Q&A
Ask Yvonne
E
very issue, we pose some of your biggest
skin care questions to our resident aes-
thetic nurse, Yvonne Senior. With the
festive party season almost upon us, here she
talks tackling acne scarring and choosing the
best face fixers for instant results.
What should I do if my skin reacts badly to
a new treatment?
Most skin care products contain a number of
chemicals that are preservatives, which can
caus e irritation and an allergic reaction in some
skins. For serious reactions that include wheez-
ing and swelling to the face and throat, seek
immediate medical attention. However, most
reactions are mild and can be treated at home.
First, remove all traces of the product from
your skin by washing with mild soap and luke-
warm water. Leave it bare and make-up free so
your skin can heal. A rash will likely fade within
a few hours, but using a cold compress often
can also help, as it soothes and reduces inflam-
mation. You could also apply some Hydrocor-
tisone cream to reduce the itching or take an
oral antihistamine.
I have acne scarring – what can I do to min-
imise uneven texture?
Scars caused by acne can be reduced with in-clin-
ic treatments such as chemical peels and skin
needling, but light therapy such as Omnilux can
also help. A chemical peel may also help to
reduce discolouration, but you will need a
minimum of four to see a difference. After any
treatment, it is really important to use a sun-
screen which is suitable for delicate post-pro-
cedure skin and you should also include an
antibacterial product in your routine, to prevent
pimples and uneven tone developing.
Are there any in-clinic procedures that will
give instant results?
Most treatments performed in a clinic require
some time to take effect. Even injections of
botulinum toxin (also known as Botox) can
take up to two weeks to be fully effective and
some treatments, such as skin needling, require
a course of treatments over several weeks to
achieve the desired outcome.
However, dermal fillers (which are used to treat
wrinkles and replace volume loss) can offer
immediate results and, depending on the grade
of the filler used and the condition of the skin,
can last up to twelve months.
You could also try a peel, which will tackle
dullness and give you an instant glow. The
skin-stripping, scary peels of years gone by are
outdated now and in their place are quick, easy
peels that give great results, with little to no
down time.
Got a question for Yvonne? Send them to [email protected] and yours might be in the next issue.
ISSUE #05 | 2017 | SkinHealthMagazine.com 33