I understand that it can be hard to access what skin type you are, and how best to nurture skin for each type. Skin types can range in multiple forms; combination, dry, sensitive, blemished, or mature, the list can seem quite bewildering. And even then, it is often never clear. Skin be defined as both mature skin and dry skin, or sensitive skin and blemished skin.
HOW TO DETERMINE WHAT YOUR SKIN TYPE IS:
Wash your face
Wait an hour or two (don't apply any products or touch you face)
Look in the mirror to determine what characteristics listed below you see on your face.
CHARACTERISTICS OF SKIN TYPES
OILY / ACNE / CONGESTED / PORES Oily skin is produced by glands that produce too much sebum, resulting in skin that appears shiny and has some large open pores. Oily skin types are prone to develop blackheads and acne.
SENSITIVE / REDNESS / FLUSHING / ROSACEA Sensitive skins can be dry, normal, or oily and are characterised by their delicacy. Sensitive skin frequently reacts adversely to environmental conditions and often requires special treatment to remain in good condition
UNEVEN SKINTONE / PIGMENTATION / SCARS Pigmentation is the darkening of an area of skin caused by the increase of melanin. Although everyone can get hyper-pigmentation and acne scarring, it is more common in darker skin tones, because of the melanin.
MATURE / FINE LINES / WRINKLES Mature skin becomes dry as sebaceous glands become less active. Skin loses elasticity and fine lines, and wrinkles appear. Skin appears thinner with broken capillaries, especially on the cheek area and around the nose. Blood circulation becomes poor, which interferes with the skin nutrition making skin appear sallow. Mature skin must be hydrated well through drinking water and using nourishing moisturisers.
DRY / LACK LUSTRE Dry skin is caused by under-active oil glands that do not produce enough sebum to keep the skin naturally hydrated. It may have a dull appearance and feel dry and itchy. Dry skin must be hydrated regularly from the inside (drinking water) and outside with the likes of hydrating creams and lotions. Removing the dead skin cells from the top layer of the skin speeds up the rate at which the skin would normally renew itself, revealing new, fresh skin and a radiant glow.
PRODUCT TYPE TO USE
Using the right products with the right ingredient is very important in balancing your skin. Overtime, the skin changes, so you have to periodically examine your face and see what type you have and decide on using the right products.
The basics of skincare includes, cleansing, exfoliating, toning, moisturising, and protecting with SPF. You may have to pay attention to your skin. The more observant you are, the better you'll be able to care for your skin and it's ever-changing needs.
FITZPATRICK SCALE
This system classifies skin complexions and their tolerance of sunlight. It is used by many skin care professionals to determine how someone will respond or react to different types of treatments e.g; Skin peels, microdermabrasion & dermaplaning.
WARNING! READERS WITH DARKER SKIN TONES TYPES 3 – 6 I would like to draw your attention to 2 risks.
HYPERPIGMENTATION RISK – Your skin is very vulnerable to hyperpigmentation (dark spots, dark patches, or other discolorations) induced by the sun. You are especially vulnerable to post-inflammatory pigmentation from these kinds of situations.
A healing pimple or cyst (i.e., acne scar)
A wound or injury to skin
An area that was irritated or inflamed.
After a chemical peel
Laser or IPL treatment
SCARRING RISK – You have a high risk of scarring from treatments or trauma (wounds). The scar can get discoloured and / or become larger or raised.
Hopefully, this has helped you establish your skin concern/type, I have multiple treatments, products, and advice for every type of skin.
Explore the full range of treatments and to see how they can benefit you.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM A FACIAL:
Preparation: I will take off your make-up as part of the treatment, so you can arrive without any special preparation. In the salon you will usually receive your facial lying down on a massage table. Generally speaking you will asked to remove any clothing from the top half of your body and lay underneath a towel or and a blanket to protect your modesty. I will usually cover your hair line with a protective band, too.
Products: I will then apply various skincare products to your skin. I may use a brush or spatula to apply products such as face masks, while I am likely to use my hands to massage on cleansing creams and facial oils. I will gently remove the skincare products using sponges, which are soaked in warm water.
Massage: Most of my facials feature some form of facial massage, often extending this to your neck and shoulders, your head, and your arms and hands. Facial massage is usually a form of acupressure and/or lymphatic drainage. Acupressure, a light pressure-point massage, can help tone skin by stimulating facial muscles, while lymphatic drainage massage helps to decrease puffiness. Some facials might even include a back massageto begin with too.
Equipment: Some of my facials rely on more than just potions and lotions and the skills of my facial massage. For example, microdermabrasion facials use a machine that blasts tiny crystals onto your skin for a deep exfoliation; a radiofrequency and electroporationfacial helps lift and tighten the skin and push nutrients deep into the skin, giving instant and visible results; high frequency facials use a electrical current to enhance blood circulation, increase collagen and elastin production, eliminate toxins and acne-causing bacteria, encourages lymphatic drainage, and safely exfoliate away dead skin cells to improve the apprearance of the skin. Or a resurfacing skin peel facial helps to cleanse deeply, hydrate and tighten the skin. Resulting in soft, smooth and healthy looking skin.
Duration: A full facial will usually take between 60 and 75 minutes and typically includes the following steps. Cleanse, tone, exfoliation, treatment, mask, moisturise routine, but is unlikely to include any specialist equipment or techniques, unless otherwise stated.
Precautions: You will be sent when booking your facial a online consultation form specific to your facial treatment chosen. If you have any skin allergies or conditions, you must make sure you state this in the form. A verbal consulation will also take place once your in the treatment room and before any treatment is performed so if anything changes you must inform me as soon as possible. If you are, or think you might be, pregnant, you should always tell me as well; some products may not be suitable for you.
PRODUCT GUIDE
CLINICCARE is one of the best professional skincare collections in the world.
Based in Sweden, CLINICCARE are leading experts in applied scientific cosmeceuticals which deliver optimal concentrations of pharmaceutical grade small molecular Hyaluronic acid, vitamins, antioxidants, peptides and other powerful active ingredients.
These act where they are needed most – below the skin’s surface - to rejuvenate from within and improve overall skin health and appearance.
Their special formulas provide outstanding results and they use state-of-the-art technology to ensure the highest levels of quality and safety.
As well as a professional range, CLINICCARE have created a home care range, post treatment, to optimise and maintain your skin health until your next visit.
Explore the full range of products to see how they can benefit you.