waves skin therapy blog

As the leaves change colour and the temperature drops, our skincare routine should also undergo a transformation. The transition from warm summer days to cooler autumn and winter can wreak havoc on our skin. To maintain a healthy, glowing complexion during the colder months, it's crucial to understand how the change in weather affects your skin and take the necessary steps to protect and nourish it. We’re here to tell you about the effects of cold temperatures and central heating on your skin and provide tips on adjusting your skincare routine for autumn and winter.

How the seasonal change can affect your skin -

Dryness and Dehydration: Cold air holds less moisture, leading to dry and dehydrated skin. Exposure to chilly winds can strip away the skin's natural oils, leaving it parched and flaky.

Redness and Sensitivity: Low temperatures can cause the blood vessels in your skin to constrict, leading to redness and increased sensitivity. This can be especially problematic for individuals with conditions like rosacea.

Chapped Lips and Hands: Cold weather is notorious for causing chapped lips and dry, cracked hands. The skin on your lips and hands is thinner and more vulnerable to moisture loss.

Indoor Dryness: Central heating systems, while keeping our homes warm and toasty, can also suck moisture from the air. This indoor dryness can further exacerbate skin dryness and irritation.

Uneven Heating: Central heating can create temperature fluctuations indoors, which can be stressful for your skin. Moving from a warm room to a cold one can lead to sudden changes in skin texture and redness.

Ways to Adjust Your Skincare Routine -

Switch to a Richer Moisturizer: Swap your lightweight summer moisturiser for a thicker, more hydrating one. Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and ceramides to lock in moisture.

Use a Gentle Cleanser: Opt for a gentle, hydrating cleanser that won't strip your skin of its natural oils. Avoid harsh exfoliants during this time.

Protect with SPF: Don't forget that UV rays are still present during autumn and winter. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF30 daily, and reapply if you'll be spending time outdoors.

Humidify Your Home: To counteract the drying effects of central heating, use a humidifier in your home to maintain indoor moisture levels.

Hydrating products: Add a hydrating serum with hyaluronic acid or polyglutamic acid to your daily skincare routine, or incorporate masks into your routine once or twice a week to give your skin an extra boost of moisture.

Why not visit Waves Skin Therapy for Personalised Care

While these general tips can help you transition your skincare routine for colder seasons, every individual's skin is unique. To address your specific needs and boost your skin's health, we recommend visiting us at Waves Skin Therapy. We can provide a personalised consultation and treatments tailored to your skin type and concerns. Don't let the autumn and winter weather leave your skin feeling dull and dry; take proactive steps to keep it radiant and healthy.

Remember, seasonal changes may require adjustments in your skincare routine, but with the right products and care, you can maintain beautiful, glowing skin throughout the year. Embrace the beauty of each season, and ensure your skin stays radiant from autumn's golden hues to the crisp days of winter.

Let's talk about collagen supplements and their impact on your skin. Many people wonder if taking collagen supplements can increase the collagen levels in their skin, but the answer is straightforward: No, it won't. However, there are some crucial points to understand behind this conclusion, so let's dive into it.

Collagen is a fundamental protein responsible for the structure and elasticity of our skin. When we are young, our bodies produce collagen abundantly, but this production starts to decline after we reach around 20 years of age. From then on, collagen stores deplete at a rate of approximately 1-1.5% per year, leading to visible signs of aging.

Collagen supplements might seem like an easy solution, but it's essential to grasp how they work in our bodies. Collagen molecules are too large to be directly absorbed by the gut and utilised by the skin. Instead, when we consume collagen supplements, they undergo digestion, breaking down into amino acids that can be absorbed by the gut lining. Although amino acids are beneficial for various aspects of skin health, they do not reconstruct into collagen once inside the body.

While some studies claim that collagen supplements stimulate fibroblast cells to produce collagen, it is essential to be cautious about such claims. The majority of research on collagen supplements is funded or partially funded by industries with a vested interest, making it challenging to determine their true effectiveness. Non-industry funded research on collagen supplements is limited, which raises concerns about the validity of their proclaimed benefits. And supplements are classed as food, not a skincare product, so they are not subject to the same marketing regulations.

However, there are other methods to enhance collagen levels in the skin. Collagen Induction Therapy (CIT) is a notable treatment that involves creating controlled micro-wounds in the dermal layer, prompting the body to produce more collagen during the healing process. Additionally, you can support collagen production naturally through a balanced diet rich in nutrients like Vitamin C and Zinc. Consuming foods high in protein or using collagen supplements can also aid in wound healing and promote healthier skin.

Moreover, prevention plays a crucial role in maintaining collagen levels. Approximately 85% of visible aging is attributed to extrinsic factors, such as UV radiation exposure, an unhealthy diet, and smoking. By protecting your skin from these external stressors and adopting a consistent skincare routine that includes retinoids, peptides, and growth factors, you can slow down collagen depletion and promote healthier, more youthful-looking skin.

In conclusion, while collagen supplements may not directly increase collagen levels in your skin, there are other strategies, such as Collagen Induction Therapy and a balanced diet, to support collagen production and maintain skin health. A comprehensive approach that addresses both intrinsic and extrinsic factors will yield more favourable and sustainable results in the long run. Remember, taking care of your skin is not just about appearance but also about overall well-being. Stay informed and make choices that align with your skincare goals.

Welcome to Waves Skin Therapy blog, where we're committed to sharing expert knowledge with you. Today, we're going to uncover the truth behind skincare marketing and shed some light on common misconceptions. Our goal is to empower you with the right information so that you can make informed decisions about your skin's health.

Let's start with those fancy terms such as "medical-grade" that you often come across in skincare brands' claims. The reality is that there's no official definition for this term, and it can mean different things to different companies. Don't be swayed into thinking that products labelled as "medical-grade" are automatically superior or safer than others. It's essential to look beyond the marketing hype and understand the ingredients and research behind the products. Other misleading terms thrown around "skin types" like acne-prone, combination, or sensitive. While these buzzwords are commonly used, they aren’t even skin types, but skin conditions, and oversimplified descriptions of skin conditions at that. Your skin is unique and can be influenced by various factors such as weather, lifestyle, diet, and hormones. So, it's crucial to avoid pigeonholing your skin into one category and instead focus on addressing its specific needs.

It’s also easy for us to fall in to the trap of buying products claiming to be a miracle solution. Most of these claims are simply marketing gimmicks, making it challenging to identify what genuinely works for your skin. Beware of falling for trendy skincare products that might be popular on social media but may not be suitable for your skin's individual requirements. When it comes to choosing products that effect change in the skin, like retinoids, peptides and vitamin C, it's vital to look for scientific evidence supporting their claims. Clinical tests play a critical role in validating product efficacy and safety. Unfortunately, not all products undergo thorough testing, and relying solely on positive reviews or influencer endorsements may not be the best approach.

This is why it’s vital, if you really want to improve your skin health, to do your research, or even better seek professional advice. Books like ‘Skin Care’ by Caroline Hirons and ‘Skinside Out’ by Robyn McAlpine are a great place to start. Or if you’re local to us, why not book a skin consultation?

At Waves Skin Therapy, our mission is to help you understand your skin on a personal level. We believe in personalised skincare solutions tailored to your unique needs. Our consultations involve a thorough analysis of your skin, a discussion about your concerns and goals, and recommendations based on clinical evidence. No more wasting time and money on products that don't live up to their promises or don't suit your skin. We partner with reputable brands that have scientifically-backed data to support their product claims. Our goal is to guide you through the overwhelming world of skincare trends and marketing, so you can confidently take charge of your skincare journey. In a world where misinformation can abound, knowing your skin is key to making the right choices. We invite you to join us at Waves Skin Therapy and embark on a path towards healthy, radiant skin. Book a consultation today, and let our experts guide you to the best version of your skin! Your skin deserves the utmost care, and we're here to be your trusted skincare advisors.