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New Zealand is known for its stunning landscapes, outdoor adventures, and, of course, its glorious sunshine. While soaking up the sun can be invigorating, it’s important to remember that prolonged sun exposure can lead to unwanted skin concerns, like sunspots . We want you to enjoy the Kiwi sunshine while keeping your skin healthy, radiant, and spot-free. Here’s everything you need to know about sunspots and how to prevent them. Sun screen is the most effective way to prevent skin cancer. What Are Sunspots? Sunspots, also known as solar lentigines or age spots , are flat, brown, or grayish patches that appear on areas of the skin frequently exposed to the sun, such as the face, hands, shoulders, and arms. They occur when UV rays trigger an overproduction of melanin, the pigment responsible for your skin’s color. While sunspots are harmless, they can make your skin look uneven and aged, which is why many people seek ways to prevent or treat them. Why Are Sunspots Common in New Zealand? New Zealand’s sunshine is particularly strong due to: Low Air Pollution : Clean air means fewer barriers to UV rays. Ozone Layer Depletion : The ozone layer over New Zealand is thinner, allowing more UV radiation to reach the earth. High UV Index : Even on cloudy days, UV levels can be high enough to cause skin damage. This makes sun protection essential for anyone living in or visiting New Zealand. How to Prevent Sunspots Prevention is always better than cure! Here are some simple yet effective ways to protect your skin from sunspots while enjoying the outdoors: Wear Sunscreen Daily : Use a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher, even on cloudy days. Reapply every 2 hours, especially after swimming or sweating. Seek Shade : Avoid direct sunlight during peak hours (10 AM–4 PM). Use umbrellas, hats, or sun shelters when outdoors. Cover Up : Wear protective clothing, such as long sleeves, wide-brimmed hats, and sunglasses. Avoid Tanning Beds : Artificial UV exposure can also lead to sunspots and skin damage. Use Antioxidants : Incorporate skincare products with vitamin C or E to neutralize free radicals caused by UV exposure. Treating Sunspots If you already have sunspots, don’t worry – we’ve got you covered! Our expert team offers a range of advanced treatments to reduce the appearance of sunspots and restore your skin’s natural radiance. Our Sunspot Treatments Include: Laser Therapy : Targets and breaks down excess melanin, fading sunspots and promoting skin renewal. Chemical Peels & DMK Enzyme therapy : Gently exfoliates the top layers of skin, reducing pigmentation and improving texture. IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) Therapy : Uses light energy to target pigmentation, leaving your skin clearer and more even. Enjoy the Sunshine, Not the Sunspots! New Zealand’s sunshine is one of its greatest treasures, but it’s important to enjoy it responsibly. By taking the right precautions and seeking professional treatments when needed, you can keep your skin healthy, glowing, and free from sunspots. At My beauty clinic , we’re here to help you achieve your best skin yet. Book a consultation today to learn more about our sunspot treatments and start your journey to radiant, even-toned skin. [Book Now] to protect and rejuvenate your skin!

Your skin is your largest organ, making up around one-seventh—or nearly 15%—of your total body weight. It’s what separates your delicate insides from the harsh outside world, making it one of the most important organs in your body. Skin is composed of a vast, complex network of various cells, proteins, ceramides, and lipids—but arguably, the most vital component of all is the skin barrier. My skin was experiencing some breakouts, so my answer was to use a heavy chemical exfoliant twice a day to dry out those suckers. I felt the familiar burn as the ingredients stung not just my pimples, but my entire face. Yes!! I thought, kill that bacteria and any kind of sebum – be gone!  However, my excitement was short-lived. Not long after I had way more breakouts and a red rash on my chin. So, what did I learn in that process? The burning feeling was actually a sign I was damaging my skin barrier, the shield that determines how my skin looks and feels.  Now – not all was lost, a compromised skin barrier can be repaired as long as you have an understanding of how to heal it, which DMK-trained Skin Technicians specialise in.  WHAT DESTROYS THE SKIN BARRIER?  Unfortunately, your skin barrier is not as robust as a cement wall. It can be damaged by environmental factors such as sun exposure, pollution, smoking, extreme weather variations, etc. Physical factors that a person can inflict, including over-exfoliation or using harsh/irritating products, and finally certain medical conditions like diabetes or even genetics and ageing. This list of damaging components goes on, so make sure you get a Skin Consultation to assess your barrier.  Obviously, some of these factors are out of your control, but generally, the most severe damage will come from using too-harsh products, like gritty exfoliators, intense acids, and drying sulphates. We know that your skin barrier must have an effective balance of moisture and hydration to make your skin look full, plump and well-maintained.  HOW DO I KNOW IF MY SKIN BARRIER IS DAMAGED?  If your skin barrier is damaged, your skin might be dry, flaky, sensitive, irritated, tingly, burning, and/or itchy. You may also be dealing with rashes and inflammation since a damaged skin barrier increases your risk of infections and dermatitis. Alternatively, you could be experiencing flare-ups of rosacea, eczema, and keratosis pilaris, and for some more discomfort, you may experience multiple skin issues all at once!  HOW DO I MAKE IT BETTER?  Firstly, get to a professional so you don’t waste time and money on using the wrong products. With so many symptoms that can be caused by a damaged skin barrier, you don’t want to risk making things worse. In general, most cases require product formulas that improve dryness and strengthen the skin barrier with active ingredients such as ceramides or glycerin. Most medical-grade products strip the skin, much like an antibiotic stripping the gut of bacteria. So, therefore, it is important we replace the lost moisture as this is your body’s first line of defence against external threats. Depending on the level of damage, never expect a ‘quick fix’. Although the steps are easy to repair a compromised skin barrier, it can take between 2 weeks to several months to reverse the damage.  Look at a holistic approach to your skincare by ensuring you are also looking after your digestive health. Try an Essential Fatty Acid supplement such as DMK’s EFA Ultra and drink at least 2L of water a day.  THINGS TO AVOID FOR A DAMAGED SKIN BARRIER  Harsh soap and scrubs  Excess exfoliation  Long, hot baths  Too much sun exposure  Touching or picking the skin  Not drinking enough water  Eating lots of unhealthy food  Smoking

What is acne? Acne is a condition close to my heart because I’ve seen it affect so many of my friends and family, including my kids. It’s one of the most common skin conditions affecting over 90% of people at some stage of their life.    Contributing factors can vary, from genetics, to stress levels, hair products, and diet. In many cases, acne is exacerbated by inflammation, and so many of the steps discussed below will be methods to reduce inflammation.    Unfortunately, acne is usually based on hormonal levels so the condition can be controlled but not totally ‘cured’ until your hormone levels balance out. But be patient; in most of us this will happen, but in the meantime let’s look at the strategies we can use to manage this condition that challenges both the health of our skin and our self-confidence. How does acne develop? Acne occurs when excess sebum (skin oil) is released from the oil gland and into the pore. There is also an overproduction of skin cells associated with acne, which causes the pores to be congested with oil, dead cells, and debris. Cutibacterium acnes aka. C.acnes bacteria (formerly called Propionibacterium acnes or P.acnes bacteria) live in our pores but in those with acne, the bacteria now have a total feast of dead cells and oil. The chemicals produced by the bacteria create inflammation as well as redness and voila: you have yourself a pimple!    So whilst it stands to reason that preventing excess sebum is key in managing acne, I also need to acknowledge how important it is that the skin has enough sebum to help maintain the acid mantle on the skin’s upper surface. This protective barrier sits at around a pH of 5.6 and creates the ideal environment for a healthy skin microbiome, so we never want to strip the skin of its natural oils entirely!  Grades of Acne How many grades of acne are there? Acne is categorised into four progressive grades: Grade one: Considered mild and non-inflammatory, where only whiteheads and blackheads are present. This is also called comedonal acne. Grade two: Demonstrates mild inflammation, papules, and pustules on the face. Grade three: Moderate acne with inflamed and painful acne breakouts on the face and body. There is a greater amount of redness and inflammation present.  Scarring may occur with moderate acne. Grade four: Called cystic acne and this is the most severe category. It presents as severe redness, inflammation, painful acne papules, pustules, and deeper infected cysts. If grade two advances to grades three (moderate) or four (severe), you should seek  advice from a skincare professional for treatment as your skin will be at risk of infection and deep scarring. Scarring occurs when the walls of the pore rupture and infected material infiltrates the dermis. This severe inflammation causes trauma, tissue loss, and scarring in the deeper dermal layer of the skin. How to Manage Acne Top tips on how to help prevent acne and how to treat acne 1. Exfoliate without harsh scrubbing It’s important to remove dead surface skin to encourage new cell production as this sends a message to the cells deeper down to reproduce fresh new cells. Exfoliation also removes pigmented, sun-damaged skin cells, helps to unclog pores, and clarifies skin with acne. There are a few ways to do this such as chemical, physical, microexfoliation, and chemical peels. My personal favourite is to use a chemical exfoliant AHA/BHA serum such as Synergie Skin's  ReVeal with alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs such as lactic, malic, or mandelic acid) to help remove dead surface cells and improve natural moisture levels, and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs such as salicylic acid) to help unclog pores and reduce inflammation. Many acne sufferers can also have  sensitive skin . If you cannot tolerate AHA/BHA based exfoliants, opt for acid-free peptide-based chemical exfoliants such as  Luciderm , which will not irritate the skin.   2. Use a chemical exfoliant Daily until the acne is reduced, then downgrade usage to alternate days. For Grade 2 acne and above, you need to be gentle with your skin and avoid harsh scrubbing which can increase inflammation. Avoid physical exfoliants, harsh facial scrubs, and abrasive cloths if you are experiencing redness, papules, pustules, or cysts.   3. Avoid skincare products and foundations containing comedogenic ingredients Comedogenic oils (common ones include cacao butter, peach kernel oil, coconut oil, soybean oil, wheatgerm oil, and cotton seed oil) cause pore blockage and this will definitely make your acne situation worse. The skin is trying to purge the excess oil and dead skin cells and cannot do so with comedogenic ingredients. Makeup is a major culprit as it is on the skin for an average of 10 hours a day. Invest in quality mineral makeup containing a high level of zinc oxide such as  MineralWhip . Zinc oxide is not only a great sunscreen, but it is a great anti-inflammatory to help calm the acne and reduce skin redness. 4. Cleanse twice daily Warm water and a gentle SLS-free  cleanser will remove the excess oil and daily grime that may cause blocked pores. If you are using a gentle micro exfoliant daily, be careful not to scrub your face too hard; excess heat and friction on the skin can increase oil flow and irritation and cause further inflammation. Over-cleansing the face can also increase heat, friction, and inflammation.   5. Keep your skin microbiome in balance Invest in a prebiotic and postbiotic complex such as  Dermiotic . The balance of good and bad bacteria on the skin surface is essential for keeping your skin functioning optimally and reducing inflammation associated with acne. Overgrowth of acne related C.acnes bacteria may increase acne severity.   6. Remember your As and Bs Vitamin A and Vitamin B3 (niacinamide) serums are super important for controlling acne. Vitamin B3 (niacinamide) serum such as Synergie Skin's  Vitamin B will reduce inflammation (the root cause of the pimple!) and will also help reduce excess oil in the pores. Niacinamide stimulates the production of the major skin barrier proteins to promote healing and protect the skin from inflammation. It also promotes collagen regeneration for normal remodelling of scars. And as if that’s not enough… it reduces hyperpigmentation which may be a side effect of scarring or scar treatment. Vitamin A serum, particularly in the form of retinol Ultimate A (0.1%) or RetiFol (0.4%) and hydroxy pinacolone retinoate in Acceler-A (6% HPR), is highly recommended for acne sufferers. Retinoids are great at reducing and balancing oil in the skin, this is essential for acne sufferers and promotes the production of new surface cells, which is important in the healing process. Vitamin A will slow down that overproduction of pore-clogging skin cells, regulate oil flow, and help keep pores nice and tight. Vitamin A also helps with the production of healthy blood vessels in the dermis to enable vital supply of skin nutrients and removal of toxins during scar healing and treatment. Retinoids also promote collagen production. 7. NEVER pick! This sounds obvious but sometimes the temptation to pick is overwhelming! Picking an inflamed pimple can cause the wall of the pore to rupture. When the infected contents of the pore enter the deeper dermis, infection is much more likely. Once infection sets in, the chance of scarring is very high, and this is the worst outcome. Invest in a quality spot treatment concentrate containing ingredients that act deep in the pore to clear pores and calm redness. If your condition is not responding, seek professional treatments to manage more serious breakouts. To learn more about acne scarring, read the article: Different Types of Acne Scarring and How to Treat Acne Scarring 8. Moisturise! While too much oil and the wrong type of comedogenic oils found in many moisturisers aren’t recommended for acne, your skin still needs hydration. Acne sufferers can still experience dehydration from water loss and our skin can be high in oil but low in water. This is where the water-based hydrators are really important. Lightweight gel-based moisturisers with a low oil content and hydrators like glycerin, sodium PCA, sodium lactate, and sodium hyaluronate are great at drawing water into the skin like a sponge, without contributing to oiliness. 9. Hair products can affect your skin When you use comedogenic hair products you may be clogging your skin around the hairline and fringe. Products you use on your hair every day can creep into your skin and clog your pores. Read your labels and use products with gentle non-comedogenic ingredients.   10. Review your everyday diet Every cell and organ in your body needs food to function. The skin is our largest organ and it responds directly to what we put in our mouths. Food is often the trigger of many skin conditions and a fresh, clean diet with lots of vegetables, healthy fats, quality protein, and antioxidant-rich foods will help control acne. The biggest culprit for exacerbating acne is sugar! It creates inflammation in the body and also stimulates cortisol levels, which indirectly increases oil production. Many individuals who just remove sugar from their diet see a significant improvement in their acne within weeks. There is also a link to high dairy intake and acne breakouts. A nutritionist will be able to help you manage your acne and reduce dairy consumption while still getting the correct levels of vital calcium and other nutrients. Of course, find a professional skin therapist to help you get through! Photo by upsplash, information by synerige skin.

Acupuncture is an ancient healing tool that reaches back thousands of years and is an integral part of traditional Chinese medicine. Facial acupuncture is an extension of traditional acupuncture. It’s said to naturally help make the skin look younger, smoother, and all-around healthier. Principal Practitioner at My Beauty Clinic, Sophie Lau, is a Doctor of Chinese Medicine and a registered acupuncturist who provides bespoke facial acupuncture treatments at the clinic.Facial acupuncture is a safe, non-surgical approach to transform the appearance of skin, leaving it radiant and rejuvenated. It addresses not only signs of aging, but also the skin’s overall health Benefits attributed to facial acupuncture include hormone balancing, puffiness reduction, improving sun damage pigmentation, and lifting and toning of sagging muscles. The application of needles at specific points delivers nutrients and oxygen to skin cells while nourishing skin from the inside out. The needles also stimulate fibroblast cells within the skin’s dermis layer and encourage collagen production. Facial acupuncture helps improve elasticity, thereby minimising fine lines and wrinkles. Facial acupuncture is an encompassing, holistic approach to healing, helping address not only signs of aging, but also other ailments, such as anxiety and digestive issues. November 8, 2021 by Metropol

We’ve made it quick and convenient for you to manage your blog from anywhere. In this blog post, we’ll share the ways you can post to your Wix Blog. Blogging from the Dashboard On the dashboard, you have everything you need to manage your blog in one place. You can create new posts, assign categories, adjust SEO and more. Click Create New Post to get started writing, adding images and formatting your post. Blogging from the mobile app Write posts, reply to comments, and manage your blog all on the go. Download the Wix Owner App from the dashboard to get started. Blogging from your published site Did you know that you can blog right from your published website? Once you publish your site, go to your website’s URL and log in to your site with your Wix account. There you can write and edit posts, manage comments, pin posts and more. Just click on the 3 dot icon ( ⠇) to see all the things you can do.

When it comes to design, the Wix Blog has everything you need to create beautiful posts that will grab your reader's attention. Check out our essential design features. Choose from several beautiful layouts Your blog feed comes with many responsive layouts to choose from. From the blog feed’s settings in the Editor, choose the layout that’s right for you. The Editorial layout is great for readers to quickly find posts that interest them. Or you can go for a Side by Side layout that lets readers scroll down and see your posts one by one. Once you choose one, click Customize Layout to tweak the settings even more. ​​From the settings, you can also choose other things to display on your blog feed, like a Blog Menu, author name, likes and views, and more. Customize your post page Go to the Post Page in the Editor to customize settings for your posts. Changing anything here will change the layout and design for all your posts at once. Keep readers engaged by letting them leave comments and share your posts on social media. You can also display Related Posts and Tags at the bottom of your posts to help readers discover more of your posts and keep reading.

With Wix Blog, you’re not only sharing your voice with the world, you can also grow an active online community. To let readers sign up and become members of your site, add a Members Area from Add Apps in the Editor sidebar. What can members do? Members can follow each other, write and reply to comments and get notifications. Each member gets their own personal profile page that they can customize. Tip: You can make any member of your blog a writer so they can write posts for your blog. Adding multiple writers is a great way to grow your content. Here’s how to do it: Head to your Members Page Search for the member you want to make a writer Click on the member’s profile Click the 3 dot icon ( ⠇) next to the Follow button Select Set as Writer.