Lifestyle Habits
Lifestyle habits can have an impact on the severity of acne and sometimes all it takes is a little tweak in some of these to have a vast improvement. 

• A lack of daily skincare routine or even the wrong skincare routine can have a dramatic effect on your skin.  Some makeup, hair products and skincare products contain pore clogging ingredients such as lanolin and mineral oils.
• Smoking damages cells, constricts blood vessels and impairs cell turnover which can affect the skins ability to heal itself, creating those conditions that bacteria love so much. 
• Squeezing or picking at breakouts at home can exacerbate acne by spreading the bacteria to other areas. 
• Wearing tight fitting or itchy clothing can make acne on the body worse by causing sweat to cling to the area or create friction that irritates and aggravates inflammation. 
• Certain medications can also affect the severity of a breakout.

 
Sugar Consumption
Sugary, refined and processed foods can contribute to breakouts by triggering more oil production.

How do you treat acne?
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1. Reduce stress levels.  This can seem hard to do but there are plenty of tools out there to help with stress management.  There are a variety of apps, books, podcasts and even programmes on some streaming platforms that teach techniques in breathing exercises and refocusing the mind.  Ensure that you regularly take time for yourself to escape from your stress triggers this will also ensure that you are sleeping better.  Our skin heals best when we are sleeping.
2. Establish a regular and effective skincare routine.  The best way to do this is to speak to your skincare provider (aka us!) who will be able to recommend and explain how to use the products most suited to your individual needs.  
3. Limit your skins exposure to bacteria by washing makeup brushes regularly, changing pillowcases weekly and disinfecting mobile phones daily.
4. Have a cleaner diet.  Reduce sugar consumption, drink more water, limit your caffeine intake and eat fresh as often as possible.  Fresh food contains more nutrients and has less sugar and preservatives than processed foods.  Think of colour variation when it comes to fruits and vegetables.  The more colour you have on your plate, the more nutrients you are consuming.
5. Wear SPF daily.  Wearing SPF protects the skin from harmful UV rays.  It should be worn every day and topped up through the day, even if it is cloudy as the rays can penetrate through clouds.  Blue light is a form of harmful UV ray that we are exposed to through our devices, so it is now increasingly more important to even wear SPF indoors.
6. Book some skin treatments.  Speak to us about our acne clearing treatments and we can prescribe the most effective course of treatment for your individua needs.  We have many treatments aimed at effectively treating acne from our Dermalogica and Repechage facials to our Microdermabrasion and High Frequency machine based facial treatments and we are always happy to help guide you through your journey to better skin.

  
 
Dermalogica articles ‘Why are you breaking out?’, ‘Adult Acne’ and ‘How to treat adult acne’ used for refence during writing.

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.  
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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. 

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.