Blog

  When it comes to SPF, not all products are created equal and you might be wondering what the difference is between high street SPF from the likes of Nivea, Ambre Solaire etc and medical grade SPF, like Alumier.   High street / chemical SPF Most SPF’s or sunscreens you buy on the high street are chemical SPFs, made of synthetic compounds. Active ingredients include things like avobenzone, octocrylene and homosalate. Yeh – never heard of them have you? These chemicals don’t stop the UV rays from reaching your skin but are designed to stop those UV rays from causing damage to your skin – or at least that’s the theory. Chemical sunscreens work by your skin absorbing all these chemicals and then when the UV rays hit your skin, these chemicals are supposed to turn them into heat and … Continue reading →

Summer is coming and that usually means we want to get that gorgeous summer glow. Let’s talk about what you can do to protect and maintain your skin health, whilst getting that bronzed glow. How to protect your skin in the summer You guessed it (well I hope you did) – it’s all about the SPF. Skin therapists like me are always talking about the importance of SPF but that’s because it really is important in protecting your skin – it’s also the number one anti-ageing thing you can do! Not all SPF is created equal – so make sure you’re using a mineral based sunscreen, rather than cheap chemical ones from the high street. Alumier, my clinic recommended brand, offer two SPF products depending on your skin. Clear Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 30 – perfect for oily, blemish prone … Continue reading →

If you’ve got big goals for your skin you need to understand that consistency with skincare is more important than ad hoc treatments. The patients I see in clinic who have the best results and the most transformation in their skin, are the ones who also invest in the right skincare products and use them consistently alongside their treatments. Let’s look at why consistency with skincare matters so much and what it’s really doing for your skin.   Why you need to stick to a routine Consistency is key when it comes to skincare products because their effect is cumulative. Meaning it adds up the longer you use it and becomes most effective after regular use. This is not to say you should be putting your products on throughout the day but regular use, as advised, is the only way … Continue reading →

Did you know there are 3 things every skin needs, no matter your age? We discussed this a lot at the recent skincare evening and it surprised me how many people just weren’t aware that they were missing at least one of these from their skincare routine. Once you know, there’s no going back and I’ve already seen an improvement in the skin of patients who implemented changes based on the event. So, let’s talk about these three super important things your skin needs…   SPF You know that was coming didn’t you? Or did you? If you’ve been in my world for a while you’ll know how important SPF is for your skin. It’s also the number one thing you can do to help slow down skin ageing. If you’re not already using SPF every single day, you really … Continue reading →

When patients feel they’re not achieving their skin goals as quickly as they would like we will look at how your skincare routine could be affecting your treatment results. Having treatments in clinic is often only half the story of achieving your dream skin. For patients who implement a well-planned skincare routine at home alongside their treatments in clinic, we always see better results. Whilst the treatments you can have at Christchurch Derma Spa can give you almost instant results in some areas, your daily skincare can be just as important. For the patients I see who are really serious about transforming their skin, I will always recommend the appropriate Alumier products to use alongside their treatments. These products are proven to work, 100% cruelty free, as well as being free from common ‘nasties’ found in high street skincare, such … Continue reading →

One of the key things you can do to have healthier, happier skin is learn how to support your skin barrier. Your skin barrier is the outermost layer of the epidermis and acts as a protective shield that locks in moisture and keeps out environmental toxins, pollutants and bacteria. If you don’t have a happy skin barrier, it can cause a domino effect, which is why you may experience irritation, sensitivity and rosacea – the list goes on. Since introducing the scanner people have come into the skin clinic for analysis thinking  pigmentation or sun damage will be a potential issue but the most common area of concern we see come up for my patients is redness. Often this redness can’t be seen on the surface, or if it is seen on the surface it may seem minor or only appear … Continue reading →

Eeeek – I’ve been shortlisted again as a finalist for the Independent Business Award at the upcoming Christchurch Business Awards! The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony at the Captains Club Hotel on Thursday February 26th at lunchtime…keep your fingers crossed for me! I’ll keep you posted 🤞🏆 I know I’m already a muti-award winning skin care specialist but every award is as special as the first!

This month Christchurch Derma Spa Skin Clinic has launched a way to find out what’s really going on beneath your skin. The clinic now has advanced skin scanning technology – using my new toy, the Pro A Skin Scanner…and I’m totally in love with it already! This incredible machine helps us to see what’s going on beneath the surface of your skin, because what we see on top is only part of the story. Many common skin concerns (like pigmentation and rosacea) start beneath the skin long before they become visible on the surface. The Pro A Skin Scanner gives us the chance to take the guesswork out of treating your skin and reveal what’s really going on – as well as identifying skin concerns that may arise in the future.   What is The Pro A Skin Scanner? The … Continue reading →

We all want healthy, happy skin – right? Here are my three skincare essentials for healthy, happy skin along with my tips for three key stages of your skincare routine.   Cleanse Daily, Avoiding Harsh Products Wash your face twice a day – once in the morning, and once before bed to keep your skin looking fabulous. Cleansing too frequently or using harsh cleansers can strip your skin’s natural barrier and trigger excess oil production. My tips for the best cleansing routine: Use a gentle, professional cleanser designed for your skin type – never use hand or body soap – they’re too harsh for your face! Always remove your makeup before bed – sleeping in makeup blocks pores and invites breakouts. Avoid face wipes – they can leave residue behind and upset your skin barrier. If you’re looking for a … Continue reading →

If you’re fed up with constantly having to shave or attend waxing appointments every few weeks (forever), then maybe IPL Hair Removal is the answer to your hairy ‘problems’. It’s low maintenance and longer lasting but how does IPL Laser Hair Removal work? Let’s dive in and explore the science behind the treatment.   IPL Hair Removal – What is it? IPL hair removal is a popular method of reducing hair growth, long-term. It uses light energy to target the hair follicles directly beneath the skin. Many people opt for IPL hair removal at our clinic in Christchurch because it’s a low maintenance alternative to at home shaving and/or waxing. Results vary patient to patient, some skin and hair types are better suited to the treatment than others and this is something we will discuss if you come into the … Continue reading →