Q&A
Ask Yvonne
Every issue, we pose some of your biggest
skin care questions to our resident aes-
thetic nurse Yvonne Senior. Here, she
shares her knowledge on the best cellulite
treatments and chemical peel aftercare.
How do I care for my skin after having a
chemical peel?
Following a light chemical peel, where the
top layers of skin and any discoloured cells
are removed, it is important to stick to a
simple skin care regime. Cleanse your skin
with a gentle, non-foaming cleanser and apply
a no-sting, acid-free antioxidant serum. When
skin is traumatised, free radical production
is high, so you need to suppress this activity
with a Vitamin C-based product. Avoid using
wash cloths, face scrubs, Retinol and sonic
cleansing devices, as these can irritate already
sensitive skin. And remember to apply your
moisturiser and sunscreen with a light touch.
Caring for your skin following a deep chem-
ical peel is more complicated and should be
discussed with your practitioner.
Is there anything I can do to minimise
my cellulite?
First, let me get the bad news out of the way:
there is no complete cure for cellulite. This
pesky condition occurs when enlarged
pockets of body fat deposited deep in the
skin balloon up to the surface, pushing
through layers of fibres that once kept your
skin nice and firm. Contrary to popular belief,
cellulite is not a weight problem as even very
thin people can have cellulite.
To treat it, you could try topical cellulite
creams or coffee scrubs, both of which
contain caffeine as their key ingredient. This
temporarily shrinks fat cells by dehydrating
them, while a scrub will also help smooth
uneven texture to minimise the appearance
of dimpled skin at the surface.
For something more intensive, you could try
Cellulite Fira. This is the first FDA-approved
‘cure’ for cellulite and can only be performed
by a medical practitioner. The procedure
involves a small laser tube being inserted
under the patient’s skin. As the laser heats
up, it melts the lumpy fat pockets and softens
the fibre bands of connective tissue that hold
them together, to significantly improve the
appearance of cellulite.
Got a question you would like to ask
Yvonne? Send them to ask@skinhealth-
magazine.com and yours might appear in
a future issue.
ISSUE #06 | 2018 | SkinHealthMagazine.com 33