THE TOP 5 WAYS TO SHOW YOUR SKIN SOME LOVE

Valentine’s Day is nearly here, so if you want you skin to be glowing by February 14, you need to start pampering it now! Here are our hottest tips…

1. Hydrating Facial Treatments

These are some of the best ways to revitalise your skin, as the use of masks, serums, and moisturisers help replenish moisture levels, leaving skin feeling soft and supple. Facials are especially effective if your skin has been dry, dehydrated, or exposed to harsh environmental pollutants (hello, Sahara dust!), because they help restore its natural moisture balance. 

Choose from our wide range of customised facials, including: 

• The Oxygeneo facial, which gently exfoliates and nourishes skin by supplying the oxygen it needs to stimulate new collagen and elastin production, leaving skin firmer and younger-looking. (It’s also great at combating acne.)

• The Micro facial, in which we exfoliate skin by gently sanding away dead skin cells for instant, show-stopping results. This facial has success with everything from light scarring and discolouration to sun damage and stretch marks. 

• The Epiwave Ultrasonic facial, where we utilise the power of low frequency sound waves to repair and rejuvenate skin at a cellular level. 

• Our Refining Treatment for Men, which uses medical-grade products that invigorate skin and give the special man in your life a gorgeous refresh!  

• Customised facials, where we tackle your skin’s specific challenges. These include the usual process of cleansing, exfoliating, and extracting, as well as the introduction of additional elements like serums, micro-currents and other effective skin stimulants.

Check out our February specials, where you can add Forma skin tightening to ANY facial! This deep tissue treatment uses radiofrequency energy and heat to enhance skin’s elasticity and build collagen. It achieves noticeable improvements to deep seated lines like crow’s feet, jowls and laugh lines. 

2. Chemical Peels 

Wonderfully effective for exfoliating the skin’s outer layer to unveil a fresh and youthful complexion, peels rely on alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) to remove dead skin cells and stimulate new cell production. Peels can tackle everything from sun damage to uneven skin tone.

While people of colour may react more sensitively to chemical peels, the exfoliating VI Peel is suitable for all skin types, successfully reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation with little to no discomfort or downtime.

We’ve also got our Micropeel treatment, usually a glycolic-based exfoliation that produces remarkable results. Some of our peel treatments incorporate a special Vitamin C firming mask to further boost radiance.

3. Microdermabrasion/Microneedling

Microdermabrasion is a form of skin resurfacing that removes old, damaged cells on the epidermis and gives your skin a good polish. Microneedling uses tiny needles to trigger skin's natural collagen and elastin production to improve texture and overall firmness. Either way, your skin is going to be revitalised! 

• Our Microdermabrasion with LED light therapy treatment can help you achieve a smoother, more voluminous complexion. 

• Our advanced, micro-medical skin needling Dermaroller treatment helps skin regenerate itself naturally and safely, making it smoother, healthier, and younger looking. 

4. Laser Treatments 

A non-invasive way to address a range of skin care concerns, laser treatments have the power to minimise the appearance of ageing and sun damage. Increased collagen production means more even skin tone — plus there’s such a wide choice of customisable laser treatments, including the game-changing Morpheus8, which can seamlessly achieve both facial and body epidermal resurfacing and sub-dermal remodelling. 

5. Botox and fillers 

Botox reduces the appearance of lines and wrinkles so your skin looks much fresher. You can also get the super-popular lip flip, which creates fuller, more kissable lips without the need for dermal fillers. Fillers also have their place, adding much-needed volume for firmer, plumper-looking skin. 

Talk to us about your #skingoals so we can recommend the treatment that’s right for you! 

LOVE YOUR CARNIVAL

From the road to the stage, the friends to the fun, Carnival is ours and we love it — but don’t forget to also #loveyourskin during those two blissful days on the road. Here’s how…

Gyrate, but hydrate

We all know how intense the sun can be, so staying hydrated is crucial — both for your overall well-being, and for the appearance of your skin. Drink plenty of water and opt for hydrating skincare products with ingredients like hyaluronic acid to maintain your skin's moisture balance. 

The sunscreen is essential

Protecting your skin from the sun's harmful UV rays is non-negotiable. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and apply it generously to all exposed skin, including often overlooked areas like your ears and the back of your neck. Reapply every two hours, especially if you're sweating. Two non-stop days in the sun can make lips dry and chapped, so a lip balm with SPF is also useful.

Keep it light 

We’re sure your costume is gorgeous, but is the fabric comfortable? Does is allow your skin to breathe? Pay special attention to any areas that feel irritated when you first try it on, and if necessary, get your costume adjusted beforehand in order to reduce the risk of friction on your skin.

Honour the ritual 

Carnival is a ritual — and so is your skincare routine! In the days leading up to Monday and Tuesday, take the time to exfoliate dead skin cells (check out our Top 5 treatments), which helps skin glow and allows for more effective application of moisturisers and sunscreen.

Keep your cool 

The lively energy of Carnival can be contagious, but it also comes with sweating and increased body temperature. Botox treatments are very effective for controlling underarm perspiration. You can also walk with facial mist or refreshing spray to cool down and invigorate your skin throughout the day. This will keep you feeling fresh and prevent your skin from becoming too oily.

Be mindful of your makeup

What would Carnival be without makeup? Whether you’re applying it yourself or using a professional MUA, opt for water-resistant, long-lasting formulas. Your makeup will need to withstand the heat and pace of the festivities without the need for frequent touch-ups that could potentially irritate your skin.

Post-Carnival skincare

Carnival will eventually be over, but your skincare routine shouldn’t be. In fact, it's crucial to pamper your skin to help it recover. No matter how tired you are, take a cool shower to wash away sweat and impurities, and use a gentle cleanser to avoid stripping your skin of essential oils. Follow up with a soothing moisturiser to replenish lost hydration.

Be skin-safe and #loveyourcarnival!

#READYFORTHEROAD SKIN

Choose from an array of super skincare treatments, and get costume-ready for the best Carnival ever! 

The VI Peel

Carnival is about transformation and this amazing treatment certainly does the trick! Not only does it perform well on diverse skin types and tones, it also works wonders in the smoothness department. The exfoliating peel successfully minimises the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and reduces hyperpigmentation, making you look youthful, even-toned and dewy. Bonus: Very little discomfort and minimal downtime! 

There are other chemical peels that also yield great results, but make sure to schedule them far enough in advance of Carnival Monday and Tuesday so that your skin has time to bounce back. 

Microdermabrasion

A non-invasive treatment that exfoliates the outer layer of the skin, this process helps reduce the appearance of fine lines, acne scars, and sun damage by stimulating collagen production. The result? A more youthful and radiant skin tone.

Laser treatments 

Approaches like fractional laser resurfacing use focused light energy to stimulate collagen production and promote skin renewal. We generally have great results with reducing the appearance of wrinkles, pigmentation, and scarring, while improving skin tone and texture, not to mention exceptional success at hair removal so you feel completely comfortable in your costume!

Botox and fillers 

It’s common knowledge, but worth repeating: by temporarily relaxing muscles, Botox reduces the appearance of lines and wrinkles, creating a smoother and more youthful look. Dermal fillers, meanwhile, add volume to skin, enhancing facial contours and restoring a plump, youthful appearance that will have you ready for your Carnival close-up. 

Customised facials

Facials are tried and true for good reason, offering everything from deep cleansing, exfoliation and extraction to the application of certain products to nourish and rejuvenate the skin. We can design a treatment that’s specifically targeted for your skin’s unique needs. 

Sunscreen 

It goes without saying, but we’ll say it anyway: wear a reliable sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher, and reapply liberally during the day (ideally, every two hours). We have many lightweight options to choose from that will not feel heavy or interfere with your makeup.  

And the best tip of all? Have fun!

SETTING YOUR 2024 #SKINCAREGOALS

Here’s how to prioritise your skin’s health by setting goals and following up with the action needed to achieve them…

Commit to your routine in 2024; your skin will thank you!

CAN YOUR SKIN SURVIVE CHRISTMAS?

The overindulgence that comes with Christmas celebrations can be challenging for your skin health. From rich holiday treats to late-night parties, your skin definitely requires extra TLC at this time of year — especially if you want to continue the partying into Carnival! Here’s how to help your skin not just survive, but thrive…

Remember, you have to do more than usual in order to get your skin through this hectic time of year  — and seeing your skin glow will be the best Christmas present you can give yourself.