You will need:
 
• A strong, rough grit nail file
• A smoother grit nail file
• A soft nail buffer
• A cuticle pusher or orangewood stick
• Cuticle oil / cuticle conditioner / hand cream
 
You cannot soak off the hard gels we use, they can only be filed off.
Gel is a softer product than acrylic so files off easier but you must exercise extreme caution as you get closer to the nail plate. You can cause damage easily so please be careful. If you feel any heat or pain make sure to stop and look at what you are doing.
 
Step 1:
Using the strong, rough grit nail file, reduce the length of your nails and file across the top of your gel nails. Do not saw back and forth as this creates heat. Take long strokes using as much of the length of your file as you can, lift off the nail at the end of each stroke. As the gel thins and you get closer to your natural nail, change to the smoother side of your file.
DO NOT CUT THE LENGTH with a clippers or any other cutting tool - this can be tempting but you can shatter the gel and the cracks can go in any direction, they can travel up the nail and possibly split your own natural nail.
 
Step 2:
As you get closer to the natural nail you will find it harder to differentiate between the product and your own nail. Be prepared to leave a little product on the nail plate. You can also swipe the nail with a little acetone or non-oily polish remover on cotton wool. Your natural nail will show a chalky finish, the product will look smoother, only file on the product. (make sure to protect your work surface before using acetone or polish remover)
 
Step 3:
Once you have removed your product, carry out a mini manicure.
• Trim and file the free edge of the nails, use a fine grit file.
• Soak the nails in warm water or apply cuticle eraser to soften the cuticles so you can push them back with your cuticle pusher.
• Buff the nails lightly to remove and dry or dead cells, take care not to buff too much as you can thin out the nail plate.
• Apply cuticle oil/cuticle conditioner/hand cream and massage into the cuticle area of the nails.

 We have files, buffers and cuticle oils available to purchase from the salon.  Please contact us if you need anything.

What you will need:
 
• A rough grit nail file
• A fine grit nail file
• A soft nail buffer
• Acetone
• Pre-cut squares of tin foil
• Nail Wipes / Cotton Wool Discs
• Orangewood Stick
• Cuticle Oil/ Cuticle Conditioner/ Hand Cream
 
This will take time and elbow grease so be prepared!!
 
Step 1:
Using the strong rough grit nail file, file across the top of your acrylic nails. Acrylic is a hard product and is not as easy to file as gel. You need to fully remove the top coat/gel polish and create deep scratches in the nails that will allow the acetone to penetrate more easily. Work one hand at a time.

DO NOT CUT THE LENGTH with a clippers or any other cutting tool - this can be tempting but you can shatter the acrylic and the cracks can go in any direction, they can travel up the nail and possibly split your own natural nail.
 
Step 2:
Cut the nail wipes into halves and soak a piece with acetone. Please take care when using acetone at home.  It is a solvent and if spilled can affect painted or varnished surfaces.  It is advisable to place a protective layer on your surface.
 
Step 3:
Place the piece onto the nail and wrap the nail in tin foil, repeat on all 10 nails. Soak for at least 20 minutes.
 
Step 4:
Remove the tin foil from one nail at a time and using a cuticle pusher or orangewood stick scrape any product from the nail plate. With acrylic, you may not get all the product in the first go. You may need to re-soak the cotton wool and wrap again. Repeat for each nail. This is the time consuming part and you may not get all of the product off. Please be careful if filing over the top off the nail to get product off, make sure to use a softer file and if you feel heat or pain, stop.
 
Step 5:
Once you have removed your product, carry out a mini manicure.
• Trim and file the free edge of the nails, use a fine grit file.
• Soak the nails in warm water or apply cuticle eraser to soften the cuticles so you can push them back with your orangewood stick.
• Buff the nails lightly to remove any dry or dead cells, take care not to buff too much as you can thin out the nail plate.
• Apply cuticle oil/cuticle conditioner/hand cream and massage into the cuticle area of the nails.
​
​We have a Gel Polish / Acrylic nail removal kit available to purchase on our online store.

You will need:
 
• A rough grit nail file
• A fine grit nail file
• A soft nail buffer
• Acetone
• Pre-cut squares of tin foil
• Nail Wipes / Cotton Wool Discs
• Orangewood Stick
• Cuticle Oil/ Cuticle Conditioner/ Hand Cream
 
Step 1: Using the rough side of your nail file, file firmly across the top of your UV polish. This creates scratches in the top seal that will allow the acetone to penetrate easily. You need to get through the top gel layer to the colour underneath. Take extreme care not to file your natural nail, to prevent damage to your nail plate. If you feel heat or discomfort – stop.
 
Step 2: Cut the nail wipe/cotton wool into quarters and soak with acetone. Please take care when using acetone at home.  It is a solvent and if spilled can affect painted or varnished surfaces.  It is advisable to place a protective layer on your surface.
 
Step 3: Place the piece of nail wipe/cotton wool onto the nail and wrap the nail in tin foil, repeat on all 10 nails. Soak for approx 10 minutes. This should be done one hand at a time.
 
Step 4: Remove the tin foil from one nail, the product should look lifted and crumbly. Using the orangewood stick, scrape any product from the nail plate. Repeat for each nail. If the product is tough to remove just wrap it back up with some fresh acetone and wait another couple of minutes.
 
Step 5: One all product is removed, carry out a mini manicure.
• Trim and file the free edge of the nails, use the smoother side of your file.
• Soak the nails in warm water to soften the cuticles so you can push them back with your orangewood stick. You can even use your thumb nail in a pinch.
• Buff the nails very lightly to remove any dry or dead cells, take care not to buff too much as you can thin out the nail plate.
• Apply cuticle oil/cuticle conditioner/hand cream and massage into the cuticle area of the nails.

​We have a Gel Polish / Acrylic nail removal kit available to purchase on our online store.

Collagen Lift from Skinbase is our most advanced and effective anti-ageing treatment yet.  We introduced it to the salon back in March, just two weeks before lockdown.  As excited as we were, we unfortunately had little time to tell you much about it.  So, let’s get started.

As skin ages the fibres within the dermal layers start to lose their structure. The collagen in our skin that we are born with decreases by approximately 1% every year from the age of 25 and our elastin fibres become stretched and loose over time. They become sparser and more irregular causing fine lines and wrinkles to form and the skin to lose its plump, youthful appearance.

Collagen Lift firms, tightens and plumps the skin without recovery or downtime.  It is a non-surgical, non-invasive treatment that uses radio frequency energy waves to realign fibres within the skin back into a more even and structured pattern. This improves the skin tone and appearance and helps to reverse the signs of skin ageing.  Elastin fibres tighten and we begin to produce new collagen, similar to the kind we see in scar tissue when the skin has to regenerate and repair itself.

Some results can potentially be seen immediately after the first treatment, with a tightening and smoothing effect.  Continuous improvements from a course of treatments can be seen for up to 3 months, with long term results lasting up to 2 years, as new collagen is produced over the coming weeks.  

The very best part of this treatment? It is painless, enjoyable and relaxing.  Clients describe it as feeling similar to a hot stone massage.  That old saying that ‘there’s no beauty without pain’ couldn’t be further from the truth. Just lie back and let us gently, warmly and effectively treat your skin. Also, this treatment is not just for the face, it can be used on thighs, bum and tum to tighten and lift!
 
What are the benefits?

• Tones and tightens skin
• Reduces cellulite
• Softens fine lines
• Stimulates collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid
• Painless and relaxing

 
What areas can be treated?

• Face
• Neck
• Jowls
• Around the eyes
• Frown lines
• Décolleté/upper chest area
• Tummy
• Arms
• Knees
• Bottom
• Thighs

 
Sounds great, what do I do now?
The first step is a consultation and a patch test at least 48 hours before treatment.  This takes roughly 15 minutes and determines whether the treatment is suitable for you.  There are certain underlying conditions that prevent us from offering the treatment to everyone. We patch test you check that you can tolerate the conductive gel and energy waves working together.  We will also discuss pricing and treatment plans so you can make a fully informed decision about whether it is right for you in every sense. 
On the day of your treatment, you will have to remove jewellery and any other metal you may have in contact with your skin, before getting comfortable on the bed.  Your face is cleansed and a hydrating, conductive gel is applied. Then, as you will see in the video, 2 different ceramic wands are used in a circular, lifting motion to deliver the energy waves into the skin to stimulates the production of collagen and tighten elastin fibres. 
The radio frequency energy waves prompt the cells within the skin to metabolise more effectively, stimulating your microcirculation. This increases oxygen flow to the tissue which helps promote skin healing and rejuvenation.  The treatment also speeds up the elimination of toxins from the body by stimulating the lymphatic system. This aids the immune system in removing waste and debris from the body, resulting in a detoxifying effect.
To complete the session we then apply a hydrating serum, a nourishing moisturiser and a good broad spectrum SPF.
 
For best results Skinbase recommend a course of treatments is recommended.  Speak to one of our skin experts in the salon to discuss your needs and come up with a treatment plan.
Check out our accompanying video to see Caroline have a treatment done.

High Frequency may sound a bit daunting when you think of it.  I’ll admit using an electrical current on the skin sounds more like a torture device than a facial treatment and when I first learned of this treatment back in college I was hesitant to say the least.  What I discovered though, is a very comfortable and highly effective skin treatment, especially for acne.

High frequency has been studied by scientists, including Nikola Tesla, since the late 1800’s.  It was used in medicine to treat infection before the discovery of antibiotics and has been widely used in beauty treatments since the 1920’s.  The machine uses various shaped glass electrodes to direct a controlled current onto the area being treated.   The therapist is in complete control of the level of current being used and will start the treatment on the lowest possible setting.  This is gradually increased to a level that is effective and that the client is comfortable with.   There are two ways to use the machine to get different results from it.

When treating acne the machine is used to create a layer of ozone between the skin and electrode.  The germicidal effect of ozone kills the bacteria that causes acne which reduces inflammation and helps to ease pain.  Also, the current stimulates skin rejuvenation to boost healing.  It is possible to see a visible improvement within 24-48 hours of the first treatment but for best results we recommend a course of treatment combined with a targeted Dermalogica home care routine.

The machine can also be used to treat fine lines and dry skin.  In this case it is used to increase circulation and metabolism, stimulate skin rejuvenation and improve moisture balance.  This is a very relaxing treatment combining massage and high frequency.  
​
Why not call the salon to discuss your own skin concerns and we can go through a treatment plan with you?

With people wearing face coverings to help keep the coronavirus infection rate down, “maskne”(aka mask acne) is becoming a more common skin issue. With clients suffering with chafed and irritated skin on their mouth, chin and jaw line as a result of wearing a face covering, skincare professionals will undoubtedly be sought out for advice on how to manage the symptoms of this frustrating, uncomfortable and, at times, painful condition.
Understanding how the condition develops is the starting point to addressing the symptoms, acknowledging with a dose of pragmatism that complete elimination may not happen for everyone until there is no longer a requirement for the offending protection. That being said, there’s a lot that can be done to reduce the severity of the symptoms in most cases, so let’s explore the facts.
 
Why does maskne happen?
Breakouts, increased oiliness and blackheads are the result of a condition known as acne mechanica, and this type of acne is caused by friction, increased heat and/or pressure. It is really common among athletes and dancers where sports clothing or protective wear can rub, and it is also exacerbated by sweating. 
Since face coverings rub and irritate the skin too, they can also result in this condition. So, if your clients are already prone to breakouts then wearing a face covering will amplify the condition. A mask also traps the breath which causes an increase in humidity and temperature in this region. As the skin temperature increases so does circulation and sweating, and this combination of friction and heat means accelerated oil and cell production. 

Together with increased sweating, this can result in clogging and congestion on the skin. The warm, moist environment is the ideal breeding ground for cutibacterium acnes (formerly propionibacterium acnes) – bacteria commonly associated with inflamed and infected breakout lesions in acne conditions.
Initially the skin may feel rough, but it gradually becomes bumpy, and then starts to develop more blackheads, raised papules and painful lesions.

How can I effectively treat maskne?
There are several strategies to reducing these breakouts. Firstly, advise your clients to wear a clean mask or face covering each day. Reusable fabric face coverings should be washed and left to dry thoroughly.  
Trying to reduce bacterial build-up is beneficial for the skin but also ensures essential hygiene necessary for controlling coronavirus risks, too. Taking the mask off for a period, if it is appropriate to do so, will also give the client’s skin some respite.

Advise your clients to avoid wearing make-up underneath a mask if at all possible and get them to introduce products into their regime that can help keep the skin clear. A face wash with salicylic acid is an excellent choice as it reduces clogging and has an anti-inflammatory action, such as Dermalogica’s Clearing Skin Wash, or try a balancing probiotic cleanser like Active Clay Cleanser. 
Gentle and regular exfoliation with either a mild AHA or BHA is an important addition to the regimen provided the skin is not experiencing dermatitis or chaffing. Keeping skin hydrated with a light or mattifying moisturiser which will improve the skin’s barrier, help regulate sebum production and reduce irritation. Dermalogica’s Active Moist is a great option.  
When choosing a spot treatment opt for a less drying formula like Dermalogica’s Age Bright Spot Fader, which can add to skin irritation when friction and rubbing are a concern. Breakouts are not the only concern though. Irritant contact dermatitis or eczema can develop in these pressure areas where masks or face coverings abrade the skin. Apart from red and sensitive patches, skin can even become raw and weeping.  

To ease discomfort and pain, restore the client’s lipid barrier with soothing barrier products such as Barrier Repair, and keep their product regimens simple. Cleanse with a gentle cream or gel-cream cleanser and keep skin well moisturised. Get clients to avoid artificially fragranced products, or those with astringent botanicals, as not only will they sting on application, but they can increase redness and aggravate the sensitivity.   

Look out for beta-glucan from oats or oat kernel oil, which is excellent at reducing inflammation, soothing irritation and restoring the natural skin barrier. Vitamin B5, also known as panthenol, is particularly good at promoting healing of this tender skin. 

​Support the skin with hyaluronic acid and plant oils rich in vitamin E, antioxidants and essential lipids such as avocado, sunflower and chia seed oil. Moisturisers, light facial oils and nourishing masques could all prove beneficial as the inflammation reduces.
Focus on practical advice that is easy for your client to implement because it may be some time before we can be out and about without the need for face coverings. 

Hi All
We are into our 4th week since re-opening and we want to say a huge thank you again to everyone for their kindness, patience and overwhelming support.  We are almost through the initial waiting list and everyone still on it has been emailed so apologies if this is repetitive for anyone.
So......we have a few pieces of great news.

​The Girls Are Coming Back!!
We are thrilled that Stephanie and Michelle will be coming back to work in the first week of August.  Stephanie is back August 5th and Michelle is back on the 6th.  We will be giving them a couple of weeks to settle in, like we had to at the start. Go easy on them!! 

Online Bookings Are BACK!!
We will be re-activating our online booking system this Friday, the 24th, from 10am.  There have been a couple of changes, we have had to add an extra 15 minutes to most services to allow for our clean up times in between clients.  If you are having any issues booking in multiple services because of this extra time just get in touch by text on 0833073399, by email on info@carolinesbeautyroom.com or through Facebook messenger, and we can sort it for you.  To get your correct treatment time simply deduct 15 minutes per service, excluding add-ons.
All links to the booking system on our website, Facebook and our salon app will become live on Friday morning after 10am.
Please note that we are still restricting client time in the salon per visit so if a booking exceeds that time we will get in touch to re-schedule part of it for you.

More Services and Additional Hours
We will be re-introducing more of our services, including short facial treatments, spray tan and nail art. These will be available for online booking from Friday.  Lash extensions will be available from approximately the middle of August once the girls have settled in but can be booked directly with us through text, email or Facebook Messenger until they become live on online booking.
From the second week in August we will be adding some additional hours to our week as we will be able to run a shift pattern.  Please note that we will have no more than 3 clients in the salon at a time.  Individual staff will still be on reduced hours. Keep an eye on the COVID-19 Response page on our website for any updates www.carolinesbeautyroom.com

Dr Katherine is BACK!
Dr. Katherine and The Skin Revival Clinic are back for her first visit since lockdown.  The first clinic is running this Friday and is completely full.  Anyone interested in fillers, Profhilo and anti-wrinkle injectables should get in touch by text on 0833073399 and we will get you booked in.  We will have a full list of dates available after Friday.

We do have one small request of you.  We completely understand that things are a bit crazy right now.  People are getting called back to work, rosters are changing, there is next to no childcare to name just a few problems. But....we would really appreciate it if you could give us as much time as possible should you need to cancel.  We have so much to do between clients that it is very hard to try and fill a space for that day, we have gotten as little as 2 hours notice for a cancellation.

If you have any queries please don't hesitate to get in touch and don't forget to keep an eye on our website www.carolinesbeautyroom.com for all the latest salon information.
You can stay up-to-date on all our COVID-19 procedures, you will be able to book in online, you can read our blog and you can buy gift vouchers or products.

​Thank you again for reading, we will see you very soon in the salon.
Caroline xx

There's an ideal sunscreen for every occasion.  Here's how to find yours!

story highlights
• During the day, skin fights off damage-causing pollution and UV light
• At night, skin repairs daily damage and regenerates itself
• Choose products that work with skin’s natural rhythms to achieve your healthiest skin

sunscreen savvy
Need UV protection? No problem! Use this easy-to-follow guide to find the right sunscreen for any occasion. 

by Dr. Claudia Aguirre

For a star that’s been around for billions of years, the sun sure knows how to stay in the news. A recent headline claimed that sunshine can prevent cancer. This sort of news may seem paradoxical to our understanding of the sun as a carcinogen- but it is based on recent scientific findings that Vitamin D, made in the skin with the help of UV rays, may help prevent colon, breast, even skin cancer. So does this mean that you should ditch the sunscreen this summer?
The answer is a resounding no! The truth is most people do not apply the recommended amount of sunscreen, and even fewer reapply thereafter. Combined with the fact that sunscreens do not prevent 100% of UV rays, it’s safe to say that most people will inevitably get some rays directly on their skin.
The key is balance- spending time in the great outdoors can be greatly beneficial and fun, but be smart about daylight defense. Use sun protection throughout the year to ensure your skin gets the proper protection while you worry about other things, like running, biking or playing outside.

The Low-Down on D
The Vitamin D Dilemma is no new topic. Health experts have praised its benefits for decades, even calling it the “sunshine vitamin.” But it is recent discoveries on the correlation between D deficiency and cancer risk that has made it a hot topic again.
Thousands of people have been found to be deficient, but there are many reasons behind this. Skin color, geographic attributes, even exercise and age are all factors. The U.S. government is currently looking into updating the recommended daily amount before the end of summer.

So what to do this summer? Don’t hibernate, get out there and enjoy it! There are sophisticated formulations that prevent UVA and UVB damage, while providing enhanced photoprotection with anti-oxidants and soothing and hydrating botanical extracts.

Daylight Defense
Thinking about sun protection doesn’t have to be confined to the odd beach trip. Anytime there is daylight, there are UV rays, even on cloudy days.
UVA penetrates deep into the skin and is the major contributor to skin damage and wrinkles. Both UVA and UVB can contribute to the development of skin cancer – so it’s important to find broad-spectrum coverage for full protection.
Most UV blockers do not prevent sun-induced free radical formation, leaving skin vulnerable to inflammation and premature aging. Antioxidants in sunscreen formulations may help absorb those free radicals, fighting potential damage that results in photoaging.
Of course, vitamins themselves may be susceptible to breaking down with UV rays. Look for ingredient technology that addresses this issue. Encapsulated vitamins are one way around this - the vitamins are stabilized within a capsule until subjected to UV radiation, after which these antioxidant vitamins are released to work alongside the sunscreens and provide enhanced photo protection. Vitamin D can be acquired through many means. Recently I started buying mushrooms exposed to UV, making them a Vitamin D powerhouse.

​So remember, while Vitamin D is essential for health and immunity, don’t skimp on the sunscreen which has a proven track record of preventing skin cancer. A healthy diet, exercise, spending time outdoors and preventing sun damage will yield happy skin all year-round. Consider yourself D-briefed!

story highlights
• A sunburn is skin’s defensive response to severe UV damage
• The best treatments are hydration and protection
• A single sunburn may result in skin cancer years later

We’ve all done it: paired too much time in the sun with too little sunscreen, ending the day with a red, sore sunburn. (Oops.) You’re probably well aware that a sunburn equals skin damage, but let’s take a closer look at what that means – and what you should do next.

What exactly is a sunburn?
A sunburn is the skin’s response to ultraviolet (UV) exposure – and an indicator of severe damage. Just 10 minutes of intense UV exposure can set skin’s defense system in motion, ultimately causing any of the following signs:

• Redness – the body’s inflammatory response, resulting from dilation of blood vessels
• Tightness – as the skin loses moisture and hydration
• Tanning – as skin produces more melanin in an attempt to stop UV rays from penetrating through to deeper layers of the skin
• Hypo- or hyperpigmentation – irregular light or dark patches resulting from extreme UV exposure
  

Why is my skin peeling?
Peeling after a sunburn is one of skin’s self-defense mechanisms: it’s your body’s way of getting rid of the damaged cells that are at risk of "losing control" and becoming cancerous. This mass death of cells results in whole layers of damaged skin peeling off, to be replaced by other cells underneath those layers.

I have a sunburn. What do I do now?
First of all, get out of the sun – and don’t risk further sun exposure until your skin has healed.
Next steps:

• Drink plenty of water – dehydration often comes along with sunburn!
• If skin is severely blistered, seek help from a medical practitioner
• Take a cool bath (no products added) and then pat skin dry.
• Apply products with soothing ingredients like Aloe, Lavender or Cucumber. Avoid thick creams, which can block the skin’s natural cooling process.
• To rehydrate skin, look for products that contain ingredients like Algae or Hyaluronic Acid.

Most importantly, give sunburned skin time to heal! For the next couple weeks, stay out of the sun whenever possible and cover sunburned areas with clothing or sunscreen if you must risk exposure. Plus, remember that skin is a great record keeper. Even if you can’t see the damage, UV exposure can cause skin cancer years down the road – so prevention truly is the best medicine!