Post-summer skincare, what does your skin need? – Mirabel Clinic – Swindon
The summer has indeed been a hot one, with temperatures soaring in many parts of the country. Some of us have welcomed this and some, who worry about skin ageing, may not be so excited about spending hours in the sun.
UV rays, though helpful in delivering vitamin D when exposed to in moderation, can have a detrimental effect on our skin. Not only can UV rays cause premature skin ageing, dehydration and pigmentation, they can also cause serious damage to the DNA structures within our skin, increasing the risk of skin cancer.
Sun-damage can present itself in so many ways, and after a long, hot summer, we might be looking to replenish, protect and rehydrate our skin and not only on the face, but on the hands too.
At Mirabel Clinic in Swindon, we will always recommend protecting the skin with a good quality SPF as well as physical protection, such as a sun hat or visor, and once the summer sun has started to fade, we offer a huge variety of post-summer treatments and skincare, to get your skin back on track and looking amazing.
How do I know what my skin needs after the summer?
There are several signs that your skin has been over-exposed to UV rays and these can be the following:
- Dry, dehydrated and crêpey skin
- Fine or deeper lines and wrinkles
- Sunspots and hyperpigmentation
- Sagging, lacklustre skin
Treatments to consider after summer has passed
At Mirabel Clinic, we offer a myriad of treatments to combat the signs of sun-damage and premature ageing, as well as a range of beautiful products to use at home, to further repair and protect your skin, even in Autumn and Winter.
IPL for skin rejuvenation
IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) helps to repair and heal the skin after sun-exposure. It also encourages the skin to start producing more skin-saving substances such as collagen and elastin. This device-led technology involves the application of specific wavelengths of light (similar to laser therapy), to the skin.
IPL works in several ways; it breaks down pigment which is caused by over exposure to the sun, as well as tightening and toning the skin. It does this by creating a ‘healing response’ where the skin will produce more collagen and elastin. This reduces the appearance of wrinkles, lifts areas of sagging and tightens pores, increasing the skin’s resilience, and offering a more healthy and youthful appearance. A course of treatments may be required for the best skin rejuvenation results, but you can discuss this at consultation with one of our skin specialists.
IPL aftercare requires your skin to be covered up, so it’s a treatment we always recommend post-summer. This autumn, contact us for a consultation if you’re interested in IPL treatments.
HydraFacial for intense skin hydration
HydraFacial is a world-famous, pain-free, and luxurious treatment for deep cleansing and hydrating the skin. It is suitable for all skin types and can be performed in your lunch break with no downtime. HydraFacial utilises a special vortex exfoliation and serum delivery system which is patented (though some have attempted to copy the technology).
HydraFacial is one of the most powerful, non-invasive skin rejuvenation and resurfacing treatments around today. The combined deep cleansing, exfoliation, extraction, hydration and antioxidant protection leaves skin ultra-clear with a glassy-smooth texture.
When performing a HydraFacial, your practitioner will be able to show you the dirt and debris collected in a special vial, it really does show how much your skin is carrying by means of congestion, dead skin cells, old fake tan and residual make-up.
Specialist serums are delivered into the skin to complete the treatment, leaving your skin feeling ultra-hydrated, plump and youthful. We recommend a once monthly treatment with HydraFacial for ongoing results. This treatment is perfect to undergo before a special event or social gathering as there are no side-effects.
Profhilo®
This state-of-the-art injectable hyaluronic acid (HA) skin bio-remodelling treatment is one of the most innovative and effective skin rejuvenation treatments around. If you feel that your entire face needs a boost, traditional dermal fillers might not be what is required or needed. Profhilo® is delivered to several points on the face in a course of 2 to 3 treatments, spaced 4 weeks apart.
The high-grade HA within Profhilo® helps to intensely hydrate, lift and tone the skin but leaving a very natural looking result. Fine lines and wrinkles are reduced, the skin takes on a more dewy look and cheeks can appear lifted. Profhilo® does not sit innately under the skin, like a dermal filler, but instead ‘speaks’ with the skin on a cellular level, so that it produces more collagen and elastin and becomes hydrated with the HA which integrates with the cells.
A comprehensive pre-treatment consultation will be carried out before your Profhilo® treatment, to assess the level of sun-damage your skin has encountered, as well as check your medical history, to ensure you are eligible for the treatment.
Skincare for anti-ageing and sun protection
At Mirabel Clinic we believe that using clinically-proven skincare at home, can support any in-clinic treatments that you undergo, so that your skin can look and feel its best, at all times.
We also believe that using a high-grade, broad-spectrum SPF is vital for ongoing sun protection and skin health. We choose the ZO range of skincare for our patients, as this medical-grade skincare has been developed by one of the world’s leading dermatologists, Dr Zein Obagi.
His reputation for creating effective skincare for all skin types is already highly regarded, as he was the mind behind Obagi Medical Skincare products, a globally recognised brand.
ZO can only be purchased from aesthetic clinics and cannot be bought in department stores or high-street pharmacies, as the ingredients within the products are so concentrated and powerful, that only trained medical skincare professionals can advise on these products. Heliocare SPF skincare is another highly-respected brand amongst aesthetic professionals as these products protect against a wide range of UV rays. Heliocare 360 (the newest addition to the range) also contains anti-ageing substances, for all-round skin protection and revitalisation.
We offer a varied selection of the Heliocare range here at Mirabel Clinic and recommend using an SPF all year round, on top of your prescribed skincare.
Treating dry, ageing hands
All treatments mentioned above, including our range of skincare can be recommended for the hands.
The hands are exposed to the sun as much, if not more than the skin on the face, as well as being immersed in water and neglected when it comes to UV protection. Looking after your facial complexion is key, but if you really want to disguise sun damage, taking your hands in to consideration is a must.
The hands can also be treated with injectable treatments such as Profhilo or dermal fillers, to plump the skin between the fingers, eliminate a bony appearance and to rehydrate the deeper levels of the skin. If we think of our hands as our second face, when considering cosmetic treatments and skincare, our overall appearance can be more youthful. Treating the hands before a special event is a nice way to look and feel younger, especially if the focus is going to be on our hands (a wedding or christening for example).
Visit us this autumn/winter at Mirabel Clinic to keep your skin feeling its best
Speak with your Mirabel practitioner about cosmetic treatments and skincare for the hands, for a truly holistic approach to the treatment of sun damage and further skin protection.
Taking care of our skin is a year-round task, but never more so than just after a long, hot summer. With our help here at Mirabel Clinic, we can get your skin back to looking dewy and smooth and will help you decide which products and treatments to choose, to further protect your skin in the future.
For more information, or to book a free consultation with one of our team, contact us today 01793 321180.