Regulation for our Industry? You said Yes |
Last month we asked you whether you thought non-surgical treatments should be regulated, and the response was an overwhelming "yes".
Currently, the majority of non-surgical treatments, including Microdermabrasion and the most popular chemical peels, can be delivered by anyone. However, providers of Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatments, like SkinGenesis, are required to be audited and inspected by the Healthcare Commission. To satisfy their requirements we have developed stringent protocols and procedures to ensure you safety and wellbeing, and a spin-off benefit to you is that we apply the same stringent approach to the unregulated treatments as well.
The Government in the UK seems to be moving away from greater regulation and there is even a proposal to remove the existing requirement for Intense Pulse Light (IPL) clinics (like SkinGenesis) to be audited and inspected by the Healthcare Commission. This will leave non-surgical clinics to regulate themselves - something we feel confident we can do at SkinGenesis but what will this mean for the industry at large?
In contrast, European regulations are moving the other way, by ensuring tighter controls are placed on the delivery of these treatments.
For the time-being, it looks as though the industry will remain unregulated, but with the UK' s policies often following Europe , only time will tell whether there will be a U turn in the future. |
We know you've heard it all before, and are probably well stocked with sunscreen by now, but with summer holidays for many of us just around the corner, we want to take this opportunity to remind you of the importance of choosing the right sunscreen.
Choosing a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or above is vital to protecting your skin, but this alone isn't always enough. Try and avoid sitting in the sun during the hottest hours, and always protect the skin with a hat or a t-shirt when possible.
It is also important to check your sunscreen has a total block, which protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Some sunscreens only protect from UVB rays, but UVAs are more likely to cause malignant melanoma, so it is important you choose a cream which protects the skin against both. While UVB protection can be achieved by a chemical barrier, UVA protection needs a physical barrier,which helps reflect the sun's rays, giving you the best protection against the sun's dangerous rays. The only way to be sure a product protects into the UVA range is by checking to see if one or more of the UVA-protective ingredients (avobenzone, oxybenzone, mexoryl, zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) is listed among its active ingredients.
We stock, and recommend, total sunblock products Solar Protection SPF15 and ZinClear SPF30, both of which contain zinc oxide, from the DermaQuest Skin Therapy range. |
The Toll of the 9 to 5 Lifestyle |
There are 10 million people in the UK who work in offices, and so this month we wanted to share with you how our working environments can really affect our skin, and what you should do for skin care.
One of the most worrying side effects of office working is the potentially damaging UV rays from fluorescent lighting. Although we're only subjected to low levels of UV rays, the build up of rays caused by long working hours throughout the year can damage the underlying structure of the skin.
There are a number of other factors associated with office working which can also play havoc with your skin. Skipping breakfast or lunch, an unhealthy caffeine intake and regular after-work drinking sessions can all deplete your body of much needed nutrients, leaving the skin tired and less able to rejuvenate itself.
Central heating in the winter and air conditioning in the summer coupled with stress and long working hours will also show in your skin, leaving the underlying structure dehydrated and prone to breakouts.
Our advice for all office workers is to wear an SPF throughout the year, to reduce the potential effects of fluorescent lighting as well as UVA and UVB rays which are present throughout the year. We also advise drinking enough water, walking around the office as much as possible and ditching processed sandwiches for homemade, vitamin packed salads to ensure your skin gets all the nutrients it needs. |
Nutritional Supplements - Your Votes |
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Last month, we asked you whether you thought nutritional supplements could improve your skin. While 63% of you agreed that you thought they did, a significant number of you were unconvinced or unsure of the good they could do. (also see our nutritional advice pages)
There are an array of different vitamins and nutrients on the market, and the choice can be confounding. We have some advice to help you choose the best supplements for your skin, below:
Vitamin C and your skin
Vitamin C is great at beating colds, but it also has many benefits for the skin. It will reduce the damage caused by free radicals, which are the harmful by-products of sunlight, smoke and pollution. These free radicals will reduce the plumpness and flexibility of the skin will help ensure the skin looks fresh and healthy. Combined with Vitamin E, Vitamin C supplements can even protect the skin from sun exposure.
Vitamin-C is found in foods such as citrus fruits (especially kiwis) and vegetables. If you're struggling to include a sufficient amount in your diet, supplements are a great way to introduce some Vitamin C, and are available from 500 to 1,000 milligrams.
Vitamin E and your skin
This is a powerful anti-oxidant, and can reduce the harmful effects of the sun on your skin. It is a great supplement to include in your diet if you want to improve the skin as Vitamin E can help reduce wrinkles and leave the skin looking and feeling smoother.
Foods naturally rich in vitamin E include nuts, such as almonds, vegetable oils, seeds, wheat germ, spinach and other dark, green leafy vegetables. It is also available in supplement form, but we recommend that you don't exceed the advised limit of 400 international units a day.
Vitamin A and your skin
Vitamin A maintains and repairs skin tissue, and a normal diet is usually fairly rich in the vitamin. However, alcohol and coffee can deplete the body's natural levels, and so adding some extra can do wonders for the skin.
Vitamin A can be found in carrots, mangos, sweet potatoes, spinach, dried apricots, milk, egg yolks and mozzarella cheese.
Topical vitamin A can make a real difference to your skin, showing a reduction in lines and wrinkles and good acne control. A prescription treatment called Retin A is also available and it's used primarily as a treatment for acne. The less potent, over-the-counter formulations are sold as retinols and used as anti-aging treatments.
Vitamin B-Complex and your skin
Vitamin-B forms the basis of skin cells, and so a deficiency can have a real impact on the skin. Niacin, a specific B vitamin, helps skin retain moisture and so keeping your complexion smooth. It also has anti-inflammatory properties to soothe dry, irritated skin and in higher concentrations it can work as a lightening agent to even out blotchy skin tone. |
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