**Top Tips to reverse the signs of skin damage and ageing** (in time for Christmas and New Year!)x

Skin Deep – January 2016

South Warrington News

Welcome to ‘Skin Deep’ – This month’s feature looks at our ‘Top Tips to Reverse Damage and Ageing’. Any questions, just ask Dr. Angie Winnington-Sharp – www.cheshireskinclinic.com angie@cheshireskinclinic.com or 01925 263660 & 07967 481594. 

Next month ‘Skin Barrier Repair – ‘Body Sculpting and Stretch Mark Removal’.

A healthy skin barrier requires healthy lipid (natural oils etc) ratios to optimise function. By repairing the outermost natural protective layer, the function of the skin is at its best and it protects us from damaging environmental factors whilst retaining a healthy level of moisture. Targeting different cellular levels, enables the possibility of repairing fine lines/wrinkles, heal the skin and reduce visible ageing. Conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and keratosis pilaris can all be improved as well as simultaneously firming the skin, reduce inflammation and increase collagen production. Some products for the face and body are formulated differently due to varying amounts of oil glands and absorption rates in a range of physiological areas such as the eyes, neck, hands and torso. Many ‘high street’ brands contain large molecules that just ‘sit on the surface of the skin’ and hence have limited positive effects mid-long term. Some essential oils (naturally derived oils, frequently from plants) can be sensitizing so it is important to discuss your skin type with your skin professional, for example it is possible to have ‘dry skin’ but still suffer from regular ‘break outs’. Any acne-prone skin can benefit from ingredients that specialise in the reduction of inflammation, which in turn reduces excess oil/sebum formation. Some unwanted skin inflammation can be caused and exaggerated by too much exfoliation (with microbeads and other granules), which removes surface scale/unevenness, but also some of the healthy skin barrier. So, before buying your next ‘miracle product’, have an extensive chat with a professional consultant about your specific needs in order to maximise your likelihood of ‘turning back the clock’.

Why use a Night Cream - Important 'Factoids' for my Skin Aficionados x

Skin Deep – December 2015

South Warrington News

Welcome to ‘Skin Deep’ – This month’s feature looks at our ‘Why Use a Night Cream’. Any questions, just ask Dr. Angie Winnington-Sharp – www.cheshireskinclinic.com angie@cheshireskinclinic.com or 01925 263660 & 07967 481594. 

Next month ‘Skin Barrier Repair – Top Tips to Reverse Damage and Ageing’.

One of the main benefits to applying a cream at night is that it enables you to apply a product with a diverse range of molecule sizes, specially formulated to act at different cell layers to give a vast range of positive effects. This is more efficient at night as sometimes the cream may be thicker than a ‘light-weight moisturiser’ so not ideal underneath make-up or if going directly outside due to excess shine etc. The main benefits include; anti-inflammatory properties to reduce irritation, keratolytic response enabling renewal and fortification, hydration, reduction in unwanted pigment and redness, collagen stimulation and elastin synthesis. An intense night cream can also be beneficial on the neck, decollate and hands. The most immediate effects are overall brightened skin tone, reduction in age spots, decreased skin scale and improved contour.

Many of the well formulated products contain peptides, which react with specifically targeted cells and can assist wound healing, reduce dermatitis and eczema.

It is never too late to start using a night/nourishing cream as a combination of fruit acids and other natural ingredients can reverse some of the damage inflicted many years ago leading to fine lines, wrinkles, dryness and other visible imperfections. Due to the absence of steroids the creams are also safe for continual usage.