Table of Contents Page 0
Rosacea Page 2 Sun Spots, Age Spots and Liver Spots Page 4 Dry Skin Page 6 Acne / Blemishes / Oily Skin Page 8 The Top 5 Foods for Health Happy Skin Page11 The Dirty Dozen Page 13 Page 1
Rosacea What is Rosacea? Rosacea is a common but poorly understood long-term skin condition that mainly affects the face. Symptoms often begin with episodes of flushing (where the skin turns red for a short period), but other symptoms can develop as the condition progresses, such as: Burning and stinging sensations Permanent redness Spots (papules and pustules) Small blood vessels in the skin becoming visible Rosacea is a relapsing condition, which means there are periods when symptoms are particularly bad, followed by periods when the condition is less severe. Many of the symptoms of rosacea can be controlled to a degree with treatment. But the changes to your physical appearance that may occur as a result of the condition can still have a significant psychological and social impact, affecting how you feel about yourself and how you interact with others. Treating Rosacea There is no currently no known cure for rosacea, but there are treatments available to help keep the symptoms under control. Long-term treatment will usually be necessary, although there may be periods where your symptoms improve and you can stop treatment temporarily. Page 2
Self-help measures There are a number of important things you can do yourself to help keep the symptoms of rosacea under control, including: Avoiding things that trigger your symptoms for example, by using a good quality SPF 30 50 sun cream and covering yourself up if direct sunlight makes your symptoms worse Taking good care of your skin for example, by using products suitable for sensitive skin with the least amount of chemicals or that have alcohol in them. Using make-up patches of persistent red skin can be disguised using specially designed "camouflage" make-up Keeping your eyelids clean if rosacea is causing your eyelids to become inflamed (blepharitis) Avoiding spicy foods and alcohol Clinical Treatments Syneron e-light elos Technology The system utilises Elos Technology, exclusive to Syneron Candela Systems, which combines pulsed light energy - visible and near infrared and radio frequency energy. Both are delivered through the skin as a combined pulse resulting in a more efficient and safer treatment for Rosacea. Another bonus of the e-light system is its ability to treat other vascular lesions such as thread veins, cherry angioma etc. LED Photography Intense Pulse Light is the best treatment to manage Rosacea, but once the condition is under control it will need to be monitored and home care self-measures implemented to keep it under control and expect to 'top up your treatment every 12 to 18 months to manage it. To find out more information and for a private informal chat call Reflect today on 0800 999 3688 and speak to the team about how best to proceed. Page 3
Sun Spots, Age Spots and Liver Spots What are Sun Spots / Age Spots / Liver Spots? Sun spots, also known as age spots or liver spots are harmless, large, flat, gray, brown, frecklelike circular spots, often with irregular borders. They vary in size from as small as a pea to as large as a nickel. Unlike freckles, these spots tend to persist and do not fade and darken with the seasons. Sun spots are common in those with fair skin but are frequently seen in those who tan easily or have naturally dark skin. Although these spots appear on the skin of older adults, age spots, or liver spots have little to do with aging or the liver. They develop slowly over time and get bigger as our skin produces excess melanin (pigment) in response to overexposure to sunlight. It is for this reason that these spots usually appear on the face, hands, shoulders and arms areas of the body most exposed to the sun over a long period of time and are thus know as age spots. How can we prevent them? The prevention of age spots requires sun avoidance and sun protection. Sun spots are harmless and do not need to be treated; however, many people seek treatment because they believe these spots can detract from their skin's appearance, making them look older. Although age spots do not change into cancerous growths, some skin cancers may resemble these spots, anyone who has one or more pigmented spots that they are unsure about or have concerns that they have change in character should see their GP or dermatologist for evaluation. How do you remove Sun Spots? Traditional treatments for sun spots and freckles, such as topical bleaching agents and medications, often produce only temporary results. At Reflect Skin and Body Clinic we have several effective and long-lasting therapies to get rid of unwanted sun damage. The minimally invasive photo-rejuvenation light and laser technologies available at Reflect are specially designed to eliminate your undesirable sun / age spots. Plus Page 4
other cosmetic procedures designed to reduce or eliminate age or sun spots available at our practice are as follows: Chemical peel: Safely uses one of the chemicals intended for skin peeling, from superficial to medium depth, to get rid of the undesirable spots. As the damaged skin peels, new skin forms to take its place. Superficial chemical peels require several treatments to achieve good results Hydrafacial The Hydrafacial resurfacing treatment thoroughly cares for your skin, providing cleansing, exfoliation, extraction, and hydration all while Vortex-Fusing antioxidants, peptides, and Hyaluronic acid. Hydrafacial is a non-invasive, non-surgical procedure that delivers instant results with no discomfort or downtime. The procedure is soothing, moisturizing, nonirritating, and immediately effective. Before and after Hydrafacial The Hydrafacial skin solutions can specifically target your skin issues including sun damage / age spots but also the added bonus of dealing with blackheads and white- heads, enlarged pores, congestion, uneven skin tone, and early aging fine lines and reducing wrinkles. Syneron e-light elos Technology Technology The system utilizes elos technology, exclusive to Syneron Candela Systems, which combines pulsed light energy - visible and near infrared and radio frequency energy. Both are delivered through the skin as a combined pulse resulting in a more efficient and safer treatment for age / sun spot removal. Page 5
Dry Skin Do you have overly Dry Skin? Here are 5 tips to help you improve your dryness: Never wash with hot water Avoid hot showers, save the hot water for the frying pans! Never use hot water on the face as you will strip the sebum (oil) out of your pores and if there was hardly any there beforehand imagine what the skin will look like after being stripped with hot water. Avoid harsh chemical based products Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (the foaming bit that makes your face feel super clean?) well actually it s stripping the natural sebum away, breaking down the skins natural defense. Alcohol is often used as a base in skincare products and can help other ingredients such as a HTC and neutrals penetrate the skin more effectively. Alcohol does this by breaking down the skins natural barrier supposedly for the greater cause but still Page 6
damaging the skin even more so if it is dry because alcohol is extremely drying and irritating. Fragrances Be very careful about floral scented, perfumed products because most ingredients are virtually all synthetic and are made up of hundreds of chemicals which are stabilized with phthalates. These little nasties are linked to asthma attacks, headaches and allergies which are a cause of skin irritants, dryness and eczema (Also try to avoid Retinoid, Benzoyl Peroxide and Salicylic Acid). All can be used for problematic skin or anti-aging, but a No for dry especially severely dry skin. Avoid caffeine, smoking and alcohol All act as Diuretics and will totally suck your skin dry. Protect your skin from elements Wind, sun, heat, cold, air-conditioning and radiators will all dehydrate your skin so always make sure you apply a moisturizer before exposing your face to these elements, and keep it topped up. Here at reflect we offer one of the best treatment programs for dry dehydrated skin. Firstly we give you an in depth skin analysis and then a bespoke HydraFacial to start the hydration process. We then look in depth at the products you use and your skin care routine, to make sure you are doing the best for your skin. Page 7
Adult On-Set Acne What is Adult On-set Acne? Acne usually starts in puberty, but it affects adults too. There are many myths about what causes it. Here are the facts and details of treatments. Adult Acne Adult acne is by no means an uncommon problem. Five percent of all adults over the age of 45 and one in five women between age 25 and 40 experience regular acne breakouts. Although adult acne may feel like an entirely different situation from the acne you experienced as a teenager, it is quite similar. All acne is caused by the same factors: over-secretion of sebum in the sebaceous glands brought on by an increase in androgens, mixed with bacteria in the pores and the flood of white blood cells to the area that begin the healing process. The result is an inflamed surface pimple or deep, painful cyst. Adult acne is more challenging to treat due to the special needs of adult skin which may be dry, showing signs of aging or sensitive to acne treatments designed for oilier, teen skin. As we age, collagen production slows down which in turn slows the skin s healing process, allowing the possibility for scarring. Read on for more information about the causes of adult acne, as well as how to treat adult acne. What Causes Adult Acne? Page 8
Stress Causes in increase in androgens which stimulate sebaceous glands. Read more about Stress and Acne Stopping birth control pills Oral contraceptives contain estrogen and progesterone, hormones which control androgen activity. Acne flares up when the pill is stopped because androgen activity goes up again. Pregnancy The androgenic hormone progesterone increases with pregnancy, causing sebaceous glands to be stimulated. Prescription Drugs Barbituates (found in sleep aids), Lithium (for treating depression), and corticosteroids are known to cause acne. Menopause Strong fluctuations in hormones cause sebaceous gland activity to increase, causing pimples. Androgens (male hormones) have a stronger effect with the dropping of the estrogen (female hormones) levels during menopause. How to get control of Adult Acne A few tips Skin type Taking your skin type into consideration when choosing acne treatment products. If you are sensitive or dry, it s best to use a gentle cleanser and non-alcohol toner along with a calming mask as opposed to the oily skin acne treatments which may cause dryness. Harsh cleansers, toners and scrubs will only irritate the condition. Eat Healthy Eating foods rich in antioxidant vitamins keeps skin and body healthy. Reducing the fat content of the diet can help slow the increase of sebum in the skin. Don t over clean your face Being too clean can actually cause you more problems. The sebum balance is already out if you have active acne, so if you are too eager with your cleaning routine you will strip the sebum levels down very quickly which means the sebaceous glands will overreact and will create more sebum than is needed. Don t over exfoliate your face Often we are too aggressive with exfoliating our skin and this can lead to irritation, soreness, weeping and inevitably spread the acne and could lead to infection. Don t be too quick to think a product isn t working Ideally you should continue with a product for at least 6 weeks to see any real changes. Page 9
Drink plenty of water Keeping your hydration levels up will help flush out your lymphatic system and therefore help remove any waste and toxins within the body, this will also encourage better blood flow giving you a clearer and brighter complexion, well hydrated skin helps dilute the skin s secretions, preventing pore congestion. Be hygienic Regularly wash your hands before and after touching your face, ideally use a dry flannel and replace with a new one after use as your flannel may get damp and harbour bacteria which could lead to infection. Acne can be treated but not cured. Treatment for acne prone skin must be maintained or there is a risk that the acne will return. Effective Clinical Treatments & Products for Acne HydraFacial - Is by far the best aesthetic based treatment for acne. The treatment is combined with lymphatic drainage and blue light LED which are both proven to also be effective in the treatment of acne. from 89.00 Lymphatic drainage massage both mechanical and manual can be very effective in helping the lymphatic system to clearing toxins more efficiently. From 60.00 Blue Light LED is a clinically proven to reduce spot prone skin from 25.00 Products Speed up cell turnover by using a product that exfoliates not with scratchy grains but with Salicylic Acid or Glycolic Acid. Oily skin care products and make-up even though your skin may be dry, the additional oils in your skin care products may not be doing you any good. Non- oily alternatives which will hydrate the skin without clogging the pores are better. For more details please contact Reflect for a FREE Skin Analysis. Page 10
The Top 5 Foods for Health Happy Skin Strawberries Strawberries have more anti-aging vitamin C per serving than oranges or grapefruit. And research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows that people who eat foods rich in vitamin C have fewer wrinkles and less age-related dry skin than those who don t. Vitamin C fights free radicals, which damage cells and break down collagen, leading to fine lines. For smoother, better-hydrated skin, apply a natural berry mask once or twice a week, and eat vitamin C rich foods daily. Olive oil The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of olive oil don t just benefit you on the inside they soften your skin, too. Ancient Romans massaged olive oil into their skin". When used topically, olive oil results in smoother, more radiant skin. Plus, consuming olive oil, a staple in the healthy Mediterranean diet, provides antioxidants to disarm free radicals and reduce inflammation. In addition to working olive oil into your daily diet, apply as a lip gloss and skin soother, as needed. If you have dry skin, you ll particularly benefit from topical application. Page 11
Green Tea Curling up to a cup of green tea does a lot more than relax you. Green tea is filled with inflammation-fighting antioxidants; What's more research shows that drinking green tea may reduce your risk of skin cancer. And when you add a generous squeeze of citrus juice, the tea s antioxidants get a boost of staying power, so they remain in and benefit the body longer, rather than being digested quickly and having much of the goodness go down the drain, according to Purdue University researchers. Pumpkin Pumpkin s orange hue is from carotenoids, wrinkle-fighting plant pigments that help neutralize free radicals in the skin, keeping them from damaging the cells that fast-forward aging. Pumpkin is filled with vitamins C, E, and A, as well as powerful enzymes that help to cleanse the skin? Plus, pumpkin has hydrating properties, Ionescu adds. Although the seeds make a great fiber-filled snack, you get the skinsaving antioxidants from the pulp. Pomegranate Pomegranates are one of the most antioxidantrich fruits around; research shows this fruit s juice has more inflammation-fighting antioxidants than red wine or green tea. Eat some fresh pomegranate or use it in an age-fighting scrub. Apply once or twice a week to remove dead skin cells for best results. Page 12
The Dirty Dozen An overview of Fraud Schemes Some of the ingredients in beauty products aren't that pretty. U.S. researchers report that one in eight of the 82,000 ingredients used in personal care products are industrial chemicals, including carcinogens, pesticides, reproductive toxins, and hormone disruptors. Many products include plasticizers (chemicals that keep concrete soft), degreasers (used to get grime off auto parts), and surfactants (they reduce surface tension in water, like in paint and inks). Imagine what that does to your skin, your overall health and to the environment. You can avoid harmful chemicals when you use our shopper's guide, and audit your bathroom cupboard using this list of harmful ingredients: BHA and BHT Used mainly in moisturizers and makeup as preservatives. Suspected endocrine disruptors and may cause cancer (BHA). Harmful to fish and other wildlife. Coal tar dyes: p-phenylenediamine and colours listed as "CI" followed by a five digit number In addition to coal tar dyes, natural and inorganic pigments used in cosmetics are also assigned Colour Index numbers (in the 75000 and 77000 series, respectively). Look for p-phenylenediamine hair dyes and in other products colours listed as "CI" followed by five digits.1 The U.S. colour name may also be listed (e.g. "FD&C Blue No. 1" or "Blue 1"). Potential to cause cancer and may be contaminated with heavy metals toxic to the brain. DEA-related ingredients Used in creamy and foaming products, such as moisturizers and shampoos. Can react to form nitrosamines, which may cause cancer. Harmful to fish and other wildlife. Look also for related chemicals MEA and TEA. Dibutyl phthalate Used as a plasticizer in some nail care products. Suspected endocrine disrupter and reproductive toxicant. Harmful to fish and other wildlife. Page 13
Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives Look for DMDM hydantoin, diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea, methenamine and quarternium-15. Used in a variety of cosmetics. Slowly release small amounts of formaldehyde, which causes cancer. Parabens Used in a variety of cosmetics as preservatives. Suspected endocrine disrupters and may interfere with male reproductive functions. Parfum (a.k.a. fragrance) Any mixture of fragrance ingredients used in a variety of cosmetics even in some products marketed as "unscented." Some fragrance ingredients can trigger allergies and asthma. Some linked to cancer and neurotoxicity. Some harmful to fish and other wildlife. PEG compounds Used in many cosmetic cream bases. Can be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, which may cause cancer. Also for related chemical propylene glycol and other ingredients with the letters "eth" (e.g., polyethylene glycol). Petrolatum Used in some hair products for shine and as a moisture barrier in some lip balms, lip sticks and moisturizers. A petroleum product that can be contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which may cause cancer. Siloxanes Look for ingredients ending in "-siloxane" or "-methicone." Used in a variety of cosmetics to soften, smooth and moisten. Suspected endocrine disrupter and reproductive toxicant (cyclotetrasiloxane). Harmful to fish and other wildlife. Sodium laureth sulfate Used in foaming cosmetics, such as shampoos, cleansers and bubble bath. Can be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, which may cause cancer. Look also for related chemical sodium lauryl sulfate and other ingredients with the letters "eth" (e.g., sodium laureth sulfate). Triclosan Used in antibacterial cosmetics, such as toothpastes, cleansers and antiperspirants. Suspected endocrine disrupter and may contribute to antibiotic resistance in bacteria. Harmful to fish and other wildlife. Page 14