Clearing Up Skin: We Answer Popular Skincare Questions

Your skin is the first point of call with anti-ageing wellness, and perhaps the first stumbling block. There are so many magic ingredients and new beauty therapies, it can be hard to determine the best thing to do for your wellbeing. In fact, just looking for your skin solution can just leave you with more questions than you had in the first place, so let’s take a look at some popular questions, as see if we can answer them.

 

1. How can I get rid of dead skin cells? Exfoliating is a good way to get rid of dead skin cells, but it’s up to you as to what you use for buffing. Generally a soft washcloth, spinning brush or a body scrub with synthetic beads will get the job done. If you have dry skin, you can probably get away with gently exfoliating once a week, but if your skin is oily, you may have to exfoliate twice weekly. However, if you have sensitive skin or acne, exfoliating may be irritating to your skin so speak to your dermatologist. No matter your skin type, exfoliating too much or too hard can irritate and thicken your skin, so be gentle. Some skincare products contain dead cell-removing ingredients, such as salicylic acid or retinoids. Look out for these ingredients in acne medicines and anti-ageing products. You can also slough off dead cells with microdermabrasion or a chemical peel, either at-home or at the doctors.

 

2. I have dark skin – do I need to do something different? Having darker skin means that you are more sensitive to the sun, as well as chemicals. Therefore, you need to have a skincare routine that’s simple and gentle, and includes daily use of a moisturiser and a broad-spectrum SPF 30 sun cream. You may not bother with sun cream because you never get burned, but this product is absolutely vital to protect your skin wellness from skin cancer, wrinkling, and dark spots.

 

3. Which nutrients are good for my skin? Just like the rest of your body, your skin needs good nutrition to be in tip-top shape. Research shows that nutrients can improve and protect your skin which, first and foremost, you need to get from foods. These meaning choosing foods that contain vitamins A, B3, C and E. It may also be a good idea to choose creams and serums that include vitamins C or E, as these may protect you against sun damage, while ones that have vitamins A or B3 may be able to correct the sun damage you have already.

 

4. Are organic products better for my skin? While “organic” or “all-natural” are appealing labels to see on your beauty products, there’s actually no scientific proof that these cosmetics are safer for your skin. In fact, organic products may irritate your skin, especially if it’s sensitive. Just because plant extracts are natural, it doesn’t mean they won’t cause rashes or other allergic reactions if your skin is so inclined. As with any skincare product, you need to first test organic cosmetics on a less noticeable area of your skin.

 

5. Do I need to have salon facials for good skin? While salon facials are relaxing and make your skin look smoother for a while, they’re not necessary for good skin care if you cleanse and exfoliate your skin properly at home. Moreover, in some people, facials may cause irritation or allergic reactions, which is obviously the opposite effect than the one you’re after. So if you find facials give you rashes or redness, it might be wise to avoid them.

Categories: allergic reactions, anti ageing, darker skin, dead cells, dead skin, nbsp, organic products, salon facials, skin, skin cells, Sun Cream

Saving Face: Your Five-Point Checklist for Injectables

Getting older can take its toll on your emotional wellness, which is why more and more people are turning to cosmetic procedures, such as Botox injections, in an attempt to turn back the clock. But are they safe?

 

Professor Simon Kay, a consultant plastic surgeon and member of the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS), explains, ‘Non-surgical procedures usually involve injections of either fillers or botulinum toxin, and carry less serious risks than surgery in general. However, over-correction can be difficult to treat, as can asymmetrical placement of the filler and allergic reactions.’ He adds, ‘Risks can be minimised by choosing a reputable surgeon or an established nurse practitioner who is working in a clinical environment.’

 

Before you get any cosmetic procedure, there are certain things to consider. According to Sally Taber, who manages the Standards and Training principles for TYCT, ‘There’s no doubt that injectable cosmetics are extremely popular. However, a rapidly growing market such as this often leads to opportunities for bad practice. We urge everyone to think about their safety when choosing a practitioner. By following our five-point checklist, you can ensure you’re in the best possible hands and look forward to seeing the results.’ So, what’s on this essential checklist?

 

1. Are they qualified? It’s important to check out your practitioner’s credentials, as only regulated doctors, dentists and registered nurses are appropriately qualified to give injectable cosmetic treatment. You don’t want someone injecting chemicals into your face if they don’t know what they’re doing!

 

2. What’s their title? If the practitioner’s title is something unusual or unrecognisable, like “Advanced Aesthetic Practitioner/Therapist,” that should raise a red flag right there. When you’re checking out the qualifications of the practice, you need to make sure that the title of doctor, dentist or registered nurse actually applies to the person who is holding the needle.

 

3. Have they had the appropriate training? In order to give injectable cosmetic treatments, practitioners need training in a variety of areas – after all, this is your anti-ageing wellness we’re talking about. Not only do practitioners need to be adequately trained on carrying out the procedure itself, but they should know how to proceed in the case of severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) and other adverse reactions to treatment.

 

4. Is the location appropriate for clinical treatments? Even though Botox and dermal fillers are technically beauty treatments, that doesn’t mean they should be carried out in a beautician’s. These are clinical procedures and, as such, should only be carried out in a clean, safe and appropriate clinical environment. Otherwise, you may be putting your wellbeing at risk of infection and even permanent physical damage. Avoid treatments that take place in a home setting or, for example, in a nail bar or tattoo parlour, but rather opt for a clinical facility.

 

5. Where has the substance been bought? You can only get Botox on prescription but dermal fillers are not currently subjected to such regulation in the UK, and can be bought in various outlets, as well as online. This is technically legal, but TYCT strongly urges caution when you’re dealing with cosmetic injectables, as you should be extremely careful when injecting things into your face. In the wrong hands, dermal fillers can be dangerous and can even cause permanent damage. Therefore, TYCT recommends that you do not buy cosmetic injectables from the internet.

 

If you do proceed with Botox or dermal fillers and then start to feel unwell, it’s important to get medical help as soon as possible. Professor Kay warns, ‘The first priority is health. If you have any alarming symptoms, such as a rash, fever, inflammation or increasing pain, go to your GP or your local accident and emergency (A&E) department. Less urgent problems should be dealt with by the practitioner who administered the substance or treatment. Your GP only needs to be involved if that avenue fails to resolve the issue.’

Categories: allergic reactions, checklist, clinical environment, cosmetic, cosmetic injectables, Dermal Fillers, injectable cosmetic, Injectables, nbsp, point checklist, practitioner, Safety

What antihistamines are used for

Antihistamines are mainly used to help control symptoms of health conditions associated with allergic reactions.

Although antihistamines can’t cure these types of conditions because they don’t affect the underlying cause, they can often provide considerable symptom relief.

Conditions that can benefit from the use of antihistamines include:

• hay fever


• allergic rhinitis – inflammation of the nasal passages


• atopic eczema – a common allergic skin condition


• urticaria – also known as nettle rash and hives


• allergic conjunctivitis – inflammation of the eyes


• allergic reactions that are caused by insect bites or insect stings


• mild allergic reactions that are caused by food allergies; more serious allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) usually require treatment with adrenaline (a chemical that can reverse many of the processes associated with an allergic reaction)

Other uses

As well as being used to treat allergic conditions, antihistamines also have a number of other uses, including treating stomach ulcers (sores that develop on the lining of the stomach) and insomnia (problems falling asleep).

Stomach ulcers

A type of antihistamine, known as a H2-receptor antagonist, is sometimes used to treat stomach ulcers. This is because histamine can also stimulate the production of stomach acid.

H2-receptor antagonists can be used to block the ‘acid-stimulating’ effect of histamine, which helps to reduce the acid level in the stomach and digestive system.

Read more about treating stomach ulcers for more information.

Insomnia

First-generation antihistamines may be of some benefit in the short-term treatment of insomnia, particularly if the symptoms of sleeplessness are caused by an underlying allergic condition, such as an allergic skin condition.

The long-term use of antihistamines to treat insomnia is not recommended because there are more effective treatments. In addition, there’s a risk that you could become addicted to the sedating effects of first-generation antihistamines.

Read more about treating insomnia for more information.

Adrenaline:Adrenaline is a hormone produced at times of stress that affects heart rate, blood circulation and other functions of the body.
Allergic:An allergen is a substance that reacts with the body’s immune system and causes an allergic reaction.
Anaphylactic shock:Anaphylactic shock is a severe and sometimes life-threatening allergic reaction, causing swelling of body tissues and a drop in blood pressure.
Anxiety:Anxiety is an unpleasant feeling when you feel worried, uneasy or distressed about something that may or may not be about to happen.
Chronic:Chronic usually means a condition that continues for a long time or keeps coming back.
Congestion:Congestion is an excess of fluid in part of the body, often causing a blockage.
Decongestant:Decongestant medicine relieves congestion by reducing the swelling of the lining the nose and sinuses and drying up the mucous.
Drowsiness:Drowsiness is when someone feels extremely tired and uncontrollably near to sleep.
Fever:A high temperature, also known as a fever, is when someone’s body temperature goes above the normal 37°C (98.6°F).
Morning sickness:Morning sickness refers to the nausea and vomiting experienced early in a pregnancy, not necessarily in the morning.
Sickness:Vomiting is when you bring up the contents of your stomach through your mouth.
Sneezing:Sneezing is an involuntary expulsion of air and bacteria from the nose and mouth.
Stomach:The sac-like organ of the digestive system. It helps digest food by churning it and mixing it with acids to break it down into smaller pieces.
Swelling:Inflammation is the body’s response to infection, irritation or injury, which causes redness, swelling, pain and sometimes a feeling of heat in the affected area.
Ulcers:An ulcer is a sore break in the skin, or on the inside lining of the body.

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What antihistamines are used for

Categories: allergic reaction, allergic reactions, allergic skin, h2 receptor, morning sickness, skin condition, stomach ulcers, treating stomach