When it comes to skin health, regular facials are a must to support skin’s natural renewal process and reveal a healthy looking, fresh appearance.

The skin cycle

Did you know that your skin is constantly renewing itself?

Every month dead skin cells travel from the innermost layer of the epidermis to the surface of the skin in a process called keratinisation.

These dead skin cells or corneocytes, still have a vital function in forming the skin barrier, which protects skin from aggressors such as pollution, germs and other irritants. As the cycle continues, they are naturally exfoliated by the skin over time. This prevents the build-up of too many dead cells (which would clog up the skin’s surface) and in turn stimulates new cells to grow.

What happens to our skin when we get older?

As we grow older, this skin renewal process slows down. Rather than a month, keratinisation can take up to 45 days or more, depending on the individual biological activity.

This means that dead skin cells build up on the surface of the skin, resulting in changes to the skin quality including roughness, enlarged pores, congestion, irritation, and a dull, greyish looking appearance.

What’s an advanced facial?

To help and support a healthy skin renewal process, we strongly advise regular ‘advanced’ facials with your experienced skincare professional, every 4-6 weeks. More than a simple “pampering” facial with relaxing massage techniques, advanced treatments include Hydrafacial, laser or chemical peels, along with products containing biologically active ingredients to support the health of your skin cells and address your individual skin concerns.

Please get in touch or book in with one of our Experts here, if you want to have a quick chat, please do give us a call on 01932 731762

Balanced Hormones

How do hormones affect skin, thank you to our friends at Alumier for this information…..

Sebum production (or oil production) is a key element in how our skin looks and feels and is controlled by hormones.

At the most basic level, if we produce too much testosterone, it’s likely to lead to blemishes. High doses of oestrogen can suppress oil production, then we experience dryness and wrinkles start to appear.

Our sebaceous glands have receptors on them; if there’s more testosterone whooshing through the body in our blood, then these receptors notice and start to produce more oil. Conversely, very high doses of oestrogen will suppress oil production – also a problem.

Oestrogen is key in the production of collagen too – which helps to keep skin smooth, resilient and plump. Ideally, these two hormones, alongside a multitude of others, including progesterone, need to be in balance for our skin to stay balanced, healthy, smooth, and blemish-free. Let’s take a deeper dive….

Breakouts

Higher levels of testosterone and progesterone can disrupt sebum levels in the skin. The excess sebum combines with dead skin cells and dirt and becomes trapped in pores leading to blemishes. Typically, Progesterone peaks during the luteal phase, which occurs during the second half of the menstrual cycle after ovulation – The first few days of a cycle are part of the follicular phase when progesterone levels are low. Reach for salicylic acid which can deep cleanse pores to help prevent breakouts.

Retinol can boost our skin’s natural exfoliation leading to a shorter lifespan of a blemish too, hurray! Our team can guide you through this process, so you have exactly the right skincare for your needs.

Testosterone fluctuations happen during puberty, pregnancy and thanks to some medications; not to mention as a manifestation of stress, so it’s worth speaking to your healthcare provider for advice and support, too.

Discoloration

Huge life changes come in many guises, but let’s face it, both pregnancy and the menopause are up there. Along with redefining who we are, and navigating the mood swings caused by hormones and myriad physical changes, there goes our skin, seemingly randomly developing patches of discolouration.

There are varying types of discoloration, but it particularly shows up on the upper lip, cheeks and neck. It can be down to sun damage and Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation but, if hormonally related, it usually is down to oestrogen fluctuations.

Dry Skin

Disruption to all hormones, and particularly oestrogen, during the perimenopause and menopause, can affect sebum levels in the skin and lead to dryness.

Oestrogen helps to support collagen production, meaning as it naturally starts to wane, the ageing process is accelerated with more wrinkles, fine lines, and loss of skin elasticity (joy!).

Surprising Things to Consider

Synthetic hormones like the Pill or HRT

If you’re experiencing skin issues and taking hormones, there’s a chance there could be a connection & you need to seek help to decipher what is best for you, so make an appointment. We also recommend keeping a diary that details changes in your skin and when they occur in your cycle.

Stress and cortisol

Cortisol is another hormone that increases oil production in the skin. We release more cortisol if we’re stressed and that can lead – in the same way as testosterone – to more blemishes.

Cortisol is a catabolic hormone which means it breaks down tissues. If we have too much, it suppresses collagen production AND starts breaking down our existing collagen as well as causing breakouts (it’s enough to stress us out).

Dealing with stress is key to helping skin, but also to a happier life, so find a way that helps you to let it out, whether that is yoga and breathwork, talking with friends, therapy, or boxing –  whatever floats your boat.

Nutrition

A balanced diet that includes a variety of fruit and vegetables …. eat the rainbow – is important for overall health.

Excess sugar is linked to a variety of hormonal imbalances, alongside processed foods, caffeine, and alcohol. We also recommend making sure you are staying hydrated throughout the day.

When it comes to hormones it can be hard to decipher what’s going on, but if you suspect any issues, come in and see us for a consultation.

Please get in touch or book in with one of our Experts here, if you want to have a quick chat, please do give us a call on 01932 731762

In Support of Rosacea Awareness Month

Sensitivity. Flushing. Redness. Heat… Does any of this sound familiar?

Most of us experience blushing at some point, maybe because we’re embarrassed, nervous or best of all, in love!

However, persistent facial rouge can have nothing to do with how we’re feeling and everything to do with the condition of skin – and, become a real pain to live with both figuratively and literally.

We would like to share this Blog from our friends over at AlumierMD with you. Read on to discover everything you need to know about rosacea as the skincare community unites throughout April to raise awareness and positivity around this complex condition.
 

What is Rosacea?

In short, rosacea is an inflammatory skin condition very closely associated with sensitivity, redness and broken veins and capillaries. If left uninterrupted, pimples can show up too. The earliest signs of pre-rosacea include sensitivity and occasional flushing. A compromised barrier means the skin is reactive to external environments (wind, heat, cold) and flushes easily. This flushing can also occur after known triggers like spicy food or alcohol that amplify blood circulation, this process is called vasodilation, FYI. 

This consistent flushing puts pressure on the capillaries that deliver reddening blood to the skin. Like party balloons that have been filled up one too many times, they can eventually “pop” and become a permeant fixture. The skin still needs blood supply, so the body makes replacement capillaries – if they burst too, the cycle continues. This can lead to permeant redness and flushing with stubborn red wiggles across the cheeks, nose and chin, introduce inflammation and hello rosacea.

This complex condition is also closely associated with the delicate balance of the trillions of micro passengers in our body known as the microbiome. Scientists are still scratching their heads about whether a disrupted microbiome is a cause or effect of rosacea, but the link is undeniable.

If you’re recognising your skin in these words, you’re not alone. Rosacea impacts 5% of the world’s population. It’s more prevalent among women than men and while it’s more often recognised in people with lighter skin and therefore common in Celtic regions, this might simply be because it’s more difficult to see redness in darker skin tones.
 

Things, can only get better….right?

Unlike acne which might flourish and wane (luckily for us, painful pubescent breakouts balance out along with teenage mood swings and desire to slam doors, and even the most volcanic menstrual explosion rarely last all month) rosacea is known as a progressive skin condition, which means with no intervention, it won’t self-soothe.
 

Taking Action

We believe in skin-positivity around here and celebrate those who feel powerful while living with rosacea. For those whom rosacea is having a negative impact (it can be physically uncomfortable, impacting confidence and aesthetic esteem) there are proactive steps you can take today –

Keeping a skin diary and getting familiar with your flushes is the quickest way to identify and avoid your triggers. These might include alcohol, spicy foods, hot drinks, and of course, stress.

Hot showers and washing skin with water that’s too hot will dry out all skin types including those with sensitive skin and rosacea, so always go for warm instead. The wrong skincare will also impact those with rosacea and all types, so it’s important to consult a professional.

Your medical professional may suggest prescription treatment and skincare to create a holistic plan. Regardless of the route you and your pro settle on, you will need a balanced cleanser, broad-spectrum sunscreen and perhaps a hydrating serum to protect the skin.

Millions of people globally live happily and confidently with rosacea, others seek intervention and support. No matter where you are on that spectrum, AlumierMD’s qualified skincare experts are on hand to help you unlock your skin’s potential and feel truly powerful in your skin.

AlumierMD supports skin positivity and Rosacea Awareness Month.

Please get in touch or book in for a Skin Consultation with one of our Experts here, if you want to have a quick chat, please do give us a call on 01932 731762

Change is a-coming….. prepare your skin with our top tips

Switching up your skincare for the new season whether it’s spring/summer or autumn/winter is absolutely a not a trend, fad or anything to do with the latest looks on the catwalk.

Seasonal switching is all about understanding what your skin needs at different stages, whether that’s due to changes in your life or in the seasons.

Thanks to stress, hormones, or health imbalances we can suffer unpredictable skin changes at any time of the year. For example, those of us with drier skin types might experience flakiness in winter but also during times of stress.

Our skincare team are the first port of call for any major skin changes as they’ll be able to tweak your routine and treatments whenever you’re in a period of flux, meaning your skin will stay resilient, no matter what’s going on. It’s this personal service that will give you the ultimate results.

SPRING …. breakouts, unpredictable skin, stressed skin

It’s no surprise that this is the time of year to spring clean your skincare routine.

The season of renewal, it’s the perfect time to book in to come see one of our pros and layout your skincare goals for the whole year.

Spring does signal the start of the warmer weather, but particularly in the Northern hemisphere, it can be a very up and down season with some chilly days interspersed with warmer, lighter ones. Unpredictable weather often means unpredictable skin, so sticking to your routine every morning and evening can really help to balance skin. For those who suffer with hayfever (we feel you!) spring can be a challenge with a red, runny nose and itchy feeling skin.

Ingredients to help

Peptides calm and soothe stressed skin and help to maintain a plump and youthful complexion no matter how much the season swings from cool to warm. Speaking (and dreaming) of warm days, SPF is a daily non-negotiable as up to 40% of the sun’s UV rays penetrate through clouds, even on a grey day.

Spring skin swaps

Choose a lighter moisturiser as the air warms up, we like Alumier Hydralight, a soothing hydrator that includes sodium hyaluronate, aloe and niacinamide. Plus, the all-important peptides which work to firm and strengthen skin.

For skin showing signs of stress, calm things down with our Alumier Recovery Balm. Originally formulated to support skin post-procedure, it’s brilliant at rehabilitating red, stressed, confused skin that’s been through a lot, whether that’s following an in-clinic appointment or spring induced Rudolf syndrome.

Please get in touch or book in for a Skin Consultation with one of our Experts here, if you want to have a quick chat, please do give us a call on 01932 731762

Credit – https://www.alumiermd.co.uk/

A BLOG from AlumierMD that you most definately need to read, the reality of RETINOL.

If you would like to come in for a skin consultation and explore the range of Alumier we have here at Surrey Laser Clinic – please book in here

Myth busting with clinical expert Dr. Sach Mohan

It’s no secret that retinol is a beloved ingredient in the skincare world precisely because of all the incredible skin benefits it can offer. Clinically proven to help slow the visible signs of premature ageing, if you’re interested in firmer, plumper, smoother and more even-looking skin then it’s time to add retinol to your skincare routine. Retinol’s success means there are a huge variety of formulas out there, and it can be quite tricky to know which one will work for you. We could write a whole book series on retinol, but today we’re going to be debunking the most common retinol myths with the help of clinical skin expert, Dr Sach Mohan.

Myth no.1 – All retinol formulas are made equal

Retinol is a form of retinoid, which means it’s a derivative of vitamin A. There are many other forms of retinoid too; retinal, retinol palmitate, retin-A, and other vitamin A derivatives used within skincare products. All work slightly differently on the skin and that’s before we even look at the concentration levels. For results, it all comes down to how long it takes these ingredients to convert into retinoic acid. Retinoic acid is the most active and bio-available version of retinol, it causes MASSIVE action in the skin and only comes with a medical prescription. Retinal palmitate takes a few conversion steps to turn into retinoic acid, and it is well tolerated by sensitive skin. Retinal aldehyde takes only one conversion step, meaning it packs a punch but there’s limited evidence or data as it is a relatively new retinoid.

Dr Sach Mohan, award-winning expert in facial aesthetics and lasers and Medical Director of Revere Clinic says Even if we took ten different retinol serums each with 1% retinol and analysed them in our skin lab – there would be huge differentiation within each formula’s concentration and effectiveness. While it is true that retinol has been proven to be effective at tackling pigmentation, sun damage, fine lines, and wrinkles. It is also true that you need to find a sophisticated formula that will actually provide these benefits, that’s where AlumierMD come in.

Smack bang in the middle of these retinoid strengths is retinol. The entire vitamin A molecule which has been clinically validated to deliver results for over four decades. We took this tried and tested molecule and took it to the next level.

We use cutting-edge microencapsulated retinol which means the retinol is released gradually throughout the night so your skin isn’t overwhelmed. It’s paired with soothing, hydrating ingredients including sodium hyaluronate (a form of hyaluronic acid) and niacinamide which help to support your skin barrier while the retinol challenges your skin to do better. All powerful, effective retinol formulations will have a big impact on your skin – if used correctly you’ll see impressive results, but if slapped on any ol’ how – you might get excessive downtime which will potentially lead you to believe our second myth . . .

Myth no.2 – I can’t use retinol

We know that plenty of people have a really poor history of retinol use. Retinol works like an upside-down exfoliator; it motivates the skin deep down which in turn sheds old skin off the surface. Imagine over-exfoliating with an abrasive mitt (!!!) it will cause redness, irritation, dry patches, and flakiness – the exact symptoms of too much retinol. However, even if you have highly sensitive skin but are willing to commit to a low and slow retinol acclimation period (letting your skin catch up with the action of retinol), you CAN use retinol and reap all the benefits. Yep, our skin pros know exactly how to rebuild and strengthen the skin barrier before starting anyone on retinol.

There are plenty of varying application techniques, frequency of use and layering methodologies to share, including the retinol sandwich, skin cycling and more. Get in touch with your pro and follow their advice. If your skin barrier is compromised, you’ll need to follow a rebuilding skincare routine before you hit up the retinol, so take it slow and be strategic, your skin will thank you. says Dr Sach Mohan.

Myth no.3 – I don’t need to work with a pro to use retinol

Technically, no, you could pop down to the chemist/supermarket/go online and buy a 1% retinol today. Does that mean that you should? NO! See myth no.2! Work with a pro to help you find the right formula for your skin. Bundled up with the other products that make sense with your skin type, retinol becomes more effective and a lot less aggressive. Retinol can also get your skin into peak performance before in-clinic treatments, but it needs some management in terms of stopping and starting between procedures. Your pro will guide you through this and the 3 key elements to using retinol: dose, layering and application technique. While you don’t need a prescription to buy any old 1% retinol – if you want the best experience, it’s worth doing it properly. In fact, our strategically formulated retinol is so impressive that you can’t buy it unless you first have a skin consultation with a pro.

Our retinol is a holistic skin rejuvenation programme in one bottle, don’t be put off by horror stories or previous PRTS (post retinol traumatic stress), you CAN use retinol and you CAN get all the results it offers

Please get in touch or book in for a Skin Consultation with one of our Experts here, if you want to have a quick chat, please do give us a call on 01932 731762