.
On the eleventh day of Christmas…However tired or merry you may be, do not commit the cardinal sin of going to bed in your makeup!
Sleeping in a cocktail of oils, dyes, chemicals and preservatives whilst your skin is trying to repair will leave you with dry, spotty, grey skin in the morning.
On the twelfth day of Christmas…You’ve made it! And is you’ve been following these golden rules you should be looking radiant.
If however you are not here’s hoping that you have a U Treatments gift card in your stocking www.u-treatments.co.uk
Merry Christmas and a ‘glowing’ 2010!
Louise Thomas-Minns CIBTAC CIDESCO BABTAC
Visit www.u-treatments.co.uk or call Louise on 07810 872 633 for details of her bespoke treatment menu.
Copyright 2008
Sunday, 29 November 2009
Soap..friend or foe?
Q. I am in my early forties and have been using soap and water to cleanse my skin for a few years now. I have read that this is not a good option and have noticed my skin has become drier lately. Why is using soap so bad for your skin and could this dryness be because of this soap use?
A. Thank you so much for asking this question you have hit upon a very raw nerve with me as a skin therapist. When people say to me ‘I just wash my face with soap and water’ it’s a bit like me saying to a football fan ‘It’s only a game’.
To explain this to you properly I’m going to have to take you, momentarily, back to your chemistry lessons and talk the Ph scale.
Now you see our skin has a naturally acidic Ph and contrary to popular belief this is anything between 4.5 and 5.5. The reason for this is to maintain a protective environment against harmful bacterial invasion and to keep the lipids in the skin balanced and well equipped to transfer the nutrients and toxins in and out of your skins cells.
Any soap, even those with ‘a ¼ moisturising cream’, as the familiar ads say or ones that claim to be gentle enough to ‘use on a babies skin’ will have alkaline properties with the Ph typically being around 10/11!
This will instantly raise the natural Ph of your skin and therefore make it a perfect breeding ground for bad bacteria to attack resulting in infections and spotty outbreaks. The skin will rapidly lose water and lipid (fat) content and may show signs of dryness, this being a combination of visible dry, flaky patches and a ‘tight’ feeling to the skin after washing making you feel desperate to reach for your moisturiser.
All of this will lead to a skin that is unbalanced and that may be more susceptible to reacting to products, changes in climates or just touch. The skin will ultimately age quicker and will undoubtedly encounter problems.
If you like to use water on your skin, as I do, then opt for a Ph balanced cleansing wash. I love and recommend MD Formulations, £24.00 wwww.u-treatments.co.uk, facial cleanser which can be used with water and give you the regenerating properties of Glycolic acid a fruit acid derived from sugar cane.
If you would like a skin health programme tailored to nurture your skin back to health then call me Louise on 07810 872 633 or email: enquiries@u-treatments.co.uk
www.u-treatments.co.uk
Copyright 2009
A. Thank you so much for asking this question you have hit upon a very raw nerve with me as a skin therapist. When people say to me ‘I just wash my face with soap and water’ it’s a bit like me saying to a football fan ‘It’s only a game’.
To explain this to you properly I’m going to have to take you, momentarily, back to your chemistry lessons and talk the Ph scale.
Now you see our skin has a naturally acidic Ph and contrary to popular belief this is anything between 4.5 and 5.5. The reason for this is to maintain a protective environment against harmful bacterial invasion and to keep the lipids in the skin balanced and well equipped to transfer the nutrients and toxins in and out of your skins cells.
Any soap, even those with ‘a ¼ moisturising cream’, as the familiar ads say or ones that claim to be gentle enough to ‘use on a babies skin’ will have alkaline properties with the Ph typically being around 10/11!
This will instantly raise the natural Ph of your skin and therefore make it a perfect breeding ground for bad bacteria to attack resulting in infections and spotty outbreaks. The skin will rapidly lose water and lipid (fat) content and may show signs of dryness, this being a combination of visible dry, flaky patches and a ‘tight’ feeling to the skin after washing making you feel desperate to reach for your moisturiser.
All of this will lead to a skin that is unbalanced and that may be more susceptible to reacting to products, changes in climates or just touch. The skin will ultimately age quicker and will undoubtedly encounter problems.
If you like to use water on your skin, as I do, then opt for a Ph balanced cleansing wash. I love and recommend MD Formulations, £24.00 wwww.u-treatments.co.uk, facial cleanser which can be used with water and give you the regenerating properties of Glycolic acid a fruit acid derived from sugar cane.
If you would like a skin health programme tailored to nurture your skin back to health then call me Louise on 07810 872 633 or email: enquiries@u-treatments.co.uk
www.u-treatments.co.uk
Copyright 2009
Sunday, 22 November 2009
Q. Can you really improve your skin whilst you sleep?
A. There is truth to the saying ‘I need to get my beauty sleep’ and, as I’ve mentioned in past articles, scientific data to support the fact that a lack of sleep will equate to further decline in the production of the growth hormone and therefore an increase to the ageing process.
Sleep deprived skin also cant recover from daily aggressors that we are constantly exposed to.
But is there a need to use a specific product dedicated to use at night?
If we believe the cosmetic giants then the answer is yes.
As a skin therapist, with an advanced knowledge of skin health, I compiled the following reasons why I, too, believe the skin benefits from this.
1. When the body is at rest its not fighting the aggressors that we are exposed to during the day so the skin needs a helping hand.
This is where products infused with free radical (thieves of youth) fighting ingredients like, Vit C and E and help.
2. The skin loses moisture at night so the protective lipid barrier weakens. This means that a) we need to apply a product that will increase hydration by using water loving ingredients like Hyaluronic acid and b) as this barrier is weaker ingredients can penetrate deeper into the skin at night.
3. Our ‘skin sleep cycle’ is between 11pm and 3am. This is when cell renewal speeds up to repair. Using Vitamin A in our night creams can assist in this repairing cycle and will explain why the skin looks worse for wear after an especially late night.
4. Day creams are often lighter and geared towards being protective and should contain an SPF. Night products are set to repair, heal and nourish our skin.
Other night time skin tips are to:
• Train yourself to sleep on your back. This helps to prevent wrinkling of the skin and reduce fluid retention which leads to puffy eyes.
• Invest in a silk pillowcase as sleeping on cotton sheets will not only create creasing of the skin over time but also leach moisture out of the skin, it can also scrub off your night products.
www.silkperfect.com which sell their silk pillowcases specifically for benefit for the skin and hair, also suggest that the 17 amino acids found in silk can have some benefits to skin health.
Louise recommends:
MD Formulations Night recovery serum £40.00 www.u-treatments.co.uk
Louise prides herself on her knowledge of ingredient technology and has developed her own signature facial. To experience the ‘U and your skin’ facial
Call 07810 872 633 or email: enquiries@u-treatments.co.uk
www.u-treatments.co.uk
Copyright 2009
Sleep deprived skin also cant recover from daily aggressors that we are constantly exposed to.
But is there a need to use a specific product dedicated to use at night?
If we believe the cosmetic giants then the answer is yes.
As a skin therapist, with an advanced knowledge of skin health, I compiled the following reasons why I, too, believe the skin benefits from this.
1. When the body is at rest its not fighting the aggressors that we are exposed to during the day so the skin needs a helping hand.
This is where products infused with free radical (thieves of youth) fighting ingredients like, Vit C and E and help.
2. The skin loses moisture at night so the protective lipid barrier weakens. This means that a) we need to apply a product that will increase hydration by using water loving ingredients like Hyaluronic acid and b) as this barrier is weaker ingredients can penetrate deeper into the skin at night.
3. Our ‘skin sleep cycle’ is between 11pm and 3am. This is when cell renewal speeds up to repair. Using Vitamin A in our night creams can assist in this repairing cycle and will explain why the skin looks worse for wear after an especially late night.
4. Day creams are often lighter and geared towards being protective and should contain an SPF. Night products are set to repair, heal and nourish our skin.
Other night time skin tips are to:
• Train yourself to sleep on your back. This helps to prevent wrinkling of the skin and reduce fluid retention which leads to puffy eyes.
• Invest in a silk pillowcase as sleeping on cotton sheets will not only create creasing of the skin over time but also leach moisture out of the skin, it can also scrub off your night products.
www.silkperfect.com which sell their silk pillowcases specifically for benefit for the skin and hair, also suggest that the 17 amino acids found in silk can have some benefits to skin health.
Louise recommends:
MD Formulations Night recovery serum £40.00 www.u-treatments.co.uk
Louise prides herself on her knowledge of ingredient technology and has developed her own signature facial. To experience the ‘U and your skin’ facial
Call 07810 872 633 or email: enquiries@u-treatments.co.uk
www.u-treatments.co.uk
Copyright 2009
Monday, 16 November 2009
Winter proof your skin...
Question: We have only had a few days of colder weather but I have noticed that my skin seems to be changing and not for the best. Its feels tighter and drier and I have some spots which I never usually experience. Any ideas as to why and what I can do to help?
Answer: With the first cold snap of winter forcing us to don our scarves and gloves and to crank up the heating our skin can start to manifest a whole host of unsightly changes. Read on and I’ll walk you through a winter wonderland of tips to winter proof your skin.
• Problem: Dry and flaky.
• Louise Recommends: Any moisturiser worth entertaining should contain ingredients that are found in our skin. I use and recommend to my clients products that contain Hyaluronic acid, the moisture binding component of the dermis.
• Tip: Apply your moisturiser to slightly damp skin this will further enhance its humectant properties and make your product go a little further.
• Problem: Uncomfortable tightness.
• Louise recommends: Dehydration is the term coined by the cosmetic industry to describe the tight, creapy appearance that’s down to a lack of water in the skin. Its a lot more complex than this, however, upping your fluid intake can help. Limit diuretics like caffeine and increase water and herbal teas.
• Tip: Buy a humidifier for your home or office to create a more hydrating atmosphere for your skin.
• Problem: Spotty, oily skin.
• Louise recommends: If your skin is parched it will try and help out by secreting more oil onto the skin. This can lead to an oily shine and blocked follicles resulting in outbreaks. Gentle exfoliation will sweep the pores clean and limit spotty eruptions.
• Tip: Using a product containing AHA’s will be a more effective and can also rebalance the oil secreting glands.
Remember it’s still important to protect your skin with an SPF everyday despite the lack of sun, since UV rays are present all year round.
A change of season is the perfect excuse for booking a professional facial. I offer skin health checks as part of my treatments to reassess your skin and ensure you get that healthy, rosy winter glow.
copyright 2009
Answer: With the first cold snap of winter forcing us to don our scarves and gloves and to crank up the heating our skin can start to manifest a whole host of unsightly changes. Read on and I’ll walk you through a winter wonderland of tips to winter proof your skin.
• Problem: Dry and flaky.
• Louise Recommends: Any moisturiser worth entertaining should contain ingredients that are found in our skin. I use and recommend to my clients products that contain Hyaluronic acid, the moisture binding component of the dermis.
• Tip: Apply your moisturiser to slightly damp skin this will further enhance its humectant properties and make your product go a little further.
• Problem: Uncomfortable tightness.
• Louise recommends: Dehydration is the term coined by the cosmetic industry to describe the tight, creapy appearance that’s down to a lack of water in the skin. Its a lot more complex than this, however, upping your fluid intake can help. Limit diuretics like caffeine and increase water and herbal teas.
• Tip: Buy a humidifier for your home or office to create a more hydrating atmosphere for your skin.
• Problem: Spotty, oily skin.
• Louise recommends: If your skin is parched it will try and help out by secreting more oil onto the skin. This can lead to an oily shine and blocked follicles resulting in outbreaks. Gentle exfoliation will sweep the pores clean and limit spotty eruptions.
• Tip: Using a product containing AHA’s will be a more effective and can also rebalance the oil secreting glands.
Remember it’s still important to protect your skin with an SPF everyday despite the lack of sun, since UV rays are present all year round.
A change of season is the perfect excuse for booking a professional facial. I offer skin health checks as part of my treatments to reassess your skin and ensure you get that healthy, rosy winter glow.
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