My skin consultation at the Skin Institute

By Milly Nolan

It's a good idea, when the seasons click over, to consult a skincare specialist for a skin analysis, MiNDFOOD reports.

As the seasons change, so does your skin so at the beginning of winter it is a good idea to consult a skincare specialist for a skin analysis. This thorough examination of your skin will determine your skin type and will also identify any problem areas that need correcting. The specialist will then recommend what skincare products you should be using and what treatments would be beneficial.

I chose to have my skin analysed by the lovely Sally Ellison who is the Clinic Manager and Cosmetic Nurse Specialist at the Skin Institute in Ponsonby, Auckland.

MY SKIN DIAGNOSIS

• Slightly dry and dehydrated – most probably due to the change in temperature, exposure to harsher weather and indoor heating.

• Fairly clear complexion with the exception of a few broken capillaries on my cheeks. As a result of summer, I have quite a few freckles and also one noticeably dark sunspot on my forehead.

• A few blemishes around my chin – most likely because I had recently been ill with bronchitis so my skin was showing the effects of a low immune system.

Overall my skin was in good health but would benefit from some professional skincare treatments to give it an added boost of goodness.

PRODUCT RECOMMENDATION

DAY

Rationale Cleanser– supplemented with antioxidant vitamins A, C & E, RRP $78.

Rationale Niacinamide Serum – to protect the skin against lowered immunity, RRP $171.

Rationale Rejuvenating Serum – to protect the skin against free radical damage, RRP $171.

Rationale Moisture + – high-level hydration to protect dry skin from environmental assaults, RRP $96.

NIGHT

Rationale Cleanser (as above)

Rationale Skin Refining Serum – for increased exfoliation of old skin cells, RRP $106.

Rationale Retinaldehyde Serum – a form of vitamin A for cellular repair of sun damaged skin, RRP $246.

TREATMENT RECOMMENDATION

MICRODERMABRASION

Microdermabrasion is used to even the skin tone and texture using fine crystals and suction. Essentially it is a controlled way to shed skin of impurities and dead layers of skin.

•    Exfoliates dead skin cells

•    Polishes the skin

•    Stimulates collagen

•    Breaks up pigmentation

•    Reduces superficial lines

•    Smoothes and softens the skin

•    Brightens the complexion

For best results a course of four to six treatments every two weeks was recommended for me.

PCA PEEL

The PCA peel is a solution that incorporates Alpha Hydroxy acids, Kojic acid, Salicyclic Acid and Hyroquinone. These ingredients combine to not only exfoliate the outer cell layer, but at the same time, lighten and even out the overall skin tone.

•    Essentially removes the top layer of skin

•    Reduces sun damage

•    Cleans and decongests pores

•    Brightens the complexion

•    Evens out skin tone

•    Reduces superficial lines

I was advised to have a peel monthly in conjunction with every second microdermabrasion.

INTENSE PULSED LIGHT (IPL)

Skin rejuvenation is a treatment used to improve the overall appearance of your complexion. Using light and radio frequency, when the light makes contact with the skin it turns into heat, shattering the pigment into fragments and obliterating broken blood vessels. IPL is a good precursor for getting your skin in good condition for microdermabrasion and peels.

•    Helps correct skin tone

•    Helps lift pigment

•    Reduces freckles, sun spots

•    Treats rosacea and broken blood vessels

It is generally advised to have one to five treatments of IPL, four to six weeks apart. However, the average amount most people have is three. I’m not sure I’m brave enough to endure the pain (likened to a flicking rubber band) so I will decide further down the line about this one!

Stay tuned to read about my first microdermabrasion and peel experience and how my skin looked after.

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