EDUCATION
In this section of the website, we aim to provide you with information about some of the problems that present themselves throughout different stages of our lives.
Generally, we have covered the areas that we believe we are able to help you to improve.
Frequently, we treat clients who have 'waited' for ailments or problems to right themselves. In so doing have allowed permanent skin damage to occur. Remember, your first salon consultation is free of charge and you are under no obligation to commit to the treatments prescribed. However, as in most cases, prevention is better than cure.
We have the SkinLogic skin scanner in the salon to aid the therapists in specific skin analysis. The unique performance of this device allows you to simultaneously see what the therapist sees and discuss problem areas and prospective treatments available.
The cost of a consultation using the scanner is £10 and is refunded to any client subsequently making a booking for a facial.
Acne:
Although acne, particularly post-adolescent acne, is on the increase, the reasons are unknown.
A staggering 80-85% of teens suffer with acne.
We do know that there are several contributing factors and that acne can persist into the late twenties. It affects both young women and young men, but there are differences, the main one being that men seem more reluctant to seek advice and treatment for their acne, which is usually of a more persistent nature. Here at the salon, we have a full range of facial treatment for men, including back facials to help alleviate the problem.
Women are more likely to have intermittent acne due to hormonal changes and the use of cosmetics.
Contributing factors include the following - Genetics, hormones, use of unsuitable cosmetics, the workplace (environment), physiology and stress
Causes of Acne
Excess sebum production - sebum is stickier in acne sufferers
Abnormally fast cell turnover - lining of the hair follicle leads to blockage and bacteria will them flourish in this anaerobic environment
Less Hair Follicles and more sebaceous follicles: As there is no hair to act as a 'wick', follicles don't clear as easily
Food is not to blame, although a healthy diet is important and excessive intake of oily and rich food is to be avoided, as always
Dirt is not to blame, although cleanliness and hygiene is important and helpful The workplace can make acne worse, e.g. professional kitchens and garages
Treatment of Acne
Reduce sebum by breaking up keratonized cells which create comedone formation.
Destroy bacteria
Reduce inflammation (external factors and stress)
Be encouraged that acne treatment and control can be very successful and that there are a variety of ways forward.
Lo-grade will respond to seeking and following the correct advice and the use of specified home care products
More severe will need medication from a doctor ..... there is no need to wait for improvement before seeking medical advice
Professional treatment at a salon will enhance and compliment medical prescription and will give a sense of encouragement and support at this difficult time.
It is essential: not to squeeze spots and pustules as this can lead to scarring
It is essential: not to use harsh, drying and stripping products
It is essential: to be aware of hygiene, keep your own towels, facecloth and change your pillow case very regularly
Sun Damage & Protection:
Approximately 80% of the ageing of our skins is due to photo damage. Intrinsic ageing is genetically determined but extrinsic ageing is due to photo damage, i.e. sin damage.
There is no doubt that the sun prematurely ages the skin. If you are in any doubt, compare the unexposed skin on the inside of your forearm or your buttocks (unless of course, you are a nudist!)
UVA rays are longer and more lethargic and penetrate deep into the dermis. They remain constant at the same levels all the year round, wherever you are in the world. You will age on cloudy days and through glass. UVA rays are the ageing rays
UVB, shorter and much more energetic rays, are affected by the geographic region and the time of year ..... the rays don't travel so far. They are blocked by cloud, clothing and glass. UVB rays cause burning and skin cancers.
UVC is so frenetic that it has the power to mutate all living things but the ozone layer filters out almost all of these.
Infrared rays destroy collagen.
Ultraviolet and infrared irradiate parts of your DNA and cause thermal injury and damage. Cell destruction and the effort to repair speeds up the natural ageing process. Ultraviolet rays generate free radicals (rogue molecules that have lost an electron) which cause a chain reaction and vicious circle of damage to healthy body cells.
UVB destroys our protective lipids. Sunburn isn't just damage. It is in itself damaging as it alters the molecular structure leading to the potential for cancerous changes. At the menopause, as melanocytes are lost with the decline of oestrogen, so the skin becomes more vulnerable to sunburn and those pigmentation age spots. The sun also depresses our immune system - ever come back from a holiday with a cold?
The skin is an excellent record keeper of every moment spent in the sun. When we are young, defence and repair are at full efficiency but as we age the ability to maintain slows.... and then the level of damage exceeds the potential for repair....
BUT it's never too late....
Studies show that we can undo some of the damage already done and that damaged skin has a real chance of natural repair.
Antioxidants will help to fight free radicals. Eat five portions of fruit and vegetables daily.
A diet rich in antioxidants: 2 tablespoons peas or sweetcorn; 2 medium carrots; 1 tomato; a medium portion courgette, cabbage or cauliflower
Apple, banana, orange, peach or pear (all medium size). Dried fruit - and fruit and vegetable juice.
Topically applied vitamins A, C, and E
Sunscreen daily
Solar Booster
Total eye-care
Multivitamin hand and nail treatment
Remember those UVA rays, the ageing rays, are the same right through the year, so sunscreen daily is a very real anti-ageing products.
Rosacea:
The most frustrating aspect of rosacea is that the cause is not known.
Formally defined as a chronic disease affecting the skin of the face mostly where flushing and redness occur on the nose, cheeks and chin. It may start with episodes of flushing which can eventually develop into permanent redness and broken veins. On this background, inflamed white pimple-like spots develop.
Symptoms:
Rosacea usually occurs in adults between the ages of 30 and 60. Although woman are more often affected by the mild or moderate symptoms, men who have the disorder suffer more severely. The condition can develop in any skin type but it tends to be more frequent in fair skinned people and it does tend to be hereditary. Most doctors strongly believe there is a link between genetic predisposition with the combination of different types of environmental factors creating the problem.
Things that can exacerbate the problem are exposure to the sun, emotional stress and upheaval, alcohol consumption, spicy foods, exercise, cold wind, hot foods and drinks and hot baths. Each person is different and what affects one person might not affect the next.
Things that will help to keep your Rosacea under control:
Minimise the intake of alcohol and spicy foods
Avoid exposure to the sun and use a good sun block or Solar Booster in your daily moisturiser.
Professional Facials with massage are very helpful in aiding the drainage of the accumulation of fluid associated with the condition. This helps to eliminate and reduce the toxins. Our facials include lotions with the skin-calming Vitamin K and Red Raspberry extract.
As always, reduce your stress levels!!
Milia:
Tiny white hard beads under the surface of the skin. These usually appear around the eyes, eyelids and cheekbones
Milia are caused by excess sebum (oil) and dead skin cells that get trapped under the surface of the skin
Unlike blackheads, they cannot be squeezed out and removed.
They need to be removed in the salon environment where we will gently pierce the affected area with a sterile lancet and carefully ease it out. This ensures that there is no damage to the pore nor to the surrounding area
Mineral oil and some cosmetics may exacerbate the problem as does cumulative sun exposure
It helps to exfoliate regularly with a good quality product and to use appropriate skin care products at home.
Hair Removal:
Hair Growth: Body hair is a continual cycle of growth, loss and replacement. Unlike animals, we are always going through this cycle
Anogen Stage: Active hair growth is occurring within the dermal pailla directing and supporting hair growth
Catogen Stage: Transitional phase when the hair follicle starts to separate from its' papilla and retreats upwards
Telogen Stage: This is the dormant (resting) stage. The hair will, in time, shed itself and the entire process will start again
There are various methods of hair removal. Laser, sugaring, threading, shaving or depilatory cream, but here at the salon we use either wax or for small areas.
Waxing is a wonderful way of removing unwanted hair on any part of the body. We use an extremely hygienic system, where each client has a new, disposable applicator so that there is no risk of cross-infection
Epil Pro is a needle-free form and an effective alternative to electrolysis. Sound waves travel down the hair shaft, striking and disintegrating the papillary cells, causing a progressive and permanent loss of unwanted hair
Do please phone for more information or a consultation when we can discuss your particular needs in more detail. Confidentiality is, of course, guaranteed
Nails:
To keep your nails healthy and looking their best, treat them gently and moisturise them regularly. Take care of them, providing protection from soap and water by wearing lined rubber gloves when at work, for example dishwashing detergent can be very harsh on nails, drying out the natural oils.
Don't abuse your nails by using them as tools to prise things open. Similarly, don't bite or suck your nails as this can cause long-term damage to the nail growth. Remember that any injury to the nails will have to grow out - this takes time...
Do moisturise your nails frequently. Rub your hand lotion into the nails as well and massage down into the cuticles. A few drops of almond oil on a piece of cottonwool rubbed into nails is particularly soothing after the removal of nail varnish. Try not to use nail varnish remover too frequently as it is very drying to the nails and strips them of their natural oils. Also, try and have a week off every six weeks to allow nails to recover and breathe after wearing nail varnish.
Caring for weak nails:
Toughening up weak fingernails can be a challenge. Here are some tips to help you protect and nurture them, making them a little less likely to split or to break.
Try and keep them short and square shaped rather than rounded. This provides 'touch' strength. Brittle nails are easier to trim once they have had a good soak in the bath with oil added to the water. Apply oil or moisturiser after the soak.
Remember to apply moisturiser to your hands and nails each time they are washed or immersed in water.
Weak fingernails can be a challenge to toughen up. If you have weak fingernails, the following tips can help you protect them, making your nails less likely to split or break.
Avoid using nail varnish remover that contains acetone as it is very drying to the nails. Use a nail hardener to give them a chance to grow and repair any tears with nail glue. Prolong the life of your nail varnish by touching up instead of removing and repainting. This allows the nails a chance to gain strength.
Cod liver oil as a dietary supplement can be good for nails, as it is for joints - keeps nails flexible and prevents brittleness.
At the salon, we use moisturising during your manicure; the first is a wonderful warm paraffin wax bath for the entire hand. Once immersed the hands are wrapped in soft mittens to allow the warmth and moisture to benefit skin, nails and tissue during relaxation. Nails are then shaped, and finally the finishing varnish is applied.
Stress:
Stress has become a daily part of most of our lives: it's not the stress itself that is the problem, but how we manage and react to it. Stress has been described as the "non-specific response to the body to any demand made on it". A certain amount of stress is good for us: it keeps us 'on our toes'!
Excess stress leads to fatigue and decreased resistance to infection and disease; an inability to cope with even the smallest stressors At the salon, we can help alleviate the following stress-related symptoms:
Tension Headaches
Tense and sore muscles
Insomnia
We can also provide a caring, listening ear in a friendly, safe and relaxing environment
We encourage you to cut down on 'stress burdens', i.e. cigarettes, caffeine and alcohol. Do avoid the use of tranquillisers and antidepressants unless you have taken medical advice
Exercise is very important in combating stress and should be part of your regular routine. It raises the levels of endomorphines, the feel-good factor.
Taking time out for yourself is very important. The salon is a haven of peace and tranquility: an escape from the stresses of the world 'out there'. Leave it all behind while you are with us and enjoy the time spent away from the usual rush of life. We are experienced therapists who can help you both physically and emotionally.... massage is the start of this journey
The treatment rooms are private, the lighting gentle, the music soft and soothing, the aromas wonderful... and we will nurture you.
