Skin Diagnostics – A Balanced Perspective

In the ever evolving world of skincare, staying ahead with innovative solutions is crucial. Boots, a leading pharmacy chain, has recently launched a skin condition diagnostic app that promises to revolutionise how we approach skin health. Although this app offers some advantages in terms of ease and accessibility, it also comes with some drawbacks.

Our founder Rebecca explores both sides to give a balanced perspective on whether this is right for you and your skin concerns.

Benefits

Quick and convenient. This first thing that does stand out about the app is its efficiency. Users can quickly assess their skin condition with convenience, great for those with busy schedules.

User-Friendly. Deigned with simplicity in mind, it is user friendly and easy to navigate.

Affordable. Cost can very often be a barrier to seeking professional advice. This is a cheap alternative to traditional dermatological consultations making it accessible to everyone.

Professional collaboration. A strong point is its partnership with medical professionals. This ensures the advice and guidance is based on medical knowledge and protocols.

Discreet and private. For many discussing their skin conditions can be an uncomfortable experience. The app offers a discreet way to seek advice, which can be beneficial for those that feel embarrassed about their skin issues.

The Drawbacks

A lack of comprehensive questioning. While the app provides quick assessments, it falls short of gathering detailed information about the users family history, diet, and lifestyle factors. These elements are all crucial in understanding and diagnosing skin conditions accurately, and this omission can lead to incomplete assessments that can be the key to treating a condition successfully.

A focus on medication. Another significant limitation is the app’s apparent focus on prescriptive medication as the primary treatment option. While medication can be effective, it’ not suitable for everyone and for all conditions. Not all individuals want to go down the medical route, by not offering a broader range of treatment suggestions the app may alienate users would would rather seek alternatives.

Conclusion

Here at re/skin our consultations last around 1 hour, this allows a comprehensive approach, taking into account all factors that can impact the skin. By spending this time with our clients at the beginning allows us to not only get to know our clients and how they feel about their skin, but to build a trusting relationship that really is the foundation of getting great results.

In the world of skincare, no single solution works for everyone, it’s not a one size fits all. We need the time to navigate the whole picture when it comes to skin health, this can’t be done with just a photo and a few generalised questions.

It’s about finding the right tools and resources that suit your individual needs, and yes, this app will be right for some people that are seeking a quick, convenient and affordable way to get professional advice. However, it is important to be aware of its limitations and seek other professional services when necessary, especially as the evidence for a holistic approach to skin health becomes more and more apparent in this fast paced industry.

As always, re/skin is here to support you in navigating these options to achieving the healthiest skin possible. If you would like to explore our options or book your skin health consultation then please either give the clinic a call on 0114 236 2393 or book online here.

The Impact of Stress on your Skin – Understanding the Connection

In our fast-paced world, stress has become an unavoidable part of daily life for many of us. From work pressures to personal challenges, stress can take a toll not just on our mental well-being but also on our skin.

Our founder Rebecca Elsdon recently contributed to an article in a leading industry magazine Professional Beauty, on the connection of stress and stress related skin conditions. Read here.

Understanding how stress affects the skin is crucial for maintaining healthy, glowing skin and overall well-being.

Here are several ways in which stress can affect the skin:

1. Increased Sensitivity and Irritation: Stress triggers the release of cortisol and other stress hormones, which can make the skin more reactive and sensitive. This can lead to increased redness, irritation, and discomfort.

2. Acne Breakouts: Stress can exacerbate acne by stimulating the production of sebum (skin oil) and inflammation. This can result in more frequent and severe breakouts, especially for individuals prone to acne.

3. Accelerated Ageing: Chronic stress can accelerate the ageing process of the skin. It can lead to the breakdown of collagen and elastin, which are essential for skin elasticity and firmness. This may result in wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging skin appearing earlier.

4. Impaired Skin Barrier Function: Stress can compromise the skin’s natural barrier function, making it more susceptible to moisture loss and environmental irritants. This can lead to dryness, flakiness, and a weakened ability to protect against pollutants and pathogens.

5. Delayed Wound Healing: Stress can interfere with the body’s ability to heal wounds and skin injuries efficiently. This can manifest as slower recovery from cuts, bruises, or other skin trauma.

6. Skin Conditions Flare-ups: For individuals with existing skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, or rosacea, stress can trigger flare-ups or worsen existing symptoms due to immune system deregulation and increased inflammation.

7. Hair and Nail Problems: Stress can also impact hair and nails. It may lead to hair loss, thinning, or dullness, as well as brittle nails.

Managing stress through relaxation techniques, regular exercise, adequate sleep, and a balanced diet can help mitigate its impact on the skin. Additionally, establishing a skincare routine that includes gentle products suitable for sensitive or stressed skin can provide relief and support skin health during stressful periods.

The impact that stress can have on health and appearance is significant. By managing stress effectively through lifestyle changes and self care practices, we can safeguard our skins health and radiance.

Remember taking care of your metal wellbeing is just as important as caring for your skin. It’s an holistic approach that benefits both body and mind.

So, next time you feel stressed, prioritise self-care and give your skin the love and attention it deserves!

If you are ready to give your skin some love, then why not book in a consultation to start your skincare-selfcare journey. On Saturday 18th May we are holding a Skin Discovery Day where we are offering complimentary mini consultations. Book here

Read the Professional Beauty article here

To squeeze or not to squeeze, what do we do about spots being squeezed?

Spots being squeezed

The subject on today’s agenda is acne and spots being squeezed. I get asked if they should be squeezed a lot, and since I’ve done several extractions this week I felt this is a perfect time to give you a little advice on this.

What do we commonly do with spots?

I realise the worst thing in the world is having to walk out the door with a great big whopping white head on your face. Not only does it look bad but it can affect your short term mental health, making it hard to enjoy your day.

So, what’s the alternative. Often it’s spending 10 minutes in front the mirror squeezing the hell out of said white head, removing all the pus with the hope of making it disappear. In truth, all you do is replace the spot with a massive, inflamed weeping crater that is equally as hard to cover up with makeup.

What causes a spot?

Spots are caused by several factors, including hormones, genetics and the environment. The most common cause is hormones and acne is often the result of too much sebum production in the skin. In simpler terms, acne is when the pores are clogged with oil and dead skin cells. These clogged pores are called blackheads or whiteheads. The bacteria in the skin then produce an inflammatory response which leads to redness, swelling and pus production.

In regards to spots being squeezed there’s no real medical benefit, but it’s just so hard to not want to squeeze the hell out of them.

What can we do?

So, what sort of spots can we get away with squeezing and which ones do we need to leave well alone?

If the spot is inflamed, red, painful, has no whitehead leave well alone. All you will do is make that area of your face sore and painful to touch. When I’ve squeezed these in the past, I find myself touching and poking it for hours afterwards to see if it’s weeping or still painful.
Small non-inflamed whiteheads are ok to have a quick squeeze. But make sure your going to go for it, get all the pus out. If it becomes inflamed leave it alone.

The Method

Ideally, we want to leave them all alone, but I realise this is near impossible for some, even me sometimes! So, here’s a few little tips to help you out if you’re an avid squeezer.

Wash your hands thoroughly before.
Cleanse the area.
Wrap tissue around the end of each finger that will be doing the squeezing or use the ends of cotton buds.
Place fingers either side of the spot, but not too close together. Almost like you are going to squeeze from underneath the spot.
Gently squeeze, not for too long, don’t cause too much trauma for the skin, DO NOT draw blood.
If anything comes out remove from the skin immediately.
If nothing comes out, walk away, it’s not ready and you will cause more issues trying.
Wipe over or hold a pad on the area with a tonic or product containing salicylic.
Do not apply makeup to the area for at least 4 hours.

Point 9 is very important. Most people try to cover up the area immediately with make up. But your adding dirt and grease back into the wound where the spot was, giving it all the ingredients it needs to regrow.

Blackheads

When it comes to blackheads, and I mean blackheads not sebaceous filaments (see the difference here) using the same methods, however, use your fingers to push down towards the skin rather than together. And again, if it doesn’t come out after a few attempts (a few not several) leave it to a professional.

Conclusion

If in doubt see a professional, I can guarantee with most, its our favourite part of our job! So, we welcome extractions a plenty. Thank you for reading, and as ever me or anyone at the clinic are here for any advice, just reply with any questions.