Sun Cream Products Explained
Most dermatologists advise that the best anti-ageing product you can buy is a good quality suncream. But which one? You may not realise it but over the counter products rarely cover the full spectrum of the sun’s rays. The sun emits different types of harmful rays, predominantly Ultraviolet A and B (UVA and UVB). UVB is responsible for burning the upper/outer layers of the skin, whereas UVA penetrates more deeply, and is responsible for causing greater skin ageing. In fact, 80% of skin ageing comes from sun damage, being the largest of the extrinsic factors (ones we can potentially […]
Acne – What You Need To Know
Do you have pores? Pores are mild blackheads, and so, technically, you have a mild form of one type of acne. Acne is a cause of angst for many a teenager, and adults too. I have a number of patients who have battled acne for years, and tried numerous different products, all to little or no avail. But what exactly is acne, what causes it, how common is it and what can be done to prevent and treat it? Contrary to urban myth, acne is not caused by dirty skin and poor hygiene. It arises when the tiny holes in […]
Moisturising do we use too much?
Many patients I see use expensive moisturisers to try to stave off wrinkles and other signs of ageing, understandably influenced by persuasive advertising trumpeting the beneficial effects such products have on the skin. This mantra, that moisturising once or twice a day is paramount for healthy skin, has been drip-fed into our consciousness for many years. But why do many still experience dry, dull skin despite adhering to a strict moisturising regime, and despite using expensive products? What most people don’t realise is that habitual moisturising can actually be doing more harm than good. Our skin goes through a natural […]
Facial Redness
Do you suffer with facial redness, especially across the cheeks and nose? If so you may have Rosacea (pronounced row-zay-sha). This often starts with a tendency to flush and frequently occurs in fair skinned people aged 40-60. Whilst it’s more common in women, when it occurs in a male patient it tends to be more severe. In addition to generalised redness, those with rosacea often experience a burning or stinging sensation, and the skin in the area can be particularly sensitive, especially to sunlight. Patients may describe trigger factors such as spicy food, alcohol, stress, exercise, wind, a change in […]
Successful Ageing
Successful ageing is about our general well-being in older age – mentally, physically and also socially. I believe that looking after ourselves in this way is just as important as looking after our skin. Here are my top 7 tips for successful ageing- 1. Have a positive attitude in life. 2. Exercise regularly. 3. Learn a new skill. 4. Find ways to reduce the stress in your life. 5. Eat healthily. Did yesterday’s meals fit into this food pyramid? 6. Seek & give social support. 7. Keep up to date with the modern world – adapt, be current and relevant […]