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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

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.

Backing Wider Regulations

We were pleased to hear a report on Radio 1 earlier in the week that doctors are calling for more stringent regulations on the delivery of non-surgical cosmetic treatments.

Currently, there are no regulations setting standards of competency for delivering treatments such as Botox and Microdermabrasion, and this means people are risking having treatments delivered by someone without adequate training. This may occasionally lead to drastic and unwanted results.

O ur clinics are registered, audited and inspected by the Healthcare Commission who require rigorous procedures and protocols for our powerful and effective Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatments. As a business we have chosen to apply the same high standards to all our treatments giving you a greater level of peace of mind, BUT WE ARE NOT REQUIRED TO BY EITHER GOVERNMENT OR INDUSTRY REGULATION. We would welcome greater regulations across the whole of the industry as this would ensure that the delivery of non-surgical treatments is backed up by adequate training and investment so clients can be ensured both of their safety and that their expectations will be met during their treatments.

Let us know what you think by taking part in this month's poll (see left).

Botox Babes: You Think They Shouldn't

Last month we asked you whether Botox should be used as a preventative measure against ageing, and two thirds of you thought it the measure was too severe for twenty-somethings to consider.

We think Botox is the most effective way of getting rid of wrinkles that already exist, but we're pleased to hear that you recognise the alternatives that are available to young skin.

With the anti-ageing market now estimated to be worth a massive $30billion worldwide, the quest to look young is becoming more important to people of all ages, but there are alternatives for those in their twenties. The appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in young skin can often be due to a poor skin care regime and so, rather than Botox, we would advise an in-depth skin care programme to improve the overall health of the skin in a more natural way. Our in-depth skin analysis using computerised ultra violet (UV) imaging is the best way to see the deep condition of your skin and for us to recommend products and treatments that will give you optimum skin health.

If you're worried about fine lines and wrinkles, why not book a free consultation and skin analysis to see how we can help.

Skin Rejuvenation with Style

We are pleased to have been invited to showcase our SkinGenesis range of skin treatment as part of a unique nine week course titled "Reinvent Yourself". Hosted by style and image consultants Code Image this course promises to give you all the advice and guidance you need to enjoy 2008 with confidence and style. One of the sessions is being run by our Director of Treatments Peter and we would love to see you there.

A limited number of places are available at the special price of £198 (saving £200).

THE COURSE STARTS NEXT WEDNESDAY 9TH APRIL 2008 so don't delay if you would like to take part.

Call

0845 873 7001

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for information and to book