Is Beauty Sleep Really a Thing?

Good sleeping habits are essential to maintain skin health. Our skin is a renewing organ so it needs the time and rest for this to be done effectively. Lots of cellular functions happen at night and it’s a time when our skin repairs the damage that has occurred throughout the day. Lack of sleep will cause the skin to become sluggish, increase in inflammation and a decrease in collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid production eventually resulting in lines appearing and a loss of tone and volume.

It's important to maintain a good, consistent sleep pattern of around 8 hours per night, this will benefit overall health and in turn your skin too. Avoiding caffeine or alcohol before bed as these can interrupt sleep patterns.

Always remove your makeup before bed and change your pillowcase regularly, this reduces the chances of bacteria or blocked pores causing congestion. A silk pillow case can really benefit the skin reducing the friction and pressure reducing the risk of lines appearing. Side sleeping can also lead to lines and wrinkles forming so where possible sleep on your back.

Avoid having the heating or air conditioning on too high as this can cause a dry atmosphere reducing hydration levels within the skin, sleeping with a humidifier in the bedroom is great for ensuring you wake up with hydrated, plump skin.

Ready to take the next step towards healthier, radiant skin? Schedule your personalised consultation today and let's embark on your journey to skin confidence together. Don't wait any longer to love the skin you are in - contact us today!

What Is Blue Light and How Can It Affect Your Skin?

Blue light is part of the visible light spectrum, meaning you can see it. It has a short wavelength, which means it has lots of energy and can create oxidative stress.

IN THIS HIGH-TECH WORLD WE NOW LIVE IN, THE SUBJECT OF BLUE LIGHT IS TALKED ABOUT MORE AND MORE. BUT DID YOU KNOW THAT OUR DEVICES ARE NOT THE ONLY SOURCE OF BLUE LIGHT? WE ALSO GET IT FROM THE SUN. IN FACT, UP TO 30% of the rays from the sun are actually blue light.

So team this with sitting at your laptop or scrolling your phone for hours, and we would get a pretty continuous dose of blue light all day long.

The Effects Of Blue Light

Although it is visible to the human eye, it can have negative effects on our overall health and well-being.

The effects of accumulative blue light on the skin can cause:

free radicals
inflammation
skin cell damage
damage to the important lipid bilayer that gives our skin its strong barrier
increased redness
pigmentation
dryness
loss of elasticity and collagen
increase in inflammatory conditions
premature ageing

What Can We Do To Prevent This?

So what do we need to do to protect our precious skin cells from this damaging light?

First and foremost, a sunscreen, but opt for one with a blue light filter too. This is sometimes referred to as an HEV filter, and many of the innovative sun care brands will include this now.

We need antioxidants and lots of them. So, look at including them in your diet as well as skincare so we are feeding them in from all angles.

And be conscious of the time spent in front of your screens. If it’s unnecessary, put them down, slap on the sunscreen, and go for a walk.

We have also had a recent new product launch at re skin in Sheffield. This is a brand new supplement from the Advanced nutrition program and has been designed to not only protect from the effects of blue light but also repair the damage caused.

Contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatories, helps to inhibit pigmentation and also reduces the breakdown of collagen.

The research results showed that this new supplement gave a 60% increase in protection from this light. As well as a; 19% decrease in redness, a 17% improvement in hydration and a 15% increase in skin smoothness. This was just by taking 1 of these tablets per day for 8 weeks.

Conclusion

If you are concerned with any of the skin conditions mentioned or spend a lot of time outside or in front of a device, this is definitely a must to introduce to your skin regime.

Get in touch with us today if you have any more questions on skin care, or take a look at our products and start your journey to perfect skin.

New Year, New Skin: 5 Skin Habits to Adopt in 2023

Skin Habits For 2023

Here are my 5 skin habits I would recommend implementing in 2023.

Know your skin is individual

Every person’s skin is unique, and it is important to understand this when it comes to skincare. Don’t always go on the advice of what has worked for a friend, even if their skin may be presenting with the same condition as yours. What works for them may not work for you, as their skin may have different needs and react differently to different products.

It’s essential to take into account factors such as skin type, skin concerns, age, and lifestyle when choosing skincare products. A skin specialist in Sheffield that can provide you with a personalised skincare plan that considers all of these factors. By understanding that your skin is individual and taking the time to find the right products and treatments for you, you will be able to achieve your best skin yet.

Feed your skin from within

Skin health starts from within, and it’s essential to maintain a healthy lifestyle to support your skin. Eating a well-balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals is crucial to provide your skin with the necessary nutrients to maintain its health. Consuming foods rich in antioxidants, such as berries and leafy greens, can help protect your skin from harmful free radicals and keep it looking youthful. Drinking plenty of water is also important, as it helps to hydrate the skin from within and maintain its elasticity.

See a professional

It’s time to take control of your skin and get to know it from a professional viewpoint. By visiting a skin clinic or dermatologist, you will be able to get a comprehensive assessment of your skin, including an analysis of your skin type, skin concerns, and any underlying issues. This will give you a better understanding of what your skin needs and what products and treatments will be most effective for you.

Be consistent

It’s important to remember that your skin is a renewing organ, constantly shedding dead skin cells and regenerating new ones. While topical products and treatments can be effective, using them for a short period of time will not give you long-term results. It’s essential to be consistent and persistent with your skincare routine to see the best results.

Consistency means using your products every day, following the recommended application frequency, and giving them the time to work. The skin takes time to renew and regenerate, so it may take several weeks to see the full effects of a product. It’s also essential to be consistent with your skincare routine and not skip days or miss applications, as this can undermine the effectiveness of the products.

Simplify your skincare regime.

Having a simple and streamlined skincare routine is key to achieving healthy and radiant skin. There’s a common misconception that more products equal better results, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, overloading your skin with too many products can cause irritation, dryness, and breakouts.

Instead, focus on a select few products that are recommended for your skin type and concerns. If you have dry skin, opt for a nourishing moisturiser and serum that contains hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid. If you have acne-prone skin, look for products that contain salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, which are known to unclog pores and reduce breakouts.

Conclusion: Skin Habits

In conclusion, you now know the best strategies to implement to ensure your skin looks its best. Get in touch with us today if you have questions about getting your skin to top standards.

How To Improve The Skin Around Your Eyes: My 3 Top Tips

How To Improve The Skin Around Your Eyes

Today I am talking about the area that is often a topic of conversation in the clinic and very often an area of concern for many people.

The eye area.

The skin around the eyes is noticeably thinner than the rest of the face. It’s delicate, refined and actually can be as thin as 0.5mm. It’s where we tend to have a lot of expressions, so when we smile, frown, and squint, we tend to create lines around this area.

As we age, we obviously get that collagen breakdown, the quality of our collagen isn’t as good, and these lines eventually become lines of rest.

As well as the rest of the face, the eye area is exposed to UV daily.

The following are my top tips for treating and protecting this area:

1 Always Wear Sunscreen

With many old sunscreens, you typically can’t apply them right up to the eye. However, more modern sunscreens make it possible for you to apply them over the eyelids to ensure that area is nicely protected. It’s also a great idea to wear sunglasses when possible, which will give you that extra protection.

The sun is one of the main factors in ageing on the skin, so it’s essential to use sunscreen to prevent this ageing from occurring.

2 Use Products Specifically Formulated For This Area

Compared to the rest of the face, the region around the eyes has a highly distinctive skin type. As a result, the treatment of this region requires the use of distinct formulations and active ingredients in order to avoid causing any unwanted damage or discomfort.

This means you need the invest in products which are suitable for the eyes, which will prevent the look of ageing from around the eyes.

3 Massage The Areas Around Your Eyes

This area, especially the under the eye, can be very immobile; therefore, we get a slower circulation here, which can cause a buildup of fluid and darkness under the eyes.

Giving this area under the eyes a light, gentle massage every day is always advisable. Doing it in the morning can really wake those eyes up and help stimulate that circulation and lymphatic system, helping drain away any fluid that may build up in that area.

Conclusion: How To Improve The Skin Around Your Eyes

Following the three tips above, you can keep the skin around your eyes protected and looking its best.

One last thing, we have an exciting new treatment launching next week. You will find all about it in next Friday’s email.

We can specifically target this area as well as the neck, which is also very delicate. Myself and Kayleigh did our training on Wednesday this week, and immediately waking up the next day, my eyes looked better. They felt less hollow on the under-eye area and not as dark.

I tend to be quite vascular under there, so can look darker or almost take on a blue tone. I always have to wear concealer in this area.

Thursday morning, waking up, I just didn’t need quite as much.

If you want more helpful information to improve the look of your skin, subscribe to our mailing list by clicking here.

If anyone is interested in this procedure, or any other type of procedure, contact us here.

My Top Picks To Go With My Top Tips

Want to know 3 top products to improve
your skin?

Let’s admit it! We would all like to have beautiful skin. But there are occasions when we might not be sure which products would be best for our skin or even which adjustments would be most beneficial. This week, Rebecca from ReSkin Clinic will share with you some of her favourite products that might assist you in following the suggestions and leave you achieving fantastic skin.

Dermaviduals Cleansing Milk

(If you know, you know) I am completely in love with this cleanser! Most of my customers will agree that this is the best cleaner I have ever had the opportunity to keep in stock. The DMS cleansing milk is gentle enough to use on even the most sensitive skins. Because it has a dermal membrane structure, it is skin-identical. There is not a single ingredient in this cleanser that the
skin cannot recognise, and there is also nothing that can disrupt the skin’s natural protective barrier. Remove impurities and makeup, including mascara, in a manner that is extraordinarily delicate but still highly efficient. Do not pass up the opportunity to cleanse with anything like this. It fulfils all the requirements one would have for an effective cleanser.

Dermaviduals Enzyme Skin Renewal

Another best seller! The very outermost layer of the skin can be gently sloughed off with the help of this enzyme powder. It loosens and eliminates any skin cells lingering around a bit longer than they should be, but it leaves the rest of the skin cells alone, ensuring that the barrier is maintained in a healthy and robust state. It works wonders on under-the-skin bumps that won’t go away for people with sensitive skin and those with other skin types. This is the product for you if you want your skin to have a clear and smooth appearance.

AlumierMD Moisture Matte Sunscreen

I usually say products can’t multitask, but this one can. On the one hand, it is an excellent broad-spectrum sunscreen with antioxidants, providing essential protection against the sun. On the other hand, the antioxidants give it an additional anti-ageing kick. And the other, it’s a basis for everything! Therefore, using this product will allow you to maintain the colour and coverage of your makeup while keeping it in place. It’s possible that you won’t ever need to buy another foundation again! This product can help prevent premature ageing of the skin by providing the skin with additional moisture, thereby making the skin appear more youthful and revitalised.

Conclusion to prevent premature ageing

There you have it! The three top products that many of my clients and I have in their skincare armour. The health of your skin ought to be your primary concern when it comes to using skin care products. Don’t fall for the marketing hype around new-to-market products. And instead, spend time looking at the details and, where possible, speak to a skin care professional like
myself or anyone in my team at ReSkin Clinic. Some of the products above can only be sold after a consultation with us, so please get in touch and book a short consultation. Don’t let this put you off. See it as a positive. Our skin is literally the biggest organ in our bodies and one of the most complicated. It acts as the barrier keeping everything in via an airtight, watertight shield. You must protect this. Thank you for reading, and as ever, I or anyone at the clinic is here for any advice. Just get in touch with
any questions.

Skin Cancer Awareness Month

This month is Skin Cancer Awareness month and as much as we may wear our sunscreen to prevent our skin ageing there is an even more important reason to slap it on every day, UV radiation from either the sun or sunbeds is the main cause of skin cancers, and it is the 5th most common cancer in the UK.

With 86% of melanoma skin cancer cases in the UK being preventable and the fact that this type of cancer is detectable with our own eyes should this really be the 5th most common cancer in the UK?

Skin cancer can occur when the skin cells DNA is damaged beyond repair, usually by UV exposure, this triggers mutations that leads to an out of control growth of these abnormal cells. The main types of skin cancer are Merkel cell carcinoma, Squamous cell carcinoma, and Melanoma.

The two main causes are Ultraviolet rays from either the sun or sunbeds, however there are other factors that can make us more susceptible to this type of cancer.

Sun Exposure

Too much sun exposure increases our chances of skin cancer, especially sunburn. In fact, having a blistering sunburn as a child can increase the risk of melanoma in adulthood by double!

All skins should take care in the sun, even darker skin types. If the following applies to you extra care should be taken:

Pale, white, light brown skin
Have freckles, red hair, or fair hair
Tendency to burn
Have many moles
Have a family history of skin cancer
Live in a hot country

This is not an exhaustive list, and every single person should take precautions to protect their skin daily.

Sunbeds

Not only accelerating skin ageing tenfold, sunbeds are artificial UV rays that directly damage your skin cells DNA. The earlier in your life you use sunbeds the greater the risk, and evidence shows people exposed to sunbeds before 25 are at a greater risk of developing skin cancer.

Age

Melanoma risk increases with age, in fact half of people diagnosed with skin cancer in the UK are age 65 and over. But please don’t have the attitude if you are under this that it may not develop as it is still the second most common cancer in adults under 50.

Skin Type

It may be obvious, but the group of people more at risk are people with fair skin, fair or red hair and those with freckles. These skin types burn very easily and therefore their skin’s DNA is easily damaged. However, if you are a darker skin type don’t be under any illusions that you don’t need to be cautious. Yes, darker skins are lower risk but that doesn’t mean that they won’t get it…look at Bob Marley.

Moles

People with lots of moles or moles that are large (5mm+ diameter) are also higher risk. It’s important to keep a close eye on these moles and if any changes are noticed to get them checked immediately.

Family history

There is a small number of melanomas that are caused by inherited genes. If someone in your close family has a history of melanoma, then your risk of developing it can be increased.

Reduced Immunity

A weakened immune system can increase your risk of developing melanoma. HIV, AIDS, or medication that suppresses the immune system can make you a higher risk as the skins immunity system may struggle to repair or fight the damaging forces.

As I said at the beginning of the blog, most skin cancers are preventable and early detection is the key. So protect your skin daily with a good broad spectrum sunscreen, do not use sunbeds, avoid sunburn, and check your moles or any other skin lesions that may appear.

If you need help with your sun protection or keeping your skin in the best of health get in touch for a skin health consultation.

Menopause and The Skin – Part 2 – The Solution

There have always been limited ways in which women who are going through the menopause or experiencing these changes to their skin can access information and treatments available to target this concern. An with so many clinical treatments such as HRT having undesirable side effects it can sometimes feel like we just have to get on with it and put up with the symptoms.

When it comes to the skin we need a solution where we can benefit from activating the oestrogen receptors in the skin without affecting the oestrogen receptors elsewhere in the body potentially resulting in effects that may be associated with some risks.

Last year I discovered Emepelle and the technology behind this product blew my mind. Finally, there was a product that goes to the root of the cause to help resolve the issue of the effects of lower oestrogen on the skin. This product range contains a breakthrough technology called MEP. This has been clinically proven to effectively and safely stimulates the natural functions of the skin that oestrogen would have done previously. Helping to target the root cause of the menopause accelerated ageing on the skin.

MEP stands for Methyl estradiopropanoate (now you can see why we shorten it) and is the only non-hormonal oestrogen skin receptor stimulator to be included in cosmeceutical skincare. By working only on the skin cells to activate the receptors it makes it clinically safe. When applied topically if it does enter the bloodstream it is converted into an inactive metabolite. This allows Emepelle to produce positive effects in improving dullness, dryness, elasticity levels, skin thinning and the appearance of lines and wrinkles, without any risk of systemic side effects

A study on the effects of MEP technology found that over 14 weeks there was a 54% improvement in skin dryness, 20% improvement in skin thickness, 8% improvement on fine lines, 19% improvement on laxity and 39% improvement in skin dullness. This study was done on challenging subjects that were all post-menopausal for at least 3 years, so they would all have had low oestrogen levels and skin that had already been significantly affected by the menopause

The great thing about the Emepelle range is it consists of just two products, a daytime serum and night cream. The serum contains the MEP but also has other beneficial actives in there to further increase those results; Vitamin C and E, Ferulic acid all powerful antioxidants, niacinamide, peptides and hyaluronic acid to help strengthen and hydrate the skin.

The night cream has an even higher % of the MEP but also contains retinol to encourage collagen and cellular functioning further. Again with the peptides, niacinamide and humectant this really is a powerhouse of actives that will work synergistically to create noticeable improvements to the skin.

The photos below show an improvement over just 8 weeks using the Emepelle Regime.

Menopause and the Skin – Part 1

With Oestrogen involved in over 400 functions within the body, no wonder when we reach the menopause and the oestrogen levels decline, do we see so many different symptoms, feelings and changes to our bodies and wellbeing.

When we think about the menopause, we think of the classic symptoms of hot flushes, night sweats and mood swings, but we don’t always realise the significant impact it can have on our skin.

I find when ladies come to see me when they are at the stage of life where their oestrogen levels are starting to decline, they refer to it feeling like their skin has changed overnight. This natural decline in levels of oestrogen can cause our skin to loose up to 30% of collagen in the first 5 years of the menopause. This can have a big impact on the way our skin feels and looks.

How does oestrogen affect our body?

Oestrogen is a collective name for a group of 3 steroid hormones produced by the ovaries; estradiol, estriol, and estrone. They are responsible for the development of our reproductive organs, creating a suitable environment for egg fertilisation and nutrition for the early embryo. Oestrogen of course also controls our menstrual cycle. However, apart from the reproductive side of things, it influences the function of nearly all our major organs.

Oestrogen and the skin

The skin is the largest organ of the body influenced by oestrogen. It produces its effects through oestrogen receptors. These receptors are located within our skin cells and on the outer cell membrane. When oestrogen binds to these receptors a chemical cascade of signals triggers that cell’s function, for example, a fibroblast cell will produce collagen.

These oestrogen receptors are found in numerous types of skin cells, however, they are in higher concentrations over the skin of the face and scalp. The most significant are the fibroblast cells of the dermis, the keratinocyte cells of the epidermis, and the blood vessels.

How oestrogen directly impacts the skin

Collagen, elastin and fibrillin production = skin firmness, elasticity and structure
Hyaluronic acid production = skin hydration
Epidermal thickness = skin hydration and luminosity
Angiogenesis = blood supply to the dermis
Wound healing = effective recovery from injury
Immune response = protection and recovery
Free radical defence = protection from environmental aggressors

What happens to our skin when oestrogen declines?

When our oestrogen levels decline we get a reduction in the receptor activation. This can begin to make changes on a cellular level below the surface reducing the structure and health of the skin. This causes visible changes such as dryness, increased wrinkles, and loss of volume, epidermal thinning and dullness. The menopause can last for several years, starting with Peri-menopause, menopause and post-menopause, and all this time our receptors are losing more and more activation.

To be continued…

Look out for Part 2 where I discuss how we can help the skin reduce the effects of the menopause.

If you are feeling the effects of the menopause on your skin and would like help then please get in touch here, or alternatively, you can book in a virtual consultation where we can discuss your skin’s needs and put a plan in place to get you the results you want.

The Barrier Function- Our Very Own Coat of Armour

My focus this month is on skin health and keeping the skin youthful. I wouldn’t be the professional that I am if I don’t start this off with the Natural Barrier Function. Yes, I hear you…” here she goes again” but there’s a very good reason I talk non-stop about this incredible function of the skin.

So let me start by asking you, why when you jump into a swimming pool does your body not flood with water???

Well, that would be because of the amazing ability of our skin to protect our entire body, our vital organs, bones, muscles, everything inside! Waterproofing is just one of the many, many functions our skin is designed to do. Pretty impressive for something that is just 0.5-1.5mm thick!!

And what makes the skin have this protective ability is the barrier function.

The barrier function is made up of 3 main elements:

The lipid bilayer

The corneocyte cells in the top layer of the epidermis (stratum corneum) are flattened and hardened to give them a protective ability. Between these cells we have the epidermal lipids, if you imagine a brick wall, the cells are the bricks and the lipids are the cement. These cells also have a water-retaining mechanism called the Natural Moisturising Factor compromising of humectants enabling the cells to hold large amounts of water.

This combination of essential oil and water elements creates a complete barrier to prevent anything from getting in and also water loss from within the skin. All cellular and enzyme activity that takes place in the skin does so in solution with water so keeping the water content high is vital to skin health.

The Acid Mantle

The acid mantle is an invisible film that covers the surface of the skin. It creates the PH level, a healthy skin’s PH level is more towards the acidic end of the PH scale, normally sitting between 4.7-5.5. This acidic environment works to repel and inhibit any pathogenic bacteria or micro-organisms that may try and get into the skin. It also provides the ecosystem for the resident natural bacteria that lives on the skin.

Microbiome

Just like the gut, we have living active cultures on the surface of the skin (good bacteria) that fight off any bad bacteria, viruses or pathogens that may try to attack or invade our skin. As mentioned above this bacteria feeds off our sebaceous secretions.

As you can see there is a lot that goes into building and fortifying both the physical resistance and chemical shield. So you can imagine if one element goes out of kilter it can have a knock-on effect, not just to the other elements of the barrier but to the deeper layers of the skin that the barrier is designed to protect.

The formation of these components of the barrier function starts from within the lower layers of the skin. So the quality of the barrier ultimately relies on the quality of the cells, and the cells rely on what they receive nutritionally and topically to be at the top of their game.

In my next blog, I will be discussing what can happen when the barrier is compromised and the ways in which we can keep it from becoming impaired.

If you do feel you have issues with your barrier function or any other aspect of your skin please get in touch, you can contact me by email here or book an appointment with me here. During lockdown, I am offering online consultations free of charge.