Welcome to the Health and Advice section of Urban Elegance! I am committed to not only providing top-notch facial therapy and eyelash services but also to offering valuable health and skincare advice to my clients.

 

 

Foods for healthy skin 

a) Fatty fish

Salmon, mackerel and herring are rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids besides being naturally high in protein and zinc. Omega-3 fatty acids can be helpful in reducing inflammation in skin cells and may make your skin less sensitive to damage by UV radiation from the sun.

 

b) Fruit and vegetables

Antioxidants found in fruit and vegetables will neutralise damage by harmful free radicals in the skin, Vitamin C and E, beta-carotene, lycopene and lutein can offer some protection against damage generated by UV rays. 

• Citrus fruits are a good source of vitamin C
• Lycopene can be found in tomatoes
• Sweet potato contains beta-carotene 
• Dark leafy green and yellow vegetables contain lutein 
• Spinach and avocado contain vitamin E

c) Nuts and seeds

Sunflower seeds are high in vitamin E and linoleic acid, a type of fat that can help skin hydration. Walnuts contain antioxidants such as vitamin E, essential fatty acids and minerals such as zinc and selenium. These should be consumed in moderation due to their high calorific content.

 

d) Green tea

Contains compounds known as polyphenols which, when consumed regularly, can protect your skin from free radical damage from the sun. It may reduce the number of fine wrinkles and prominent blood vessels. It should not be consumed with milk.

 

e) Dark chocolate 

Cocoa is high in antioxidants such as polyphenols and flavonoids. They can potentially improve blood flow to the skin and limit damage caused by the sun. Look for chocolate that is a minimum 70% cocoa solids as anything with less is high in sugar.

 

 

 

10 Amazing Skin Benefits From Drinking More Water 

1. Improves Skin Tone

Drinking adequate amounts of water helps the body eliminate toxins while providing you with healthier skin. Drinking as little as two cups of water can increase blood flow to the skin, giving it a smooth tone.

2. Prevents Premature Aging

Keeping yourself hydrated helps increase elasticity in the skin as it stays moisturized for longer, delaying sagging and the premature appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.

3. Promotes Faster Healing

Drinking water can speed up the healing process for ailments such as sunburns, headaches, and viral infections.

4. Reduces Puffiness

When your skin appears puffy, it is essentially retaining water to protect you from dehydration when you don’t drink enough. Increasing your hydration levels will reduce the puffiness in your face.

5. Prevents Acne

Drinking plenty of water balances the water and oil content on your facial skin, preventing the buildup of excess oil and sebum and resulting in fewer clogged pores and breakouts.

Adult acne is becoming more common these days, due to our busy lifestyles, air pollution, and lack of focus on hydration. Get a smoother complexion by sipping on water throughout the day.

6. Banishes Itchy Skin

Dry skin tends to itch, even developing dry flakes and cracks due to the lack of moisture. Taking in enough water ensures your skin doesn’t become dry enough to itch.

7. Tightens Skin

With age or significant weight loss, your skin may begin to sag. Drinking water helps because it revives the skin’s elasticity, preventing it from sagging and tightens it in areas that are prone to sagging, like the upper arms, waist, thighs, and jawline.

8. Maintains Your pH Balance

Restore sensitive, acne-ridden, or blotchy skin to a healthy version with water. Your skin can glow and be free of blemishes if you drink enough water to help balance your body’s pH levels.

9. Prevents Heat-Related Skin Eruptions

Water prevents your body from overheating by regulating your body temperature. Drinking adequate amounts of water ensures that you don’t develop heat boils and rashes on your skin when the weather heats up or you are physically active.

10. Promotes a Healthy Gut, Resulting in Clearer Skin

Adequate water intake helps maintain a healthy gut and aids with proper digestion. By helping regulate your bowel movements, it flushes toxins from your body. When you get enough water and your gut is healthy, your skin will remain clear and problem-free.

 

 

 

Vitamin C

Benefits of Vitamin C

Vitamin C is important for overall health and wellness. But did you know it’s also a skin care powerhouse? Topical Vitamin C is one of the most potent antioxidants available – and it lives up to the hype, effectively tackling the primary causes of premature aging, renewing skin’s surface. It boosts production of substances that keep skin looking firm, helping to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. 

Other skin benefits include brightening, over time, intrinsic (natural) and extrinsic (environmental) factors cause structural changes in the skin, leading to uneven pigmentation. From UV-induced “age spots” to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, dark spots are no match for Vitamin C: it helps stop the causes of uneven pigmentation to effectively brighten skin.

And finally… Vitamin C helps counteract the effects of oxidative stress and free radicals by neutralizing damaging molecules. But – here is the really exciting part – the latest research also shows that Vitamin C actually enhances your skin’s natural defense system, helping it to protect itself from oxidative stress.

 

 

 

Sun Safety 

While the skin is at its most vulnerable when on holiday in the sun, the risk of skin damage is a year-round concern. It's really important to use a sunscreen every day, even in winter months, because ultraviolet, which is an invisible radiation, is present all year round, even in the winter months.

Mineral sunscreens offer the most protection because they're literally creating a physical separation between you and the sun. You will recognize mineral sunscreens by their chalky, white look and feel. That look also helps serve as a reminder for when you should reapply.

 

 

Heliocare 360 

This has been recommended a few times to dermatology patients by one of the dermologists I work with. 

Helicocare 360 provides high level, broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection as well as super oxidant activity with Fernlock plus DNA protection and repair.

Absorbs upto 200% more blue light than our skin. 

Provides protection against the 4 types of radiation that can cause sun damage - UVA, UVB, light and infrared-A.

Clients with heavily damaged skin are often recommended Heliocare and Nicotinamide by their dermatologists for skin health. 

Heliocare for children.

This is suitable for sensitive and atopic skin and for use around sensitive eyes.

This protects skin from sun damage using mineral only filters and strengthens and re-inforces the skin barrier with Niacinamide.

For use on babies and children from 6 months old on the face and body. 

https://heliocare.co.uk