One Skin Does Not Fit All - Skin Conditions

Hello everyone,

One of the last blogs was all about Skin Types - this month I will explain Skin Conditions:

A Skin Type and a Skin Condition need seperate care.  With a Skin Type we can control the 'problem', eg, with a Skin Type that is Dry, we can recreate a lipid barrier on the skin to protect it and prevent further drying by using correct products. A Skin Type can be controlled but not cured as it is something we are born with.

A Skin Condition, on the other hand, can be treated as they have been caused by external factors and some internal factors. This can include dehydration which may have been caused by central heating, or not drinking enough water.

Skin Conditions include:

Dehydration – lack of water in the skin, possibly flaky, very fine lines, loss of ‘bounce’ to the skin, tight surface, dull complexion, oilness and blockages can still be present. We would recommend some regular light exfoliation and a serum with Hyaluronic Acid to help bind water into the skin.

Sensitised – reactivity to certain products/treatments/environmental factors, tendancy to redness, inflammation, reaction to heat and friction.  We would recommend soothing and calming products such as SkinCeuticals Redness Relief to help combat the triggers of redness and irritation.

Ageing/Premature – wrinkles, loss of muscle tone, pigmentation, dull, low in oil, course skin texture. Peels containing Glycolic and Lactic Acid are fantastic for treating Ageing and Premature Ageing skin conditions. Also use of products at home that contain Vitamin C, Peptides, Hyaluronic Acid and Retinol.

Pigmentation/Sunspots – brown or white irregular patches on the skin. A course of Alma Light Therapy to diminish the brown pigmentation patches, along side regular exfoliation, use of a Vitamin C serum and of course a high factor SPF is essential!

Congestion/Breakouts – under surface congestion, comodones (blackheads), milea (whiteheads), possible pustular breakouts. Build up of skin cells can cause a build up of blackheads which in turn can lead to breakouts. Regular exfoliation is a must alongside regular facials to have your blackheads removed.

So regular facials and a good home skincare routine are essential for your skins health.  Book in for a Fern Facial and we can determine your skin type, any skin conditions and a home skin care regime.

One Skin Does Not Fit All - Skin Types

Hello Everyone,

Skin Knowledge

As Esthetician's, it is our job to use our knowledge of the skins functions to help guide you on how to best look after your skin, by recommending the right product usage to establish what is the best skincare regime for you. When doing this we always recommend coming to see us for a Fern Facial, this is the time we take off all of your makeup, and have a good look at every inch of your skin under the bright light.  Scary, I know, but necessary!

Skin Type/Skin Conditions

Whilst we are analysing your skin, we are looking to determine two things - Skin Type and Skin Condition.  These are both very different things and over the next 2 blogs I am going to explain what they are, starting today with Skin Types.

The Four Skin Types

Your Skin Type is genetically pre-disposed (something you are born with) A Skin Type falls into 4 basic categories - Normal, Oily, Dry and Combination.  I am also going to add in Sensitive, as for some people this can be a permanent  skin condition.  So what do the different skin types look like?

Normal - very rarely do we find "normal" skin type, a bit like hunting for a four leaf clover! For those lucky few the T-zone (forehead, chin and nose) may be a bit oily, but overall sebum and moisture is balanced and the skin is neither too oily nor too dry.

Normal Skin has:

* fine pores

* good blood circulation

* a velvety, soft and smooth texture

* a fresh, rosy colour uniform transparency

* no blemishes 

Oily - ‘Oily’ is used to describe a skin type with heightened sebum production.

Oily Skin has:

* a glossy shine

* thicker, pale skin: blood vessels may not be visible

* enlarged, clearly visible pores

Dry -  Dry skin can feel tight, brittle, rough and look dull. Skin elasticity is also low.

Dry Skin has:

* a rough and blotchy appearance (sometimes it appears to be prematurely aged) 

* a feeling of tightness 

* possible itchiness 

* mild scaling or flakiness in patches 

Combination - In combination skin the skin types vary in the T-zone and the cheeks.  For example, and oily t-zone and normal/dry cheeks.

Combination Skin has:

* enlarged pores in this area perhaps with some impurities

* normal to dry cheeks

* an oily T-zone (forehead, chin and nose)

Sensitive - is skin that is easily irritated and is more reactive than normal skin.

Sensitive Skin can have:

* Redness/visible capillaries

* Rash

* Swelling

* Itching sensation

* Burning sensation

So if you find yourself unsure of your skin type, the next step to take is booking in for a Fern facial and beginning your skin journey.


Book online
https://fernskinclinic.mylocalsalon.com/onlinebooking/v7410/Steps/SiteSelection.aspx

Give us a call 0207 722 2002

Or pop in for a chat

We also have our new web-site up and running
www.fernskinclinic.com

Fashion Week Survival Tips!

Fashion Week is about to hit London with it a flurry of activity and events that will be 24/7.


So this week is not the time to be lazy in looking after your skin, especially when you want to look your tip-top best.  Here is some advice from us to keep your skin looking fresh, with those pushed for time in mind (even if your exhausted on the inside....... )


* Remove your make-up before you go to bed at night.  This is absolutely vital!  Your skin will collect dirt on top of the make-up you are wearing, and with touching your faces during the day, these will become one of the dirtiest parts of your bodies by the end of the day.  Yuck!  Oil and dirt provide the ideal conditions for acne causing bacteria.  So if you don't want to wake up with an extra blackhead or even worse a massive spot, cleanse and double cleanse! 


* Moisturise.  Moisturisers on your skin evaporate during the day, leaving your skins parched.  If you want to wake up with fresher and hydrated skin (even if the odds are stacked against you...) moisturise after cleansing at night.  Simple!

*Repeat. When you wake up in the morning, repeat the above steps to prep your skin for the day ahead.  This will ensure makeup goes onto smooth and hydrated skin - you might even save yourself some time as you won't need to hide the fatigue under layers of makeup!


*Drink lots of water. Its a classic, but it really works at  keeping your skin hydrated from the inside out.  And not only that but drinking enough water throughout the day (and night) will keep your energy levels up, making you feel good and looking less fatigued.

And finally ... for that extra bit of a push, Rhian Stephenson - Nutritionist, Naturopath and CEO of Psycle,  recommends taking a Vitamin B Complex to reduce tiredness and Yeebe Mate Tea, which enhances your physical endurance and the ability to focus.

So with all of this ammunition you should be able to push through the week without hitting the brick wall too hard ........

And if your skin needs that extra helping hand, Fernskinclinic are providing daily complimentary treatments during London Fashion Week @ The Grooming Room, Century Club.

Banish the breakouts after exercising ...

We get many clients coming to us saying they seem to be breaking out in particular after exercising.  This can be frustrating as exercise plays a vital role in overall health and wellbeing, but sometimes your skin does not seem to be cooperating.  Breaking out after exercising is caused mostly by external factors, so here are some tips to keep those breakouts at bay;

1. Always take your makeup off before exercise - wearing your makeup while you workout and sweat will lead to clogged pores, which can then lead to breakouts.  Cleanse your skin before exercise thoroughly and pat dry.  Glo-Theraputics Purifying Gel-Cleanser, containing Salicylic Acid, which deeply cleanses the pores, perfect for pre and post workout.

2. Wash your hands before and after working out.   Avoid touching your face during exercise, especially after handling all of the gym equipment.  Use a clean towel to wipe away any sweat as you go.

3. After your workout, shower as soon as possible.   Not only do you want to avoid getting breakouts on your face, but in other areas like your back also.  The act of sweating unclogs pores, but once the sweat evaporates it leaves behind a salty residue, resulting in pores getting clogged back up again.  Exercise also boosts cell renewal, which is great, unless those dead skin cells are not promptly washed off.

4.  Hydrate your skin using a lightweight, anti-inflammatory moisturiser. Our skins accumulate toxins and grime throughout the day which can lead to inflammation. Exercise can actually help flush out these toxins via increased oxygen to our blood vessels. After exercise and cleansing try using Glo-theraputics Pure Hydration - containing anti-inflammatory fruit extracts.

5. And finally, exfoliate regularly. Ridding your skin of excess dead-skin build up will help enormously to avoid post-workout breakouts.  Try using Glo-Theraputics Refresh Facial Polish  2-3 times weekly to gently polish away those dead skin cells.

We hope these tips help - happy breakout-free exercising!!!!

Free Summer Up-Grade at Fernskinclinic

We would love to celebrate the arrival of summer with you, and in that spirit, we have designed a new collection of first-class facial upgrades as a FREE TOP-UP to your Fern Facial.

We are fanatical about skin health, and each treatment-topper has been formulated to support your complexion through the summer season.

The Summer Upgrade Top-Ups are as follows;

Rejuvenating Vit C Boost:
Reduces hyperpigmentation, brightening you complexion and targeting fine lines and wrinkles.

Complexion Protection:
Lactic20% works to repair damaged skin, fight inflammation and is also highly hydrating.

Decongesting Deep Clean:
Oil absorbing Sulphur Clay and anti-bacterial Tea Tree help to fight acne and reduce inflammation associated with breakouts.

Our new Skin Specialists, Margarita and Melinda are now available for Fern Facial bookings. With a combined tenure of 22 years in the industry, these experts know their stuff!  Be sure to let us know which Free Summer Upgrade you would like to add onto your next facial.


Your complimentary upgrade is available until the 31st August 2016. Please book online or give us a call.

Phone: 020 7722 2002

Online: Online