It's National Vegetarian Week!

Did you know that it is National Vegetarian week

Monday 23rd - Sunday 29th May?

You don't need to be a veggie to enjoy vegetarian food, but you do need to love flavoursome food. A balanced vegetarian diet is one of the healthiest diets around and in the current financial climate, can also be more economical. Many people choose to be vegetarian for ethical reasons and sustainability.

Research shows that a varied vegetarian diet can contain less saturated fatty acids, cholesterol and more fibre, antioxidants, phytochemicals, folate and carotenoids. A balanced vegetarian diet is likely to exceed the recommended intake of 5-a-Day fruit and vegetables which is linked to lower rates of colon and some other cancers. A vegetarian diet is sometimes recommended for people with chronic conditions such as arthritis and kidney problems.

A vegetarian diet can be a very healthy option but it is important to ensure it is well balanced. You could stuff your face with chips and chocolate at every meal and be vegetarian but you wouldn’t be doing your health much good.

A balanced vegetarian diet should include:

• Grains and cereals: Wholegrain bread, brown rice, wholewheat pasta, muesli.
• Legumes, nuts and seeds: Soya beans. kidney beans, split peas, lentils, almonds, cashews, sesame seeds
• Fruit and vegetables: As much as you want - think variety. Try new fruits and vegetables and include them in your diet every day
• Dairy or soya products: Look out for fat free and reduced calorie options for milk, yoghurts, cheeses.

If you don't want to become Vegetarian, why not give it a try just for the week? Try subsituting meat products with vegetariuan alternatives - I love quorn chunks in a homemade curry! You may find you have more energy, feel more healthy and maybe even lose a little bit of weight!

Extreme Clean with Clarisonic!

The Clarisonic Pro Sonic Skin Cleansing System

While cleansing is the first step in any skin care ritual, it is often overlooked. Typical manual cleansing can leave behind dirt and oil trapped in pores. This build-up can damage the appearance and health of your skin and keep your skin care products from working like they should.

Used and recommended by spas and dermatologists, Clarisonic Sonic Skin Cleansing Systems use a patented sonic frequency of more than 300 movements per second to gently, yet thoroughly remove 6X more makeup and 2X more dirt and oil than cleansing with your hands alone. Cleaner skin is the first step toward healthier skin. And healthier skin is smoother, more radiant and more beautiful.

The Clarisonic PRO Sonic Skin Cleansing System features three speeds for the face and a body mode for cleansing areas of the body needing extra care and attention.

This is a professional-caliber brush that uses gentle sonic micro-message action to helps keep your skin looking young, vibrant and healthy. Clarisonic gently removes embedded dirt and oil, resulting in healthier, more beautiful skin. 6x more makeup removal. Remarkably gentle for cleansing all skin types, including sensitive skin conditions such as rosacea and acne. It cleanses so well, that products absorb better, pores appear smaller, fine lines and wrinkles appear reduced and your skin tone and texture improves. The Clarisonic Body Brush Head gently care the areas of the body needing extra attention including the decollette, hands, arms, elbow and feet.

Kit Includes

• Cordless Clarisonic PLUS
• Universal Charging Cradle (100v-240v AC; 50/60 Hz)
• Sensitive Brush Head
• Body Brush Head
• 1 oz. trial sizes of Refreshing Gel Cleanser, Gentle Hydro Cleanser and Nourishing Care Cleanser
• 2 oz. trial size Refining Skin Polish

BRAND NEW TO THE COSMETIC PRACTICE SO CHECK IT OUT

AND GET THAT EXTREME CLEAN FEELING EVERY DAY!

Common skin complaints - Acne

ACNE

When people hear the term acne, they generally think of a skin condition that shows noticeable spots / lesions. In reality, acne is the name given to a complex process that may virtually be invisible in some people, or cause others extreme gross disfigurement. Acne usually begins in adolescence and almost no one escapes a couple of spots. In fact, medical studies show that there is almost 100% incidence of acne and only the level of severity differs from person to person.

Currently, there is no one single cause for acne, however, a number of factors may be present such as:

1. Hereditary

While it may be true that nearly everyone suffers from some form of acne, the more severe cases of acne are believed to be strongly influenced by hereditary. As an example, hereditary is an important factor in determining the size and activity of sebaceous glands. Even though acne may skip certain family members or even pass a generation, the presence of acne is believed to be genetically based. (JMSR)

2. An Increase in Sebum (Oil) Production

Sebum is critical in the development of acne. Sebum production increases dramatically at the onset of adolescence due to higher levels of hormones, and in particular androgens. While androgens are present in both male and females, they are mainly associated with the so called “male” hormones.

3. Bacteria

It is the Propionibacteria (P acne bacteria) that produces the toxic substance that attacks the follicle and eventually causes the follicle to burst. For a long time, the medical profession considered acne to be a bacterial infection. This seemed like a logical conclusion since many of the features of acne (redness and tenderness) were in keeping with other infectious conditions. Not only that, antibiotics have generally proven to be beneficial in the control of acne. However, medics now know that bacteria only play a role in the acne process. In fact, research shows when P acne bacteria are injected directly into the dermis acne is not produced. It appears that the presence of other factors such as increased sebum, hormonal changes, follicle retention and inherited follicular characteristics, all contribute to the bacteria’s ability to produce the by- products that accelerate and aggravate acne.

4. Hormones

Acne is not a hormonal disorder in itself; normal hormone levels need to be present for acne to occur. People who have severe acne have normal hormonal levels in the same range as those who do not suffer from the disease. The rare exception is in people who have developed a specific abnormal condition in which acne may be one of several systems. More correctly, the individuals who are predisposed to develop acne have follicles that have characteristics that make the follicle far more reactive to various otherwise normal hormonal changes.

5. Retention Hyperkeratosis

This refers to the abnormal build- up and retention of cells in the follicles of individuals who are prone to acne. It appears that people who develop more aggressive acne may have a genetic defect that causes the follicles to stick together and form a blockage. P acne bacteria are known as anaerobic bacteria, meaning they cannot survive well when exposed to oxygen. The blocking of the follicle is then a contributing factor in at least two essential parts of the acne process. First, the anaerobic P acne bacteria has the perfect oxygen free environment to thrive and second, oil that is now trapped in the follicle is fed on by the P acne bacteria, which then begins excreting the by-products that play a primary role in the inflammatory process. If the abnormal cellular build–up did not occur, it is likely that much of the acne process could be diffused.

Here at The Cosmetic Practice we have a wide range of products to help with oily, problematic, breakout and acne prone skin and if you would like any advice or information, Don't hesitate to contact us via mail or phone on 08450020016.

Tired Eyes? Try Endocare

One of our top seling ranges here at The Cosmetic Practice is Aestheticare and The Aestheticare Endocare skincare range’s unique SCA  Biorepair Technology harnesses the power of nature to provide  scientifically advanced regeneration of ageing and photo-damaged skin.

The Endocare skincare range uses differing concentrations (Repair Index) of SCA Biorepair Technology  in elegant formulations designed for specific areas and treatment  needs. Regular and combined use of the range will regenerate the skin  and reduce the visible signs of ageing and photo-damage.

SCA Biorepair Technology is a Natural  Growth Factor derived from the natural secretion of the mollusc  Cryptomphallus aspersa. The secretion has enabled the mollusc to survive  thousands of years and periods of extreme trauma such as cold, heat,  dryness, chemical change and UV irradiation, challenges that our skin  faces every day.  SCA has been shown to; increase the  number and activity of fibroblasts (the skin’s generators of collagen,  elastin and hyaluronic acid), build the underlying architecture of the  skin and provide anti-oxidant activity against skin damaging free  radicals.



With this in mind, Endocare have introduced a new product to the range:

Endocare Tensage Radiance Eye Contour

£37.00

Endocare Tensage Radiance Eye Contour is an anti-ageing regenerating fluid with quick absorption that unifies in just one product antioxidant and tightening actions, providing at the same time a radiance effect in the eye area.

Check it out - Brand New to The Cosmetic Practice!

Rehydrate your Skin

We all want smoother, softer unblemished skin and whilst beauty products are undoubtedly essential, you can also hydrate you skin from the inside...

Water is the ultimate beauty product. Tired, dehydrated skin looks sallow, saggy and older. Hydrated skin can appear years younger as it is plumper and firmer.

Our bodies contain a large amount of water; in fact about two-thirds of our body weight is water. However, we need it all - losing just one percent of our body weight due to fluid loss can cause dehydration and any more than that can lead to serious medical complications. And remember we're constantly losing water, by sweating or urinating, so by drinking we're keeping our supplies topped up.

Are you convinced yet? So how does water help? I hear you asking...

Well by drinking plenty of water it helps carry essential nutrients to every cell in your body, It flushes out nasty toxins, It improves circulation and blood flow and lubricates your joints.

So how much water does your body need to help you and your skin?

The general rule is 8 glasses a day - but if you are like me and this prospect does not fill you with joy, don't despair!

Consuming lots of healthy fresh fruit and vegetables can count towards your daily fluid intake and while water is best, you can suppplement this with diluted fruit juice, semi skimmed milk or healthy herbal teas.

You should however avoid fizzy, carbonated drinks as these only contain about 65 per cent water and can lead to a craving for sugary foods.

So, drink more water and rehydrate your skin, from the inside.

Rioblush for Perfect Pins

Rioblush City Girl Firming Leg Shimmer is a favorite among dermatologists, professional make up artists and celebrities. It was a beauty staple on the Sex and the City movie. Doctors love it because it's a wonderful alternative to a suntan.

Best of all, it's easy to apply, doesn't streak or get on clothes, and washes off with soap and water.

RioBlush City Girl Firming Leg Shimmer is a unique shimmering skin perfector, with additional cellulite fighting and firming properties.

This tinted lotion acts as a sheer body makeup with a subtle tint and a light reflecting shimmer to perfect and correct skin tone, disguising bruises and imperfections and giving a subtle, sexy sheen to skin. In addition, high performance ingredients such as caffeine and carnitine work to tone and firm the skin, helping to fight and reduce the appearance of cellulite.

Perfect for legs, this shimmering perfector is also great for arms too and is easy to apply for an instant confidence boost!

SO CHECK IT OUT NOW - BRAND NEW IN TO THE COSMETIC PRACTICE:

Rioblush City Girl Firming Leg Shimmer

Flip Flop Friendly Feet

Here at the The Cosmetic Practice we have a selection of products suitable to stop those elephant feet!

If your are brushing off your flip flops ready for the summer months then you need to get your feet ready ...


Many of us suffer from dry, cracked skin on our feet and this is made worse during the winter months with thick socks and heavy boots. But it is fairly easy to rectify and with a little TLC your feet can be beautiful and soft once again.

Firstly, start by soaking your feet in warm, soapy water to soften the dry skin, I like to use an exfoliating scrub on my feet too: I like Taer Icelandic Silky Refining scrub. Alternatively, you can use a pumice stone or a file to gently slough away the rough skin, mainly around the heels and the edges of the feet.

Dry your feet thoroughly and then use a rich moisturiser to give your feet a real treat. I absolutely love Neostrata PDS Dry Skin Cream. This is an especially rich, exfoliating cream for smoothing and hydrating excessively rough, dry skin. It is formulated with 20% Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) to smooth and moisturize severely dry, rough and thickened skin such as knees, elbows and heels.

To really treat your feet, slather on a thick layer just before bedtime then slip on some cotton socks and this will give you a fantastic overnight treatment.

Avoid the elephant feet! - Follow these tips and you'll never be afraid to slip into your flip flops again!

SPECIAL OFFER - 10% off all gloTherapeutics products

A SPECIAL OFFER FOR OUR CLIENTS THIS SPRING

10% DISCOUNT OFF ALL GLOTHERAPEUTICS PRODUCTS!

glotherapeutics is a revolutionary breakthrough in skincare and  chemical exfoliation treatments. 

glotherapeutics' unique and advanced formulations provide potent concentrations with high levels of active ingredients to clinically transform the skin and offer the ultimate in Revolutionizing Your Skin.

glo is committed to being your premier resource for advanced skin therapies with our complete skincare and cosmetic collection. All glo products are of the highest quality, performance-driven and scientifically formulated with pharmaceutical-grade ingredients.

gloProfessional, an American based company, is a skincare industry leader year after year. Many prestigious dermatology and plastic surgery practices, spas and medi-spas recommend glo because every product delivers brilliant beauty and proven results.

The glo collection, consisting of glominerals and glotherapeutics, delivers a comprehensive solution for all your treatment needs.

Here are some testimonials from Facebook Fans of the glotherapeutics range:

I love the gloBrightening Polish as I am a reformed sun worshipper and it shows. I feel the gloBrightening Polish is helping even out some of my sundamaged discolored spots.

~Reva Ski

My favorite product is the Peptide+Defense, because not only is it a super charged anti-aging product, but it helps to keep my extremely dry skin moisturized and hydrated longer under my moisturizer!

~Kristen Simons

There has also been lots of Press Coverage about glotherapeutics and glominerals:

SO CHECK IT OUT - glotherapeutics, 10% OFF for a limited period only at The Cosmetic Practice!

Help for Hair Loss

Many people (both men and women) suffer from the problem of hair loss: Balding, thinning hair, increased shedding of hair and alopecia are factors that affect many men and women. 

One of the commonest forms of hair loss in women (and men) is a condition called telogen effluvium, in which there is a diffuse shedding of hairs around the scalp and elsewhere on the body. This is usually a reaction to intense stress on the body's physical or hormonal systems, or as a reaction to medication. The condition, which can occur at any age, generally begins fairly suddenly and gets better on its own within about six months, although for a few people it can become a chronic problem. However the thinning hair itself can cause confidence issues and added stress which can further add to the problem.


Another common type of hair loss in women is androgenetic alopecia, which is related to hormone levels in the body. There's a large genetic predisposition, which may be inherited from the father or mother. Research shows that up to 13 per cent of women have some degree of this sort of hair loss before the menopause, and afterwards it becomes far more common - one piece of research suggests that over the age of 65 as many as 75 per cent of women are affected.

Male Hair Loss, also know as Androgenic Alopecia or male pattern baldness, is caused by the effect of the male hormones, called androgens, on genetically predisposed hair follicles (passed down the family tree). Androgenetic alopecia affects roughly 50 per cent of men and perhaps as many women over the age of 40.

If you suffer from any of the problems above then help is at hand. Here at The Cosmetic Practice we have a number of products designed especially for hair. Many of our clients have been using LA Science Anti Hair Loss Serum and have given some fantastic feedback on this product.

Hair growth cycles alternate between a growth phase (called anagen, it lasts about three years) and a resting phase (telogen, which lasts about three months). During telogen, the hair remains in the follicle until it is pushed out by the growth of a new hair in the anagen phase.

LA Science Anti Hair Loss Serum is so much more than a luxury cosmetic. Its active ingredients help extend the growth phase of hair for a beautiful, thicker looking, healthy head of hair; and it’s also a powerful weapon to help fight hair loss. Unlike many systemic hair loss products, its unique, patented nano technology delivery system uses an active peptide combination that delivers the formula directly to the root of the problem. This nurtures and conditions the hair and follicles, promoting the best environment for the prevention of hair loss.

So why don't you give it a try or check out our other fabulous Hair Products here at The Cosmetic Practice and say hello to thicker, healthier hair.

Preparation is key!

As the weather turns nicer, we are starting to raid our summer wardrobes, outfits get shorter and the thought of exposing pasty, pale legs to the general public fills us with dread!  With the known detrimental effects of sunbeds and too much exposure to the sun's UV rays, more and more of us are turning to the bottle for our healthy all year round glow.


Someone pass me the fake tan - STAT!

Fake tan has come a long way recently and can now produce a beautiful, natural even tan without appearing orange and streaky however it must be applied correctly and preparing your skin is key to avoid streaky, patchy colour.

Here's how I prepare my skin to keep my tan natural and make my fake tan last:

1.) Exfoliate: This is extremely important to remove dead, dry skin cells from the skin. If you apply fake tan without exfoliating this can lead to a patchy, blotchy effect and the colour will not last as long.  I like Jan Marini Bioglycolic Resurfacing Body Scrub which offers superb retexturizing benefits for all body skin types and especially for skin that is dry or environmentally damaged. Resurfacing Body Scrub combines glycolic acid and polished granules  in order to provide an aggressive but safe approach for reaching a  noticeably improved level of body skin rejuvenation. This formulation  enables patients to immediately address roughened or calloused areas  while enhancing overall smoothness and tone.
For more sensitive skin, you could try Taer Icelandic Silky Refining Scrub, a sumptuous, creamy scrub containing Icelandic yarrow and angelica to  purify and detoxify, fine walnut dust to gently exfoliate and apricot  and lime oils to uplift and brighten.

Gently massage your chosen exfoliator onto wet skin to remove dead skin cells, rub in a circular motion and then rinse to reveal the healthy skin underneath.

2.) Shave your legs - Trying to apply tan on top of hair makes your hair matted and the tan blotchy.

3.) After drying off completely apply a very light layer of moisturiser to elbows and knees. Have you ever noticed when applying fake tan that your knees go darker than the rest of your legs? This is because the skin is drier and the self tan gets absorbed more readily. Moisturiser can prevent the fake tan from absorbing completely so whilst it should be avoided elsewhere on the body, It can prevent unsightly darker knees.

4.) Wash and dry your hands before applying your tanning lotion. Also, make  sure to wash your hands thoroughly after applying, as this is another area where  lotion is absorbed the quickest.  I use thin latex gloves to apply fake tan to avoid orange palms, however you must remember to apply a very small amount of tan to the tops of your hands last to avoid white hands.

5.) 24 - 48 hours later moisturise all over to maintain colour and extend the life of your tan.  I like Medik8 Hydr8 Body which is light and easy to apply with a lovely light, fresh fragrance.

Follow these steps to look less like an Oompa Loompa and more like a Bronzed Goddess!

Colorescience - A revolution in Sun Protection!

Do you hate rubbing suntan cream in, especially on your wriggly children? Find suntan oil messy and gets all over your bikini?

Me too!

That's why we have a revolutionary new sun protection product which is so gentle it's safe for men, women and children and won't rub off on your clothes or sting your eyes. Colorescience "Sunforgfettable" mineral powder is SPF30, provides instant protection all over your body and is extremely water resistant.

Sun protection is the fundamental step in keeping skin healthy and beautiful. Sunforgettables highly refined minerals shield skin from the damaging effects of the sun and environment, helping to defend against the signs of aging.

Sunforgettable relies on the reflective and refractive properties of micronized titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. It is safe for all ages, odor free, clear on the skin and will not burn the eyes when perspiring. Protection is instant, so a 20-minute wait before heading outdoors is no longer necessary.

Redefining Sun Protection!


Colorescience uses high-tech nanotechnology to bring you AMAZING breakthrough in sun protection! Sea minerals (aka coral seaweed) to protect the Langerhans cells against ultraviolet and infrared radiation.

Actives: 12% micronized titanium dioxide & 12% micronized zinc oxide.

Zak enjoying the sun Safely with Colorescience Powder Sun Protection

Available in 4 shades:
Sunforgettable ALL CLEAR - The original all clear on the skin sunscreen POWDER SPF30.

Sunforgettable PERFECTLY CLEAR. The formerly invisible SPF powder WITH A TINIEST translucent tan tint that perfect for pale skin that needs more color and glow.

Sunforgettable ALMOST CLEAR. The formerly invisible SPF powder now has a translucent, tan tint for just that beautiful hint of sun kissed skin.

Sunforgettable ALL CLEAR SPARKLE. The original all clear on the skin sunscreen POWDER SPF30 that add beautiful sparkling glimmer to it. Perfect for that beach holiday with the girls!