Beauty Advisor

Melasma is a type of hyper-pigmentation that is common among asians, although all ethnicities & skin types are effected. They appear as symmetrical, blotchy, brown patches that appear on the face and sometimes the neck and body areas. Women have a higher chance of developing Melasma due to Hormonal fluctuations.

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The fine and fragile skin around the eye, is the most delicate area on the face. It is around five times thinner to the skin around the rest of our face and contains less collagen, making it more susceptible to early signs of aging. So it’s no wonder we hear a lot of complaints when it comes to fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes. To counteract the effects of premature ageing around the eye area, we use a machine called Pelleve. Pelleve is a non invasive wrinkle reduction system. It works by heating up the dermal layer of the skin which stimulates collagen production and causes the skin to contract and tighten. Reducing wrinkles and tightening loose skin around the eye contour. It is the most effective treatment for the eye area on the market to date, before surgery.

Visible pores are more commonly seen on oilier skins or skins that were previously oily skins – think back to your teens! The oil sits within the pore and starts to irritate the pore lining, slowly eroding the sides and causing the pore to become bigger. If the oil sits within the pore long enough to oxidise, it turns to a blackhead, hardens and thus even when removed the pore still seems large. As we age, we also find our pores become more visible. This unfortunately, is due to a lack of collagen supporting our skin. As we lose tightness within our collagen coils, the skins structure starts to lack support and thus pores become even more visible. So, firstly we need to ensure the pore is as clean and free as possible. AHA, BHA acids, retinol and oil combating cleansers are great to mop up excess oil secretions. These products can be used at home and higher strengths to be used in clinic for procedures like chemical peels. Machines such as our laser genesis & radio frequency pelleve are designed to stimulate Collagen and re-support the skins network structure. Microneedling dermapen is also a great non laser/current option for skin remodelling – making it perfect for pregnant or contra-indicated clients.

Laser treatment can be a very effective way to treat PIH, but it’s not suitable for everyone and if treated incorrectly it can make your situation worse. Before you consider any laser treatment, make sure you seek professional advice, who deals with pigmentation problems. Not to worry though, laser is not your only option. Microneedling and Pigmentation Peels can be very effective treatments and help reduce the appearance of PIH and improve skin texture. One of the best peels out there, that treats PIH and other pigmentation problems – Cosmelan. You can find out more about our treatment options on our website or book in to see our aesthetician.

SPFs have come a long way since they were first introduced into our skin regime. Yet, they still conjure up feelings of heaviness, greasiness and breakouts. Finding an SPF you love is really important. If you don’t like it you won’t be using it half as much as you should. Your SPF should feel like an extension of your skincare routine, something that you cannot go without. Because we know just how fundamental SPFs are to a routine, we have many different types of SPFs for our clients to choose from. A particularly popular SPF for skins prone to congestion is our O Cosmedics SPF30 in both tinted or non-tinted. This SPF contains Zinc, a mineral that is well known for its anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties; making this the perfect solution for not just acne prone skin but also for sensitive skin conditions, rosacea and redness. It sits on the skin like an umbrella to the skin, reflecting UV rays causing no irritation to the skin.

There’s lots of speculation and ill advice out there, when it comes to laser treatments. Laser treatments should only be performed by a fully qualified laser expert. There are many different types of Lasers, some suitable for all skin types and others not recommended for darker skin tones. This is because skin types III-IV on the fitzpatrick scale are at a higher risk of post inflammatory hyperpigmentation. But not all lasers need to be feared. In fact we treat all different skin types with our wide variety of laser machines. When it comes to treating pigmentation specifically, we will take a close look at your skin as an individual and see how it responds to laser treatment. As Well as taking a look at your current skin care routine, and seeing if alterations need to be made before we can go ahead with laser treatments. If it is PIH you are trying to treat, we may recommend an alternative route. Or just look at improving your current skincare routine. To get more information and find out more about your skin type, book in for a consultation with one of our aestheticians

You’ve finally got rid of your acne, you’re happy right? Wrong! Now you’re left with dark marks. They can be so hard to get rid of. Not to mention very upsetting and frustrating. These dark marks are called ‘post inflammatory hyperpigmentation’ PIH, is discolouration of the skin that follows an inflammatory wound. It’s the skin’s natural response to inflammation, and is more common than you think. It’s present in all skin types but more commonly affects medium to dark skin tones. But, what do you do about these aggravating marks… First of all, let’s start by telling you ways to prevent PIH. Avoid picking your skin. PIH’s number one cause is because you picked, scratched or rubbed at your acne. This causes more inflammation and scarring. Wear high SPF! A lot of clients with oily skin avoid SPF, because they’re worried it will break them out more. SPF will help prevent sun exposure to the new skin cells and open wounds, reducing the chance of pigmentation. Incorporate key melanin inhibiting products Vitamin C, Hydroquinone and Kojic acid can be an effective way to inhibit tyrosinase (the enzyme that causes melanin production in our skin) Vitamin A The use of Vitamin A in your daily routine, can drastically reduce the appearance of PIH, whilst helping to also reduce your acne. Retinoids, speed up cell turnover, pushing off damaged skin cells. Leaving you with a brighter and healthier complexion.

Skin sensitivity is something that most of us will experience at one time or another. Some people naturally have sensitive skin from birth and other times its something that can develop due to internal and/or external aggravating factors. First we would look at what has recently changed within your routine, and not just your skincare routine. New medications, a change in diet or stress levels can all contribute to inflammation resulting in how your skin responds to sensitivities. Finding the cause will help us find the right solution. Hormones, notably fluctuations due to menopause often cause skin sensitivity. Often we hear clients mention that they’ve been using their favourite product for years and now suddenly, they cant use it without their skin becoming ‘upset.’ If this sounds like you, you may find this article our practitioner Dr Nichola Salmond has written on the effect of hormones on the skin particularly Interesting. Check this link here xxx / have a look at our article on xxx. It’s worth mentioning that there’s a difference between a response and a reaction with the skin. For example; You have just started using active skincare, say Vitamin A (aka. Retinol) and you notice your skin seems red and even a little irritated, which would be a perfectly normal response given the potency of the product. A reaction would mean hives, welts intense heat and can even effect breathing.

Pigmentation is one of the most common skin concerns we see in the clinic. Pigmenation effects men and women and of all ethnicities, but due to Hong Kongs strong summers, beaches and beautiful hiking trails, we find

The quick answer would be, YES! But let me explain first, why there’s a bit of controversy when it comes to using retinoids. Retinoids are a vitamin A derivative, that can be found in our bodies, diet and skin care. Retinoids are used widely in the skincare industry. You can find them in both your dermatology office and more recently in your highstreet, skincare stores. They can treat various skin conditions such as, acne, pigmentation and textured skin. They are one of the most effective skin care ingredients, when trying to prevent signs of ageing. This is because they help to speed up our collagen production and cell renewal. Whilst also stimulating the production of new blood vessels, improving skin colour, tone and reducing fine lines and wrinkles. But if they’re so great, why are people still hesitant to use them? Retinoids can cause temporary sensitivity and redness to your skin, which can be uncomfortable and unappealing to some people. Especially those with drier and more sensitive skin types. This doesn’t mean you can’t use them. There’s plenty of options out there when it comes to this ingredient, finding the right strength and routine that suits your skin, will make all the difference.

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• Sun Damage/ Age spots • Hormone changes • Acne scarring • Scarring • Heat sensitivity

Pigmentation refers to the colouring of the skin. Skin pigmentation disorders cause changes to the colour of your skin. Melanin is made by cells in the skin and is the pigment responsible for your skin’s colour. Hyperpigmentation is a condition that causes your skin to darken.

There are multiple ways to treat pigmentation. Treatment will vary, depending on the type and cause of your pigmentation. Treatment for pigmentation: • Laser Therapy • Chemical Peels • Skin Care • Medication

A treatment plan will be decided by our skin aesthetician once she has accessed your skin. We usually recommend 4-6 treatments to reduce pigmentation.

The cause of rosacea is unknown, however common triggers include: • Sunlight • Heat induced activities • Spicy/Hot food • Alcohol • Stress • Imbalance in gut bacteria

Rosacea is a chronic condition, meaning it can be triggered and flare up at any point. We recommend monthly treatments for rosacea to help you manage your flare ups, understand your triggers and control it better. There is no cure for rosacea, however treatment can help reduce the appearance and avoid your rosacea from flaring up often.

Rosacea is a long-term skin condition that typically affects the face. It results in redness, pimples, swelling, and small and superficial dilated blood vessels. Often, the nose, cheeks, forehead, and chin are most involved. A red, enlarged nose may occur in severe disease, a condition known as rhinophyma.

Rosacea is a chronic condition triggered by external factors. We maintain your rosacea by treating it with the following: • Laser Therapy • Diet/Dietary Supplements • Medication • Skincare • Treat gut bacteria imbalance

Broken capillaries are actually tiny blood vessels that have burst under the skin that can appear in any location on the body, but are especially noticeable in the nose area or other regions of the face.

The amount of treatments needed will vary, depending on the amount of broken capillaries. Individual broken capillaries can be treated with just 1 – 2 treatments.

Broken capillaries can be caused by: • Sudden temperature changes • Pressure changes • Frequent flushing of the skin • external factors

We treat broken capillaries with the Gold Standard Excel V laser machine, voted the best laser treatment for treating redness. Broken capillaries can be treated quickly and painlessly with little downtime. We treat most broken capillaries with laser or radio frequency therapy.

Acne is a skin condition that occurs when your hair follicles become clogged with oil and dead skin cells. It causes whiteheads, blackheads or pimples. Acne is most common among teenagers, though it affects people of all ages.

Once the skin aesthetician and doctor has assessed your acne and discussed possible causes we will tailor a treatment plan for your individual needs. Monthly treatments are recommended to maintain most types of acne.

• Hormones • Incorrect product use • Hygiene • Diet/Stress • Some Medications

There are multiple ways to treat acne. Treatment will vary, depending on age and possible causes of your acne. Treatment for acne: • Laser • Chemical Peels • Microdermabrasion/deep cleaning facials • High Frequency • Topical Skin Care • Medication • Dietary supplements

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