Let’s start with the basics. What does SPF stand for?

SPF stands for sun protection factor. It is a measure of how long a sunscreen will protect you from the sun’s rays. And yes, the higher the number is the more protection you get.

Let’s talk number…. 

If you would compare SPF 30 and SPF 50; the main difference between them is how often you need to apply your sunscreen.

And, no, that one time you used SPF last summer will not still protect your skin. You actually need to re-apply it if you are spending a long time under the sun and even in winter.

If you are using an SPF 30, you would probably want to re-apply it in 2 hours. On the other hand, SPF 50 would probably be still effective on your skin for up to 4 hours. (Please note that these estimates depend on your skin type. We will get there!)

But isn’t SPF 50 also stronger than SPF 30? 

Yes, it is. If SPF 30 blocks 97% of UVB, SPF 50 blocks 98%. So, the difference is not that high, but the effective period is longer.

Well, that was easy, right? But wait. There’s more!

Not every sunscreen is the same. There are 2 main types of sunscreens; which are physical and chemical.

The difference is quite basic.

• Physical sunscreen basically sits on the top of your skin and reflects the UVA and UVB rays. These sunscreens will be effective as soon as you apply them to your skin. It is basically like wearing an invisible clothing.

• The chemical sunscreens, on the other hand, get fully absorbed to your skin. They convert UV rays into heat and gets rid of them. As they are much lighter than physical sunscreens, it takes longer for your skin to absorb them. However, you can easily apply your other skincare products or makeup on top of it. And they are more suitable for everyday use.

Best SPF for your skin type 

As we know, you can categorise your skin type as normal, dry, oily, combination skin. When it comes to SPF, we need to look at your skin more in-depth. Such as; acne-prone, mature, or ageing skin. And then you can choose the right SPF for your skin type.

If you don’t know your skin type, you can find it <here>

SPF for normal skin

For those who are lucky enough to have normal skin, every SPF would be suitable to use.

As we mentioned before, chemical sunscreens are more suitable for everyday use and easier to mix with your other skincare products and makeup.

All you need to decide is the strength of your SPF. Depending on the weather, if you are not going to spend much time outside, you can choose 15 SPF. But if you are planning to do some gardening under the sun, you can go up to 100 SPF!

You can re-apply your SPF as it is advised on the directions to use.

Expert recommendation; Mesoprotech light water antiaging veil 50+

SPF for oily skin

Midday shine, unsettling makeup, and the greasy look.

If you have oily skin, you must be already familiar with your foundation giving up, and your skin showing a thick layer of grease during the day.

Adding any physical sunscreen to oily skin would cause quite a discomfort and your skin may appear even greasier.

We would recommend you to choose a chemical sunscreen enriched with minerals, so your skin would stay matte during the day while getting protected by the sun’s harmful rays.

People with oily skin usually have the habit of cleaning the excess oil from their face during the day. If you are also doing the same thing, make sure to re-apply your SPF after clearing your skin.

Expert recommendation; Obagi Sun Shield Matte SPF50

SPF for dry skin

If you have dry skin, you would especially want to protect yourself from suntan.

When the skin burns, it loses its moisturise and gets dry. Often it makes the top layer of skin to peel off; which causes redness and pain.

For dry skin, we would recommend you to use a high-percentage sunscreen. Ideally, an everyday moisturiser which also includes sunscreen.

Alternatively, you can mix thick moisturiser with your sunscreen and apply. This way you can make sure your skin to absorb all the ingredients and prevent skin dryness.

If you are using an SPF specifically designed for dry skin, you should follow the directions of use to determine how often you should apply it. However if you are mixing your SPF with a moisturiser, you might want to re-apply it more often as mixing it with other creams will decrease its intensity.

Expert recommendation; OBAGI360 HydraFactor SPF30

SPF for combination skin

If you have combination skin, you are probably dealing with oily T-zone and dry cheeks areas. And different areas with different skincare needs, it can be frustrating to maintain your regimen.

If you would have the patience and budget, your ideal sun protection would be a mixture of products. However, it may not be the most convenient.

For the best results with easy maintenance, you can prefer SPF with a powdered finish with a thin layer. This way if you need to moisturise certain areas of your skin, you can mix SPF with your moisturiser. But also prevent the oil break and shiny look on your skin.

If you are using an SPF designed for combination skin, make sure to follow the directions to re-apply on the right time.

Expert recommendation; Mesoprotech mineral matt antiaging fluid 50+

SPF for acne-prone skin

You might think that using SPF or moisturisers will cause more acne breaks on your skin. But actually, it is quite the opposite.

Drying out your skin could cause more oil production, which leads to more acne breakouts. So you should make sure to protect your skin from suntan!

Choosing a sunscreen with high protection but without any oily residue would be the best option for your skin.

Also, make sure to use a non-comedogenic SPF which means that it will not cause acne.

Don’t forget to re-apply your SPF if you are spending a long period of time under the sun.

Expert recommendation; Mesoprotech mineral matt antiaging fluid 50+

SPF for ageing/ mature skin

As skin ages, it loses its ability to retain moisture. And it gets more likely to have hyperpigmentation, fine lines, wrinkles and brown spots.

And without a doubt, sun protection becomes a more important element.

For mature skin, we would recommend choosing an SPF with high percentage with an oil base, antioxidants and firming properties.

Expert recommendation; Mesoprotech nourishing antiaging oil 50+, Mesoprotech antiaging facial sun mist, and Obagi Professional‐C Suncare SPF30

Which ingredients you should look for in your SPF

As we recommend using SPF daily, it is important not to forget that this is a part of your skincare regimen. And you should make sure, the active ingredients of your SPF are good for your skin health.

We’ve listed some of the good ingredients our favourite brands are using.

• Collagen

Increases the presence of heat shock protein

Promotes elasticity and firmness

Prevents photo-ageing

• Hyaluronic Acid

Provides hydration at the epidermal level

Enhances the elasticity and firmness of tissues

• Chia Seed Oil

Provides elasticity and nutrition

Strengthens the barrier function

• Mattifying Particles

Eliminates excess oil and shine

Leaves skin with a velvety matt finish

• Vitamin E

Provides antioxidant and anti-ageing

How much SPF should you apply?

Our founder and skin expert Lucy Xu explains; “For your face and neck, you can use your index finger to measure. Cream from your second knuckle to the tip of your finger is enough.”

Commonly missed areas with SPF

You should apply SPF to all parts of your skin where it gets direct sun exposure.

However, sometimes some parts of the body get missed.

• Sides and back of the neck

If you have long hair, you might think it would be covering your neck at all times. But it is not correct. During the day, we get exposed to the sun’s rays from different angles. The sides of your neck can easily stay under the sun. Also, tying up your hair during the day may cause a sunburn on the back of your neck if you haven’t applied SPF.

Make sure to apply SPF to all your neck and not just on the front.

• Top of the ears

Just like the back of your neck, top and behind of the ears are often forgotten when it comes to sun protection. If you are spending long times under the sun, your ears may become an accidental burnt spot.

Wearing a hat is also an effective way to protect your skin from the sun’s dangerous rays. But remember, if you are wearing a baseball cap, it will not give your ears any protection.

• Top of hands

The tops of your hands are especially exposed to the sun. While driving, cycling or gardening, your hands are very vulnerable to the sun unless you are wearing protective gloves.

And protecting your hands from the damaging sunburns can also prevent the signs of premature ageing such as sunspots and freckles.

• The upper chest

You protect your face, and also remembered to apply SPF to all your neck. But what about the top of your chest, where your neckline meets your top?

Your skin on the top of your chest gets exposed to the sun more than you think.

So please remember to apply a generous amount of SPF to your chest where it is not covered with clothing.

Which SPF is the most suitable for your skin?

Your skin is unique, so should be your skincare.

If you have any questions about which skincare or SPF to prefer for your skin needs, we offer free e-consultations with our skincare experts.

Contact us to book yours today! <click here>

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Hydrafacial is one of the most popular treatments in the beauty industry today. Every celebrity, social media star and influencer seems to be talking about it.

What nobody is asking though is….

What are Hydrafacial side effects?

When it comes to your skin, and especially your face, you want to know you are doing the right thing. Because a facial worked wonders for an Instagrammer, it doesn’t mean it will work wonders for you.

And nobody wants to hide away because of a bad breakout or flaky skin.

If you have read online Hydrafacial reviews they are totally positive.

In fact, Hydrafacial is one of the most positively reviewed treatments in the aesthetics world, with thousands of 5 star approval ratings.

Still this doesn’t mean it will work for you.

So what are the Hydrafacial side effects?

Major negative side effects are rare.

Some people have reported having an allergic reaction to certain ingredients. This should all be discussed at your consultation to avoid any issues.

Because Hydrafacial is a non-invasive procedure using hydradermabrasion, (which means it uses water and suction to clean and clear the skin) it is well tolerated by most people.

It will not cause rashes, inflammation, or peeling as seen with other facials or skincare products. With no irritation, you can apply make-up right after. Following aftercare advice will extend the results of your Hydrafacial and reduce the risk of any side effects.

Hydrafacial advice

To limit any negative side effects of a Hydrafacial your practitioner should explain to you the following points in more detail during your consultation.

• Advice should include avoiding sun exposure, sunbed or tanning sprays or fake tan for 3 to 6 weeks before your treatment.
• Cold sore sufferers are advised to start prophylactic anti-viral therapy before treatment.
• Avoiding strong topical creams (Retin-A, glycolics, etc.) for a week before and after treatment.
• Delaying using stronger topical retinoid (Vit A derivatives) creams for 2 days after your treatment

Failure to follow these guideline could see you experience an adverse side effects to your Hydrafacial.

Side effects

1. You may experience increased bruising if you are on blood thinners or aspirin.
2. If you have recently used Retin-A or retinoid your skin may be more sensitive and red.
3. After the procedure your skin may feel a bit sensitive for a couple of hours afterwards.
4. You may experience minor swelling of or around your eyes or lips.
5. During the treatment you may feel a cool and soothing scrub-like sensation.
6. Some feel a slight tingling sensation during the application of the light chemical peel

If you were hoping to read horror stories and warnings about Hydrafacial,the evidence is not there. (See medical references at the end of this page with links to studies.)

It is a gentle procedure, suitable for all ages and all skin types regardless of your age or colour of your skin.

 Who should not have a HydraFacial?

• If you are pregnant or breast feeding,
• If you have recently had light or laser treatment, chemical peel, facial steroid injection, cosmetic injectables, recent microdermabrasion, facial waxing, surgical procedure, sun burn, skin infection or recent changes in growths or moles in the area treated area.

You should defer treatment If you have any of the following active or unstable medical conditions :

• Epilepsy
• Cancer
• autoimmune disease
• diabetes

Read through our positive top 10 side effects of a Hydrafacial….

The 10 Biggest Hydrafacial Side Effects

1.No discomfort

Hydrafacial is a non-laser, non-invasive and non-ablative treatment, making it virtually painless. It is often described as having your face lightly massaged.

2.Even Complexion

Antioxidants in Hydrafacial serums can address a number of skin concerns as well as rejuvenating worn out  and tired looking complexions. Sunspots can be reduced and inflammation calmed. Breakouts and acne can be go from spotty and red complexion into a more even tone.

3.No need to pre-plan ahead

Hydrafacial treatment lasts 30-60 minutes. You can have it done on your lunch break or whenever you have the time. Unlike some chemical peels where you need to plan your downtime and prepare yourself for your skin flaking off and hiding away, you can get on with your life straight after your treatment.

4.Super Smooth Skin

If you have an uneven complexion Hydrafacial uses gentle exfoliation with its patented water based ‘hydradermabrasion’ to remove dead skin cells to uncover a fresh skin.

5.Crystal Clear Skin

Clogged pores are also deeply cleaned of dirt and debris along with the dead skin cells. Oily, congested skin is detoxified leaving your skin clean and clear. A visible reduction in oil and pore size combine to give your skin a clearer complexion.

6.Velvety Softer skin

Hydrafacial intensively nourishes your skin with nutrient rich serums including hyaluronic acid. The moisturiser hydrates and attracts water into the skin and prevents moisture loss. Flaky dry skin can be transformed. Going from rough to smooth, hard to soft to the touch in 60 minutes or less.

6.Decreased appearance of wrinkles

Peptide infusion is ideal to tackle wrinkles. Hydrafacial infuses skin with peptide proteins which are scientifically proven improve the appearance of wrinkles. Improved firmness in key areas can reverse the signs of ageing.

7.Boosted confidence

With Hydrafacial, results speak for themselves. Having a luxurious clinic experience will make you feel and look a million dollars. You will find it hard to stop touching your new smooth and super soft skin afterwards!.

8.No downtime

Hydrafacial is gaining a reputation as the go to facial to get ready for that special occasion or red carpet event. Before your wedding, anniversary or birthday celebration Hydrafacial will get your face sparkling and looking its best in no time.

9.Great for Acne

If acne is a regular problem for you Hydrafacials love acne!. With the optional LED light after treatment this can destroy any remaining bacteria preventing future breakouts.

10.Customise your treatment

Hydrafacial can be customised to focus on your specific skin concerns. A range of serums can target everything from dark circles under eyes to pigmentation and wrinkles. LED light enhancement are a great way to finish your treatment for maximum glow and radiance.

 Next steps if you live in London

If you live in London and are interested in having a Hydrafacial please get in touch for a free consultation. We are Londons largest independent laser and skin specialists with 9 clinics across London. We are proud to have been trusted by Londoners for their skincare needs since 2008.

Medical references:

Hydradermabrasion: an innovative modality for nonablative facial rejuvenation. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19146604/

Skin resurfacing procedures: new and emerging options. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4155739/[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

If you are fasting, you should take extra care during the Ramadan for your skin health. 

Not having enough water, disturbed sleep, stress and not consuming the necessary food groups due to lack of time; can impact your body and skin.

We’ve put together a guide to help you and your skin this Ramadan.

You will find out: 

• How to care for your skin during Ramadan.
• How much water should you drink for healthy skin.
• Importance of choosing the right skincare products.
• Effects of enough sleep for skin health.
• Why you should stay away from makeup during Ramadan. 

Drinking Enough Water For Your Skin

Dehydration can cause dryness, fine lines, wrinkles and sagginess on your skin.

During Ramadan while not drinking any water during the day your daily water intake doesn’t change. And we all know how important staying hydrated is for your health.

Make sure you consume enough water from iftar to sahur.

How much water do you need though?

For a healthy adult, it is advised to consume 1.5 – 2 lt. of water each day.

You can calculate how much water you should drink a day with this simple method as advised by World health organisation.

Water (in litres) to drink a day= Your Weight (in Kg) multiplied by 0.033.

So if you are :

A female weigh 55kg you should drink 1.8 litres per day

55 x 0.0033 = 1.8

A male weighing 80kg you should drink 2.64 litres per day

80 x 0.0033 = 2.64

Make sure to consume your calculated amount of water evenly over time between the sunset and sunrise. This way your body will benefit the most.

Use The Right Skincare Products

Staying hydrated is the first important step. Next you need to take extra care to prevent damaging your skin cells.

Missing out on important vitamins and minerals while fasting may affect your skin’s self-defence and its ability to maintain a healthy ph and oil balance.

Choose your cleanser based on your skin type.

For oily skin: Use a cleansing gel.

• Our Expert Recommendation Dermaquest Peptide Glyco Cleanser.

For dry skin: Use a milk cleanser

• Our Expert Recommendation: Mesoestetic Hydra Milk Cleanser.

Always get expert help to choose the correct skincare products suitable for your skin type and conditions. If you have any doubts about which products to use, our clinicians would be happy to offer you their expert help <click here>.

Choose A Rich Moisturiser 

Moisturising should already be a part of your daily skincare routine. However, while not drinking enough water during the day during Ramadan, make sure to give your skin that extra hydration boost by using a rich moisturiser. Choose a moisturiser packed with minerals.

The right moisturiser for your skin type will penetrate deeper into your skin, offering better results.  

• Our Expert Recommendation: Dermaquest Essential B5 Hydrating Serum. It attracts and retains moisture in your skin, enhances skin firmness, softness and elasticity, preventing ageing and dehydration. It is also suitable for all skin types.

Don’t forget !

Even if you have oily skin, you still need to use moisturiser. However, you should always choose the right skin products, suitable for your skin type.

If you don’t know your skin type, follow our 7 simple steps to find out your skin type self-test <click here>.

Pay Extra Attention To The Eye Area

The skin around your eyes is much thinner, it is also more prone to damage.

Skin dehydration causes irritation, fine lines and wrinkles; and it is more visible in the eye area. Choose a suitable eye serum for extra care during Ramadan.

• Our Expert Recommendation: Mesoestetic Energy C Eye Contour for enhanced hydrating and tone.

Don’t Forget To Use SPF

During Ramadan with the lack of water during the day, you are more vulnerable to heat and so is your skin.

While your skin cells get dehydrated, they are more prone to burns.

So make sure to use SPF at all times.

Choose sun protection which also provides moisturising. This way you can hydrate your skin while protecting from the sun’s dangerous rays.

• Our Expert Recommendation: OBAGI360 HydraFactor SPF30.

For more information about how to use SPF.

Have A Balanced Diet

Heavy eating at sunset and before sunrise, and missing out on nutritious food groups due to the limited time on eating may have a negative effect on your skin.

Consuming fruits and vegetables is essential for your immune system. But it is also necessary for your skin health.

Vitamin A, B, C, E, and K are keystones for skin health. Also biotin, folic acid, iron, and Omega 3 are very important.

Make sure to create balanced meals with good protein, and a rainbow of vegetables.

Also, try to stay away from sugar and sugary drinks as they are one of the biggest enemies of your skin. If they are eaten before your fasting, they will make you feel hungrier sooner.

Yoghurt is very beneficial for your skin health and a great probiotic. It is also rich in protein so it will keep you full.

As are eggs! And eggs are perfect for natural skin masks.

Read about our homemade skin masks recommended from our expert clinicians.

Get Enough Sleep

Having enough sleep has many health benefits. For your mind, focus, body, and of course your skin.

As your sleep gets disturbed when you wake up to eat before sunrise, try to arrange your sleeping pattern so it can help you with getting enough sleep without the disruption.

A good night’s sleep is key to glowing skin.

Take A Break From Makeup

Applying heavy makeup blocks your skin pores.

This can lead to acne and other skin imperfections.

During Ramadan, if you are not consuming enough water during the day, it affects your skin’s natural balance. Your skin cannot fight naturally against makeup (which it sees as an outside threat). This may cause skin problems.

Try to go for your natural look, or apply a very thin layer of makeup if you need to.

We hope that our tips help your skin  have a healthier Ramadan. For any skin related questions, our expert are ready for free e-consultations. Contact us for more details.

We wish you a great month of peace and kindness.

We are all born with our skin type. This is set by our genetics and ethnicity which never change. However, did you know our skin type can?

Your skin type is mainly based on how much oil is produced in your follicles.

And each skin type requires a different skincare regimen. Before you choose your skincare routine and products, you need to know your skin type.

Not exactly sure???

Don’t worry.

With our self-test, you can find out exactly your skin type in 7 simple steps.

Step 1 – Clean/ Prepare your skin

First things first. Let’s get your skin back to its natural form. Without any makeup, chemicals, or dirt/dust.

Remove any makeup and wash your face with a plain non-acidic facewash which doesn’t include any moisturisers. Make sure to use lukewarm water as hot water would dry your skin.

Pat-dry your skin with a gentle towel rather than scrubbing it harshly.

Do not apply any products and do not touch your face.

Wait for 1-2 hours.

This way you will allow your skin to get back to its natural form without any outside elements.

You are now ready to examine your skin and find out your skin type.

Step 2 – Check your T-Zone

Your T-Zone is usually the oiliest area of your face as it has a higher amount of oil glands.

The area includes your forehead, nose, and chin.

This area is called the T-Zone because it is shaped like the letter T! (A very creative name!)

Next pat your T-Zone with a tissue and check if there is any oil rubbed off on it.

Oil :  you either have an oily or combination skin.

No Oil :  you are more likely to have normal or dry skin.

There are still a few more steps before we can say for sure what your skin type is so continue to step 3 (Make sure to complete all steps before your conclusion.)

Step 3 – Notice how your skin feels

This is the easiest step. All you need to do is listen to yourself and understand how your skin feels.

• Does your skin feel itchy?

You might have sensitive skin.

Oily skin will feel greasy immediately.

• Or does your skin feel tense or tight?

That is a sign of dry skin.

Step 4 – Look in the mirror

If you have a certain skin type, such as oily or dry; it is should be visible the mirror.

Oily skin would easily spotted as you will start seeing grease or shine on your skin.

If you notice flaky patches on your face, you are most likely to have dry and/or sensitive skin.

Your face also may not feel the same all over. Most people with combination skin experience greasy look on their T-Zone and especially on their nose areas. But they feel tightness on the cheeks or even sometimes in their foreheads.

Make sure to note every observation you have during your self-test to find your skin type. 

Step 5 – Pinch your skin

Not that hard! Just gently.

Oily skin may tend to have more breakouts, but having oily skin actually has an advantage.

Higher oil produced in follicles wards off wrinkles better than dry skin as the oil keeps skin moister and smoother.

In other words, oily skin ages slower as it wrinkles less.

In this step of your skin type test, if you pinch your skin you can create an outside effect to see your skin’s potential level for getting wrinkles.

• If you have dry or combination skin types, your skin will easily wrinkle after pressure is applied.
• If you have oily skin, it will remain smooth.

Step 6 – Look at your pore size

Those tiny dots you see on the surface of your skin are called pores

What you may not now, they are actually openings of hair follicles. And your pores are responsible for the production of your skin’s oils.

And you’ve guessed right again when your pores fill up with too much oil and/or dirt, that is how you usually get spots.

Pores are more noticeable on some parts of your face then others. For example, your forehead and nose.

• When you check your skin pores in the mirror, if they are visible but not large, you probably have normal skin.
• Take a few steps back from the mirror. If you still can see your pores you might have oily skin.
• On dry skin, pores will not be as visible.

Step 7 – Watch your makeup

If you have waited 1-2 hours after your washing your face it’s time to start examining your skin.

Usually, your skin gets back to its natural state by this time. Think about how many clues your skin gives you during the day.

If you have never done this before it can be surprising by how much you can learn by just doing nothing but just observing you skin and its sensations.

Watching your make up is one of the easiest ways to determine your skin type.

If you have oily skin, you will probably get that midday shine on your face. And your foundation will come off while your mattifying powder is already long gone.

So, if your skin makeup is giving up 3-4 hours after you’ve applied it, you probably have oily skin.

On the other hand, while applying your makeup if your foundation looks cracked or flaky, you are more likely to have dry skin.

We hope you now you have a better understanding of your skin type.

It is important to remember every skin type requires a different skincare product and regimen.

Now you know your skin type, why not consult our skin experts to find out which skincare is the best for you?

Book your free e-consultation today!

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Hydrafacial or microneedling? If you had to choose one…….which one would it be?

They are both fantastic treatments for many skin issues and a must when it comes to your skincare routine.

How do you choose between them?

What’s the differences?

What are the pros and cons of each treatment?

After reading through this blog you will know the answer to those questions and more.

First we’ll take a look at microneedling.

Microneedling

There are many devices performing microneedling. Years ago it was only done in clinics or spa. Today, with handheld and electronic devices, treatments can be done at home too.

The dermaroller is the most common microneedling tool. It looks like something you find in your kitchen. It has a handle attached to a rolling cylinder with hundreds of mini spikes on. You can buy dermarollers with different length spikes, depending on the results you want to achieve.

Many clinics use an electronic microneedling pen instead of a dermaroller. Dermapen is one of the most popular brands.  It is a more comfortable treatment with quicker recovery due to the precise vertical insertion of micro needles. It also works better on the whole face reaching areas the dermaroller finds difficult.

As Hydrafacial cannot be performed at home we will compare it to Dermapen microneedling in a clinic.

Collagen induction therapy

Microneedling is a collagen induction therapy which is popular worldwide. It is considered a minimally invasive skin rejuvenation treatment.

Designed to stimulate your bodies collagen production, it causes micro punctures to the skin using its stainless-steel surgical grade needles.

Several treatments are needed for best results, although results can be seen from one treatment. For skin conditions 4 to 6 sessions are required.

Microneedling is classed as a progressive treatment. Results appear once new collagen is formed, taking to up to 6 weeks.

It can be undergone by anyone considered in good health and is seen as a step up from facial peels or similar treatments.

Advantages of microneedling:

Microneedling is ideal for :

• improving skin thickness
• improving skin quality
• stimulating and boosting collagen
• stimulating and boosting elastin
• improve fine lines wrinkles
• acne scarring
• stretch marks
• to plumpen rejuvenate skin
• anti-ageing treatment for sun spots
• loose skin
• enlarged pores
• pigmentation

Disadvantages of microneedling:

Microneedling is minimally invasive. It pierces the skins surface so could lead to scarring.  There is also the risk of infection which is greater if performed at home. Longer dermaroller needles may bend and cause larger wounds which can also lead to scarring and infection.

Pain

With microneedling the depth of the needles can be set from a gentle 0.5mm to a more aggressive 2.5mm. The higher the setting the more uncomfortable treatment will be. It also depends on your tolerance for pain.

Numbing cream or a topical anaesthetic can be applied before. This increases time spent in a clinic as it must be applied 30+ minutes before you start.

What are The Side Effects of Microneedling?

While minimally invasive side effects include minor irritation and redness for a few days after.

Other side effects can include

• swelling
• bruising
• dry and flaky skin
• pigmentation changes
• sensitivity to sunlight – (avoid sun exposure for 7 days after each session.)
• infection
• bleeding and scarring if done improperly

Hydrafacial

Is a multi-stage beauty treatment which cleanses, purifies and revitalises your skin. There are many types of Hydrafacials, The most popular is the 6 stage Hydrafacial lasting 60 minutes. Express 3 stage Hydrafacials lasting 30 minutes are also available.

Treatments can be customised with add-ons called “boosters” to tackle specialised skin issues like tags or brown spots.

How It works 

Hydrafacial is suitable for all skin types. It is known for removing impurities from your skin.

The technique firstly cleanses and exfoliates the skin with the patented Hydrafacial spiral tip. Then using a vortex extraction nozzle, pores are vacuumed to unclog & remove dead skin cells.

Finally, specialised hydrating and nourishing cooling serums are pushed into the pores. The serum usually consists of hyaluronic acid, peptides and antioxidants.

• cleansing and exfoliating

Cleanse + Peel- The first step is a deep cleanse to remove old, dead and damaged skin.

• extracting impurities

Extract + Hydrate- Unclogging of pores with gentle suction removes dirt and debris.  Nourishing hydrating serum are infused to quench the thirsty skin.

• infusing serums into the skin

Fuse + Protect- Finally your skin is drenched in revitalising antioxidants and peptides to heal your skin.

Advantages

Hydrafacials are quick and easy. They can get your skin event-ready in less then an hour.  No pre-planning or downtime is required.

It is also suitable for regular use to slowly build and improve your skins appearance over time. Results are noticeable after just one session. With no downtime you can apply makeup straight after.

• even out your skin tone pigment,
• reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
• correct dark spots
• smooth out your skin.

What are the side effects of Hydrafacial?

Side effect are rare. They may include a slight redness and tightness for 60 minutes after the treatment.

Is Hydrafacial Painful?

There is no pain associated with this procedure at all.

How to choose between microneedling and Hydrafacial?

Need special occasion gorgeous skin in a hurry?

Choose Hydrafacial for instantly glowing skin.

Fade acne scars?

Chose microneedling for collagen building and to smooth the appearance of scars.

Relax and rejuvenate?

Hydrafacial is superb if you want to pamper yourself and feel a million dollars!

Aging skin?

Microneedling will firm your skin

Breakout?

Hydrafacial is ideal to clear your pores.

Dry and dull skin?

Hydrfacial will intensely hydrate your skin.

Summary

Microneedling is a better option then HydraFacial if you have deep, permanent acne scars and other facial scarring and conditions listed earlier. It is great if you want to replace elasticity and firm your skin. It is not a good choice if you are prone to infections or are unable to tolerate slight pain or needles.It is recommended for all skin tones like Hydrafacial.

Microneedling is amongst the best minimally invasive treatments to also rejuvenate skin.

Hydrafacial is superb for quickly and deeply cleansing and refreshing your skin. (Check out our Hydrfacial before and afters). It hydrates and reduces fine lines and wrinkles and improves your general appearance as well as the benefits listed above.

Next steps if you live in London

If you live in London near one of our 9 clinics why not speak to us today about having a microneedling or Hydrafacial treatment. We are London’s largest independent laser and skin specialists trusted by over 500,000 Londoners since 2008 for their laser and skin treatments[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]