Welcome to The Aesthetics Edit™, the Ashley Aesthetics’ clinic blog - your source for fun, interesting, and informative articles about medical aesthetics, plastic surgery, and skincare science.
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Latest articles
What are Exosomes?
You might have heard buzz around the new vehicle taking the aesthetics and regenerative medicine world by storm. Exosomes are being touted as the “next big thing.” But what exactly are they, and what do we know about how they work?
The Truth About Blue Light and Your Skin
Every time I turn around there seems to be a new skincare trend - and while there is nothing wrong with that in itself, sometimes a lot of these “trends” gain traction because they tap into a bit of old-fashioned scare-mongering. One of the topics that has gained a lot of attention the past few years, particularly because of lock-down and our increased use of screen time, is of the dangers of blue light.
So how worried should you really be, and how vigilantly do you need to protect your skin?
Menopause and Your Skin
Menopause represents a huge change in a woman’s life. We know that there are a variety of different signs and symptoms that you can experience, but how does menopause affect your skin?
Let’s dive in.
Aesthetic Complications in Skin of Colour: What You Need to Know
The lack of representation of skin of colour in medical training means that patients can lack the confidence that their skin concerns will be recognised and treated appropriately by their healthcare professional.
If you are a patient with skin of colour, which complications associated with cosmetic treatments should you be worried about?
Psychology and Cosmetic Medicine
Assessment of the psychological needs of our patients is an essential aspect of good medical practice, and it is what separates the medical model from the purely “cosmetic model.”
It probably seems intuitive to suggest that there is a connection between our minds and our physical health. And the evidence holds that patient psychology matters massively in aesthetic medicine.
In this article we are going to briefly summarise some of the basic ways that cosmetic medicine and psychology intersect for clinicians.
Minerals & Skin: An Essential Guide
“Mineral” is a word that is often used when discussing various substances in our diets, but actually getting to the bottom of what we are talking about can be quite confusing!
As more and more research emphasises that a well-balanced diet has a great effect on skin health and skin ageing, more interest is turning to the role that diet plays in skin.
In this article we will summarise the roles of minerals for our skin health, and explain where you can find these minerals in your food!
Vitamins & Skin: An Essential Guide
“Vitamin” is such a buzzword in skincare and health in general. People love declaring that something contains vitamins and is great for you, but sometimes that loses its meaning when it is repeated again and again without an explanation of how they work.
The truth is that vitamins are an essential part of your skin health, but not all vitamin formulations are created equal. This is why it’s important to know exactly how each vitamin works its magic, as well as which products are worth investing in.
What is Photobiology?
There has been a lot written about the sun and your skin, especially in the context of sun protection, skin cancers, and premature ageing. But the interplay between our skin and the light is more complicated and fascinating than you could ever imagine, and it goes way beyond the common discussions of UV damage.
Photobiology is the study of the way that light interacts with living organisms, encompassing both its beneficial and negative effects.
Remember, that UV light is actually only a small part of the entire spectrum of light. There is visible light, as well as radiowaves, microwaves, infrared radiation, x-rays, and gamma rays.
You Are What You Eat: Skin and Diet
Culinary medicine (and just cooking and eating in general) are passions of mine outside of the field of aesthetic medicine. I actually firmly believe that aesthetics and wellness go hand-in-hand - both feed into a general philosophy self-care for ourselves, which is essential to both our physical and mental health.
In a nutshell: I love food and I love celebrating, enjoying, and eating it. Our skin is also a reflection of our overall health, and there is not doubt that our diets play a massive role in our overall health. However, is there any truth to the claim that you can “eat for your skin?”
Lovebug: Why You Need to Embrace Your Skin Microbiome
Did you know that there is a whole universe of life existing on you? Approximately 10 million bacteria per centimeter of your skin.
I know, right?
To some people the thought is strange or even horrifying, but it is actually so normal. We have known for a long time about the importance of the gut microbiome, but more and more we’re beginning to understand what a weird and wonderful relationship we have with the bugs on our skin. Are they villains or heroes, or a little bit of both?
Let’s find out.
The Beauty and Science of Ageing
So what is so bad about ageing anyway?
This is such a good question, and I wholeheartedly agree with the sentiment behind it. There’s nothing inherently bad about ageing. I will repeat and emphasise this again: it is such a beautiful privilege to be able to age.
We’re living longer lives, and reaching ripe old ages! But the modern world comes with its own stressors and pollutants, environmental toxins and modern pressures. It’s a misconception that all cosmetic doctors want to deny the ageing process, but we obviously acknowledge the very real pressures that exist in the world to preserve youth and beauty. Cosmetic medicine can allow you to add subtle tweaks and enhancements to leave you looking refreshed and enhanced: but ultimately leave you looking like you.
So let’s explore the beauty, and science, behind ageing.
What is the Truth About Collagen Supplements?
Recently there has been a rise in so-called “nutricosmetics” or “nutraceuticals,” a trend that involves ingesting certain substances or supplements in order to improve the health or appearance of your skin or hair.
Of course your diet affects your overall health and appearance. But I will be the first person to put my hands up and say I naturally have a high, high skepticism of the whole field of dietary supplements.
But what about collagen supplements? There has been a long history, especially in countries like China, of eating collagen-rich foods, and recent research has shown some promising results. So what does the skincare science recommend? Let’s find out!
The Basic Structure of Skin
Let’s talk the structure of skin and some science. It is such a surprisingly complex, sophisticated, clever organ!
The concept of “Instagram face” is not a new one, but has received more recent attention as Meta has banned filters that encourage plastic surgery. Awareness of the role that social media and photo editing plays in aesthetic medicine is incredibly important for both clinicians and patients. The influence of social media can be incredibly negative, and it means it’s more important than ever to navigate between good, ethical medical practice versus “selling” cosmetic procedures.