Treat your Skin this Winter
It's no secret that the Winter months are harsh on our skin. The cold weather and dry air can leave our faces feeling dull, irritated, and just plain blah. If you're looking for a way to give your skin a little TLC this Winter, consider getting some advanced skin treatments done.
Winter time is the perfect time for facial peels, skin needling and pigmentation removal, as cooler temperatures and less days in the sun will make the recovery process go more smoothly!
1. Skin Needling
Skin needling, also known as microneedling, is a popular cosmetic treatment that improves the skin’s appearance. A device is used to create tiny punctures in the skin, which triggers the body's natural healing process to increase collagen and elastin production. As a result, skin needling can help to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, scarring and overall texture and tone of the skin. Skin needling is a safe and effective treatment that can be performed on all skin types
How to prepare for treatment
While skin needling can provide impressive results, it is important to take the necessary precautions and ensure that the treatment is performed safely and effectively by a qualified skin professional.
Prep your skin for a skin needling treatment by avoiding direct exposure to the sun for at least 24 hours prior, and also make sure to use a quality SPF. It’s also important to avoid using skincare products before and after your treatment that contain retinoids, or acid-based products, as these can irritate the skin.
If you’re on blood-thinning medication, this may need to be temporarily stopped for a few days before your treatment. Always speak with your qualified dermal therapist and medical professional beforehand.
On the day of your treatment, make sure to cleanse your skin thoroughly, removing all makeup, oils, and dirt. Use a gentle cleanser and avoid using any harsh exfoliants or scrubs.
What to expect during and after the treatment
The treatment area will be lightly numbed with a topical anaesthetic cream before the needle device is passed over the skin’s surface, in a gentle rolling motion. After the treatment is completed, a hydrating serum or a cream will be applied to soothe and protect the skin.
Your skin may begin to peel a few days post the microneedling treatment. This peeling is caused by the needling stimulating collagen growth in the deeper layers of your skin – and thereby forming a fresh new layer of skin. As this new skin forms, the old layer of skin begins to peel off. For this reason, we always follow up with a skin peel one week after your microneedling treatment to help remove these old skin layers, and make way for the fresh, rejuvenated skin to shine through.
Skin needling treatments are performed 6-8 weeks apart, and most skin conditions will require a minimum of 6 treatments.
2. Laser Pigmentation Removal
Pigmentation removal is a treatment that helps to improve the appearance of the skin by reducing the appearance of dark spots. The procedure can be performed on any area of the body, but is most commonly used on the face, neck, chest, and hands. Pigmentation removal can be performed using a variety of different methods, including laser therapy, chemical peels, and microdermabrasion. In most cases, multiple treatments are necessary in order to achieve optimal results. Pigmentation removal can help to improve the overall tone and texture of your skin, giving you a more even and youthful appearance.
How to prepare for treatment
If you're considering skin pigmentation removal treatment, there are a few things you can do to prepare. Firstly, it's important to consult with your dermal clinician, who will advise you on your pre-treatment skincare regime, and determine if the treatment is right for you.And secondly, its important that you implement the two habits that we at The Skin Manifesto always ensure our clients do which are:
Avoid sun exposure before your treatment, and
Use a high-quality moisturiser to ensure the best possible results.
What to expect during and after the treatment
One of the most common questions we get asked is ‘does Laser Pigmentation Removal hurt?’. Although you may experience some minimal discomfort during the treatment, most people find this bearable and our professional laser machines include cooling devices to alleviate any discomfort. If you are highly sensitive to pain, or worried this discomfort could be too much to handle, you can speak to your skin professional about administering a topical anaesthetic to reduce the discomfort during treatment.
After your treatment, your pigmentation will usually darken and scab, flake or blister off. Don’t worry – that’s totally normal! During this time, it is important to stay out of the sun and protect your skin’s healing process. Use a quality SPF sunscreen and moisturiser, but avoid skincare products which contain AHA’s, BHA’s or Vitamin A’s (retinoids).
If you are self-conscious about any of these blemishes, you can use a quality mineral-makeup to cover them up, which also has natural SPF included!
Skin pigmentation removal generally requires at least 2-3 treatments, spaced 4 weeks apart. However, your dermal therapist can provide you with a customised plan based on your skin condition.
3. Green Power Herbal Peel
Our LIRA Green Power Peel is one of our most popular treatments here at The Skin Manifesto – and there’s no doubt as to why! This is an all-natural facial peel that nourishes and resurfaces the skin, leaving you looking and feeling more refreshed. It can also benefit a wide range of skin conditions, from acne scarring, to fine lines and wrinkles, to general skin rejuvenation.
The herbs in this peel are unique to the Green Power Peel and have been specially formulated for maximum results. These include:
Badiaga – for cell hydration, collagen production, boosts circulation and cell regeneration.
Green Tea – a powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant which brightens and evens out skin tone and increase skin firmness.
Mathia Resin – which repairs, restores and brightens skin by refining pores and reducing inflammation post-treatment, thanks to it’s powerful antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.
How to prepare for treatment
Prior to your skin peel, it’s important you visit us for an advanced skin analysis. This analysis can help us determine if you have any specific skin conditions that need to be addressed prior to your peel, such as acne or rosacea. We will also prescribe you at-home peel preparation skincare products. Using these clinically formulated products pre and post-treatment is crucial for ensuring that you are thrilled with your revitalised and fresh-looking and feeling skin.
What to expect during and after the treatment
As a form of collagen induction therapy (a fancy way of saying it boosts collagen), the herbs are massaged into the skin providing a gentle surface exfoliation and also allowing the herbs to penetrate deep through the skin’s layers to promote collagen formation. Over a 24 to 48 hour period post-peel, you’ll feel a gentle tingling sensation as the herbs work their way back to the surface – bringing with them old, dead skin cells. It’s at this point you’ll likely notice your skin starting to peel. That’s the herbs doing their job, and the old skin falling away.
It’s important you continue to use your home skincare routine, to moisturise and hydrate your skin and ensure you are restoring your skin’s protective barrier. You’ll want to avoid any activities that increase inflammation, such as sun-exposure, saunas, hot-tubs and strenuous workouts. Make sure you’re continuously applying your sunscreen if you're in the sun. And finally, don’t over-exfoliate! Your peel has done a great job at exfoliating your skin, so scrubbing, brushing or exfoliating 3-4 days after your peel is a definite no-no, as it could increase skin sensitivity, inflammation and redness.
Your qualified dermal therapist at The Skin Manifesto can help determine how many treatments will be needed for your individual skin condition; however most people will require at least 6 treatments, spaced 2 weeks apart.
All in all, Winter is the perfect time to rejuvenate your skin! The cold weather can be harsh on our skin, but by taking advantage of some of the amazing treatments offered at our clinic, you can restore a youthful glow.
We highly recommend booking in an advanced skin analysis today so that we can assess your individual needs and create a treatment plan tailored just for you.
With Winter already here, there’s no better time to start thinking about how to make your skin look its best. See you soon!