Laser Hair Removal Birmingham | MySkin Laser Clinic

Is Laser Hair Removal Permanent?

Mon, 04 Nov 2024 17:58:19 GMT

Your Guide to Smooth Skin at My Skin Boutique in Birmingham!

Hey there, smooth skin seekers! If you’re fed up with constantly reaching for that razor or scheduling yet another waxing appointment, you’ve come to the right place. Welcome to My Skin Boutique, your ultimate destination for laser hair removal in Birmingham! If you’ve been asking yourself, “Is laser hair removal permanent?”, let’s dive in and discover how this amazing treatment can truly transform your life!

Is Laser Hair Removal Permanent? Let’s Get Real

So, what’s the deal? Is laser hair removal permanent? Well, mostly! After a few sessions, many clients notice a significant reduction in hair growth. Some only need a top-up every 6 to 12 months. Imagine not having to stress about stubble peeking through your tights or planning your outfits around your waxing schedule—now that’s freedom!

Why You Should Ditch the Wax and Embrace the Laser

I really feel for everyone still stuck in those painful waxing cycles. You know what I mean—the sting, the wait, and then it just grows back anyway. It doesn’t have to be like this for the next 30-40 years! Picture a life where you can throw on that cute dress or your gym gear without a second thought. No more early morning panic shaves or last-minute appointments. Just smooth, hair-free, and effortlessly beautiful skin every single day. That’s the dream that laser hair removal can deliver!

The My Skin Boutique Experience

At My Skin Boutique, it’s not just about getting hair-free skin; it’s about reclaiming your time and confidence. With my laser hair removal treatments, my clients often say they wish they had started sooner. They’re not just getting rid of hair; they’re gaining precious minutes in their mornings and a hassle-free routine. It’s the kind of transformation that feels amazing!

Is Laser Hair Removal Worth the Investment?

Now, let’s talk about value. You might be asking yourself, is laser hair removal worth it? Absolutely! When you consider the money and time spent on razors, waxing appointments, and those countless products, laser hair removal in Birmingham becomes a no-brainer. You’re investing in a life where smooth skin is just the norm, and you can feel confident every day without even thinking about it!

Ready to Say Goodbye to Shaving?

If you’re still wondering, “Is laser hair removal permanent?” or if you’re on the hunt for the best laser hair removal in Birmingham, let’s chat! I invite you to book a consultation at My Skin Boutique. Together, we’ll explore your smooth-skin goals and I’ll answer any burning questions you have. Smooth skin and a carefree life are just an appointment away let’s make it happen!

Is Laser Hair Removal Safe?

Mon, 04 Nov 2024 17:56:14 GMT

Let’s Talk About It!

At My Skin Boutique, one of the most common questions I receive is, “Is laser hair removal safe?” It’s a completely valid concern, especially with so many options available. Let’s break it down and help you feel confident in your decision!

Understanding Laser Hair Removal

In short: yes, laser hair removal is generally safe for most people! This treatment has been around for years, and countless clients have left my clinic feeling happy and hair-free. The procedure uses focused light to target hair follicles, offering a longer-lasting solution compared to traditional methods like shaving and waxing. So if you’re unsure what would be the best hair removal method for you and confused whether to choose waxing or laser, laser hair removal is definitely at the top of the list.

Is Laser Hair Removal Safe for All Skin Types?

You might wonder if laser hair removal is suitable for your specific skin type. The great news is that modern lasers can be adjusted to accommodate different skin tones and hair types. During your consultation, we’ll discuss your unique characteristics to ensure the best approach for you. This personalised touch helps ensure you feel confident in the treatment.

Is Laser Hair Removal Safe for Men?

Absolutely! An increasing number of men are exploring laser hair removal for various areas, including the back, chest, and beard line. Just like with women, we’ll tailor the treatment to meet your individual needs. It’s a fantastic option for those looking for a smoother, more groomed appearance.

Laser Hair Removal - Are There Any Risks?

While laser hair removal is generally safe, it’s important to note that, like any procedure, there are minor risks involved. Some individuals may experience temporary redness or swelling after treatment, but these effects usually subside quickly. I’ll provide detailed aftercare instructions to help keep your skin looking its best.

So, is laser hair removal safe?

So, is laser hair removal safe? Yes, indeed! With the right approach and proper care, you can enjoy smooth, hair-free skin without the hassle of regular shaving or waxing. If you have more questions or wish to explore your options, please don’t hesitate to reach out. At My Skin Boutique, I’m dedicated to helping you feel comfortable and confident in your choices.

Ready to learn more? Let’s chat!

Laser vs Waxing: Which One is Best for You?

Mon, 04 Nov 2024 17:53:27 GMT

I know it can be a hard decision to make—laser or waxing? It’s a question that many of us ponder while staring at that pesky body hair in the mirror. So, which one truly reigns supreme? Let’s dive in and see why laser hair removal might just be your new best friend!

The Waxing Woes

Let’s be honest: waxing can feel like a necessary evil. You book your appointment, brace yourself for the sting, and then you’re left with smooth skin for a grand total of two weeks. Then it’s back to the salon for another round of “rip it off and hope for the best.” And don’t even get me started on epilating. Who thought that was a good idea? Both methods promise short-term results, but they’re not exactly long-term solutions. You could end up with ingrown hairs and irritation that leave you feeling more self-conscious than ever. Not exactly the confidence boost we’re after!

The Permanent Perks of Laser Hair Removal

Now, here’s where laser hair removal swoops in like a superhero! One of the biggest advantages of this method is its permanence. Imagine walking out of the best laser removal clinic in Birmingham and knowing your days of constant shaving and waxing are behind you. With just a few sessions, you can experience hair reduction of up to 98%. Yes, you heard that right! That’s less time fussing over hair and more time enjoying life.

So, is laser hair removal worth it?

Absolutely! Laser hair removal treatments are the best hair removal methods for a reason. You’ll save time, money, and a whole lot of hassle in the long run. Plus, who wouldn’t want to wake up every day feeling smooth and confident?

Why Choose Laser?

You may have spent hours researching the best hair removal method trying to figure out the pros and cons of laser vs waxing or epilating vs waxing and whether you just stick to the good old razor! But here’s why you should choose laser hair removal over waxing or epilating.

For starters, it provides lasting results and is generally less painful than those dreaded wax strips. I mean, when was the last time someone enthusiastically said, “I love getting waxed?” Plus, you won’t have to deal with that awkward regrowth phase. And epilating your legs is literally like torturing yourself every couple of weeks! But with each laser hair removal session, you don’t only achieve a reduction in hair growth from each session but the hair also becomes finer and less noticeable.

If you’re looking for the best laser removal clinic in Birmingham , look no further! My clinic offers top-notch services tailored just for you, ensuring you get the results you’ve always dreamed of without the fuss.

So what are you waiting for? Make the Switch Today!

If you’re still stuck in the waxing cycle or battling with epilators, it’s time to make a change. Say goodbye to temporary fixes and hello to lasting smoothness! Book your consultation at My Skin Boutique today, and let’s chat about how laser hair removal can transform your routine. Trust me; you’ll wonder why you didn’t start sooner!

Fat Freezing or Ultrasonic Cavitation?

Wed, 02 Sep 2020 16:04:00 GMT

If you’re looking for an effective fat loss treatment, then which do you pick – fat freezing or ultrasonic cavitation? MySkin’s experienced founder Parvinder Kalam explains the difference between these two popular methods of toning up. Both involve little downtime, no surgical intervention, minimal discomfort and long-lasting results.

FAT FREEZING

This treatment – also known as cryolipolysis – works by killing of the fat cells in targeted areas, which are then removed by your body’s own immune system. During your session, we’ll use an applicator to target a pocket of fat (this is why it’s better on smaller, specific areas), cool it down and encourage the body to get rid of the now denatured cells.

A fat freezing session usually lasts around 40 minutes, and is pretty painless, although – as you might expect from the name – you’ll feel the cold, as the applicator cools the fat down to around -6C. You may get light bruising, and some of our clients have said their skin feels a little numb for a couple of days – this is from the suction of the applicator.

As a targeted treatment, we recommend you have your fat freezing sessions on areas such as your love handles, inner thighs, bingo wings/upper arms and your back on your body, and it’s also effective in reducing double chins and jowls. We offer our fat freezing treatments based on wherever you need attention.

After your treatment, your body will start to flush out the dead fat cells, and you’ll see effects in around six to ten weeks.

ULTRASONIC CAVITATION

This treatment uses low-frequency ultrasound wave to denature fat cells, making them burst. The contents are then flushed from the body, giving long-lasting effective results over a large area. Unlike fat freezing, cavitation uses a paddle-style applicator, so your practitioner can treat a larger area, leading to greater overall fat loss – making it ideal for use on cellulite, for example.

The average cavitation session lasts around 40 minutes, with two areas treated per session. As with fat freezing, there is no downtime, although the area may be a little tender afterwards, and some clients are sensitive to the low-frequency ultrasound.

Compared to the previous treatment, the effects of cavitation are quicker to see, as the body processes the denatured cells and contents in the days after the appointment. Cavitation is most effective done as a series of treatments, and we offer a package of six sessions for great value for money and even better results – you can really lose several inches over the course of your treatment.

Ultrasonic cavitation is ideal for areas such as your abdomen, your thighs, the backs of your legs or your back, with results after just one session. You can also combine the fat loss from the cavitation with a Dermology lymphatic drainage treatment for even better results!

The Takeaway

Fat freezing and ultrasonic cavitation essentially seek to do the same thing – kill fat cells by either vibrating or cooling them – but have different applications. Fat freezing is better for targeted hard-to-shift areas of fat, whereas ultrasonic cavitation is better for treating larger areas. We can also say that cavitation gives faster results, but you need more sessions to see a real difference – fat freezing is effective in the weeks after the treatment.

Remember that these are both fat loss treatments, so you might not see a difference on the scale, but you clothes will fit better thanks to the toning effect of the sessions.

MySkin CoViD-19 Infection Prevention & Control Policy

Fri, 10 Jul 2020 14:57:00 GMT

At MySkin we’ve missed all of our customers dreadfully, and we can’t wait to throw our doors open and get back to our mission to make you feel as wonderful as we did before. Now that Coronavirus (CoViD-19) is a fact of life, we want to reassure all of you that we are being even more painstaking than usual to make our customers feel comfortable and safe, so they can come back to us and get back to looking and feeling as good as before.

We have made a few changes in the way that we operate at MySkin that are there for your ease of mind when you next visit.

Appointments

We may have to cancel your appointment at short notice if any of our MySkin team display CoViD-19 symptoms. We will self-isolate immediately for the health of our clients and colleagues, and will not come into the salon. To help reduce the inconvenience of cancelling your appointment, you will of course be able to re-book again or ask for a full refund .

For your part, if you or any of the people you live with feel ill or display any symptoms of C0ViD-19, please don’t come to the clinic for your appointment , and let us know so we can act accordingly.

Visiting the Clinic

Please come to your appointment at the clinic promptly – this doesn’t mean early. For your safety and to maintain social distancing, we have spaced appointments to avoid clients leaving just as others are arriving.

In line with government guidelines, we have increased the frequency of cleaning in the clinic, disinfecting surfaces between each client to ensure clean and hygienised common surfaces. We also have a Barbicide CoViD-19 certificate as proof of re-training and good practice, so you can relax in the cleanest possible surroundings. We also have a hand sanitiser station available for you to use at the entrance to the clinic.

Similarly, all tools and equipment will be disinfected or sterilised in line with the specific manufacturers’ instructions for your safety, and wherever possible we will use environmentally- friendly, single-use items during treatment that will be disposed of correctly to protect you and ourselves from cross infection. To set your mind at ease, all our MySkin staff will be wearing personal protective equipment such as masks and visors.

Our treatments

At the moment we are unable to offer face treatments, but hope to very soon. For the time being we are only offering our range of body treatments , and please note, during these sessions, clients are asked to wear masks

We understand the importance of hand hygiene and we will ensure that we wash our hands in accordance with NHS recommendations before the start of your treatment. If you have any concerns about your treatments, please let us know and we will do whatever we can so you feel comfortable and reassured.

Other measures

In line with other establishments, we are avoiding handling cash, so if you haven’t paid for your session online, please do so by card.

These measures are for everyone’s safety, and will be updated according to the NHS’s and Government’s guidance.

Still feeling fantastic!

Although it’s an adjustment, we can’t wait to welcoming our clients back to accompany them on their journey to self-esteem and confidence. We’re hoping to reassure you and have you back so you can move forward, looking and feeling wonderful. We’re very much looking forward to seeing you, so don’t hesitate to give us a call with any questions on 0121 339 5855 and go ahead and have a look at our online shop – time to treat yourself, don’t you think?

See you soon, Parvinder

Ingrown hair – how to stop those pesky spots

Wed, 01 Jul 2020 15:50:00 GMT

As if shaving rash weren’t bad enough, sometimes you also have to contend with ingrown hair too! Those itchy red spots can be a painful inconvenience – but it doesn’t have to be the price you pay for beauty.

How does ingrown hair happen?

Usually hair grows straight up and out of the skin, and usually presents no problems, but if you have curly hair or the hair’s path is blocked – with dead skin cells, for example, it can try to grow sideways instead, causing the body to react as if the hair were a foreign object, and so you get irritation, itching and swelling. Another side effect people of colour may find is hyperpigmentation around the area – so their skin around the ingrown hair becomes noticeably darker and may take weeks to return to their normal tone.

Because ingrown hairs tend to happen in places where people shave, wax, pluck or thread their hairs, you often see these painful little spots in places like:

– Your face or neck

– Your chest

– Your pubic area

– Your armpits

– Your back

– Your thighs

Another cause of ingrown hairs is when the tip of the hair is pushed back into the skin, and is often caused by not exfoliating prior to shaving. The dreaded ‘razor bumps’ – although similar – are caused by a bacterial infection, rather than the ingrowing hair itself

Ingrown hairs are often aggravated by tights and other close-fitting garments, like tight underwear or jeans or where a seam rubs against the skin. Although not dangerous, we all know that itching, burning, slightly painful sensation they give us, requiring a fair amount of attention to make them more bearable.

What can I do about it?!

Although you can take some steps to avoid ingrown hairs, such as exfoliating prior to shaving, and wearing loose-fitting clothing and moisturising with aloe vera or shea butter afterwards, these aren’t a guarantee you’ll avoid these inconvenient, sore bumps. But, if you’re unfortunate enough to be suffering with ingrown hairs, there are some steps you can take to minimise them:

– Gentle exfoliation – either with a glove or a cream – can help unclog the area, remove dead cells, dirt, grease and excess sebum, and many creams have an antibacterial element to stop ingrown hairs turning into razor bumps

– Try and soften the skin by warming it with a moist flannel, or in a warm bath, to also open up the pores.

– Gently remove the hair using sterile tweezers or a needle. When the skin is softened and warm, the hair should come up to the surface and be more visible, so you can gently remove it using sterile tweezers. Don’t dig for the hair as you’re likely to damage the skin.

– Once removed, clean the area with a body wash containing anti-bacterial properties like tea tree oil to avoid reinfection.

Is there a way to stop them completely?

Of course, the most effective way to avoid ingrown hairs is to remove them altogether. Our team at MySkin can offer you a long-lasting solution to this problem, as laser hair removal avoids this by shrinking and damaging the hair follicle and the bulb at the root, so there is no hair regrowth into the skin.

Aside from clearer, smoother skin and permanent hair reduction, laser hair removal also helps to reduce ingrown hairs and therefore less irritation of the skin, as it often encourages any hair that does grow back (due to hormone fluctuations, for example) to grow straight, so avoiding the dreaded bumps.

A complete course of laser hair removal means that around 90% of hair doesn’t return – making ingrown hairs a thing of the past. Come to MySkin Laser Clinic to see how we can help solve this common issue for both men and women – each member of our team is uniquely skilled with industry recognised qualifications and extensive training in the fields of laser hair removal, hair reduction and skin reduction. This means we’re entirely committed to using the most scientifically and technologically advanced techniques and specialise solely in laser hair removal and skin rejuvenation procedures, and remember that all MySkin pre and post-treatment care is provided at no extra cost.

We’re your go-to skin and hair removal experts in Birmingham, so if you’re fed up of sore bumps and fiddling around with tweezers, give us a call on 0121 339 5855 and make an appointment to see us now.

8 things you need in your skincare routine

Tue, 30 Jun 2020 14:56:00 GMT

Whether you’ve already been to us to help you with your skin issues or you’re preparing for your consultation, there are plenty of ways you can improve your skincare routine and make sure you’re looking your best.

Everyone’s skin is different, and so it’s wise to start with a base of knowledge about your skin – that way you can educate yourself about the products that are going to be the best for you. First to know is exactly what kind of skin you have to be able to treat it correctly. With this in mind, take a look at our quick guide to the various skin types.

Find out your skin type:

Wash your face thoroughly with warm water, cleanse and then pat dry. Leave your skin to sit fresh and clean for half an hour, then take a close look in the mirror – are your pores visible or not? Do you have spots or whiteheads? This will help you decide which skin type you have – but remember to do this every six months or so, as your skin responds to different factors such as hormones, the seasons, age, weather and diet.

Dry Skin

Dry skin is often lacks shine, especially around the eyes, which makes fine lines and wrinkles more prominents. You’ll barely be able to see your pores, which sounds good, but your skin will often feel tight and might be prone to chapping. As such, there’s a higher probability of issues like dermatitis or eczema. This is due to a lack of moisture in what’s called the ‘corneous layer’, and so the low levels of sebum make your pores less clear to the eye. This lack of moisture is also why your skin feels tight – there’s not as much natural elasticity as with other skin types.

Normal skin

The holy grail of skin: no obvious pores, issues, flaky bits, oily parts or blemishes. Correct levels of moisture, keratin and sebum leaves you with an ideal, perfectly balanced complexion.

Combination skin

As the name suggests, this is when you have a mixture of oily and dry skin – oily skin on you T-zone – the forehead and nose – meaning larger, more obvious pores, and smaller-pored, slightly more flaky, drier skin on your cheeks. Although it’s something of an investment, it pays do use the appropriate product on each area: Save your thicker creams for your cheeks for maximum hydration and get your clay masks out to help reduce your pores and combat excess sebum on your T-zone.

Oily skin

This generally shows up with large, open pores and skin that is greasy and shiny, with the oil production playing havoc with your makeup. You may also suffer with acne and spots, as well as black or whiteheads. You might also notice that your skin becom es oilier during hormone changes, like when you get your period or if you’re pregnant. This happens because your body produces more sebum – a natural oil – during these times, and it sits on your skin’s surface resulting in blocked pores and a greasy appearance. The larger pores are caused by the follicles expanding during this excess of sebum. Despite a touch of grease, it’s thought that oily skin is less prone to aging.

Acne-prone skin

This is what you don’t want – lots of excess oil, with plenty of blemishes, blackheads, spots and so on, dotted in patches around your faces. This is usually caused by overproduction of sebum and dead skin cells blocking hair follicles and skin pores, which inflames them, giving them an angry red appearance.

Aging skin

Here, the epidermis of the skin is thinning, which often makes the skin look pale, papery and translucent. The accompanying loss of moisture and elasticity from the lower sebum production also means that skin can also appear saggy, especially around the eyes and neck. You might also have more dark pigmentation due to lifestyle factors.

Now you know your skin type (and remember, it tends to change ), you can work towards getting the best for your skin by meeting its specific needs. In another post, we’ll be suggesting kinds of moisturisers, cleansers and toners to match your skin type.

Facial Massages: the easy win in your skincare routine

These are an ideal way to improve your facial skin, boosting circulation, lymphatic drainage and getting rid of morning puffiness.

Technique is everything here, and the right movements can help you tighten your facial muscles and sculpt your cheekbones – if you do it every morning, you’ll soon be looking more youthful and rejuvenated. and c) to sculpt and tighten our facial muscles.

The main direction of the message is from the chin upwards to your temples, helping stimulate blood flow and the benefits this brings, such as stimulating lymphatic draining and providing your facial muscles with more oxygen to help recovery. It can even help with facial contouring!

Sunscreen: You know what I’m going to say

If there’s one thing we have heard over and over again, it’s the importance of using sunscreen on a daily basis to help protect your skin from sun damage. We think that 90% of skin aging is in your control and is directly linked to sun exposure. So even on cloudy, winter days, it’s not difficult to protect your skin with a 5-star UVA rated sunscreen with SPF 30. Just apply sunscreen with your makeup every day, and your skin will thank you for it.

Adapt your skincare routine to the seasons

The weather is another external factor that can wreak havoc on your skin. The combination of low temperatures outside and increased indoor heating in the winter can really dry out your skin. The summer brings its own issues with humidity, sun exposure, and rising temperatures, which can cause oily skin, dark spots, and even sun damage. It’s key to adapt your skincare routine to the changing temperatures with different products and ingredients. We’ll be posting more information on this soon!

Feed and water your skin

Even a top-notch skincare routine can’t help your skin if your diet isn’t up the task. Gut health is key to glowing skin, so read up on the best health-giving foods out there to optimise your chances of looking great. Equally important to remember are the foods and drinks you need to avoid to keep your skin in top condition (hint: sugar and alcohol aren’t ideal!)

A tip for a top-notch skincare routine is plenty of water. Hydrated skin looks plumper and less sallow – the 2-litre rule is well-known, but the most important thing is to listen to your body and make sure that you are as hydrated as you need to be.

Hydration 101

Following on from the previous tip – hydration is a basic when it comes to your skincare routine, regardless of whether you have dry or oily skin. In the latter case, if you’re not hydrated, your body will produce more sebum to compensate for the dryness. Moisturise morning and night, and think about using a nighttime serum to keep the hydration going. For best results, look for hyaluronic acid, glycerin, peptides, and ceramides.

No touching your spots!

You know you shouldn’t be doing that, so don’t! You’ll likely cause scars and also spread the bacteria elsewhere on your face. The problem is that the complex layers of skin make it difficult to ensure that you’ve sanitised the area properly and it’s common to aggravate the problem, so really try to avoid it – your skin will thank you for it.

Remember – Skin needs to sleep too

As with the rest of your body, sleep is the time for your metabolism to get its reparation game going, replenishing cells everywhere, and your skin is no exception – it’s called ‘beauty sleep’ for a reason! Whether it’s a solid eight hours or a more luxurious ten, getting enough sleep so your body and skin can repair itself is key. A nighttime skincare routine can help you disconnect from screens and prepare yourself for a quality rest. Sleep hygiene is really important, and ensuring you wake up fresh with great skin is a great motivator!

A fantastic skincare routine might need a little more

If you’ve got a special occasion that you just need to look your best for, take a look at our laser facials – they’re just the thing to top you up and make sure you’re looking absolutely immaculate, and give you the confidence you need for your big moment!

Healthy skin: MySkin’s routine to layer the right way

Fri, 26 Jun 2020 14:31:00 GMT

Skincare is an investment – we all know that, and the right products go a long way to giving yourself enviable healthy skin. But, like layers of flavour in food, if you do it in the wrong order you might end up wasting your precious product, and not getting the most benefit from it. Below we’ve listed our eight (or ten, if you’re feeling luxurious) step plan to prime your mug.

Obviously, if you do it in the wrong order, then it’s no hanging offence, but you might as well get the most bang for your buck. In a recent article we looked at how to repair your skin if you’ve been neglecting it , and the theory here is the same. Let’s start with clean hands and cleansed skin – you know the drill, then we can start building from a blank canvas, layering the products to get the most from them.

A general, and rather intuitive rule for healthy skin is to start with your lightest products, and to let your skin absorb them before you move onto your heavier products – we don’t want pilling (those gunky mini balls you get when there’s too much of a product). A tip here is to make the most of the time between layers absorbing – do your teeth, brush your hair, clean your makeup sponge – so it doesn’t become a pain to do. Patience is key! So, let’s start our self-love routine…

First of all – Cleanser

We recommend starting with a cleansing oil, as they’re super effective at removing makeup without harsh soaps or chemicals, and then again with a foam or gel cleaners depending on whether your skin type. Voila! You’ll have the most pristine of canvases to work with, totally free of any makeup, dirt, debris or dead skin. If you’re having a night of skincare, now is the time to treat yourself to a clay or peel-off mask, or to gently exfoliate.

Our first layer: Toner

As clean as your face now is, toning really prepares your face for everything else – it restores your skin’s pH balance (especially if you live in a hard-water area), gives you more even tone and tightens your pores for a perfect surface for the next products.

For extra hydration: Essence

Korean-style essences are everywhere at the moment, and are used as a kind of base primer to ensure hydration and to help the absorption of the later formulas, like a more lightweight serum. Not exactly necessary, but definitely recommended. Now would also be the time to use your sheet masks – another Korean beauty essential – and we all know how fantastic they are at rejuvenating and nourishing your skin.

The big player: Serum

Serums have become an absolute necessity in modern skincare routines with their effective concentrations of ingredients such as vitamin C, ceramides and hyaluronic acid.The advantage of serums is that they are a carrier for active formulas that are penetrate deep into the skin, and so are ideal for targeting problems like fine lines, hydrating dry skin or solving issues like acne. These are powerful products, so a little goes a long way – they’re a fantastic investment and once you use them, you won’t be without them.

Starting the highlight: Eye Cream

This formula is often like a thick moisturiser, and now that your skin is totally primed after your serum, this is the time to apply in. Your eye skin is delicate, so we recommend applying your eye cream with your ring finger with small taps to avoid puffiness, hydrate fine lines and combatting the dark circles we can all be prone to. In a similar being, if your eye cream has retinol, it’s worth applying it after your moisturiser, as this ‘barrier’ will avoid the retinol irritating your sensitive eye skin.

Everyday essential: Moisturiser

This is the main layer, and you know better than to skip it! Here is where you nourish, repair and hydrate your perfectly primed skin. Here, you need to do your homework and find the right product or ask a professional: dry skin needs a richer product, but oilier skin will respond better to a gel moisturiser. We’d recommend an amount the size of a cherry, and treating yourself to a little facial massage to ensure perfect coverage and that feelgood sensation.

Lock it in: Facial Oil

With all that nourishment and hydration, we need a barrier to lock it in – but after your moisturiser, otherwise your products will pill and won’t absorb like they should. If you fall in the oily camp, we’d say to only apply facial oil at night – but do remember to use it to make the most of all the other products you’ve already used.

You know what we’re going to say: Sunscreen

So, you have dewy, hydrated, nourished and healthy skin – let’s keep it that way! A quality sunscreen ( not from the supermarket! ) applied every morning will protect your skin from broad spectrum radiation and UVA/UVB rays, and is the final step in your skincare routine. It’s worth remembering that dermatologists recommend applying sunscreen even if your other products contain SPF. Another cherry-sized blob is plenty. Final reminder – don’t forget lip balm with SPF and remember to mist your hairline with spray SPF.

Take the challenge

Although it seems like a lot of work, getting and maintaining great skin is really a question of routine. Trust us, set yourself a healthy skin challenge to do it for a week, and you’ll see the results and you won’t want to go back. Not every step is essential everyday – sheet and clay masks are more for an extra boost or deep clean – but I’m sure you need no excuse to make yourself feel (and look) great.

Now, should we go au naturel or shall we get the warpaint on?!

Acne Skincare – Get the clear skin you’ve always wanted

Fri, 26 Jun 2020 13:08:00 GMT

When your skin is the largest, most visible organ in your body, it’s hard not to feel like it’s a reflection of your inner health. External and internal factors affect how your skin reacts, how it looks and how it feels.

Your skin is affected by dozens of different factors, such as gut health, hormones, sebum, hydration and nutrition, so it’s important to make sure you’re on top of your game to help your skin out as much as you can.

There is a lot you can do to help your skin, from adjusting your diet and skincare routine to control certain triggers that cause acne, as well as getting external help to treat and minimise the symptoms, and improve their effects.

Sebum: the Goldilocks principle

Sebum is a natural oil produced by your skin, and is responsible for it looking glowing and supple, as well as acting as a protective barrier against infection. However, like many things in life, too much can be a bad thing – as you’ll know if you have an oily T-zone or greasy skin.

Hormonal imbalances or changes – such as during puberty or pregnancy, or by conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome in women – stimulate the sebaceous glands to produce more oil. This can cause hair follicles and pores to become blocked by skin cells, leading to comedones (black- or whiteheads).

The science bit:

Acne is thought to be caused by a bacterium naturally present on your skin – Cutibacterium acnes – that is very common and some strains of it are thought to have a role in our immune system. However, the oxygen-free atmosphere of a sebum-blocked pore or follicle causes the bacteria to break the sebum down into waste products and sebacic acid.

It’s thought that this sebacic acid disables certain enzymes that normally stop inflammation – and so without the sebaceous gland or hair follicle gets infected by C. acnes and hey presto – you get a nice big zit. For even more info, here’s an accessible dermatological article on how sebum causes spots.

Not too much, not too little

Now that we know how too much sebum can cause outbreaks, it’s worth looking at how we can control the triggers that cause this otherwise essential oil to give us problem skin. Key factors than can cause this are:

– Hygiene issues

– Poor diet

– Skin care routines

Before we start

Basic hygiene is key to skin health, especially if you wear make up – take a look at our article on back-to-basics skin cleanliness here – so clean brushes, clean pillowcases, try not to touch your face too much and definitely no squeezing!

Eating for skin health

In this section, we’re talking about what to avoid and what to incorporate to give your body and skin the best chance it can to repair itself and look its best.

As you might expect, your diet plays a huge role in avoiding inflammation and hormonal imbalances – and, as with a lot of health issues, the quality of the food you eat plays a huge part in how your body reacts and repairs.

Remember that even if you’re eating top-notch produce, sometimes your body just doesn’t like certain proteins, and you might have to go on an elimination diet to find out exactly what causes your skin to react. It’s a process, but definitely worth it to know what your triggers are.

You get out what you put in, so invest in yourself, and remember that it’s a long-term commitment and it will take time before you see results.

Dairy intolerances:

It’s thought that modern production processes are at fault here, thanks to the hormones used in dairy production that affect our own hormonal balance. It’s been observed that skimmed milk is particularly inflammatory as the percentage of dairy proteins (the part that you tend to react to) is higher compared to whole milk.

Even if you go for organic, hormone-free products, a lot of people (around 65% of the population to some degree) are increasingly intolerant to dairy – and especially to milk and fresher cheeses – and academic studies have most pointed out correlations between dairy consumption and acne.

This doesn’t mean that one is the cause of the other, but anecdotal evidence suggests that eliminating these fresh dairy products from your diet could be something of a no-brainer to improve your skin health.

Sugar and low-quality grains:

This is all about insulin resistance and how your body deals with sugar and carbohydrates (food with a high glycaemic index) – if your blood is flooded with sugar and cannot convert it into insulin quickly enough, the high blood sugar level is thought to cause inflammation – causing greater sebum production and the problems this causes that are mentioned above.

It’s worth mentioning that this is more of a correlation and it’s not understood exactly why this happens, and there have been few studies on this specific aspect. Wholewheat grains like spelt and rye are likely to be good for your diet as they have a low glycaemic index and break down more slowly, and don’t raise blood sugar levels in the same way as white flour or sugar does.

Similarly, low-carb diets have been associated with lower levels of inflammation and improved skin health after an initial adaptation period where acne seems to briefly worsen before improving.

Given that we know that sugar and poor-grade carbs aren’t great for us anyway, this is another easy win for your skincare elimination diet.

Vitamins and minerals to promote healing:

Now that you’ve banished sugar, low-quality carbs and cut down on your dairy – these are the vitamin-rich foods you need to be incorporating to improve your healing

– Vitamin A is an anti-inflammatory and normalises skin cell turnover (dark greens, carrots, peppers and tomatoes).

– Vitamin C & E to support immune function and help produce collagen (citrus fruits, green veg, nuts) – these two work better in combination.

– Grape Seed Extract to improve skin’s texture and reduce the signs of aging (a skincare must!).

– Turmeric which is a potent antioxidant that also reduces inflammation.

– Zinc to encourage healing (legumes, shellfish, quality red meat, nuts and seeds).

Boost your complexion:

In addition to the healing properties of the foods mentioned above, there are other ingredients that really can help your skin’s cycle by providing it with the protein and oils your body needs to promote regeneration. On their own they won’t resolve pimples and acne, but they are the basis of improving your skin from the inside.

– Oily fish – mackerel, sardines, tuna, trout and salmon – have quality protein, vitamin E and its anti-inflammatory properties and zinc for new skin cell production. An essential food for skin health.

– Avocados – healthy fats are key in this area, and avocados are another source of vit E and practically a guarantee of skin elasticity and suppleness.

– Nuts and seeds are your friend – Brazil nuts, cashew nuts and walnuts are great for selenium – which can stop damage by free radicals which lead to premature wrinkles – and zinc – our old friend!

– Leafy greens and bright colours – no beige food! Foods like tomatoes, broccoli, sweet potato and bell peppers are general go-tos for maintaining your skin

Skincare routines

Overcompensating for oil:

This is a classic cause of pimples – many people tend to go overboard with exfoliating and cleansing, removing the skin’s natural microbiome of oils.

In addition, it’s worth remembering that a harsh scrub rarely helps, as the bacteria and fatty acids that cause spots anchor themselves to the skin with a biofilm.

This stripping causes the skin to overcompensate, creating even more sebum and so upping the risk of a breakout as we’ve seen above

Exfoliation should be done gently to remove dead skin cells and other impurities, but it won’t help to get rid of the spots. It’s all a process!

Good practices for acne-prone skin:

We have an eight-step skincare routine you can do to really treat your skin, and the basics are the same for people with acne. For problem skin, here’s what we recommend:

– gentle cleansing with a foam or gel cleanser;

– gentle exfoliation (with retinol or lactic acid in the ingredients, no scrubs!) or;

– clay masks with a touch of apple cider vinegar to draw out gunk and impurities;

– vitamin C serum to help with scarring and;

– a non-comedogenic (doesn’t block your pores) moisturising oil like argan, grapeseed or jojoba

These steps will improve the elasticity and hydration of your skin, and are worth doing regardless of the acne – remember – it’s not caused by poor hygiene, but a good diet and skincare routine will prep your skin and hopefully will avoid some of the triggers that cause excess sebum.

If you do have a breakout – don’t despair. We’ve got some treatments for you, both to improve things in the short term, as well as a longer-term investment in your skin health.

Products to use to spot-treat acne:

We’ve chosen these three products as they have proven effects on the symptoms of acne – they won’t clear them up, but they will definitely reduce the chances of your acne becoming infected.

Salicylic acid

Salicylic acid is an all-round good ingredient for skincare, but is more effective on whiteheads and blackheads as it dissolves the keratin plugs and dead skin cells that cause them. It’s worth remembering that the whiteheads and blackheads can cause acne, and that salicylic acid (made from willow bark) has antibacterial properties that may prevent them becoming infected, so it’s worth dotting on if you see a pimple on its way.

Bentonite clay

This is another topical treatment that should stop your pores from becoming infected. Bentonite is cheap and Ideal for your clay masks, as it adsorbs impurities from your skin and binds them so you can wash them off no problem. Although it has mild astringent properties, it doesn’t make your skin tight and leaves an ideal surface for your serum. Prevention is better than cure!

Essential oils

Like salicylic acid, rosemary, thyme, cinnamon clove oils have known antibacterial properties to avoid further inflammation or infection of any blemishes that appear. As essential oils, they should be added to a neutral carrier oil such as grapeseed before you apply them.

MySkin laser acne treatment

For our money, laser treatment is the way forward for acne, as it treats both the symptoms and the mechanism that causes the overproduction of sebum. At MySkin, we treat the three types of acne:

– Acne Vulgaris : as we know, this is the clogging of the hair follicles and pores leading to unsightly and sometimes painful skin lesions and pimples.

– Acne Conglobate : this covers the back, chest and buttocks with pustules and nodules, which might cause a severe bacterial infection, as well as extensive scarring – one to avoid!

– Acne Rosacea : an inflammation of the face, neck or chest.

MySkin laser treatments use Ellipse IPL technology to target the metabolism of the acne bacteria and destroy it without affecting the surrounding tissue – removing the symptom of the acne infection. With repeated sessions of the acne treatment, it is destroyed faster than the bacteria grows, leading to less inflammation, which also stops further scarring.

In addition to easing the symptoms, the UV light reduces the blood flow to the sebaceous glands – responsible for all that sebum! – and reduces the amount produced in the skin, so avoiding clogged pores and follicles.

The results you want

By changing your diet, hygiene and skincare, you can start to minimise the cause of acne so that your skin isn’t triggered so often and doesn’t get inflamed and infected. At MySkin Birmingham, we can help if you do have a breakout with our Ellipse Laser/ SWT acne treatment.

After a personal consultation, we recommend a schedule of 4 sessions , once every 3-4 weeks. If needed, this routine can be repeated again to achieve even better results.

Our MySkin laser acne treatment e is incredibly effective and much faster than other topical treatments and less invasive than antibiotics for a non-medical treatment for spots and acne. Take a look at our reviews to see just how well our acne treatment works.

Performed by experienced laser skin clinicians in our bright and modern clinic using the very latest laser technology, we have a very high success rate and have helped hundreds of patients to get their acne under control and face life with confidence once again.

Frequently Asked Questions about MySkin laser acne treatment

Q. Who can we treat?

We treat a complete variety of skin and hair types, so we are happy to talk with anyone wishing to explore treatment plans.

Q. Does it hurt?

Everyone’s pain tolerance is different, so our clients’ reports tend to differ. Generally speaking, the laser feels like a quick pinch from a rubber band.

Q. Do I need to take special precautions before and after treatment?

Yes, you will want to avoid doing anything or using any products that can cause irritation or damage to the skin. Plan to avoid pools and spas, rigorous activities that will cause excess sweating, very hot water during showers or baths, and tanning. You will also want to begin a new sunblock regime that includes daily application of SPF30 to your skin, particularly the treated areas.

Q. What can I expect during and after treatment?

Clients may notice some general redness on the face. Following the treatment, pigmented areas may appear darker and will eventually disappear.

Due to the bacteria being difficult to eradicate completely, you will probably be recommended to continue using adaplene cream or gel some months after the treatment has ended.

Q. Why have treatments at MySkin Laser Clinic?

1. CLINICALLY TRAINED : Everyone on our team at MySkin Laser Clinic is clinically trained to perform all of our skincare treatments. Many of us have also experienced them ourselves!

2. PERSONALISED EXPERIENCE : When you walk through the doors of MySkin Laser Clinic, we want you to immediately feel a sense of peace and calm. Before starting a treatment, we not only want to learn all about your skin, but we also want to learn about you. You are at the heart of our boutique skincare centre.

3. CENTRALLY LOCATED : Located at 95 Newhall Street in Birmingham , MySkin Laser Clinic’s location was chosen for its abundance of natural light as much as the ease with which our clients can visit our space.

4. PROVEN RESULTS : When our clients choose to pursue skincare treatment, they are doing so because they want to experience results. And, we can confirm they do! For example, we remove up to 98% of unwanted hair for our laser hair removal patients.

5. CARE & COMPASSION : Our appointments are spaced so we can always offer a relaxed, personalised experience to each of our clients. We want to uncover the problem areas of your

How to deal with the symptoms of PCOS

Fri, 26 Jun 2020 12:39:00 GMT

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common condition that affects how a woman’s ovaries work, causing irregular periods, excess androgens (male hormones), and polycystic ovaries.

Despite the name, PCOS is not caused by cysts, but enlarged fluid-filled follicles around the eggs.

These follicles are actually underdeveloped sacs where eggs can develop, but with PCOS, they frequently can’t release the egg. Without the egg, ovulation does not take place.

In the UK, it’s thought that it affects around 20% of the female population, and symptoms start to develop in the late teens and early twenties. However, over half of those affected are, in fact, asymptomatic.

What are the symptoms of PCOS?

[lgc_column grid=”65″ tablet_grid=”65″ mobile_grid=”100″ last=”false”]- Symptoms often include:

– irregular periods or no periods at all

– difficulty getting pregnant as a result of irregular ovulation or failure to ovulate

– excessive hair growth (hirsutism) – usually on the face, chest, back or buttocks

– weight gain

– thinning hair and hair loss from the head

– oily skin or acne

What causes polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)?

The exact cause of PCOS is unknown, but it’s connected to abnormal hormone levels in the body. For example, many women with PCOS are resistant to the action of insulin in their body and produce higher levels of insulin to overcompensate, which in turn leads them to produce more testosterone, which causes the excess hair.

This is where MySkin Laser Clinics can help you.

What can do I about my excess hair?

For around three quarters of women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, excessive facial and body hair (known professionally as hirsutism) is a cross to bear. Caused by the overproduction of hormones called androgens, it means that women often suffer the same hair patterns as men – with excessive hair growth on their face, neck, back and toes. Given that androgens are responsible for this pattern, they can also cause female pattern baldness.

Unfortunately, resolving this situation requires a rebalancing hormonal therapy, but there are ways to mitigate the situation, and we’ve listed a few of them below, each with their pros and cons:

[lgc_column grid=”50″ tablet_grid=”50″ mobile_grid=”100″ last=”false”]

– Shaving

Shaving is perhaps the most immediately effective way to counterbalance the effect but, as with men, care needs to be taken to avoid problems associated with shaving, such as ingrown hairs and razor bumps. This can be done by gently exfoliating, then using a good-quality shaving gel, sharp blades and a top-notch moisturising cream afterwards.

Shaving also needs to be done on a very regular, if not daily, basis to maintain a stubble-free appearance. Although there is something of an urban legend that shaving makes your hair grow back thicker, this is not the case and is more to do with optics and shaving technique than actual hair size.

Shaving is effective when done well and skincare is considered, but razor blades are something of a hefty investment and need to be replaced often. Another solution is…[/lgc_column]

[lgc_column grid=”50″ tablet_grid=”50″ mobile_grid=”100″ last=”true”]

– Hair-removing creams

These are perhaps the easiest solutions – a cream containing chemicals such as calcium thioglycolate or potassium thioglycolate, which penetrate into the hair shaft and dissolve it. They are simple to apply provided you follow the instructions, apply them for the recommended time and don’t use them on sensitive areas. With depilatory and bleaching creams it’s always better to have to reapply for a final hair removal, rather than going too mad and risking an adverse reaction.

Bleaching creams remove the pigment from hair, making it less visible to the naked eye, and are popular with women with darker hair as it’s one of the less invasive or painful treatments.

Both depilatory and bleaching creams should be tested before use, as they can often strip skin of moisture, which needs to be replaced after use with a good-quality moisturising oil or cream. A further option for treating excessive hair caused by PCOS is…[/lgc_column]

[lgc_column grid=”50″ tablet_grid=”50″ mobile_grid=”100″ last=”false”]

– Hormone treatment

This looks to rebalance one’s hormones chemically, and is most often used to treat the cause of hirsutism, rather than the symptoms, and as such is a medium- to long-term option requiring consultation with medical professionals.

In hormone treatment, anti-androgen drugs inhibit the production of testosterone while blocking the androgenic hormone receptors on hair follicles, stopping both the cause and the effect of the male hormone, and is an effective way to treat hirsutism at a hormonal level.

Another way to treat the cause is to increase the amount of female hormones and so decrease the proportion of androgens in circulation so that the latter are less effective, and is often done rather simply and effectively with the contraceptive pill.

Of course, any treatment like this should be done in consultation with your doctor, as there may be side effects. This brings us onto…[/lgc_column]

[lgc_column grid=”50″ tablet_grid=”50″ mobile_grid=”100″ last=”true”]

– Waxing

This can be effective for women with PCOS, but there is a risk, as with shaving, of ingrown hairs if not done professionally. Remember, when waxing yourself, pull the strip off in the opposite direction of the way hair is growing, and keep the strip close to your body. This will help ensure you get all of the hairs, leaving none behind that can become ingrown.

It is, however, inexpensive, and only needs doing every few weeks. We won’t mention the pain aspect – although many women find that the more frequently and regularly they wax, the less uncomfortable the process is – but it is worth mentioning the need to apply cold compresses, to moisturise well after the initial redness has subsided, and to wear loose clothes.

As cost-effective and lasting as waxing is, we’d recommend treating your excess hair with…[/lgc_column]

– Laser Hair Removal

This is our top tip for treating hirsutism caused by Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: with this treatment, our trained MySkin professionals apply an intense beam of laser light to an area of hairy skin, damaging the follicle, and 90% of hair does not grow back. The procedure is very long lasting, safe, and less uncomfortable than electrolysis.

You can expect a slight stinging sensation during the procedure, and there may be some short-term redness and swelling, but laser hair removal is – for us – the way forward in terms of value for money, results and comfort. Find out more about our laser hair removal services .

Why come to MySkin Laser Clinic?

At MySkin, we know the importance and the benefits of having good skin and therefore always ensure all our treatment plans are tailored to you and what your skin needs, using only the most scientifically advanced techniques to help clients achieve their hair removal and skincare goals.

Experience and skill is key here, as the contrast in colour is what allows the laser to pick out and target the hair roots and follicles. Your skin tone will therefore decide the type of laser used, and at MySkin we’re highly experienced in dealing with both light and darker skin tones and have top-notch Candela technology to do so.

We specialise in laser hair removal treatments where we can achieve up to 95% hair reduction and can effectively treat a wide range of skin conditions. You want fantastic service and great results, and we can deliver – our reviews and return customers are proof enough of this.[/lgc_column]

Come and speak to one of our expert MySkin technicians on 0121 339 5855 today, or book a consultation online , and let us show you what we can do to help.

Better Skin In Just a Fortnight – we promise!

Tue, 23 Jun 2020 14:49:00 GMT

Ok, we’ve all let things slide over this lockdown period, so you need an achievable skincare challenge to kick-start the good habits and to make ourselves feel better. There are plenty of small things your can do to zhuzh your routine and bring back that skin that has taken a bit of a beating recently (was everyone doing 2pm quarantinis, or was that just me?!).

The first seven days is to break the habit – your skin needs to rest and repair, to convalesce, if you like. After that, we’re reforming new habits and soothing, rebuilding and restarting your skincare routine to get your glow back. 14 days and a bit of commitment (and some good product) is all you need!

Stage 0: Before you start

If we’ve learnt anything from Miss Rona it’s that hygiene comes first. Same applies to your face – if you wear makeup and are reusing brushes you could be putting oil, dead skin and other stuff back onto your face, so let’s avoid that as kind of Step 0 for our new skincare routine.

Wash your bedding

It’s crusty, isn’t it? The pillow case has been on there a touch took long and you can see where you’ve been sleeping. While you sleep, you can sweat and leave dead skin and make-up (did you cleanse before bed?) on your pillowcase and sheets, which can often transfer back onto your skin giving you spots and heaven knows what else. Change your bedding once a week, and flip your pillow half way through. It’s also worth having a pillow protector as well as a pillowcase to catch these stains, as these can be laundered better than a pillow can. That one was easy.

Clean your makeup brushes

You know this – if they’re not cleaned often, your brushes are home to dirt, bacteria, and dust, and need to be cleaned once a week, and we’d recommend rinsing and drying your makeup sponge after every use.

Wash your hands

Hygiene 101, if the past few weeks have been anything to go by. Clean bedding, clean brushes, so don’t spoil it all by touching your face with dirty hands, it only takes 20 seconds (if you’re doing it right)

Stage 1.0: R & R

Cleansing is your best friend

If you want good skin, cleansing is where to start. You avoid blocked pores – and so avoid blackheads, spots, ingrown hairs. Finding the right type of cleanser – foam, milk, oil or gel – is key, as it sets your skin up to look fantastic. We’d recommend an initial cleanse with an oil as a basic step, and then a top up with the product best formulated for your skin. Exfoliation is also important here, but it needs to be done gently, and certainly not every day. Both chemical and physical exfoliants with slough of any dead skin or impurities, leaving your skin as a cleansed blank canvas. Similarly, clay masks are great for this: the clay draws out grease and impurities, and removing the accumulated debris is pretty satisfying.

Toning is also a very close friend

This is a little like your primer – toning restores your skin after cleansing, tightens your pores and creates an ideal surface for everything else to sit on. Remember that toner also helps restore your skin’s natural pH, as many cleansers are alkaline, whereas your skin is actually slightly acidic. Many toners, like witch hazel, are astringent, making sure that your skin doesn’t absorb any impurities. In addition to liquid toners, physical toning with techniques such as Gua Sha stimulate blood flow and lymphatic drainage to the skin – this is a great technique that will give you results in two weeks.

Stage 1.5: Everyday skincare

Moisturise – twice a day, every day

Now you’ve prepared your skin, get it hydrated, otherwise, there’s no point. I’ve put it as a stage 1.5 as it is an essential step between the rest and repair of stage 1 and the soothing and healing of stage 2. If you know what kind of moisturiser you should be using (if you don’t, have a look here ), then you need to be using it twice a day, whether you have oily skin or not. We’d recommend using a lighter gel moisturiser on oily and acne-prone, and a thicker cream style for drier skins.

SPF is Skincare 101

Here it’s worth investing – this is a product that you’ll be using every day and is arguably the most important thing you can do for your skin – especially if you’ve had laser skin removal with us at MySkin, because it’s essential. We’d recommend SPF 30, with broad-spectrum coverage and a five-star UVA rating.

Stage 2: Luxury and self-care

Get in on sleeping masks

This is the real pampering bit, and it works while you sleep (you washed your pillows, didn’t you?). For simple hydration and maximum healing power, you can’t beat a sleeping mask. In Korea, the holy grail of skin, they’re used every night, but we think that’s a touch overkill. A sleeping mask is like a night cream that helps skin regeneration when you’re sleeping, and it’s thought they also prevent moisture loss. Win-win.

Treat yourself to a weekly facial

Ok, so you’ve cleaned, cleansed, toned, moisturised, SPF’d and sleep masked – but that’s just everyday care. Concentrate them all once a week to top up and add steaming and serums for an extra-intense step – self-care is key, after all.

Rinse and repeat.

Great skin ahoy!

Committed skincare is a great way to make yourself feel and look better – and like any other habit, it takes a bit of time to get used to. If you want to really level up, take a look at our blog post on the top vitamins you need to give your skin the best chance it can – from the inside.

If you do our stages, 0 before you start, stage 1 as basic skincare, incorporating stage 1.5 every day and, lastly, stage 2 every day in the second week, the results will be fantastic. Your skin will be healed, hydrated and soothed, and the results will motivate you to keep up the rhythm once you see the effects on your skin. You’ll thank us for it later!

Look after your skin – it’s such a key part of self-care that you can’t afford to let it slide. Follow our steps and you’ll see such positive changes you’ll wonder how you did without it before.

Our top vitamins for healthy skin

Sat, 20 Jun 2020 13:57:00 GMT

Now you’ve got your skincare regime down pat – cleanse, toner, SPF, moisturiser, face masks, facials, serum and night mask – let’s focus on how you can feed your skin from the inside. In addition to basic hydration from water, there are five key vitamins we’ve identified that can help you have the glowing skin you’re looking for.

Vitamin A – skin repair!

Vitamin A is your go-to for skin repair and rejuvenations, and is essential to the health of your largest organ. Colour is key for this vitamin – it’s found in dark green, orange and red vegetables, as well as tomatoes. If you’re eating your greens, carrots and peppers, you should be fine – but it’s also found in eggs and liver(!). Vitamin A also aids in repairing skin tissue, and a lack thereof leads to dry, flaky skin – less than ideal.

Vitamin B – B for Brain

B vitamins have a direct impact on your energy levels, brain function, and cell metabolism, and are fundamental for skin regeneration. Here, dark leafy greens are your friend again, as well as meat, eggs, seeds, whole grains, nuts and legumes, and vitamin B is found in plenty of fruits such as avocados, bananas, and apricots.

A lack of vit B can make you skin pale and wan, but that’s nothing compared to the other symptoms like lack of energy and constipation. It’s pretty hard to lack vitamin B, but it is an essential building block for your body’s – and therefore your skin’s – health.

Vitamin C – your best friend

The body also doesn’t produce Vit C naturally and can’t store it either, so we need an ongoing intake of it to keep our immune system in fine fettle. Remember that C stands for collagen – which is why you see it on so many skin products, as this vitamin helps in producing collagen – which we know helps to keep our skin supple, reversing sun damage and smoothing out wrinkles.

As an antioxidant, it is said to aid in your skin’s natural regeneration process, which helps your body repair damaged skin cells. Vitamin C can also help with hyperpigmentation, as it interferes with melanin production, and may even prevent dark spots from forming.

The best source is – of course – citrus fruits, leafy greens, kale, cauliflower, bell peppers and so on, but it is argued that topically applied via a serum, vitamin C is much more effective than taken orally. It’s also worth mentioning that the benefits of vitamin C take around six to eight weeks to take effect, so be patient with your serums and intake and don’t give up!

Vitamin E – Anti-everything

Vitamin E. Like vitamin C, it is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory and is said to boost skin barrier strength and improve skin tone and colouration – although some people suffer from contact dermatitis when applied topically, so it’s worth testing out before you slather it on your skin.

If you aren’t affected, vitamin E is soluble in oils and creams and is thought to combat aging, and makes a good makeup remover. Vitamin E is found in dark leafy greens (remember them?!), broccoli, seeds and nuts – especially almonds, peanuts, coconut and sunflower seeds – as well as oily fish like trout and salmon.

Vitamin K – begone dark circles!

Guess which food group has lots of vitamin K? Yep – anything green and leafy ; rocket, apples, melon, asparagus, broccoli, artichokes, kiwi fruit, avocado…you get the idea.

Vitamin K is vital for blood clotting, and so it’s thought that adequate levels of Vitamin K can help reduce the appearance of dark circles around the eyes. Regardless, the amount of vitamins in the dark leafy greens that have all the vitamins you need for healthy skin are reason enough to get sautéing that cabbage!

Now you’re an expert in the top vitamins for your skin, come and see how we can help you

At MySkin, we want to help you improve the quality of your skin, removing imperfections and treating conditions . Just as important, however, is helping your skin be the best it can be, with a skin-optimised diet full of the above vitamins, and a top-notch skincare regime.