Hidden beneath tights, socks, activewear and trousers for the last few months, our legs are about to be unveiled for summer. Dryness, itchiness, an extra dimple or two of cellulite, and a good dose of puffiness around the ankles are often what we are confronted with after having forgotten about our legs during winter. Start with a bit of me-time each day and quite quickly you will revive the tired, lacklustre appearance of your legs. Our legs perform so many daily activities for us, including, walking, standing, bending and simply supporting the trunk of our body. Our leg muscles act as a second heart, and their movement helps blood flow upwards through our veins and heart. By having good blood flow and circulation of our lymphatic system it means we will have a healthy distribution of nutrients, oxygen, stable body temperature, and a balanced pH throughout our body, all of which assist the overall health of our body. To assist in maintaining good leg health and to keep our legs looking good, there are a few simple home care tips and in-clinic treatments we can enjoy. Avoid standing or sitting for long periods of time. Take a break, get up, move and improve your circulation with a little physical activity. Climb the stairs instead of taking the elevator, take a short walk, and set your watch to move around the house or office every 20-30 minutes Keep your weight under control. Knees and hips are usually affected with osteoarthritis, which is linked to obesity. Varicose veins may also be a by-product of excess weight Elevate your legs. This can be simply done when you are sitting in the lounge, lying in bed, or using a leg rest under your desk. If your legs are particularly tired and puffy perhaps after an exhausting day, lie on the floor with your legs stretched up the wall for as short a time as 5 minutes. Stretching and exercising. To maintain good health, regular exercise keeps us healthy. To assist with good blood flow stretching after exercise is imperative for healthy legs. Swimming, walking, hiking and running are great exercises to improve both leg and body circulation. Step-ups, squats, lunges and calf raises are good leg sculpting exercises. Enjoy a cool bath or shower. After a long day on your feet or post-exercise, a bath with Epsom salts or a cooler shower will be more beneficial for healthy legs rather than extended exposure in saunas or hot baths which will cause veins to dilate and induce swelling. Wear compression stockings. Particularly when flying compression stockings will assist with compressing and supporting veins which will help to promote normal blood flow. Drink water. Drinking at least one litre of water per day keeps the body hydrated and helps to flush out toxins from the body which can contribute to the appearance of cellulite. Lymphatic Massage. Drainage of the lymph system whether it be manually with a hands-on massage or with the assistance of a pressotherapy system will be extremely beneficial to keeping the legs feeling and appearing more slender, reducing the appearance of cellulite along with the more rapid elimination of lactic acid build-up from exercise. Dry Body Brushing. Each day before showering the addition of dry body brushing over the entire body and not just the legs will help to stimulate the lymphatic system, which helps rid the body of toxins. This, in turn, assists in the reduction in the appearance of cellulite. Dry body brushing will also stimulate the body’s natural oil flow and will reduce some of the superficial dryness of the skin. Topical Nourishment. After dry body brushing and showering the application daily of a rich balm containing ingredients such as glycolic acid and vitamin A will reduce dry, itchy skin and stimulate the cellular turnover giving a hydrated and glowing appearance on the legs. This is also a good time to apply sunscreen when going outdoors or tanning milk. Sixty different bones from your toes to your waist make up the legs. If you are diligent in taking 10,000 steps per day, you will walk 3,000km per year. Our legs perform many important functions every single day. Look after them internally and externally and they, in turn, will look after you.
Over the years, the combination of nature and science has been evolving to improve women’s health and appearances: lasers, radiofrequency, PEMF (pulsed electromagnetic fields), Bioptron Light Therapy and other energy devices are helping pave the way for treatments that weren’t available even ten years ago. We seem more and more comfortable talking about treatments for fine lines, wrinkles, scar tissue or stretch marks. Finally, the focus seems to be shifting, and women are having more conversations about vaginal health, function and appearance.
Pregnancy and menopause can wreak havoc on our body, and the vagina is the one area that can bear the brunt of issues. So let’s start a conversation about some of the issues and technologies that can be used to effectively improve post-pregnancy, menopausal as well as cosmetic appearance of the vaginal area — no better place to start than with a gynaecologist, Dr Sonya Jessup. Dr Jessup is a respected leader in her area of medicine and is now working on the Northern Beaches to provide women with intimate health solutions. It is my pleasure to introduce Dr Jessup in this month’s article where she will provide some insight into ways women can lead full and healthy lives with vaginal revitalisation.
Dr Sonya Jessup BHB, MBChB, MReprodMed, FRANZCOG, ESAG
Over the years working as a Gynaecologist and fertility specialist, I have seen first-hand, many women experience incontinence, vaginal laxity and decreased sexual enjoyment following childbirth.
Their pelvic floor muscles have never quite recovered, despite pelvic floor exercises, to the extent that they now leak urine with coughing, sneezing and during exercise or getting up multiple times in the night to go to the toilet. Other women notice some bulging of the vagina and comment that either they or their partners notice that sex doesn’t feel quite the same.
For women going through menopause, these symptoms can be amplified. The decreased oestrogen leads to worsening stress or urgency incontinence and also a feeling of vaginal burning and dryness with sex. Some women develop or underlying conditions such as Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM) that are unlikely to improve over time without treatment.
Many women, both post-birth and menopausal, simply put up with these symptoms, assuming that it is just something they need to live with – the cost of giving birth or just part of the journey of menopause. Others are unwilling to go to with options such as surgery, vaginal meshes or tapes which have had increasing negative publicity due to a number of cases with severe adverse reactions. So much so that many of these procedures are no longer allowed in Australia. Medication may be an alternative but may not be suitable for all women, such as those that have breast cancer, which is hormonally sensitive.
The good news is that there is now a whole range of non-surgical devices that provide treatment and relief for these issues. Not every method is suitable for every woman. It is essential to see a qualified gynaecologist with traditional and hormonal treatment experience and who is also skilled and practised with the newer laser, radiofrequency and electromagnetic devices.
For women today, no matter what your age is, you can now be proactive with your intimate health. There is no need to put up with incontinence, laxity or dryness. With the availability of new technologies and the advances in medical knowledge, problems that have prevented you from leading full lives with everyday activities can be overcome. By leading by example and being strong role models, we can make a difference in our own lives and those of our mothers, sisters, daughters and girlfriends. It is time to enjoy full, healthy lives and celebrate being a woman!
We all know men are different from women, physically, emotionally and mentally. Men are also slightly different from women when it comes to their skin. There are many similarities but the differences include the epidermis and dermis being thicker, higher sensitivity, increased production of oil or sebum, larger pores, more facial hair and of course a different hormonal structure.
Skin issues specifically related to shaving, such as ingrown hairs, dryness and razor burn also challenge men.
Studies have also shown a difference in men’s acid mantle, a combination of oil and perspiration which serves as an important protective barrier. The acid mantle can be disrupted when the pH level fluctuates. This can be affected by the use of incorrect product use – those with a higher pH – diet, sleep, environment and medication. Testosterone will also create significant differences in a man’s skin compared to that of a woman. In the epidermis and dermis, testosterone increases the number of granular cells, collagen and blood flow. It will also stimulate the production of sebum and toughen the hair in the follicle. Testosterone will fluctuate with age and while there is no magic cure for what ails men, with correct product use and treatment selection, skin challenges can be solved throughout their life.
Largely due to the internet, Australian men see global stories about men having different types of aesthetic treatments and actually using products in order to look good for their age. The difference here with women is the fact that women want to look younger than their age. While every man will come with his own set of skin challenges, there are a few fundamental steps each man should know and use in order to achieve healthy skin. Three very simple elements – cleanse, exfoliate and protect – will help abate acne, ingrown hairs, hyperpigmentation and ageing.
Cleansing or washing the skin correctly will allow corrective ingredients to penetrate the cells and actually go to work. Washing the face with a pH-balanced face wash can be a two in one step, cleansing and wet shaving at the same time. This is then followed by a lotion applied with gauze to the face to give the skin further exfoliation and refinement.
Correct exfoliation will stimulate cell turnover by lifting dead cells and in the process initiate the regenerating process. This step requires balance, particularly with granular scrubs. Too much exfoliation for anyone is detrimental to the acid mantle and can create further problems.
Skin protection is absolutely essential but is often a forgotten part of the daily regimen for men. Not only is it important to shield the skin from UV rays, but also other damageing elements like wind and pollutants. A good zinc and antioxidant-based protection formula will guard against free radical damage, nourish the skin and prevent sun-induced premature ageing.
Clinical treatments for men are gaining in popularity. These are consisting of non-surgical body sculpting such as fat freezing, which will help to eliminate the stubborn areas of fat that the gym will not budge. Another treatment men are learning about and enjoying is the use of injectables which can reduce heavy wrinkles and volumize the areas that have become hollow.
Australian men have the stereotype of macho male. In days gone by, the typical Aussie bloke wouldn’t be seen to be using skincare, but things have changed. Men want to look good for their age and now not only use a male fragrance but are using skincare and are entering into clinics where they can enjoy treatments and their benefits. Perhaps the gap is closing between Mars and Venus? We all know men are different from women, physically, emotionally and mentally. Men are also slightly different from women when it comes to their skin. There are many similarities but the differences include the epidermis and dermis being thicker, higher sensitivity, increased production of oil or sebum, larger pores, more facial hair and of course a different hormonal structure. Skin issues specifically related to shaving, such as ingrown hairs, dryness and razor burn also challenge men.
Studies have also shown a difference in men’s acid mantle, a combination of oil and perspiration which serves as an important protective barrier. The acid mantle can be disrupted when the pH level fluctuates. This can be affected by the use of incorrect product use – those with a higher pH – diet, sleep, environment and medication. Testosterone will also create significant differences in a man’s skin compared to that of a woman. In the epidermis and dermis, testosterone increases the number of granular cells, collagen and blood flow. It will also stimulate the production of sebum and toughens the hair in the follicle. Testosterone will fluctuate with age and while there is no magic cure for what ails men, with correct product use and treatment selection, skin challenges can be solved throughout their life. Largely due to the internet, Australian men see global stories about men having different types of aesthetic treatments and actually using products in order to look good for their age.
The difference here with women is the fact that women want to look younger than their age. While every man will come with his own set of skin challenges, there are a few fundamental steps each man should know and use in order to achieve healthy skin. Three very simple elements – cleanse, exfoliate and protect – will help abate acne, ingrown hairs, hyperpigmentation and ageing. Cleansing or washing the skin correctly will allow corrective ingredients to penetrate the cells and actually go to work. Washing the face with a pH-balanced face wash can be a two in one step, cleansing and wet shaving at the same time. This is then followed by a lotion applied with gauze to the face to give the skin a further exfoliation and refinement. Correct exfoliation will stimulate cell turnover by lifting dead cells and in the process initiate the regenerating process. This step requires balance, particularly with granular scrubs. Too much exfoliation for anyone is detrimental to the acid mantle and can create further problems.
Skin protection is absolutely essential but is often a forgotten part of the daily regimen for men. Not only is it important to shield the skin from UV rays, but also other damageing elements like wind and pollutants. A good zinc and antioxidant-based protection formula will guard against free radical damage, nourish the skin and prevent sun-induced premature ageing. Clinical treatments for men are gaining in popularity. These are consisting of non-surgical body sculpting such as fat freezing, which will help to eliminate the stubborn areas of fat that the gym will not budge. Another treatment men are learning about and enjoying is the use of injectables which can reduce heavy wrinkles and volumize the areas that have become hollow.
Australian men have the stereotype of macho male. In days gone by, the typical Aussie bloke wouldn’t be seen to be using skincare, but things have changed. Men want to look good for their age and now not only use a male fragrance but are using skincare and are entering into clinics where they can enjoy treatments and their benefits. Perhaps the gap is closing between Mars and Venus?
As humans, we are complex creatures, and there is never a straightforward answer for our skin and body concerns. When we work with what I call the health jigsaw puzzle, putting all of the pieces (mental, emotional and physical) together our outcome is more holistic, positive and sustainable. This is a great way to start 2019, working on being the best version of YOU that you can be. Upon waking start your day with positive thinking. Think of one or more things that are positive for your day rather than thinking you are tired or thinking about your checklist for the day. After cleansing your skin with the appropriate cleanser, the use of a toning lotion is a real game-changer for your skin tone and texture, no matter what your skin type. A toning lotion will adjust the pH of the skin and remove any remaining cleanser. They can help with exfoliation, as they bind moisture to the skin for better desquamation. They prep the skin for serums, moisturisers and anti-ageing treatments. Think of your toning lotion as an appetiser before the main course! They add a layer of protection, as they tighten cell gaps reducing penetration of impurities, protecting the skin against environmental contaminants. Toning lotions are best used with a gauze square rather than a cotton pad which will soak up too much of the lotion. Perform an exercise routine a few times a week; this may include gentle stretching to maintain flexibility. Increase your heart rate, breathe profoundly and sweat a little. Two thousand eighteen saw the start of less is more when it comes to injectables, and the trend for 2019 is the same perhaps even more so. For instance, microdoses of anti-wrinkle injection or dermal filler are now performed more often rather than massive doses which may create the startled deer in headlights appearance. This will keep you looking more natural, with softened lines and wrinkles, while still having movement. 2019 also sees the reduction of droopy earlobes with the addition of a small amount of filler. When you have inner peace, you are automatically more beautiful on the outside. Knowing who you are and what you are here for, assists with attaining inner peace, confidence, strength and harmony. This may be a mix of both intuitive and rational concepts. Starting the new year with a refreshed wardrobe and aspiring towards new goals, we should be adding skin cancer checks to our to-do list for healthy skin. It is best to have a qualified dermatologist review your skin. They will be looking at the body skin but will also check your eyelids, in between the webbing of fingers and toes, the soles and palms of feet and hands, under swimwear lines along with your scalp and inside your ears. A skin cancer check can be a favourable learning opportunity. Early detection is proactive rather than having to be reactive later down the track. Staying hydrated with water will not only assist the body to function more efficiently, but it will also provide a healthy radiance to the skin. Being hydrated also prevents feelings of fatigue, which may make focusing on tasks at hand quite tricky. It may be tempting to drink more caffeine when you are tired, but remember caffeine can be extremely dehydrating. For a long time now we have been searching for treatments that will assist with skin rejuvenation with limited downtime. RF skin needling is designed to resurface the skin and will help reduce the appearance of acne scars, striae (stretch marks), dyschromia (pigmentation), deep wrinkles, enlarged pores, and uneven skin texture for all skin types. Beauty is not an intrinsic factor, but a goal to be achieved day by day. Taking small steps each day combining various techniques, is often more achievable and can be maintained for longer. The result will give a more radiant and flawless glow inside and out.
December usually means the silly season with parties, Christmas and of course the beautiful beaches right here on our northern doorstep.
Regardless of your fast fix, feel-good goal – radiant skin, a smoother silhouette, shiny hair or whiter teeth – there is a beauty solution to address your needs both at home and in the Clinic. It goes without saying, when you combine your home care with Clinic treatments the results are faster and better, revealing a more radiant version of YOU.
When we start the summer unveiling process after the cooler months of hiding, often what we see is not what we thought was there last time we had a good look, how did it get there, where did it come from, and how can I be seen in my summer sleeveless dress? There are a few shapeshifters to help reduce unwanted fat, dry body skin, orange peel dimples and the white pasty colour. At home, the best treatment is every day dry body brushing.
Dry body brushing is recommended as a preventative for dry skin and a way to exfoliate the skin, thus stimulating skin renewal, leaving it smooth to the touch. Other benefits of dry body brushing are: it assists with the reduction of cellulite, cleanses the lymphatic system, removes dead skin layers, strengthens the immune system, stimulates the hormones and oil-producing glands, tightens the skin preventing premature ageing, tones the muscles when used in conjunction with regular exercise, stimulates the circulation, helps aid digestion and it is easy, inexpensive and invigorating. Dry body brushing may be performed every day prior to showering for the optimum results.
To enhance the smooth, rejuvenated body skin, it is the perfect time to massage in a nourishing Vitamin A and Glycolic body balm. This combination of ingredients is one of the best topical skin rejuvenators, improving both the tone and texture of the skin. Body gels containing capsicum and aminophylline will help reduce the cellulite dimples. This should be applied directly after dry body brushing or a body scrub to allow more effective absorption.
When considering the order of application, apply the anti-cellulite gel followed by the hydrating body balm for the best results. A few days diligently following this home care treatment, the skin will be more hydrated and will no longer be looking like a dried out Autumn leaf. As for removal of the white pasty skin, this can be miraculously hidden with a fabulous in Clinic spray tan, or an application of an at home tan accelerator.
Always exfoliate before tanning and moisturise the drier body areas such as the knees, elbows and ankles to help prevent the tandoori chicken appearance.
In Clinic procedures for the body to reduce fat may consist of either fat freezing treatments, radio frequency and cavitation or lymphatic drainage. By undertaking either Radio Frequency (RF) or fat freezing now, the results are not instantaneous but will be achieved and enjoyed while still enjoying summer. Lymphatic drainage pressotherapy treatments are the ideal way to detox during the party season, to reduce the side effects of jet lag and to improve the appearance of cellulite.
While every seasonal period brings with it new sets of challenges for the facial skin, summertime and party time, tend to deplete the skin of hydration and cause hyperpigmentation issues and a even duller complexion. To counteract the damage and to restore the skin’s health and glow in Clinic treatments can be focused on infusing the skin with Vitamin C, oxygen and hyaluronic serum.
The JetPeel or micro-hydrabrasion treatments are the ultimate procedures to gently but effectively exfoliate the skin before an oxygen and vitamin infusion. These treatments are the number one choice when it comes to achieving the best result for a deeply hydrated, rejuvenated and glowing skin, all without having to endure downtime. Add the LED (light emitting diode) treatment to the oxygen infusion and the absolute ultimate in skin health will be shining brightly at every social occasion and will be the envy of all.
LED Skin Care Treatments can also be utilised as a stand-alone procedure for the time poor person who needs the radiant boost for their skin.
Maintaining and boosting homecare is so important even when the party finishes at dawn. It is always easier to keep the skin, rather than making a last ditch effort to retrieve it from the depths of dull and lifeless despair. A simple routine of cleansing, toning (using gauze and a good enzymatic toning lotion), repair (using mandelic arginine serum and vitamin A), hydrating (using a cocktail of hyaluronic, growth factor, vitamin C and grape seed hydrating serum to stimulate cellular regeneration), and protection (sunscreen applied every 3 hours) will always be the staple of a time efficient, healthy skin care routine.
Though this time of the year is filled with merriment and joy, it is also not without its stresses, which may include an endless list of parties and functions. In order to keep your body and skin in optimum health and revealing radiance, indulge yourself with a little holiday decadence both at home and in our Mona Vale Skin Care Clinic, all without the calories.
The skin on the neck is so often forgotten, and yet it can so easily reveal how old we really are. In the Clinic I always suggest to clients when they treat the skin on their face, take the same products and regime down to both their neck and chest or decollete. This will cost a little more in both money and time but will have the exposed areas looking more uniform in both colour and texture.
The skin on the neck suffers from the same environmental onslaughts as the face, only it is far thinner and more fragile than the skin on the face. The skin on the neck has fewer oil and moisture glands compared to the skin on the face and this can be one of the contributing factors to dry, crepey and heavy horizontal lines which may appear. The neck, in our daily life twists, turns, moves up and down and is very rarely still, whilst performing these important duties. Therefore, the skin also has quite a workout and needs to be cared for and respected if we want it to reveal the more youthful side of ourselves
The neck can be rejuvenated both topically with products and also with clinical treatments. Sun damage is a huge contributing factor to the breakdown of the collagen and elastin of the neck. Broad spectrum sunscreen should be applied every 3-4 hours in order to assist with protection and avoiding the premature ageing of the epidermis and dermis.
Clinical treatments may be combined or used as stand alone methods when treating the neck. Always remember it has taken a long time to get to an older appearance and very rarely is it one treatment to provide the desired results. Due to the body and skin continually ageing treatments will have to be repeated if the desired result is to be maintained. Below are a few options for treating both the skin tone, colour and texture.
Fat Freezing with a mini handpiece can help to reduce the double chin. The shape of the jawline and the amount of fat present, will determine if one or two applicators will be required. This procedure may be repeated 12 weeks after the first treatment if further reduction is desired.
IPL Photorejuvenation uses selective light energy to assist with the reduction of both pigmentation and red capillaries. One of the most common conditions IPL can treat is Poikiloderma of Civatte which appears in women and men on each side of the neck with red-brown pigmentation along with a vascular component. Usually more than one treatment is required as hormonal activity along with sun damage are contributing factors to this condition.
HIFU Ultrasound treatments stimulate the soft tissue of the neck down to the lower dermal layers and provide both a smoother and firmer appearance of the neck.
MicroNeedling penetrates the skin barrier to depths that can be customized for each person depending on the severity of their skin laxity and crepiness. A cocktail of hyaluronic serum, growth factors and peptides are used to treat sun damage, scars, fine lines and crepiness in conjunction with the MicroNeedling procedure to reveal a more refined and even toned neck.
Fractional Laser stimulates cell turnover and is capable of minimizing and eliminating skin concerns including sun damage, poor skin tone, fine lines and wrinkles. By creating micro treatment zones in the dermal layer of the skin, the body’s natural healing process is activated to create healthy, new skin resulting in both a more even colour and texture appearance. A small amount of downtime is usual, but this can also be determined by the depth that is treated to.
Plasma energy is not new, and this treatment can address the irregularities of colour, texture and tone of the neck. A small amount of downtime is normal with Plasma techniques and again more than one treatment is often suggested.
Other professional treatments available to treat the signs of ageing of the neck are chemical peels using Vitamin A, Jessner’s Peel or TCA. Blended chemical peels are gentle enough for this fragile area and may help to reduce skin discolouration, strengthen skin and increase cellular turnover.
Homecare product consideration needs to address reducing redness and pigmentation along with deep hydration for the neck which has a reduced number of sebaceous glands and decreased moisture retention.
When it comes to rejuvenating the neck area, a combination of clinical topical products (for morning and evening application), professional treatments and a healthy lifestyle certainly go a long way to produce a refreshed and refined appearance. Even if surgery is your choice to provide the desired tightening effect, colour, tone and texture still need to be considered and this will ensure the optimum rejuvenation result for your neck.
Skin Inspiration offers these treatments so talk to us about what is the most appropriate treatment for your neck or chin area.
