Professional Skincare Tips

Andrea is our online Skincare nurse. She provides personal advice, recommending the right product for specific skin type or problem and giving information on how to use it, ensuring proper use of cosmeceutical products. please email [email protected] for free advice.

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Wear your facial sun protection……and wear it daily!! Wear your facial sun protection……and wear it daily!! Wear your facial sun protection……and wear it daily!!

When it comes to skincare, prevention is better than cure.

The sun and its harmful effects can be one of the most damaging elements our skin has to face. Not only does this lead to formation of lines, wrinkles, and discolouration – it can lead to more serious skin conditions, including skin cancer. As the occurrence of dangerous skin cancers continues to rise, there is overwhelming data that supports consistent sunscreen use. Taking care in the sun will not only help to protect you from skin cancer but will prevent the outward signs of aging. So if you are wanting a tan this summer, the only safe way to tan is to fake it.

The best beauty tip anyone can ever give you is to wear an SPF sunscreen every day, even when it is grey and cloudy outside as the damaging UVA and UVB rays can penetrate cloud and glass. It is important to choose a sunscreen that protects against both as they can both damage your skin. UVB rays are the rays that cause tanning and sunburn. Sunburn cannot only be very painful and look awful but is very dangerous for your skin as it increases your risks of developing skin cancer. UVA light penetrates deeper into the skin than UVB light and can cause premature ageing including wrinkles, age spots, pigmentation and loss of skin elasticity.

Many sunscreens will say they offer “full-spectrum” protection. However, the ingredients to look for are octinoxate, oxybenzone, octisalate, octocrylene and Octyl methoxycinnamate that absorb the UV radiation, as well as physical blockers such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide that reflect or scatter UVB and UVA rays rather than let them pass through the skin. The best ones to buy need to contain both ingredients to deflect & absorb, to eliminate as many rays as possible.

Sun protection factor (SPF) alone does not provide total protection against UV skin damage. However, it can be achieved when used in combination with a topical antioxidant.

I’ll write about antioxidants next time.

Andrea x

Cosmetic Nurse Practitioner

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Professional Skincare Products

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Will Professional skincare products improve your skin’s condition?

What most people really want to know is whether or not cosmeceuticals will make their skin look better.

Here’s a look at just one of the ingredients often found in cosmeceuticals products.

Alpha Hydroxy Acid – AHAs

AHA’s are low molecular weight water soluble organic acids that are found naturally occurring in various fruits and foods; e.g. lactic acid from milk, glycolic acid from sugar cane. Alpha hydroxy acids have been used for thousands of years as a skin rejuvenating product. Cleopatra is reported to have bathed in sour mild (lactic acid) to improve her complexion. Now hydroxy acids are a common additive to numerous skin care products including moisturisers, cleansers and masks. AHAs loosen the glue-like substances that hold the surface skin cells to each other, therefore allowing the dead skin to peel off. The skin underneath has a fresher, healthier look with a more even colour and texture.

Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA’s) preparations are recommended for those whose skin is showing signs of ageing. Fine lines, pigmentation, sun-damage, acne, scars and stretch marks can improve with regular use. With high concentration and long-term use, AHAs may also affect the deeper layers of the skin. Collagen and elastin regenerate making fine lines less obvious.

The many benefits of using AHA’s

- Slows down the aging process - Helps to minimize fine lines and wrinkles - Increases elasticity - Exfoliates dead skin cells - Stimulates natural collagen production - Minimizes pores - Improves texture of rough, damaged skin - Helps to even out skin discolorations - Normalizes oily, acneic, problem skin - Helps acne & acne scarring - Improves strech marks - Helps with skin conditions like Keratosis - Improves the clarity of your skin - Increases skin moisture levels – hydrates the skin

For further information about AHA’S visit my website www.dermacaredirect.co.uk/aha

Next time I’ll talk about the difference types of AHA’s

Andrea x Cosmetic Nurse Practitioner