Stop Spots

From BC to 2010, chemical peels have come a long way. Cleopatra used food acids during her reign spanning 51-30BC while the 1900’s European and American women underwent non-medical peels in salons using ‘secret formulae’. The 1950’s saw the arrival of the phenol peel, a fierce deep peel that could remove years of wrinkles but also gave peeling its currently misrepresented reputation of complications; pigmentation, de-pigmentation, scarring and even abnormal heart rhythms due to absorption of the chemicals.

Chemical peels have been used for centuries to remove the outer layers of the skin which helps erase sunspots, rough scaly patches, irregular pigmentation, and reduce freckles and fine wrinkles. But if you are a peel virgin, then ‘peel’ does nothing to reassure you that in order to achieve great results, you won’t have to go through the pain and shame that Ab Fab’s Patsy (aka: Joanna Lumley) endured after attempting to remove years of smoking and wild living with a chemical peel!

Now there is no need to worry with the new age peels such as Innerpeel® available from the skin specialist, sk:n clinics. The clinics nationwide offer a range of peels to suit the individual. After a consultation with a medically qualified skin expert, you can be sure sk:n will help define a peel solution tailor-made just for you.

People that have superficial scars, radiation keratosis, acne, acne scarring, plantar warts, or sebaceous hyperplasia may well benefit from a peel. Innerpeel® SA is suitable as an acne treatment and delivers exfoliating salicylic acid to the skin plus two key active ingredients: ethylinoleate and ethylcitrate, which, in clinical studies, have been shown to reduce oil production by 58% within three weeks by reducing the activity of the hormone which produces sebum. sk:n clinics currently offer a single treatment for £480 and £1,595 for four treatments.

In addition, Innerpeel® Modified Jessner’s is the deepest peel in the range, which must be supervised by a doctor. This is an excellent stand alone acne treatment that also works well as an anti-ageing exfoliator, containing lactic, salicyclic and pyruvic acids plus the anti-ageing ingredient resorsinal. Price: £480 for one treatment and £835 for two.

To find the right skin peel solution for your skin, visit www.sknclinics.co.uk for more information.

An increasing number of people, particularly women, regard their skin as sensitive to some extent, but what is meant by ‘sensitive’?

According to Nina Goad of the British Skin Foundation: “The term ‘sensitive skin’ covers a vast range of skin issues, from mild redness to persistent stinging.”

A recent study of 400 women conducted by dermatologists in France found that 70% of women with sensitive skin on their faces also suffered symptoms on their bodies.

The same study found that the most common triggers reported by women with sensitive skin include the weather, stress, soaps, cosmetics, sun exposure and pollution.

For most people, sensitive skin is actually a reaction to something that the skin is in contact with. The reaction can be one of two types – irritant or allergic.

Nina explains: “Irritant reactions (the most likely) occur when a substance damages your skin’s natural protective barrier by stripping away its natural oils, allowing the irritants to penetrate into the skin”

So, what can you do to protect your skin from these irritants?

GIVE YOUR SKIN THE GENTLEST POSSIBLE CARE

One product that could help is Sanex Dermo Hypo Allergenic which is soap free, colourant free and perfume neutral, to reduce the risk of irritation whilst gently cleansing and caring for delicate skin. It stimulates your skin’s own protective barrier alleviating dryness to leave your skin feeling naturally protected, healthy and free from irritation.

Sanex Dermo Hypo Allergenic needn’t be just for sensitive skins. Even if you don’t have sensitive skin it still deserves the gentlest possible care.

Try following the above tips and see if your skin improves. If your reactions persist, your doctor may refer you to a dermatologist, who can perform patch tests that will show you which ingredients are suitable for your skin and which are best avoided.

NINA GOAD’S SIX STEPS TO CARE FOR SENSITIVE SKIN:

1. Avoid products containing alcohol, which can be harsh on sensitive skin. You could also try opting for products that don’t contain fragrances, preservatives or colourants as these are the cause of reactions for some people
2. Traditional soaps can disturb skin’s natural pH balance so look for products that are pH balanced or pH neutral
3. Swap regular washing products for a pH-balanced, soap-free one labelled ‘hypoallergenic’. ‘Hypoallergenic’ can mean it has a reduced potential to cause allergic reactions
4. Hot water may irritate your skin, as could rubbing with a towel, so use only warm water and pat dry
5. Exfoliation should always be gentle so do not vigorously scrub your skin if it is sensitive. Over-exfoliating can damage your skin’s protective barrier function, making it more prone to irritants and exposing new skin to the elements
6. After washing, apply a very plain moisturiser to help to protect the barrier function of your skin

OXY Emergency Zit Blitz Gel doesn’t just work fast to reduce the size of those embarrassing spots – it also reduces redness and cools and soothes inflamed skin.

That’s the verdict of more than 45 young male spot sufferers.

The group, aged 12-24 were asked to blind test the gel for a week, applying it to their spots morning and night – and they were so impressed that they were clamouring to know what it was and where they could buy it!

OXY brand manager Jill Stuart said: “Spots are not something that boys and young men in the 12-24 age group discuss among themselves, but this test proves that if something really works it will get them talking.

“OXY Emergency Zit Blitz Gel is dermatologically tested and paraben-free. It is designed to start to reduce the size and redness of spots in just four hours and the shine-free, cooling gel can be applied through the day.

“We were delighted, not just with the results that our testing panel reported, but also the comments they made. They really were enthusiastic about the gel, which, like the whole OXY range, is specially formulated for the needs of thicker, oilier male skin. More than 80% told us it was effective or very effective in tackling their spots, with the same number saying they felt it was suitable for sensitive skin.”

Skin-friendly and shine free

The research, carried out by Ayton Moon asked the triallists to rate the performance of the gel and all the respondents found it convenient or very convenient to use, with 87% saying they would use it again.

Nearly 90% found it friendly to skin and almost 70% liked the fact that it left skin shine-free.

Overall, 17.4% saw an improvement in their spots in just four hours and 26.1% within eight hours, while almost 90% said their spots had improved within 48 hours.

When it came to reducing the redness of spots, more than 15% noticed a difference in just two hours, with almost one-third saying redness was reduced in four hours. The size of spots was also reduced with more than three-quarters of the respondents reporting that spots were smaller within 24 hours and 11% within four hours.

More than 70% said OXY Emergency Zit Blitz Gel was effective or very effective at cooling and soothing the inflamed areas.

‘The best I’ve tried’
Triallists were also asked to comment on the product and among the responses were:

“This was probably the best spot treatment gel I have tried. I have very bad spots on my face and the next morning I could notice a big difference… I only wish I knew the brand so I could buy it.”

“Great product.”

“Great product. What was it? I want some more.”

“Really liked it – would buy it if I knew what it was.”

“I thought this product was really good. I would like to know what it is so I can buy it in the future. It’s better than the one I have been using.”

“…It was nice that it didn’t dry skin and make it feel tight.”

“The tube was a good size to carry around.”

“Good packaging and easy to use, tackles problem skin fast and without any problems or stinging.”

Jill Stuart said: “How often can you get a teenage boy to utter more than a couple of words? Yet they were keen to write whole sentences about this product. But of course they won’t be going out and buying it themselves, so mums had better make sure they add it to their shopping list. You never know, their boys might even thank them!”

OXY Emergency Zit Blitz Gel is part of the new OXY range* of spot prevention and treatment products from The Mentholatum Company.

New OXY

The new OXY range comprises:

Daily products:

• OXY Daily Face Wash – a refreshing oil-free wash with fine particles to remove dead skin, oil, dirt and spot-causing bacteria

• OXY Maximum Face Scrub – an intensive cleaning and exfoliating scrub with two sizes of exfoliating beads, plus salicylic acid

• OXY Anti-Spot Balm – for use after cleansing to moisturise, control oil and help prevent spots and blackheads

• OXY Daily Face Wipes – for those lazy boys who don’t want to wash in the bathroom, these exfoliating wipes embossed with polyethylene dots remove dead skin cells, dirt and grease and reduce redness

Emergency products:

• OXY Emergency Zit Blitz Pads –Targeted action for problem areas to help clean away dirt, reduce redness and excess oil and kill spot causing bacteria

• OXY Emergency Zit Blitz Gel – shine-free and cooling gel which can be applied through the day and is designed to reduce the size and redness of spots in just four hours

Existing OXY medicines:

• OXY On The Spot – with 2.5% Benzoyl peroxide for mild to moderate spots and pimples

• OXY 10 – maximum strength spot treatment with 10% Benzoyl peroxide, this is a P medicine

OXY 10 and OXY OTS contain Benzoyl peroxide. Always read the label.

*OXY Daily Face Wash, Face Wipes, Maximum Scrub, Anti Spot Balm, Emergency Zit Blitz Gel & Emergency Zit Blitz Pads

Are you one of millions of boys who suffer with spots that cause you no end of embarrassment and distress?  Do your have greasy looking skin that is peppered with blackheads? In the UK alone there are 3.6 million* boys aged between 11-24 who suffer with spots or acne.

Oxy Male Skin Care Range

OXY has launched a totally new advanced skincare range that is just for boys; helping to combat problems associated with adolescent skin.  This is a UK first, a medicated range specially engineered for male skin, providing the total solution for skin prone to spots, blackheads and excess oil.

The New OXY range tackles the root causes of spots: blocked follicles; excess oil and spot causing bacteria which then result in red bumps. The range includes the breakthrough ingredient Phycosaccharide, which is an anti-bacterial ingredient, it also helps to regulate oil glands to keep pores clean and reduce redness.

The new products are Paraben free, designed for sensitive skin and are dermatologically tested.  The textures and ingredients means that the boys can feel the effect of the products often within minutes and the fresh clean, fragrance leaves them smelling great too.  As boys are simple creatures, OXY is easy to use and looks great on the bathroom shelf, reassuring mums that they have made the right choice!

The range was developed in association with expert dermatologists in the UK   - to ensure this new generation of skin care products are just right for young male skin. OXY has a full range of products from daily skincare products through to medicine treatments for stubborn spots.

The new collection contains:

OXY Daily Face wash £4.49

An effective daily product that works by removing dead skin, dirt, oil and grease that has been proven to be effective at tackling spots and blackheads within 48 hours (User Trial)**.  This is an advanced formulation with marine plant extract that helps to keep skin trouble-free.

OXY Anti-Spot Balm £5.99

If he wants to prevent spots and blackheads from recurring then this is the product to use!  Proven in consumer tests to be effective in preventing spots, blackheads & controlling oily skin (User Trial)** OXY Anti-Spot Balm improves the condition and feel of male skin.

OXY Daily Face Wipes £3.99

Do you have a son who hates to cleanse his face?  You are not alone!  OXY Daily Face Wipes are exfoliating cleansing wipes that remove dead

skin, dirt and grease - reducing the redness associated with spots.  A great invention for boys who are too lazy to wash their faces!

OXY Maximum Face Scrub £4.49

Do your spotty boys complain that their skin never feels clean?  The two sizes of exfoliating beads in OXY Maximum Face Scrub work by removing the top layer of dead skin (to clear the congested area, resulting in an intense clean & improved appearance of the skin).

New OXY Emergency Products:

OXY Emergency Zit Blitz Pads £4.49

If he wants to improve spot appearance and target problem areas fast,

these pre-soaked cleansing pads help improve spots within 24 hours (User Trial)** by removing excess oil from the affected area.

OXY Emergency Zit Blitz Gel £4.49

Is your son going out on a date and needs a quick fix solution? OXY Emergency Bliz Gel is a ‘must have’ product for boys eager to blast those angry looking zits fast!  This fast acting gel starts to reduce the size and redness of spots in just four hours making it a perfect solution before a night out on the town

New OXY Medicines

Many teenagers are frustrated that they cannot purchase an ‘off the shelf’ product to work on their stubborn spots or acne.

OXY on the Spot and OXY 10 both contain Benzoyl Peroxide, an anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory ingredient which is highly effective against stubborn spots and acne

Both should be used daily after cleansing skin.  OXY On the Spot RRP £4.99 is for mild to moderate spots and pimples and OXY 10 RRP: £4.99 is a pharmacy only medicine that treats the more stubborn spots and acne.

OXY 10 and OXY OTS contain Benzoyl Peroxide.  Always read the label.