Skin Science and Health – June 20, 2025
Inflammageing- what is it and what can I do to prevent it?
Fatigue, stiffness, pain and brain fog can all be attributed to inflammation in the body , now believed to drive many of the diseases we associate with ageing from dementia to heart disease. Symptoms to look for :, Tummy pain Chest pain Depression, anxiety or mood disorders Fatigue and/or insomnia Fever Frequent infections Gastrointestinal (GI) issues like diarrhea, constipation and pain.
Skin Science and Health – November 01, 2024
Why do we need to protect our skin from environmental and UV damage.
When it comes to extrinsic ageing, science shows that there is a significant reduction in collagen 1, 3 and 7 when we are exposed to these environmental factors. We need to protect the skin from this kind of damage as well as cellular damage. Cellular damage is hugely impacted by something called Free Radical Theory. This is where atoms steal electrons from healthy atoms causing more inflammation and more damage to the DNA and cell structures. That propagates more free radical damage and breaks down collagen fibres
Skin Science and Health – February 04, 2024
Hair Loss and Scalp health.
Hair loss can be caused by many reasons including hereditary factors, poor diet, hormone changes and certain medications.Alopecia is an umbrella term for conditions characterised by hair loss. It is not contagious, though sometimes it can be a sign of other health problems. Alopecia areata, an autoimmune disease, is one of the more common types of alopecia. Not all of them are related to an unusual immune system response, though. Some types of alopecia are related to genetic, lifestyle, or environmental factors, as well as psychological conditions that lead to hair pulling. Treatments for many types of alopecia are the same and may involve oral medications and topical therapies. For some alopecia types, behavioural changes are needed to reverse hair loss. Seek the advice of a Dermatologist as soon as you notice hair loss – there is a lot that can be done.
Skin Science and Health – October 30, 2023
Do You Have Dry Scalp, Dandruff, or is it Seborrheic Dermatitis?
A dry and itchy scalp is irritating and often uncomfortable. Scalp conditions like dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, and dry scalp are common problems, there are lots of reasons and several solutions.Anyone can get dry scalp or dandruff; The key is to pay attention to what is causing the scalp condition. Often, these are not isolated scalp conditions. You can have a combination of both dandruff and a dry scalp. Plus, you can also have skin issues linked to the scalp condition. Seeking professional advice from a dermatologist or your GP can help with diagnosing the problem.
Skin Science and Health – May 16, 2021
What Are Free Radicals?
What Are Free Radicals? If you keep up with all things skin care, you have likely heard at least once or twice about how free radicals are bad news for your complexion. But are you aware of why these molecules are so damaging to your body’s largest organ, and what they are capable of? If not, you will want to keep reading.What Are Free Radicals?Before getting into just how much havoc free radicals can wreak on your skin, we must first explain what they are. Free radicals are highly unstable molecules that are formed by normal bodily functions — like breathing, for instance — as well as environmental aggressors, such as UV rays, smoke, and pollution. These unstable compounds look to pair with a missing electron. In doing so, they can latch onto your skin, create a negative chain reaction on your skin’s surface and induce damage to cells. Free radicals have extra energy in them that can damage neighbouring skin cells and collagen.
Skin Science and Health – May 22, 2023
Skin Cancer and what you need to know.
Skin cancer accounts for most malignancies across the globe. They are primarily divided into melanoma and nonmelanoma skin malignancies. Nonmelanoma skin cancer includes basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. .One in every three cancers diagnosed in the world is a skin cancer.There were more than 320,000 cases of skin cancer globally in 2020, the most recent figures available from the World Cancer Research Fund International.Skin cancer is the most common cancer in Ireland, with over 13,000 new cases diagnosed every year. The National Cancer Registry of Ireland (NCRI) expects this number to double by 2040.Skin cancer is a disease of skin cells. Nine out of every 10 cases are caused by UV rays from the sun or sunbeds. Over exposure to UV rays, which leads to tanning, redness or burning of the skin, causes damage to skin cells. While much of this damage is repaired some remains and can lead to skin cancer later in lifeYou need to use protection even indoors and behind the wheel of the car, as UVA penetrates through glass .The phrase 'high SPF' sounds reassuring, but it may give a false sense of security as a product with this factor only refers to protection against UVB rays, which is not quite enough. So this typically means that you might stay out in the sun for longer as the perception is that you are not burning. In the meantime UVA travels like a X-ray and damages deeper in to the skin. UVA is the primary radiation used in tanning beds. It causes almost all forms of skin ageing , including wrinkles. UVA damages the collagen and elastin in the skin and also generates free radicals.
Skin Science and Health – December 10, 2022
What causes skin ageing?
Skin ageing is caused by two main processes; intrinsic and extrinsic. They both contribute to the visible signs you may see on your skin, such as fine lines, wrinkles, loss of firmness, and discolouration.
Skin Science and Health – July 16, 2022
Antioxidant to address oily or blemished skin .
A clinical study showed statistically significant visible improvement in skin clarity, skin tone evenness, and post-blemish marks after 4 weeks of using SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF once
Skin Science and Health – October 17, 2021
What causes skin to age ?
Skin ageing is caused by a combination of different factors, both internal and external. Understanding the way that internal and external factors affect skin’s structure and function can help to inform skin care choices and prevent premature skin aging. Internal factorsYoung skin has a thick epidermis and a strong network of collagen fibres.Mature skin has a thinner epidermis and a weakened network of collagen fibres.
Skin Science and Health – October 17, 2021
How does skin change over the years?
Skin is a living organ and undergoes significant changes during a person’s lifetime: from the delicate skin of a new-born baby, through the teenage years when some are acne-prone, to the wrinkles of later life. Each stage has its own demands and skin care should reflect these changing needs. Choosing appropriate products to cleanse, protect, nourish and repair skin at each of these stages will help to keep it healthy and ensure that your skin looks and feels its natural best, whatever your age. How is skin different at each age and stage?
Skin Science and Health – August 01, 2021
Skin Barrier Issues.
Your skin barrier is the lipid matrix found in the outermost layer of your skin, the stratum-corneum, and essentially sits on top of this layer. When healthy, the skin barrier helps keep moisture in and external irritants out (e.g., UV, free radicals, bacteria) - acting as your skin’s bodyguard.What is the skin barrier?The skin barrier, or moisture barrier, is mainly composed of three lipids: ceramides, cholesterol, and free (AKA essential) fatty acids. These lipids work together to prevent water loss and to protect your skin from the environment. Damage to the skin barrier occurs in the form of miniscule cracks through which moisture can easily escape and irritants can enter more easily.Signs your skin barrier is damaged:When your skin barrier is healthy, your skin generally looks plump and smooth and feels soft to the touch. If you have oily skin that’s also dehydrated, that’s a common sign that you may have a damaged skin barrier. (Yes ... Your skin can be both oily and dehydrated.
Skin Science and Health – July 24, 2021
Pigmentation
Hyperpigmentation is defined as darkening patches of skin. This occurs when the skin produces more melanin, the pigment that gives skin its colour. Sun damage is the main cause of pigmentation. The initial melanin production from sun exposure acts as a natural sun screen to protect from harmful rays. However excess UVA/UVB exposure disrupts the melanin production, which leads to increased pigmentation.
Skin Science and Health – June 08, 2021
Human Skin -Microbiome and Acne.
Research in to microbiomes of the human body , to include skin and gut tell us that a diverse and physiologically important array of bacteria, viruses, fungi and archaea make their home on the skin. Typically, a person has around 1,000 species of bacteria on their skin. And, as might be expected from such a large area — roughly two square metres for an average adult — the skin offers a variety of distinct ecosystems, which create conditions that favour different subsets of organisms. We harbour roughly the same number of microbes as we have cells. This complex ecosystem is crucial to our health, affecting many processes including immunity, child development and bone density regulation. Research in this area has been extensive, with exciting work on how the microbiome develops, its influence on brain and behaviour and implications in both contributing to and treating various disorders.A person’s gut microbiome is seeded in early life according to the bacteria they are exposed to and how successfully these microbes colonise the intestines. Populations of bacteria in the gut are highly sensitive to the food we eat, so sensitive, in fact, that changes in species variation and gene expression appear within three or four days following a major sift in diet.
