BODY BASICS
Eliminate unsightly skin conditions and get your body back on track, ready to bare all at the beach
Many factors contribute to skin losing its firmness, including age, sun damage and fluctuating weight, but heading into summer, there can be other skin issues that need to be addressed before getting ready to bare all on the beach. Skin experts Emma Hobson, education manager for the International Dermal Institute and Dermalogica, and salon director and naturopath Vaia Pappas of Vaia Beauty share their tips on how to help heal some of these skin concerns.
KERATOSIS PILARIS
WHAT IS IT YOU ASK ... it’s those tiny little red bumps that normally appear on the back of your arms, on your thighs and sometimes on your face. “The rough bumpy texture of the skin is due to changes in keratinisation and desquamation of the skin’s surface cells (epidermis),” notes Hobson. The build-up in dead skin cells results in plugs forming in the follicles. Hobson says that these red spots can be caused by a vitamin A deficiency – “as vitamin A is needed for the normalising of keratinisation and skin shedding” – along with a diet high in acidic foods, poor kidney functioning and inherited dry skin. SOLUTION Follow Hobson’s tips to combat unsightly bumps: Amp up your daily water intake. Seek omega-3 oils and essential fatty acids, both in your diet and in products to improve dryness.
Try a mild exfoliation daily using hydroxy acids, or seek advice on digestive enzymes.
Body brushing the skin daily also helps exfoliate and supports the localised lymphatic system. Pappas’ expert tip: “Ultraceuticals Ultra Retexturising Complex exfoliates and reduces redness. I swear by it.”
CELLULITE
Cellulite is not easy to treat, however there are some products and treatments that can assist in reducing its appearance on skin.
AT-HOME SOLUTIONS
“Collagen, collagen, collagen! Cellulite occurs when the matrix of the skin’s cell is compromised. Collagen is the building block of the skin and will help maintain its integrity,” claims Pappas, who also recommends taking this as an oral supplement. Treatment-wise, she recommends a good coffee scrub: “Get some coffee grounds from your local café, fill up a jar and add your favourite essential oils. I love peppermint because it has a very cooling and soothing effect.”
Hobson recommends body brushing for assisting lymph flow. “A large soft natural bristle brush is used to gently and lightly stroke over the surface of the skin of the legs in the direction of the nearest lymph nodes,” (at the back of the knees and groin).
TREATMENTS TO TRY
Endermologie “A non-surgical and non-invasive device creates a symmetrical skin fold, which allows deep tissue mobilisation to occur,” claims Hobson.
Manual lymph drainage (MLD) stimulates lymph flow and is effective in treating the causes of cellulite. It is a light, rhythmic massage that is super relaxing, aiding in the elimination of lymph fluids without increasing blood flow. It is recommended that it be done twice a week, or daily for best results.
BACNE
“Bacne is generally caused by excess testosterone and if it occurs on the back, it usually occurs on the chest,” claims Pappas. The skin on the back is quite similar to your face, but it has more sebaceous (oil) glands. “You need to treat the area exactly the same way with the same ingredients you would use on your face with a cleanser, exfoliator and moisturiser,” claims Hobson.
TREATMENTS
Pappas is a big fan of Dermalux LED light therapy for effectively treating and killing the bacteria while minimising any risk of scarring or discolouration. “I’d recommend booking in to see a naturopath to have your hormones checked and have someone look at your diet and possibly prescribe herbs and supplements,” she adds.
KEY INGREDIENTS
Hobson recommends trialling products specifically designed for acne breakouts, like deep-cleaning cleansers, nonfriction exfoliants, spot treatments, and oil-free moisturisers, focusing on key ingredients like salicylic acid and betahydroxy acid, which gently exfoliate keratinised cells that are being retained within the follicle. “Tea tree and cyclodextrin complex; tea tree is an extremely effective anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial essential oil,” says Hobson.