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70 Mooney Street, Gulliver

Queensland Australia 4812

Have you discovered the benefits of Cacay Oil yet?

Written by Helena Rosengren on . Posted in Healthy skin, Self-Care, Skin Conditions.

Imagine a skincare product that is 100% pure, 100% natural, good for you and good for the planet.

Now stop imagining – because we have recently added a product that ticks all of those boxes to our retail range here at Skinovation Cosmetic Clinic.

We are very excited, after years of research, to introduce you to Cacay Oil, a natural superfood for your skin that boasts proven anti-ageing properties and will give you a glowing complexion.

What is Cacay Oil?

Cacay Oil is a new, natural anti-ageing oil that skincare experts are amazed by.

The oil is made from the Cacay nut, which grows naturally in the Amazon regions of South America. Cacay Oil is highly rich in a perfect combination of vitamins and fatty acids that will set to work regenerating your skin thereby reduce fine lines, blemishes and loss of firmness within weeks, leaving your skin glowing.

Cacay Oil is extremely rich in natural retinol (vitamin A), vitamin E and linoleic acid (vitamin F) containing far more than most other natural oils worldwide.

So, how does Cacay Oil compare to other natural oils?

Argan oil and rosehip oil are well known, popular natural skin care products that you have no doubt heard of. By comparison cacay oil has 1.5 times the vitamin E of both argan oil or rosehip oil and 3 times as much vitamin A as rosehip oil (argan oil has none at all).  When it comes to linoleic acid, cacay oil has almost double the linoleic acid of rosehip oil and 2.5 times that of argan oil.

Natural retinol (vitamin A) helps reduce wrinkles and pigmentation while boosting collagen thereby plumping, smoothing and brightening the skin. Because this is a natural form of retinol it can be used during the day while in the sun. Vitamin E locks in hydration and helps reduce any visible scarring. Linoleic acid helps with easy absorption of this miracle oil thereby locking in moisture while leaving the skin feeling smooth and non-greasy.

How will Cacay Oil improve my skin?

Being so rich in skin-nourishing vitamins and essential fatty acids twice-daily use of Cacay Oil will provide visible improvement to your skin’s clarity, plumpness and texture within the first few weeks of use.

The benefits of this wonder oil will be amplified by using a dermaroller either immediately before or after its application.

The benefits of Cacay Oil include:

  • Rapid skin absorption
  • Reducing wrinkles
  • Improving skin elasticity
  • Improving skin tone
  • Reducing the formation of acne
  • Reducing the appearance of scars and stretch marks
  • Reducing pigmentation
  • Improving skin texture; and
  • Increasing skin hydration and smoothness

How is Cacay Oil good for the planet?

While a large percentage of Cacay Oil is currently being processed from nuts gathered from wild-grown trees, the increasing popularity and economic potential of the product is encouraging farmers to replant native Cacay trees in deforested areas of Amazon rainforest.

These trees are fast growing and add nutrients back into the soil as they grow. The budding industry is also helping to improve the lives of low-income families in Amazon regions by creating more employment opportunities.

Additionally, no part of the harvested Cacay nut goes to waste. Once the oil is extracted, the remaining flesh is processed into ground flour for various uses and  the inner peel is composted for improved productivity of local agriculture.

Our team at Skinovation Cosmetic Clinic is proud to support the production and promotion of this wonderful natural product, which not only benefits you, but also the indigenous Amazonian people and our planet.

We encourage you to try Cacay Oil for yourself and let us know what you think.

Available in our clinic (70 Mooney St Gulliver) or shop online – free Click & Collect available! 

What can I do about pigmentation?

Written by Helena Rosengren on . Posted in Healthy skin, Skin Conditions, Skin Treatment.

If you have an uneven skin tone characterised by discolouration, dark spots or brown patches it’s highly likely you’re dealing with pigmentation.

Pigmentation is a very common skin concern, which can usually be improved.

There are many common skincare products you can incorporate into your daily skin care routine, as well as some more powerful treatments, that can help you regain a more even skin tone.

DAILY PIGMENTATION FIGHTERS:

Slip, slop, slap.
When your skin isn’t busy fighting off the immediate effects of the sun, it has the chance to set about repairing past sun damage. That means sunscreen, a hat and long sleeves aren’t just protecting you from sun burn and skin cancer right now, they’re also helping your skin to undo damage that’s already done. To acheive younger, smoother, more even coloured skin, simply get into the habit of putting on sunscreen each morning and covering up whenever you’re outdoors.

A, B and C serums
Serums are highly-concentrated products, typically rich in vitamins A, B or C, that can be a powerful tool in the fight against pigmentation, as well as many other skin concerns including fine lines, dryness, acne scarring and large pores. You can learn more about how to best use serums on our blog post here.

Hydroquinone
Hydroquinone is a skin lightening agent that can be used for a more severe form of pigmentation, known as hyperpigmentation. While hydroquinone rarely causes unwanted side-effects, it does tend to work better for certain skin types including people with normal or oilier skin and those with fairer skin tones. For some people, hydroquinone can in fact exacerbate hyperpigmentation. In Australia you can only access hydroquinalone through a medical practitioner with an interest in pigmentation concerns.

POWERFUL PIGMENTATION TREATMENTS 

Peels
There are cosmetic peels available for all sorts of skin problems, including peels designed specifically to reduce the appearance of pigmentation. Peels work by removing the outer layer of dead skin cells to speed up the generation of younger, plumper looking skin. While they can be used as one off treatments, peels have been found to deliver much better results more quickly when used at fortnightly intervals over a couple of months. You can learn more about the power of peels here

Fractional Laser
Laser therapy can be used as an anti-ageing treatment for fine lines and pigmentation on the face, neck, décolletage and backs of hands. While other laser treatments might leave you feeling raw for several weeks, fractional laser is a gentler option that can be used at monthly intervals to deliver the same end result with a much shorter recovery time than other laser treatments.

Galvanic skin infusion
A relaxing, pampering treatment, galvanic infusion also allows deep skin absorption of powerful skin lightening and anti-ageing products.

There is an array of treatment options available for helping you reduce pigmentation and other skin concerns. If you’re confused or overwhelmed by all of the options, you may like to discuss your treatment options with a medical practitioner who can help you decide on a tailor-made approach for your particular needs.

The team at Skinovation Cosmetic Clinic would happy to consult you on your options.

3 Tips for Reducing Downtime After a Cosmetic Procedure

Written by Helena Rosengren on . Posted in Healthy skin, Self-Care, Skin Conditions, Skin Treatment.

Cosmetic Treatments can help you feel like your most confident self. However, more complex procedures such as platelet rich plasma, threads and fillers, can require a little downtime before you’ll look your absolute best.

Bruising is common after some cosmetic treatments, especially if they involve the eye, lip or neck areas.  These are our top 3 tips for reducing downtime associated with cosmetic treatments:

1. Tell your treating doctor what medications or supplements you’re taking

Some prescription and treatments and non-prescription supplements can increase your likelihood of bruising.  These include simple remedies suxh as:

  • Vitamin E
  • Omega 3
  • Horse radish
  • St John’s Wort; and
  • Gingko biloba

It may be best to stop taking these 10 days prior to a cosmetic procedure but we would recommend speaking to your treating doctor also for individual advice.

2. Be proactive in preventing bruising

Some people have found the homeopathic remedy Arnica useful in reducing swelling and bruising, if taken a few days before and after their treatment.

3.  Actively treat established bruising

After your procedure, hirudoid cream may help any established bruising to resolve more quickly. As soon as you suspect that you have bruised following a cosmetic treatment, begin applying hirudoid cream to affected areas every eight to 12 hours.

Additinally, please plan ahead and allow at least 10 days between your treatment and any special event to ensure you will look your best.

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Does Extra Screen-Time Affect Your Skin?

Written by Helena Rosengren on . Posted in Healthy skin, Self-Care, Skin Conditions, Skin Treatment.

Our lifestyles have changed a lot in the past few months and it’s likely that you’re spending more time in front of the computer screen, television and phone than ever before.

It’s wonderful that our devices can keep us so well connected but could all this extra screen time be taking a toll on your skin?

You’ve probably heard about Blue Light – which is emitted by the display screens on televisions, computers and smart devices – and how it can impact your eye health. Studies have found that blue light is a definite contributor to digital eye strain and may even increase your risk of developing macular degeneration. These findings have led to blue light filters and specialised computer glasses to help counter the impact of blue light on our eyes.

Now, researchers are starting to look at whether blue light exposure impacts our skin, and a small body of studies is starting to suggest that it may indeed accelerate the ageing process.

LISTEN TO OUR RECENT INTERVIEW WITH ABC NORTH QUEENSLAND

How Blue Light indirectly impacts the skin:

We can confidently say that blue light exposure indirectly impacts the skin’s innate hydrating and healing functions by disrupting the body’s natural circadian rhythm. This change to the rhythm has been proven to impact the quality of our sleep, which is vital to helping skin heal and repair itself. If you’re not getting enough sleep, your skin is sure to look drier, duller and less firm; so switch off those devices at least an hour before bed.

How blue light might directly impact the skin:

Recent studies have shown that exposing our skin cells to the light emitted by electronic devices – even for as little as one hour – can generate an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants. This imbalance is suspected to cause damage to our skin’s proteins and may even cause cell death, which impacts our skin health. Furthermore, blue light seems to accelerate apoptosis – or the natural death of skin cells – and necrosis – the premature death of skin cells. You can imagine that if we’re experiencing a much higher rate of skin cell death; and reducing our sleep quality, which is vital to our skin’s natural ability to repair itself, we’re going to see a definite impact on our skin’s appearance.

So how can you counter the impact of screen time on your skin?

The obvious first step is to reduce your exposure to light from electronic devices, particularly at night when it is most disruptive to your circadian rhythm. Try turning off the TV and putting down the phone an hour before bedtime and consider turning off some of your social media notifications so you don’t feel compelled to look at your phone every 10 minutes.

High quality skin care products and targeted skin treatments that increase collagen and healthy cell generation are also incredibly important. The best way to determine the right products and treatment for you are to speak to a skin care professional.

You can browse our treatment menu here; or book in with our friendly team for a one-on-one consultation to get started.

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Isolation Skin – It’s a Real Thing!

Written by Helena Rosengren on . Posted in Healthy skin, Skin Conditions, Skin Treatment.

In theory, you would expect self-isolation measures to lead to some of the cleanest, clearest skin you’ve ever had.

After all, many of us are taking an extended break from heavy make-up, outdoor pollutants and damaging UV rays as we spend more time at home. However, in reality, we’re seeing lots of our friends and clients reporting terrible skin woes in the last few weeks – acne breakouts, dry skin, dullness, redness and pigmentation have all made unwelcome appearances for many people we’ve been speaking with.

Why is Isolation Skin a real thing?

We’re all going through changes at the moment as we adapt to rapidly evolving isolation measures while trying to keep some semblance of routine in our daily lives. The move to working at home or significantly adapting procedures in your workplace can have a number of impacts on your body that will show up on your skin, including:

  • Stress
  • Fatigue
  • Change in diet
  • Lack of exercise

It’s likely that all of these day-to-day activities have been interrupted in recent weeks; but they all play a vital role in the health and condition of our skin.

How can I manage Isolation Skin?

Maintaining some kind of routine – both in your daily schedule and in your skin care regimen – will help to minimise the impacts of isolation and stress on your skin.

Some important tips include:

  • Try to get your beauty sleep.
    While stress and uncertainty can lead to many sleepless nights, the tips on our blog post here, may help you to increase your rest.
  • Be mindful of what you’re eating
    If you find yourself suddenly able to visit the fridge eight times a day, you may be snacking more and filling up on foods that can wreak havoc with your skin. Read how diet contributes to healthy skin here.
  • Make the most of outdoor exercise
    With outdoor exercise one of the few reasons we’re allowed to leave our homes right now, taking a run, walk or cycle can be a great stress reliever. Exercise also increases blood flow to the skin which helps to reduce inflammation, while sweat can help to remove toxins in the skin.
  • Use simple, but powerful skin care products
    You may be tempted to slap on every skincare product available now that you have some spare time to pamper yourself. While this move is well-intentioned, it can exacerbate issues while your skin is trying to adapt under pressure. We recommend sticking with a simple, regular routine using products selected to specifically to address your unique skin concerns.

While Skinovation Cosmetic Clinic is currently closed, we’ve made all our favourite skin care ranges available through our sister clinic, Skin Repair Skin Cancer Clinic. If you’re not sure which products are right for you our wonderful cosmetic nurse Lyndie is all too happy to have a remote consultation via phone or video chat, to help you find a suitable solution and show you how to maximise results.

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Just like the current pandemic, Isolation Skin won’t last forever, but a few simple measures can help you emerge on the other side more quickly.

The Power of Increasing Peels

Written by Helena Rosengren on . Posted in Healthy skin, Skin Conditions, Skin Treatment.

Peels can be quite effective for all sorts of skin problems.  Some peels are specifically designed to reduce pigmentation or active acne where others have a plumping, hydrating effect reducing the visible signs of aging.  Additionally, stronger peels can be used selectively for acne scars or deeper lines helping to smooth the skin surface.

A new approach to peels

At Skinovation Cosmetic Clinic we’ve developed a series of peels that increase in strength over time to improve healthy skin turn-over and promote younger, plumper looking skin.

This practice takes full advantage of the minimal downtime of peels, which is typically 1-2 days of redness, though can extend to 5-7 days of redness and peeling for sensitive skin or those using a high strength peel.

How does this Increasing Peel Program work?:

Using multiple skin peels, gradually increasing the concentration of active ingredients, at weekly to fortnightly intervals will markedly improve the skin texture, luminosity and softness of the skin and can be targeted to improve pigmentation, active acne, and lined tired looking skin and scars.

What is the program?

Week 1                 Enzyme peel
Week 2                 20% lactic acid peel
Week 3                 30% lactic acid peel
Week 4                 40% lactic acid peel
Week 5                 Tetra acid 50 peel
Week 6                 Recovery week for expected peeling and skin rejuvenation
Week 7                 Jessner Peel

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We’ve seen excellent results for our patients, who have completed this series of peels looking fresh-faced and feeling confident.

If you’d like to learn how this series of peels could work for you, be sure to book in for a consultation with our wonderful team.

Be more beautiful every day, naturally.

Written by Helena Rosengren on . Posted in Healthy skin, Skin Conditions.

Many of us aspire to look our best every day and the good news is that natural beauty is something that can be cultivated simply by taking good care of ourselves and making some positive lifestyle choices.

Promoting smooth, radiant skin is one way to make a big difference to your overall appearance. The skin is, after all, our body’s largest organ and the first thing most people will see.

Here are six good habits to foster, if you would like to up your natural beauty factor.

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1. Keep your skin well-hydrated by drinking plenty of water

Increasing your water intake helps to hydrate and plump your skin, in turn reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and large pores. Drinking plenty of water also improves blood flow, which can help give your skin a healthy glow and helps to flush away harmful toxins. Ideally, we should aim to be drinking 8 to 10 glasses of throughout the day. Find out how to drink more water here.

2. Get plenty of beauty sleep

It’s no myth that getting seven to eight hours of sleep each night can help us look our best. Research has confirmed that insufficient or poor quality sleep leads to reduced skin elasticity, more fine lines and bags under the eyes, weight gain, thinning hair, and breakouts. We’ve written some tips for getting more beauty sleep here.

3. Protect your skin by applying sunscreen every morning and throughout the day

Sunscreen doesn’t just help to protect you from skin cancer, but can also slow down the ageing process by preventing and reducing pigmentation, fine lines and sun damage. Sunscreen is also believed to help maximise the skin’s own healing mechanisms, thereby helping to reverse existing sun damage. Be sure to slip, slop, slap every morning and at regular intervals throughout the day.

4. Nourish your skin with a healthy diet

What you eat is extremely important for your skin. The best diet for achieving a healthy, radiant glow is one rich in red, green and yellow vegetables as well as foods that are packed with plenty of omega 3 fatty acids such as salmon, chia seeds, flaxseed and walnuts. Read about four dietary changes that can help reduce acne here.

5. Pamper yourself with a rejuvenation treatment regularly.

Just like servicing your car or tending to your garden, maintaining beautiful skin requires some upkeep and TLC. Booking yourself in for a regular rejuvenation treatment will help you to look and feel your best. Our cutting-edge treatments can assist with common skin concerns such as sun damaged skin, unwanted pigmentation and freckles, poor skin tone, fine lines and wrinkles, dehydrated skin, reduced elasticity, scarring and small facial veins.

The best way to determine the rejuvenation treatment that’s right for you, is to book in with our friendly team for a consultation

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These small daily habits can make a huge difference to your appearance; especially when used in combination with good quality skin care products and the occasional pampering.

Sleeping Beauty had the right idea!

Written by Helena Rosengren on . Posted in Healthy skin, Skin Conditions, Skin Treatment.

They don’t call it “beauty sleep” for nothing, and when Prince Charming happened upon Sleeping Beauty and fell instantly in love, it was probably because her skin was looking radiant thanks to being so well-rested.

Getting seven to eight hours’ sleep regularly really will improve the appearance of your skin.

Research has confirmed that insufficient or poor-quality sleep contributes to more rapid ageing by:

  • Reducing the skin’s elasticity
  • Increasing the appearance of fine lines
  • Causing bags to form under the eyes
  • Stimulating appetite thereby causing weight gain
  • Speeding up the thinning of hair
  • Contributing to acne break outs; and
  • Slowing the healing process for other skin-related issues.

So if seven hours of good quality sleep is the difference between looking like a beautiful princess or a wicked old hag, how can you make sure you’re getting enough?

There are many tips for getting a good night’s sleep.
Some of my favourites include:

  • Set a regular bedtime and stick to it
  • Get plenty of natural sunlight during the day by opening the curtains and having lunch or taking a stroll in the sunshine. This will help keep your body clock (yes, it’s a real thing) healthy, just don’t forget to slip, slop, slap!
  • Avoid blue lights from electronics in the evening. Blue light from televisions, computers and smartphones tricks your body clock into thinking it’s daytime. You can install apps on your phone to block blue light and try to avoid television and computers for at least two hours before your bedtime.
  • Avoid caffeine late in the day. Caffeine in coffee, tea and energy drinks stimulates your nervous system making it hard to relax into sleep. Caffeine can stay elevated in your blood for up to eight hours, so it’s good to avoid it after lunchtime.
  • Optimise your sleeping environment by limiting external noise and light; keeping the temperature at a comfortable level; reducing clutter so your mind can rest; and making sure your bed, pillow and mattress are comfortable.
  • Relax before bed with meditation, massage, a hot bath or shower, quiet reading time or a few deep breaths. These can all help to prepare your mind for rest.
  • Exercise regularly. Some studies have found that exercise can almost halve the time it takes to fall asleep and improve sleep quality by 30 per cent. Just don’t exercise too close to bedtime, or it can have the opposite effect.

Creating a consistent bedtime routine with a combination of these methods will help you get to sleep sooner and ensure your skin lives happily ever after.

But if you need a fairy godmother, remember our friendly team is here to help address any of your skin concerns.

Get Glowing Skin with a Few Glasses of Water

Written by Helena Rosengren on . Posted in Skin Conditions, Skin Treatment.

Nobody likes dry skin.

It can accentuate the appearance of pores and wrinkles, create breakouts as it tries to correct itself, and is downright uncomfortable. Dry skin is often more prevalent in winter when dry winds lash our faces and we’re less inclined to drink water to cool ourselves down.

However, maintaining a water intake of 8 to 10 glasses per day is vital to maintaining healthy glowing skin.

How does water intake contribute to beautiful skin?

  • Water increases blood flow through the skin to provide a healthy glow and nourish skin with nutrients essential for repair.
  • By hydrating the skin, water promotes a plumper appearance that helps camouflage pores and wrinkles
  • Water flushes the body of harmful toxins that can accelerate the signs of ageing

To get the best results from your 8 to 10 glasses of water each day, it’s best to spread your water intake out so that it has time to slowly infiltrate your skin. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself running to the bathroom and losing all that hydration straight through your bladder.

How can I increase my water consumption?

  • Start and finish your day with a glass of water.
    Make it the first thing you do when you get out of bed and the last thing you do before you get back in.
  • Have a glass of water with every meal.
    This will also help in reducing portion sizes because we often think we’re hungry when our body is actually feeling dehydrated
  • Carry a water bottle with you wherever you go.
    You’ll be amazed at how easy it is to drink more water simply by having it within arms’ reach.
  • Mix it up with a bit of natural flavour.
    Adding a slice of lemon, some fresh berries or a few mint leaves can help make water more exciting.
  • Get into herbal teas
    Hot water is just as hydrating as cold water, so why not swap your morning coffee or end of day wine for a relaxing and hydrating herbal tea?
  • Keep track of your intake.
    Whether you download an app or draw a diagram on the bottom of your to-do list, keeping track of how many glasses you’ve had can be a great reminder to keep drinking water.

If you consistently drink 8 to 10 glasses of water per day (at least 2 litres), you’re sure to see healthier more glowing skin in no time.

And remember, if your skin needs a pick-me-up our wonderful team is here to help! Our range of skin rejuvenation treatments can make an immediate improvement to dry, tired skin.

Foods that cause acne

Four Dietary Changes that Can Help Reduce Acne

Written by Helena Rosengren on . Posted in Skin Conditions.

You don’t have to put up with acne and acne scarring.

Often people are told ‘you’ll grow out of it’, only to find their acne and the scars it has caused last long into adulthood.

Acne and acne scarring can have a significant negative impact on self-confidence that reaches into every aspect of a person’s life. It can discourage us from applying for job interviews, affect our self-confidence in the dating world and keep us from putting ourselves forward for amazing opportunities.

But it doesn’t have to be this way.

While there is no immediate cure, active acne and acne scarring can both be treated with scientifically proven methods such as medical-grade peels, medical micro needling or fractional laser to restore smooth, blemish-free skin and self-confidence.

On top of this, many little things we do from day to day can help to reduce break-outs, especially when it comes to making some simple dietary changes.

 

1. Reducing Carbs

Modern research has shown that a low carbohydrate diet is beneficial for acne-prone skin. This means it is important to reduce your refined carbohydrate intake if you are prone to acne.  Some of the main carbohydrate offenders include bread, pasta, cereals and potato. Minimising your intake of these can help clear up your skin quickly.

2. Replacing sugary snacks

Replacing high sugary foods such as chocolate, lollies, biscuits, cakes and other refined carbohydrate like packeted chips with more nutritional snacks such as a handful of strawberries, a delicious apple, or carrot sticks can significantly reduce acne in a few short weeks.

3. Swapping out sugary drinks
Sweet or fizzy drinks like soft drinks and fruit drinks, as well as adding sugar to your tea and coffee can make acne worse. Try skipping the sugar in your coffee, drinking herbal teas instead, or simply sticking to water. If you find you really need a burst of flavour, a squeeze of lemon or lime can be a refreshing twist.

4. Reducing or cutting out dairy products

While we don’t know the exact reason, researchers agree that cows’ milk can contribute to acne break-outs. It may be the hormones in milk, or the naturally occuring lactose that contributes to break-outs. If you consume a lot of milk, cheese, yoghurt and other dairy products and experience acne, finding dairy-free alternatives could help clear up your skin within a few weeks. There are many dairy-free products available in supermarkets and health stores including almond milk, coconut milk, coconut yoghurt (often called coyo) and even dairy free chocolate.

 

Overcoming stubborn acne
If you’ve tried dietary changes and over-the-counter acne cleansers, but your acne persists, a visit to a medical doctor with an interest in acne treatment may be helpful as they can prescribe more effective medical treatments tailored to your needs.

At Skinovation, we recommend a range of Doctor-only treatments for stubborn active acne, including:

  • Medicated cleansers and scrubs
  • Therapeutic chemical peels
  • Transdermal infusions
  • Blue light therapy

If you’re ready to stop acne and acne scarring once and for all, we can design a custom treatment plan for you. To book, call our clinic on (07) 4775 5664.

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