As a Skin Specialist I am aware of the impact poor mental health has on the skin. As May is Mental Health Awareness Month, I wanted to highlight this and give you some of my top suggestions on how we can improve our skin and not want to hide away.
Working with many Rosacea clients at my Skin Clinic in Alsager, is one of the most common skin conditions that I treat, which affects both men and women, mainly in lighter skin types.
April is Rosacea Awareness Month and I'm sharing with you my tips, advice and treatment options for this chronic skin condition that affects 1 in 10 people.
LED ( short for- Light Emitting Diode ) Light Therapy is a treatment that has grown in popularity over the last 2 years because of its exceptional results in promoting skin health and rejuvenation, accelerating healing and resolving problem skin conditions for. the face and body. Read my post about this incredible treatment!
Facial Peels - What are they? At my skin clinic in Alsager, I am seeing more and more clients who LOVE the effect of Chemical Peels! No wonder they are fast-becoming the number one clinical skin treatment worldwide. At a fraction of the price of laser, they can significantly reduce the appearance of wrinkles, pigmentation and blemishes with less discomfort and downtime. Just 45 minutes in my clinic can visibly rejuvenate skin to provide a softer, smoother, more youthful-looking complexion. But what should you expect when you begin your Chemical peel journey? As a non invasive skin specialist, let me tell you!
How will Micro-needling improve my skin and give me a smoother appearance? As a leading Facial Rejuvenation expert in the Cheshire area , I meet many people who have yet to hear about Micro Needling! Most of the common skin concerns I see in my Alsager Salon , mainly with my over 40 client’s is dull, ageing, dehydrated skin. People think to have a smoother, fresher and a more even-toned appearance, you need to have invasive facial surgery! Fear not my friend, I have the perfect non-invasive solution for you! To celebrate Healthy Skin Month in November, I am showing you the most amazing treatment from me at Alsager Beauty. There’s never been a better time to take care of your skin, but if you don’t want to go under the knife, what is the alternative? Let me introduce you to latest celebrity facial, the Rejuvapen Micro-needling treatment, AKA Collagen Stimulation Therapy . THE go to non invasive facial treatment right now. So Vicky, what the heck is CST? It's a pen-like device used to puncture the skin to create tiny holes (not visible to the naked eye) to stimulate a wound healing response. The action of the pen breaks up old collagen type 1 and forms new young and springy type 3 in its place. This wound healing response results in the body producing more collagen and elastin, (which we stop producing naturally at around the age of 35, boo!) when the body is in the healing stage. It also stimulates the reproduction of hyaluronic acid which is naturally found in the skin (which also depletes from 40+). This juicy little acid keeps everything hydrated and plump. So win-win! I've had 3 treatments and I can definitely tell the difference. I’ve noticed my skin looks and feels firmer and my pores on my cheeks have reduced. My clients have all commented on their own skin's improvement. I've also had great results in reducing pigmentation patches. Take a look for yourself!
Acne is a common skin condition, which affects millions of people of all ages around the world. It commonly presents with blackheads, whiteheads, pustules and papules on the face, back and/or the chest. In this post we will explore the nature and causes of acne; consider what factors might make it worse (or in their absence, better), what practical steps you can take to lessen the severity of acne and consider some of the common treatments.
Clean your Makeup Brushes I recommend cleaning your brushes once a week, or every time you use them if you have spots or are prone to breakouts. Not only will dead skin cells collect in the bristles but also oil and bacteria, yuk! Even the best makeup can go patchy if the brushes aren’t cleaned regularly, and it’ll help keep your brushes lasting longer. Use a specific makeup brush cleaner, hair shampoo or unscented soap to clean the brushes, making sure not to get the glue wet, otherwise the bristles will start to shed. Once dried lay the brushes on their side. I found this (opens in a new window) great tool although I'm sure there's similar on the market. Ditch the Makeup Wipes I've talked about this before so apologies but they really are bad for your skin and even worse for the environment. Wipes are full of chemicals (such as alcohol) to keep them moist, which only serve to strip your skin of its natural oils and damaging its protective barrier, making you more sensitive, oily and spot prone (because they don’t clean pore deep). I recommend using a face wash and flannel, just as quick and so much better for your skin and the environment. Wear SPF Everyday Our skin is our largest organ and we need to protect it, not abuse it (on sunbeds). The sun’s harmful rays are present all year round, even on cloudy days. Therefore, if you’re concerned with ageing and/or pigmentation then a daily sunscreen is a vital protection against these as well as skin cancer. An SPF is even more important when using active skincare products like retinol (vitamin A), AHA’s and BHA’s. These exfoliate the skin leaving it more exposed to the sun so extra protection is needed, otherwise you'll damage your skin even more. Don’t forget to apply to the exposed areas of the neck, chest and backs of hands as well. What’s the best product to use for wrinkle reduction? The answer is retinol otherwise known as Vitamin A. We start to age from 25 years old and if I had to recommend just one product everyone should use it has to be a retinoid. It is clinically proven to work, no ifs or buts! Retinoids reduce fine lines and wrinkles by stimulating new collagen; they stimulate the production of new blood vessels which improves skin colour and increases skin cell turnover resulting in smoother skin, reduced pore size and reduced pigmentation. It helps keep pores clear and oil production regulated and is therefore good for both young and mature skins. It’s a great all round skin treatment. If you do decide to start using retinol please remember to start on a low dose, this product is powerful and can have side effects if used incorrectly. If you'd like my help on choosing the best retinol for you, just ask. Don’t believe the hype! Avoid Buying Skincare because of Marketing Bee venom, snail slime, caviar, diamonds or 24 carat gold in skincare will do absolutely nothing for the skin. These companies that make this stuff need to get in the sea! Even collagen cream, no it doesn’t work…..man-made collagen is totally different to our collagen and will be as effective as a stick. You know I love Medik8 products and there’s many reasons why but if you’re in doubt on what products to buy then check out beautypedia.com. They have in depth reviews on lots of products because it’s a confusing world the cosmetics industry, but please ask me anything if you need any advice and if I don’t know, I'll find out. Vicky x
May is skin cancer awareness month and as skin cancer is on the increase (by 128% since the 1990’s*) it’s important we all protect ourselves and little ones. My customers, friends and family are all aware about my views on SPF’s and the importance of DAILY protection. Yes you heard it right, daily! UVA (long wave) causes premature aging, penetrates glass and can travel to the deep layers of skin, resulting in pigmentation and damaging cellular DNA. It is present all year round. UVB (short wave) causes burning and is only present on hotter days. Most sun damage won’t start to appear till your over 40 but most of the damage was done in your teens and 20’s when we were striving for the perfect tan, sadly there is no perfect, or safe tan! Any change in skin colour is sun damage. There are 2 types of sunscreens, physical and chemical. Physical reflects UV rays and chemical absorbs them. If you’re prone to prickly heat I advise you to try a physical sunscreen because you don’t absorb heat the same and you need a sunscreen which will repel the UV rays. They tend to be more ashy in colour so need more rubbing in than their chemical siblings but most sensitive skins will thank you for it. Look for Zinc Oxide or Titanium Dioxide in the ingredients list if you’re unsure and try brands such as La Roche Posay from Boots, Clinique or Medik8’s Physical sunscreen. There is one downside to a physical sunscreen, Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide have been proven to be toxic to fish, so it’s a good idea to shower before you jump into the sea. SPF 15 will protect you from 93% of UV radiation and SPF 30 will protect you from 96% UV radiation and SPF 50 will protect 97-98% so there’s really not much in it. I would suggest if your sensitive and prone to prickly heat or irritation of any kind to stick to an spf of 30, the higher the SPF the higher the chemical content. My best advice for looking after your skin is to use an SPF everyday. Protecting your skin will slow down the signs of ageing and reduce the risks of skin cancer. However, please dont think because there’s SPF in your makeup you’re suitably protected, because you most likely won't be; it will definitely help but it wont give you the full protection like a standalone SPF can, plus you need a around a teaspoon of SPF to get the coverage required which won’t be a great foundation look! Once you’ve applied makeup, you can always use an spf spray to give you extra protection throughout the day. Look for a sunscreen that’s a Broad Spectrum SPF, it’ll cover you for both UVA & UVB because most SPF rating is just for UVB. If you have an oilier skin, opt for an oil-free formula and remember SPFs degrade after a year so should be thrown away due to loss of potency. I worry about these once a day sunscreen applications protecting you completely. Looking at P20 one application 10hr protection sunscreens, they suggest on their website to ‘re apply after sweating’, and to ‘re apply frequently to maintain protection’! That sounds like the a standard sunscreen to me! I hope your all having a restful weekend, and don’t forget to apply SPF to those ears! Please message me for any further information or head to my website www.alsagerbeauty.com for more blog posts x *source: skin cancer research
A question I’m often asked is what can I do about my dark under eye area. Firstly we have to establish why you have them. There are a few reasons why, it’s mostly because of two things; pigmentation caused by sun damage, or thinning of the skin. As well as those main two it can also be hereditary, or be a sign of an iron deficiency. Sun damage skin causes brown patches of pigmentation that are often permanent or become more apparent in the hotter climates. To establish if you have a pigmentation problem you need to do the pinch test. Carefully pinch your under eye skin and see if the colour stays or disappears. If the pigment stays it is most likely sun damage, if it disappears you have thinning of the skin where the veins show through because the skin has become transparent, making the eye area darker in colour. To fade the pigmentation a retinol product, which is a derivative of vitamin A, will help. It works by increasing collagen production which makes it a good product for thinning skin too. Vitamin C is another key product to use because it’s a fantastic antioxidant; it also inhibits the enzyme Tyrosinase, which helps to prevent melanin production, overproduction of which causes pigmentation. To prevent any further pigmentation its important to use an SPF every day, all year round, especially if your using a retinol product, because it increases cell turnover. Make sure it’s a broad spectrum SPF, protecting you from UVA and UVB. Wear big sunglasses and stay away from sunbeds! Start looking after your skin as early as you can. Most skin damage occurs in your teens and 20’s but won't show through till your 30’s or 40’s. Treatments in salons such as skin peels can also help. I’ve seen great results in my business with a combination of peels and the right homecare products. Peels have an instant result, and help not only in reducing pigmentation but also for smoothing wrinkles and helping tackle blemishes. There are many strengths of peels on the market but I only use mild to medium types, without any downtime, which ensure that you look like yourself when you leave the treatment room. Some light skin shedding is fairly common but some people don’t have any. Also, for a more advanced procedure you can have tear trough injections. These fillers restore lost volume whilst reducing discoloration from thinning skin. I am a stockist of medik8 products and offer Medik8 skin peels in my beauty studio. For more information and to book a treatment head over to my website www.alsagerbeauty.com or message me for any advice or further information. Thanks for reading, Vicky x
If feels very odd writing this when its 1 degree outside and snowing! But I've been asked several times as a make-up artist, 'What make-up do you recommend for an abroad wedding', so I thought id write a post on it and share it with you all in the hope it might help any future brides or guests. Firstly lets start with skin prep. If you want your make-up to last all day, look smooth, skin to feel hydrated and spot free, I'd suggest you have a facial or several, once a month in the lead up to the wedding to get your skin in top condition. A skin therapist will advise you on the best facials for your skin type and concerns if you have any. Or if you're on a tight budget or time short, use a facial exfoliator (nothing too abrasive) followed by a face mask once a week as a skin booster and moisturise twice a day. Also book to have your eyebrows shaped. Your eyebrows frame your eyes and will make a big difference to how your makeup will look on the day. In the morning of the wedding, if you're prone to dryness and/or flaky skin, exfoliate first before you start any make-up application, and moisturise with an oil free moisturiser. For an oilier skin type, a serum will be enough. Next step, primers There are plenty on the market to suit your skin type and to help with skin concerns, such as helping to smooth enlarged pores and lines, to give radiance, colour correcting and mattifying ones. Primers will help makeup longevity and correct a skin concern, but don't use it all over the face, use just in areas where needed. I like the vast array of Smash Box primers and the Mii Smoothing Face Prep (£21.00 for 30ml) for a silicone based smoothing primer. Eye-shadow primers will also help stop eye-shadow from creasing and moving, I love the Nars, Smudge Proof Eye-shadow Base, (£20.00 for 8g) especially for oily eyelids or the NYX Waterproof Eye-shadow Primer (£6.00 for 7ml) is a good one for a budget option. Foundation Your base is a very personal one. Some love a heavy coverage, which looks good on photos but not always great close up, and likewise too light of a coverage won't give you a flawless complexion, so try different ones before you buy. Look for heat resistant foundations, such as Estee Lauder Double Wear (£33.50 for 30ml) for a full coverage or Double Wear Light (£33.50 for 30ml) for a medium coverage. Silicone based foundations are also great, such as Airbase (£36.00 for 30ml) because they're heat and humidity resistant and will stay put for hours. I use Airbase foundations for weddings for that same reason, they last all day and photograph beautifully. I would steer clear of mineral make-up and high SPF contents as this will give you flash-back on photos and will make you look pale! Eyebrow products. Brows have become big business recently, with the rise of the bold, over drawn dark brow! (shudder!) If you're in a hotter climate opt for a brow mascara instead of a pencil or powder as these could sweat off easily. Brow mascaras will fix brows in to shape (a bit like hairspray), and will add some colour definition. I personally use Mii Sculpting Brow Builder (£14.95) on my brows every day. I like it because it doesn't feel hard (and crusty but trying to think of a better word ;-/) and lasts until I take my make-up off. Eye shadow Opt for a cream shadow such as Charlotte Tilbury, Eyes to Mesmerise (£22.00) or eye-shadow crayons such as Bobbi Brown, Long-Wear Cream shadow stick (£23.00) or Mii Forever Eye Colour Crayon (£17.00). I've tried and tested these products whilst on holiday and once set dry, they really don't budge. Eyeliner & Mascara Waterproof liners are widely available, however you can use your preferred pencil or gel liner, let it dry and apply eye-shadow over the top to seal it in. This will keep the liner in place in any heat. With mascara I feel its always a personal choice, depending on the look and your budget. But no matter how great your waterproof mascara is, if you cry it'll still clump together. If you want to avoid this, try semi permanent lashes that'll last for 3-5 weeks or tube mascara such as Blinc mascara (£22.00) to stop lashes from sticking together. Lipstick There's so many good brands of lipstick, from high street to high end, I couldn't choose between them. Its important to get the colour right so again, try before you buy and see how it wears. For the application you could go for either a filled in lip liner with gloss over the top or a semi matt texture as these wont fade fast or feel too dry. You could also use Lipcoat lipstick sealer (£3.69 from Boots) to secure the colour in place. Blusher and Highlighter I love a good cream blush and highlighter, and I'm particularly loving the Trinny London Flush Blush (£20.00) and The Right Light highlighter (£25.00) at the minute. I find with cream to powder formulas, once set they don't move and if we're talking hot weather we need products to last. For powder lovers you could still apply over cream products to give it more stick. Setting powder Finally, once makeup has been applied, set it with a finishing powder. This will absorb oil, stop shine, keep foundation in place and give an airbrushed softness. Apply to the T zone areas or if you're oily apply all over. I like finely milled powders like Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish (£33.00) or Mii Illusionist Translucent Powder (£24.00).