PRESS RELEASE: JUNE 2020
Now summer has officially begun, and with a heatwave about to take over Britain, many of us will be looking to take full advantage of the warmer weather. But after spending months in lockdown it is understandable that many people will not be feeling as confident as usual when it comes to baring our skin.
With lockdown measures slowly easing we’re now looking forward to visiting the hairdresser or heading to the gym to feel like ourselves again, of course while adhering to the safety measures in place. Transform Hospital Group, practitioners in elective surgery and medical aesthetics, is also looking forward to opening some of its clinic doors from July 15 to help patients feel their most confident.
Dr Asher Sidiqqi, medical aesthetic expert at Transform Hospital Group, said: “The summer months can often fill people with dread as they start showing more skin and perhaps parts of their body that they may feel more self-conscious about. The team at Transform is here to help with experts who can offer tips and advice to help you look after your skin and body during the summer months.
“At Transform we offer a range of services – many of which are non-surgical – such as mole and cyst removal, skincare advice, thread vein removal as well as laser hair removal. Our ‘fat freezing’ CoolSculpting service also helps to remove stubborn fat cells without the need for surgery to help contour and sculpt the body creating instant and visible results.
“We also offer skin rejuvenation to help restore the appearance and texture of skin which has been damaged by things such as acne scarring or sun damage. As with all our procedures, we want to ensure our patients do what is right for them, therefore we always advise they have a consultation with one of our clinicians to decide on the best treatment.”
There are also lots of simple things we can do at home to make ourselves feel, and look, better too. Here Dr Sidiqqi shares his top tips for the summer:
- Always apply SPF: Wearing SPF is one of the most important things we can do to protect our skin. There is a myth that sunscreen should only be worn when you’re outside – but this couldn’t be further from the truth and while of course it should be applied when we’re outdoors and the sun is shining, it is also vital we wear it inside whatever the weather to protect from the sun shining through windows. Many people come to see us with skin concerns such as wrinkles and fine lines, which while they are brought on by the ageing process, are often accelerated due to sun exposure. We recommend wearing a high factor such as SPF 50 or a minimum of SPF 30 to protect the skin and help stop premature skin ageing.
Transform recommends using Heliocare – this product blocks all types of light including high-energy visible light (HEV) which is often emitted from screens and infrared-A radiation, as well as UVA and UVB.
- Keep skin clear: When it’s hot outside it’s natural for our bodies to sweat, meaning more oil is produced which could lead to our pores becoming clogged and our skin becoming more prone to breakouts. It’s best to remove makeup before exercising to minimise the risk of it mixing with sweat and blocking your pores. Likewise, it is also important to cleanse after sweating to avoid salt settling in your pores and affecting the skin’s barrier function. Avoid over washing as this can also be detrimental to its condition as it strips away the natural sebum found in our skin which is important for it to function.
- Drink plenty of water: Making sure we are all staying well hydrated is essential, not only for the functioning of our bodies, but also to help our skin stay in good condition. Skin is the body’s largest organ and it is mostly made up of water, so without this vital fluid it can’t function at its best. Without enough water our skin can become dry, dull, flaky and even more prone to ageing – that’s because water helps keep the skin’s elasticity and helps it to remain plump, which in turn helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day – six to eight glasses as recommended by the NHS or more if you’re doing at home workouts – is an easy step we can all take and one that your skin will really thank you for.
- Get a good night’s sleep: We all know that we don’t look and feel our best when we’ve not had enough sleep. Our skin can look grey, our eyes look puffy and we can have dark rings around our eyes from a build-up of fluid. Our bodies repair themselves when we’re asleep, so it is vital we get enough – the NHS recommends between six and nine hours. Not getting enough sleep can cause some skin conditions to worsen as it can cause a rise in cortisol – a stress related hormone – which is also linked to inflammation and breakdown of collagen. It can also cause conditions such as psoriasis and eczema to worsen too. To prevent fluid from building up around your face, which can often give it a puffy appearance, try sleeping on your back with your head slightly elevated above your body.
- Try to leave the house at least once a day: Leaving the house, if only for a quick walk, not only does wonders for our mental health but can help give our skin a boost too. That’s because we’re able to top up on vital Vitamin D which our body is able to produce when it is exposed to sunlight. Vitamin D helps us maintain healthy bones, teeth, muscles and skin and can also help our immune system which, in turn, will help us feel our best in our day-to-day lives.
- Have a well-balanced diet: A well balanced diet, made up of all the food groups, vitamins and minerals we need will help boost our health and make our skin glow. While many people also often try to avoid fat in their diet if they are watching their weight, it’s important to know that not all fats are bad. Essential fatty acids which are found in foods like oily fish, avocado and nuts can help contribute to the repair and moisture levels of our skin – so make sure you’re getting enough – particularly if you’re prone to dry or flaky skin.
- Exfoliate and moisturise: While we need to make sure we’re taking care of our skin from within through a healthy diet and hydration, it is also important we’re taking care of it on the outside too. Exfoliating to remove any dead skin cells and moisturising to help keep it smooth can go a long way in making us feel more confident.
For more information visit www.transforminglives.co.uk