Retinol

 The answer is: YES

Retinol (Vitamin A) is clinically proven to make a huge impact on how skin ages. Dermatologists have been prescribing it for decades as the gold standard for promoting skin cell turnover and collagen production. It can help with:-

• Fine lines & wrinkles
• Scarring
• Uneven skin tone
• Controlling breakouts
• Keratosis pilaris
• Preventing clogged pores
• Sun damaged skin

SO …..when it comes to delivering long-term benefits and creating a more youthful appearance, it certainly gets an A+.

However, there’s a hitch: Prescription Vitamin A causes irritation and can be very drying, which makes daily use very difficult.

So how can you reap the benefits of Vitamin A without the irritation or the need for a Doctors script??

One way is to use products that contain a very low percentage of Retinol – this would be less irritating to the skin, but also less potent and effective (compared to prescription Vitamin A). The innovative way is to use Rodan + Fields Intensive Renewing Serum, which is the closest thing you will find to prescription strength WITHOUT drying your skin out.

This is because Intensive Renewing Serum contains a proprietary blend of powerful peptides and Retinal-MD (which is 20 times the strength of regular retinol). This will allow for visibly improved skin WITHOUT the side effects. The time-release technology keeps this anti-ageing serum working all night long to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and pores for firmer, younger-looking skin. SO …..you can revitalise the appearance of your skin while you sleep. It is designed to be tough on the signs of aging and not on your skin.

What about oral Vitamin A?

Vitamin A is a super important antioxidant / fat-soluble vitamin. It is crucial for maintaining overall health and keeping our SKIN healthy and clear. See here for the multiple skin benefits of oral vitamin A (including the best dietary sources).

Q&A:

Why should topical Retinol only be applied at NIGHT time?

Its important to keep your skin away from direct sunlight when using retinol. This is because retinol makes skin super-sensitive to UV rays and more likely to burn. In addition, the sunlight makes the product less effective. SO ALWAYS apply retinol serums in the evening before bed and remember to use sunscreen every morning.

Why does R&F Intensive renewing Serum (Retinol) come in small capsules?

The patented capsules eliminate the product’s exposure to oxygen. Oxygen decreases the efficacy of retinol dramatically – hence the creation of these little blue capsules! This intensive serum is as close as you can get to prescription Vitamin A without a visit to a doctor.

Pregnant woman and Vitamin A?

If pregnant please speak to your Doctor or Midwife before considering topical or oral Vitamin A. This is because high levels of vitamin A early in a pregnancy increases the risk for birth defects.

 

Click here to purchase or to find out which other products may suit your Skin type. Please message Victoria to find out how to get an instant discount and free shipping.

Want to amp up your Retinol Serum even further? Visit here

Victoria Isherwood (Registered Nurse)

 

Melasma v’s Hyper-pigmentation

….The Low Down

Hyperpigmentation

Is common and usually harmless. Patches of skin become darker in colour due to an excess of the brown pigment ‘melanin’. Usually occurs from:-

• Sun damage over the years
• Post acne or other skin trauma (post inflammatory hyperpigmentation). An example is dark marks that appear after a pimple.

Note:- every time unprotected skin is exposed to UVA rays, a signal is sent to your pigment producing skin cells (melanocytes), to produce more melanin.

 

Melasma

Melasma is a very common skin complaint. The condition causes brown, discoloured patches on the face. Usually on the cheeks, forehead and upper lip. It’s also called chloasma OR the ‘mask of pregnancy’ (when it occurs in pregnant women). Melasma is much more common in women than men.

It is primarily related to a rise in women’s estrogenic hormones (such as progesterone), combined with sun exposure. These increased hormones trigger an overproduction of melanin in the skin. It is commonly triggered by birth control pills, hormonal changes in pregnancy or Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). Some women can however have a genetic predisposition. Most women with melasma have a history of sun exposure.

Melasma is most common among pregnant women, especially those of Latin and Asian descents. People with olive or darker skin, like Hispanic, Asian, and Middle Eastern individuals, have higher incidences of melasma

Frustratingly, Melasma does not always disappear straight away after giving birth. During pregnancy the best defense in preventing melasma is sun protection.

Treatment for Melasma / Hyperpigmentation

• Sun protection +++
• Exfoliation – Removes dead skin cells and accelerates skin cell turnover.
• Chemical Peels – eg glycolic
• Topical products containing Hydroquinone -helps lighten melasma by inhibiting tyrosinase, which is the enzyme responsible for the production of melanin. Hydroquinone is a naturally occurring substance that is present in blueberries, broccoli and meats.
• Topical Retinol (derived from Vitamin A) – which also great for aging Skin (wrinkles) and acne –not recommended whilst pregnant.
• Topical products containing Vitamin C – help with lightening and brightening.
• Professional Microdermabrasions
• laser pigmentation removal – using specialised medical-grade Lasers.
• Skin needling (Dermal rolling) – stimulates the production of collagen to create smoother, healthier skin. It reduces pigmentation, acne scarring, stretch marks, fine lines, enlarged pores, and scarring in general.
• See the Beauty Booster treatment
• REVERSE – line of products (from Rodan + Fields) – have been clinically tested to help visibly even skin tone, to reveal your most radiant and natural complexion. Please visit
  https://visherwood.myrandf.com/au and try the Solution Tool for a personalised recommendation.

Note- Unless you want to end up right back where you started, there’s no use trying to tackle pigmentation / melasma unless your prepared to keep your face out of the sun. Diligent sun protection is vital.

Other skincare ingredients to look for-

Alpha hydroxy acids, Kojic acid, antioxidants, salicylic acid, licorice, Vitamin E, green tea, mulberry.

LEAVE YOUR SKIN CLEAR, ENERGISED & REJUVENATED – with LED Therapy

It can be lights, camera, action all year round with LED.

Non-invasive LED Light Therapy works at a cellular level. The soothing, deep penetrating LED lights target deep into cells heightening their internal functions, photo-stimulating dermal blood flow, and inducing faster healing so your skin always looks rejuvenated.

• Increased blood circulation
• Acne treatment
• Rosacea reduction
• Skin rejuvenation and improved skin texture
• Lines and wrinkles
• Wound healing
• Pain relief
• Muscle and joint pain
• Arthritis
• Muscle spasm

 

LED Blue Light

Specifically targets active acne.

• Is clinically proven to reduce acne lesions by 70%.
• Targets the acne bacteria and promotes the body’s own natural healing response to rejuvenate skin. SO your acne fades and your skin heals
• Safe, effective, no down time.
• Most skin types, all year round.

 

LED Yellow Light

Penetrates deep in to the layers of the skin causing rejuvenation, cell repair and increased circulation.

• Skin Rejuvenation
• Wound Healing

Is also very effective after skin treatments (such as Dermal Rolling, Fractional RF, Peals and Cosmetic injections).

LED Light Therapy is pain free and in fact very relaxing. There is no down time and the treatment only takes approximately 15 minuets. SO they can easily be squeezed into your busy schedule.

LED Treatments are very affordable at Laser Clinics Australia.

http://www.laserclinics.com.au

 

 

Is your GUT effecting your Skin??

More and more studies are linking our GUT health to our SKIN.

Our GUT does much more than purely absorbing nutrients and energy from our food. It also:-

• Plays an important role in our immune system (about two thirds of our immune system lives in the gut).
• Produces more than twenty four hormones that influence everything from our appetite to our mood and even our Skin.
• Produces detoxifying enzymes (which also destroy harmful bacteria).

Probiotics are ‘good’ bacteria that strengthen the lining of our gut, support our body’s ability to absorb nutrients and fight infection. Strengthening our gut lining is important, as this can help protect us from invaders such as bad bacteria, fungi and viruses. Having low levels of good bacteria allows these bad pathogens and toxins to leak out into the body (aka “leaky gut syndrome”). When our immune system detects these invaders, it overreacts by causing inflammation. This can then lead to inflammatory skin issues such as acne, psoriasis, eczema, dermatitis and rosacea.

Nutrients need to be absorbed correctly in the gut in order for growth, repair, and normal functioning to occur. When our gut is restricted (with the absorption of nutrients), it begins to prioritise which organs will get the few nutrients that are available. When nutrients are in short supply, the body priorities the essential organs like the heart, brain and liver. This results in our skin, hair and nails missing out.

SO for good gut health we need good gut flora. The bacteria should be varied and well balanced. Meaning …more of the good guys than the bad!

So what can we do to help?

Probiotics

The best way to increase your levels of good bacteria is through food. Some good options include:-

• Yoghurt – good old fashioned full fat natural yoghurt.
• Feta – is rich in Lactobacillus & plantarum which have anti-inflammatory properties.
• Fermented Foods – such as Saurkraut & Kimchi.
• Apple Cider Vinegar.
• Kefir – a fermented dairy drink rich in the beneficial probiotic Lactobacillus Acidophilus.
• Miso – made from fermented soybeans, rice or barley.
• Kombucha – an effervescent fermentation of black tea.

Supplementing with additional high quality probiotic supplements can be a great way to get more probiotics into your body. Taking a probiotic supplement can also naturally boost the good probiotics that are already in your system. Supplementation can be especially beneficial for sufferers of inflammatory skin problems like acne, eczema, psoriasis, rosacea and dermatitis.

Prebiotics

Prebiotics are like fertilisers for your good gut flora. Examples include:-

• Inulin found in onions, garlic, leeks, witlof, endive, Jerusalem artichokes, asparagus & bananas.
• Fibre – such as flaxseeds, apples, oats.

To avoid / limit

• Sugar – bad bacteria feeds on sugar.
• Artificial sweeteners – are now thought to harm the good bacteria in your gut.
• Processed foods – are often loaded with sugar and gluten. They also often contain emulsifiers, which are added to a lot of processed foods to extend their shelf life ….and dramatically increase gut inflammation.
• Unnecessary oral antibiotics – which can wipe out your beneficial, protective gut bacteria.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – such as aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen, which can cause intestinal and gut inflammation, damaging the lining and causing intestinal and gut permeability.
• Stress – this connection is referred to as the gut-brain axis.
• Alcohol – can irritate the stomach and intestines, cause inflammation and suppress certain vital hormone production.
• Gluten – causes inflammation of the gut in most people.
• Unfermented Dairy – can cause inflammation similar to gluten and sugar.

What else can help?

• Exercise – researchers believe that exercise increases particular types of bacteria in the gut.
• Sleep
• Limiting stress (which decreases cortisol levels).
• Bone broth – collagen is great for the gut and skin.

The importance of keeping things regular 

Our skin (which is our largest organ) is a major form of elimination for the body. If bowel motions aren’t regular, then toxins will need to be excreted elsewhere. 

As our face is covered in pores, it becomes the perfect back-up plan for excreting toxins. This can results in acne! SO, it’s really important to have regular bowel motions to ensure your body does not either store toxins or eliminate them via the skin. 

Good reads

1. The Clever Guts Diet
   – Dr Michael Mosley
2. GUT – The inside story of our body’s most under-rated organ. – Giulia Enders.

Victoria Isherwood (Registered Nurse / Dermatology)

About / Contact 

Adult Acne

The hard Facts

• Effects approximately 35% of women.
• 41% of women experience premenstrual breakouts.
• Can last on average 20 years.
• Is the most common reason people visit a dermatologist.

WHY?

• Pores being clogged with oil, bacteria and dead skin cells.
• Hormones.
  Beginning in our 30’s our levels of androgens increase. This results in our sebaceous glands secreting thicker sebum, which clogs the pores and increases the likeliness of Acne (in a lot of adult women).
• A high G.I diet.
  Studies have shown that a high-glycemic index (GI) diet (refined carbohydrates like those found in white bread and also sugar) can increase Acne. It’s suspected that raised insulin levels from high GI foods may trigger a release of hormones that inflame follicles and increase oil production.
• Stress.
  Stress hormones such as cortisol can increase inflammation and stimulate oil glands.
• Family history.
• Poor gut health.
• Too much unfermented dairy, gluten and sugar – which can all cause inflammation.
• Using the wrong skincare products.
• Vitamin and mineral deficiencies (Zinc & Vitamin A).

Treatment

• Topical Retinoids such as Retinol.
  Retinol is a vitamin A derivative, which helps with the skins natural cellular renewal process. This can then help with acne and also wrinkles. Retinoids can be either prescription strength or OTC.
• Suplementation with Zinc and Vitamin A.
• Omega 3 supplementation – found in fish oil, Sea Buckthorn & flaxseeds clear acne by inhibiting two inflammatory chemicals that are responsible for acne breakouts, they are called PGE2 and LTB4. Omega-3’s do wonders for all inflammatory skin conditions.
• See Kleresca the modern breakthrough in dermatology
• Improving gut health.
  Through dietary changes, prebiotics and probiotics.
• Oral prescription medication such as short term antibiotics (and I stress ‘short term’ due to the disruption in gut health’) or in severe cases Accutane (a synthetic vitamin A derivative). Note Accutane can have irritating side effects and must not be taken when pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Stress management
  Managing stress through exercise, meditation, or whatever method helps calm your nerves may also calm your skin.
• Gently Cleanse your face and body as soon as you can after exercise.
• Topical antibiotics (short term only).
• Dietary adjustments. Cut out unfermented dairy which worsens acne because it spikes the acne-causing hormone IGF-1 & can increase inflammation.
• Topical Benzoyl Peroxide.
  Kills the acne bacteria. However it can make skin dry and irritated if you use too much. Stick to spot-treating only so that you do not destroy your protective lipid barrier.
• Skincare products (cleansers etc) containing Hydroxy acids (aka Glycolic, Lactic or Salicylic acid).
  Work by exfoliating gently to unclog pores, remove dead surface cells and also promote cell turnover. It’s in a lot of OTC cleansers and spot treatments. It can also reduces swelling and redness. However keep in mind that some products are way to harsh and can damage your lipid barrier.
• A low GI diet (ditch the white carbs and sugar).
• LED Light Therapy. Researchers have discovered that something as simple as light holds the key to clearing up acne. It is in fact clinically proven to reduce acne lesions by 70%. The blue light targets the acne bacteria and promotes the body’s own natural healing response to rejuvenate skin. SO your acne fades and your skin heals.
  –  Safe, effective, no down time
  –  Most skin types, all year round***LED treatments are extremely well priced at Laser Clinics Australia***

https://www.laserclinics.com.au/skin-care-treatment/led-light-therapy

• Vitex supplementation  – can help with hormone related acne.

Additional Tips

– wash your pillow slip at least once weekly

– clean your mobile phone screen regularly

– avoid touching your face

– clean makeup brushes regularly as they are a breading ground for bacteria.

– never wear makeup to bed as it will clog your pores and  cause acne.

For Laser Clinics Australia LED Light Bookings:- 

Brookvale ph: 80148911

Warriewood ph: 83192078