Antioxidant science

Skin protection from the inside + outside correction

Properly formulated topical antioxidants have been shown to provide internal protection from skin-damaging free radicals. Additionally some have a corrective action such as collagen synthesis and reduced hyper pigmentation resulting in a comprehensive anti-aging effect.

But what are antioxidants, how do they work, and what other benefits do these active molecules have for the skin?

What is an antioxidant?

An antioxidant is a molecule that inhibits the oxidation of other molecules.
Oxidation is a type of damage that occurs when molecules lose electrons. Five types of antioxidants found naturally in the body that protect against cellular damage are: glutathione, ubiquinone, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), alpha tocopherol (vitamin E), and alpha lipoic acid. Antioxidants work by different mechanisms to stop or neutralise damage. Out of the five antioxidants found in the body only vitamins C and E have been proven to get into skin. Additionally, there are a few plant antioxidants known to work in skin.

What’s a free radical?

Free radicals are molecules with unpaired electrons, causing them to be unstable and highly chemically reactive.
These unstable molecules are generated by UV rays, infrared radiation, pollution, and lifestyle factors like alcohol and cigarette smoke. Inside the skin, free radicals damage cells, their DNA, and other vital cellular components. Over time, free radical damage leads to visible signs of accelerated skin aging, including fine lines, wrinkles, laxity, discoloration, and even skin cancer.

While sunscreen is the first line of defence and essential for protecting skin’s surface from the damaging effects of UVA and UVB rays, sunscreen filters only protect skin from up to 55% of free radicals*. Topical antioxidants work in skin to neutralize free radicals and protect against UV damage. Incorporating a topical antioxidant and sunscreen into a daily skincare regimen provides comprehensive protection from environmental damage.

*Haywood, R., et al, J Invest Dermatol 2006;121:862-868

Skinceuticals:

The antioxidant authority

In 1997, SkinCeuticals changed the face of skincare with the introduction of Serum 10 and Serum 15, the company’s first stabilized, pure L-ascorbic acid topical antioxidants
SkinCeuticals founding scientist Dr. Sheldon Pinnell conducted research about antioxidant formulation and discovered these factors, now known as the Duke Antioxidant patent. SkinCeuticals is the only brand to formulate antioxidants according to these standards.

The skinceuticals difference

A topical vitamin C antioxidant must penetrate skin to be effective. This is dependent on three factors: The form of vitamin C used the concentration, and the pH of the solution.
In the years since the patent, each subsequent antioxidant generation has been subjected to rigorous clinical studies—and the results are clear: SkinCeuticals topical antioxidants neutralise free radicals caused by solar radiation and other environmental factors for inside protection, while synthesising collagen production for outside correction.

The Youth juice – drink daily for beautiful healthy glowing skin.

Drink this juice daily and see your skin glow.

Blend the following ingredients and drink immediately.

• 1 green apple & 1 pear.
• 1 handful parsley
• 1 handful kale
• 3 stalks celery
• 1/2 cucumber
• 1/2 lemon
• 1 inch ginger
• 2 handfuls romaine

Juice to boost immunity

This juice is full of beta-carotene, vitamin C and vitamin E
Ingredients:

• 1 golden beetroot
• 3 large carrots
• 4 stalks celery
• ½ cucumber
• ½ thumb of ginger
• 1 medium pear

*Option to add some mango or apricot

LED Light Therapy for skin health .

LED light therapy helps you create beautiful skin from the inside out. It does so by utilising ATP, the fuel that powers cells and the basic components that your body needs in order to heal itself 

When you eat nutritious meals you are giving your body the building blocks for perfect skin.

The old theory of you are what you eat is very true in skincare since your skin clearly shows the health of the person.

The state of the skin is the first thing you'll notice when a person gets sick or is not well. When a person is not well or under-nourished their skin will become sallow and show signs of stress etc.

The reason for is that the skin, although the largest organ, is not considered vital by the body itself. The body will redirect nutrients, oxygen, fluids and whatever else to those organs it deems necessary to its survival. This is why the skin is the first to show that a person is not well and the last to get nutrients from the foods you eat.

LED light, red and infrared speed healing, boost collagen which helps to eliminate wrinkles and other age related conditions.

Benefits of Red and Infrared Light Therapy

• Creates a healthy glow about your face
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• Smoothes overall skin tone
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• Builds collagen by up to 300% 
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• Reduces wrinkles, including crow's feet, under eye wrinkles, forehead wrinkles & laugh lines 
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• Speeds the healing of blemishes, like acne and rosacea
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• Repairs sun damage
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• Reduces redness, flushing, and broken capillaries fades scars and stretch marks
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• Brings more moisture to your skin
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• Prevents hair loss & stimulates re-growth

Is Halloween giving you the 'Jitters'? Allow us to settle you down with a relaxing and comforting massage.

Bliss Massage

Spice up your October with this warming aromatherapy Massage. Drift into the luxurious aroma of warming oils being massaged into your muscles.  These warming scents, aided by knowledgeable hands will ease away tension providing lasting relief from those hurried daily schedules.
 60 minute massage €75

Not all dryness, redness, and irritation of the skin is created equal.

 

If you feel like you're constantly trying to soothe skin issues, you're not alone. Cleansing religiously, exfoliating too often, and topping it all off with a generous layering of strong anti-aging products are just a few of the things that send your complexions into a tailspin. Increasing stress and environmental allergies also make skin more prone to problems.

Despite countless products labelled "for sensitive skin" on shop shelves, treating a sensitive complexion isn't a one-size-fits-all affair. "Sensitive" products that work well for your friend's skin could just as easily wreak havoc on yours, so it's important to get beyond the general label and figure out what's really irritating your skin.

·       Your kin is taut and itchy - It might mean your cleanser is too drying. It's the number one culprit behind unnecessary irritation. Avoid ingredients such as sodium lauryl sulfate and ammonium laureth sulphate, harsh detergents commonly used in facial cleansers and soaps that break down the natural lipids in skin. When this happens, it's like a double whammy. Little invisible cracks in the skin form, causing moisture to seep out and allowing irritants in. Suddenly, other products in your routine that didn't irritate your skin before might now.

Try using a gentle cream cleanser such as Cetaphil – you will get this at your Pharmacy, OR Camomile cleanser by Eminence Organic Skincare available at the salon and spa. These will both allow your skin to maintain moisture levels.

 

 

·       Your skin is  sensitive, burning and stinging It might mean: Anti-ageing product overload. Packing too many anti-ageing ingredients into your routine can make skin sensitive as it can affect the skins natural barrier. The more products you use, the greater chance one won't agree with your skin." Second, mixing different anti-ageing ingredients, like retinoids and alpha hydroxy acids—both of which work by sloughing off dead, dull cells to reveal healthier and more youthful skin underneath—means that you're essentially exfoliating twice, which can seriously strip skin and increase the potential for irritation.

Try to stick with a good quality antioxidant vitamin C serum per day and a moisturiser fortified with anti-ageing ingredients. Those that include ingredients that builds up skin's barrier, like hyaluronic or peptides.

·       Your skin is prone to blushing and flushing, sometimes accompanied by tiny red pimples. It might mean that you have rosacea. Characterised by blood vessels that swell and produce redness at the slightest agitation—from cold, heat, wind, stress, or spicy foods—the condition traditionally develops after age 30. The exact cause is still unknown, and specific triggers differ for everyone. What experts do know: A liberal, daily application of an SPF 30 is a must. Sun exposure breaks down the supportive structures, like collagen, around blood vessels, exacerbating redness. Watch your sugar intake as this may make the redness worse.

 

Apply Redness neutraliser serum by Skinceutical-Formulated with patent-pending NeuroMed Complex, Redness Neutralizer prevents and corrects redness associated with rosacea by combating environmental triggers and interrupting the inflammation cascade while protecting the skin’s barrier.Minimises redness flare-ups by controlling hyper-reactivity to environmental triggersCools skin temperature, so  ideal for rosacea as well as sensitive skin types and conditions sunscreen daily to prevent symptoms from getting worse.



                                                                         

Sensitive skin often can not tolerate chemical UV filters, like avobenzone, but physical blockers titanium dioxide and zinc oxide protect without irritation. Try Skinceutical mineral based sun barriers.

For serious, persistent rosacea, see your dermatologist, who can recommend the right treatment for your skin.

 

                 ·       Your  skin is scaly  with   rough patches on the skin

It might mean: You're having an eczema flare-up. When working properly, the top layer of skin acts like a strong film that seals in hydration and protects deeper layers of skin. Eczema-prone complexions suffer from a faulty skin barrier that allows water to easily escape, leading to extreme dryness and flakiness. When irritants like smoke and fragrances then settle on skin, immune cells rush to the area to respond, triggering inflammation. Though 90% of people are diagnosed before the age of five, with symptoms often fading during childhood, eczema is a chronic condition that may make you more prone to dryness and irritation at any age.

To enhance skin's resilience, apply a humectant-based moisturiser after cleansing while skin is still moist. Drink lots of water and take fish oils.

Skin care ingredients to avoid if you have eczema and psoriasis or sensitive skin.

 

Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS)

 

Sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) and the similar sodium laureth sulphate (SLES) are detergents that act as cleansers, emulsifiers and foamers and are present in lots of household and industrial items. They are present in the vast majority of personal care products including moisturisers, body lotions and shampoos. There are several variations of these ‘sulphate’ (or sulphate) chemicals and they differ slightly in composition, but fundamentally they are the same. They appear in personal care products primarily because they’re cheap and highly effective cleansers and foaming agents.

 

They are known to be skin irritants. They are detergents and so their properties are very similar to soap – stripping the skin of moisture and protective oils. SLS is the most common of these detergent chemicals and it is the one that causes most skin irritation – it prevents the skin from being able to efficiently defend itself from the environment. It has been proven that SLS is a very abrasive irritant that was still detectable in research subjects for three weeks post use. SLES causes less irritation than SLS but is more expensive and thus SLS is frequently used. Eliminating sulphates could be all you need to do to put an end to red, itchy, and dry skin.

Both SLS and SLES have been proven to aggravate skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis and so sufferers of these conditions are advised to eliminate sulphates entirely. Signs of sensitivity to sulphates include redness, scaling and itching of the skin, and an itchy scalp and hair loss when it is used in shampoos. Anyone who experiences these symptoms should switch to sulphate free products to see if their symptoms improve.

Eminence is a good quality organic skincare line free from any nasty ingredients.

 

 

Natural ways to delay the ageing process

1: Cut down on sugar

It’s pretty much impossible to eliminate sugar but we should reduce our intake considerably for the sake of our skin. Sugar accelerates the ageing process by causing damage to collagen and elastin in the skin, so cutting down on your consumption of the sweet stuff can reinvigorate your looks. If there is too much sugar in the body, protein molecules can cross-link with sugar molecules. Once this cross-linking process has occurred, the new sugar proteins are called advanced glycation end products (AGEs). The human body does not recognize AGEs as normal, and will produce antibodies that cause inflammation in the skin. Once formed, AGEs tend to gravitate toward dermal collagen and elastin.

2: Exercise

Staying within a healthy weight range will keep you looking younger: being too thin can have an ageing effect on the face, and being overweight can make you appear older. Exercise is immensely helpful when trying to maintain a healthy weight and has countless benefits to health, including better sleep and increased energy levels. It also improves circulation and blood flow to the skin and giving it a healthy, youthful glow. Strength training will help tighten and firm the muscles – building lean, toned muscles is one of the most effective ways to look younger than your years.

3: Get enough sleep

Our bodies restore themselves during sleep, it’s the time our cells repair the DNA damage from the day before. The concept of beauty sleep is not a myth – being sleep deprived can definitely be detrimental to our looks. Everyone’s sleep requirements are different, but aiming for at least 7 hours is a good target.

4: Get enough vitamin D

Some studies found that people with higher levels of Vitamin D age more slowly than those with lower levels, but it’s not clear why. Make sure you get enough of the ‘sunshine’ vitamin, but be careful not to overdo sun-exposure, which will not only have an ageing effect on the skin but will also increase your risk of skin cancer.

5. Drink plenty of water -drinking plenty of water keeps you hydrated which keeps your skin moisturised, helping to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Fish oils help dehydrated skin also.

6: Yoga & Meditation

Yoga and Meditation - soothes and de-stresses, and improves your posture and muscle tone and help you sleep. All of these help keep the ravages of age at bay. 

7: Be happy-Smiling uses fewer muscles than frowning, be happyand you will feel better and when you feel good you look good. 

Beauty habits you need to quit

 While some of the things we do each morning in front of the mirror are tried and true beauty regimens that have been around for centuries, the majority of the rest – pulling  split ends, squeezing spots , using the same tube of mascara for months – are really bad . Of course, people have been doing all of those things for centuries too, but we've rounded up all the reasons it would be a good idea to stop. Because maybe, there's a chance at kicking these bad beauty habits for the sake of being more beautiful in the long run.

     Tweezing/ picking at ingrown hairs.

Why we do it: A blemish that hurts and basically looks like a hairy spot that  is impossible to ignore.Why it needs to stop: The truth is, you can't grab that hair. No matter how promising it seems. Never tweeze in-grown hairs on your own as this can cause an infection or scarring.To remedy this situation, exfoliate and apply pimple medicine that contains salicylic acid.  

     Holding onto makeup for years.  

Why we do it: If you spent €45 on a lipstick, or an eyeliner, chances are you don't want to admit that you aren't wearing it every day. So you leave it in your makeup bag for months and eventually, years.

Why it needs to stop: Conjunctivitis is just not worth it nor is blepharitis. All those bottles, tubes, etc of makeup essentially become mini-petri dishes for bacteria from your face, makeup brushes, and fingers. Ingredients will also eventually separate and/or evaporate, leaving you with crumbly germ flakes – never-mind the clutter it is inevitably creating in your bathroom.

     Not regularly washing makeup brushes.

Why we do it: We can barely drum up the energy to cleanse our face each day.Why it needs to stop: Bacteria and even mold will get lodged between the fibres and fester. A quick rinse with warm water and soap on a monthly basis will keep you from picking up contact dermatitis or rubbing your face with mold.

  

      Squeezing pores and/or popping spots.  

Why we do it: No matter how many times someone tells you to hold off on popping a spot, when confronted with a white head or worse, a painful, swollen, under-the-skin blemish, your first instinct is, I will not rest until I have squeezed this.

Why it needs to stop: The relief you feel from the initial squeeze is immediately replaced with the realisation that you've made a giant red spot that will last for days and no foundation will cover. Plus, chances are you're creating craters in your face, which will lead to possible lifetime scarring.

      Excessive use of black head strips.

Why we do it: It's so satisfying to see those sebum filled pores!

Why it needs to stop: Overuse will only really further dry out your skin, which makes skin produce extra sebum. It's a vicious cycle. Really try to keep these at a minimum.

   Not washing face before sleep.

Why we do it: Nightlife/work/exhaustion gets in the way.Cleaning is very important .

Why it needs to stop? Pretty much every dermatologist and facial Therapist pleads that we need to remove the day's dirt and grime each night to prevent pores from getting further clogged up with dirt and oil.

        Plucking eyebrows between wax appointments.

Why we do it: Who wants those little baby eyebrow hairs ruing our sense of perfection while they're growing back in. Why it needs to stop: Hair grows at different rates, which means those self-plucked hairs might not be long enough for the next appointment. This only means they'll crop up sooner than you'd like post-wax, perpetuating the vicious cycle.

      Cutting cuticles.

Why we do it? Because there is no consensus on whether we should or shouldn't. It's confusing.

   Why it needs to stop: The cuticles are there to protect the nail, the more you leave them alone, the less you will need to cut them. To maintain them properly apply cuticle oil. 

The foods you eat definitely affect your skin in a dramatic way. Have you ever eaten something and suddenly your skin looks amazing and it made you feel great. How about when you eat something and the next day you have a pimple? This is why I recommend that you eliminate process foods from your diet and eat organic as much as possible.The best thing I can tell is to see a nutritionist as they can help you have a healthy diet that really works for your body type and level of activity.

   Picking at split ends.

Why it needs to stop: Unless you're using proper hair shears, once you get caught up in the effort to search and destroy, you're actually just damaging the hair further (and going cross-eyed during the process).

 Plucking grey hairs.

     Why we do it: When you have a total of ten grey hairs it's hard to resist the urge to simply extract them. Out of sight, out of mind. Why it needs to stop: They're just going to grow right back, but short and stubby and more difficult to hide. Pigment helps to keep the hair soft and supple. 

      

Using oil-free skincare on oily skin.

   If  you strip an oily skin too much – it actually causes the skin to produce more oil.Picking at gel polish instead of having them professionally removed.

 Why it needs to stop: Ripping or peeling off any coating is a temptation you must resist! Doing so can weaken or damage the natural nail, as precious layers of the nail plate get pulled away with each chip of polish you take.  

     Shampooing hair daily.

Why it needs to stop: Like the skin on your body, the scalp compensates for oils that are repeatedly washed out each day. It'll take patience, but try to wean yourself of daily shampoos and you'll see your hair will find its own natural balance of oil production. You should soon be able to go at least  two  days between washes.

     Overusing the Clarisonic skin brush.

Why we do it: If a little bit is good, then a lot will get us one step closer to achieving the pore less?

      Why it needs to stop: Clarisonics or any exfoliating agent should really only be used two to three times a week; otherwise, it will actually over-scrub your skin and cause dry patches. Remember no- body needs to exfoliate daily.

      Peeling dead skin post-sunburn.

    No one wants flaky skin. Why it needs to stop: While it  may appear satisfying to peel a piece that's bigger than the last, you're grabbing healthy skin each time too. The baby-skin below is more susceptible to sunburns and infections. Instead preserve skin by lotioning up, then exfoliate in the shower with a gentle scrub 

Skin Care Tips to achieve a natural healthy glow.

 

 

·        Cleanse in the Morning and Evening-It is important to wash your skin in the morning, as you have oil on your face from sleeping, and in the evening, you have to wash off sunscreen, makeup, dirt, and pollens. Use a gentle cleanser that suits your skin type (dry, oily or combination). Remember there is no advantage in trying to strip your skin of oils by using an over abrasive cleanser as it in fact have the opposite effect.

 

·        Exfoliate -Remember nobody needs to exfoliate every day, so avoid daily scrubs. You only need to exfoliate two to three times a week, with a fine scrub. If you have very fine skin, you may like to apply the scrub while you still have your cream cleanser on your skin. Avoid the scrubs with large beads that have irregular shapes that can irritate your skin.

SkinCeuticals Retexturing Activator is a grain free exfoliator suitable for all skin types including sensitive skin. This revolutionary resurfacing and replenishing serum surpasses the results of a daily 20% glycolic acid treatment while simultaneously reinforcing the skin’s barrier for healthier, more radiant skin. Normalises epidermal renewal to create a noticeably smoother, softer surface texture. Stimulates enzymes that help break the bonds that bind dead cells to the surface of the skin, to dramatically diminish surface lines and wrinkles Speeds skin-cell turnover to improve skin’s radiance, keeping new, healthy skin on the surface. Balances skin moisture levels. Reinforces the skin's barrier

 

·        Use Vitamin A -Retinoid, which are made from vitamin A, are the one of your best ingredients against anti-ageing. Retinoid come in two forms: Retinol: You can buy products containing retinol without a prescription. Both encourage your skin to make more collagen, which gives your skin structure and elasticity. They also exfoliate your skin, removing dead, surface skin cells to soften lines. You need to allow your skin an adjustment time to get used to the product, so less is more – use as if it were made of gold. A tiny amount goes a long way. Use once or twice a week to begin and build it up. These are irritating to the skin and can cause excessive dryness and rash if you are too heavy handed. Wear a broad spectrum sunscreen daily, as these make your skin more photo- sensitive to the sun.

               Use at night and be patient as it can take months to see an improvement.

 

·        Use serums such as Skinceutical Vitamin C, which is a medical grade antioxidant combination that delivers advanced environmental protection against photo-aging by neutralising free radicals that cause accelerated signs of ageing along with refining the skin and stimulating collagen



·        Moisturise your skin- Moisturise when you get out of the shower in the morning, and after you wash your face at night, use a moisturiser to lock the moisture in your skin. This helps your skin look soft and smooth, which can help minimise the appearance of wrinkles.

·        Sunscreen is one of the most important ingredients against skin ageing- It needs to be at least 30 SPF, and look for a broad spectrum as it important to be properly protected against UVA as well as UVB, as UVA rays because collagen damage, skin lines and skin cancer, you need to wear it every day, even in winter.



·        Say No to Sun beds.-Just one session on a sunbed raises your chances of melanoma, the most dangerous type of skin cancer it also accelerates the ageing process. Instead, use fake tans or bronzer; look for organic brands to give you a risk free glow all year round if you wish.

 

·        Choose a healthy diet for a healthy glow to your skin. You have heard it said you are what you eat, so choose wisely as your diet has a really powerful impact on your skin, and health. Choose foods like olive oil, fish like salmon, walnuts, and almonds. These are high in omega-3 healthy fats, which can help minimise damage and keep your skin healthy as you age. Your skin is constantly renewing itself so the healthier your diet is, the more nutrients your skin has for this process, and the better your skin looks and feels over time. Also, stay hydrated. Drink water when you're thirsty. You also get some water from vegetables and fruit, so include those at every meal.

 



·        Say no to smoking! You will have much better-looking skin if you kick the habit. People who smoke get wrinkles sooner than those who don't smoke plus smoking causes decolouration. The physical act of smoking also works against you. Any repetitive facial movements like pulling on a cigarette, which makes your mouth pucker, cause wrinkles.

 

The Jet Age Reverse facial

This A list facial is certainly the facial of the future which shows immediate results and  is unique to Nuala Woulfe Beauty Salons. Your facial starts with a thorough cleanse and exfoliation with saline to comfortably and effectively remove surface layers of dead cells that adversely impact on your skin’s natural lustre. It also hydrates your skin through a gentle, moisturising jet stream that cools and comforts your skin. Then using the jet we use a 10% glycolic peel to rejuvenate and brighten the skin. Serums that specifically target your skin issues including sun damage, blackheads and whiteheads, enlarged pores, acne, brown spots, uneven skin tone, and early aging fine lines and wrinkles are administered by the JetPeel by means of mesotherapy where micro droplets of the serum are infused deep dermis to recharge and revitalise these cells thus helping your body to produce new collagen for true A-List Facial. The best part, it’s not just a quick-fix-it procedure. This facial improves the quality of your skin, actually helping to making it healthy. You will then receive a really relaxing  & rejuvenating muscle lifting massage.
The unique facial resurfacing procedure thoroughly cares for your skin, providing cleansing, exfoliation, extraction, and hydration all while infusing antioxidants, peptides, and hyaluronic acid. This unique facial is a non-invasive, non-surgical procedure that delivers instant results with no discomfort or downtime. The procedure is soothing, moisturising, non-irritating and immediately effective.

The Original Jet Peel Hydro-Dermabrasion Facial has been a favourite pre-red carpet treatment for the stars and is even enjoyed by the prince of Monaco! It has also been featured on Fox, NBC, ABC, CBS The Doctors TV Show, Allure magazine, Essence magazine, In Style Wedding Simply lay back and relax whilst getting completely pampered, and you leave with a reinvigorated and refreshed appearance.

It is particularly good for when you’ve got a special date coming up – whether that is a wedding, birthday party or holiday – book your Jet Age Reverse Facial for effective skin rejuvenation results.
€165