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