Blog

What is Melasma?

Melasma is a form of facial pigmentation stimulated by hormone disturbances, like pregnancy and birth control pills and UV exposure make it worse. However, the underlying hormone responsible is melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH). This hormone increases the production of melanin, which is responsible for darkening the skin.

Melasma appears on the face, especially on the cheeks, bridge of the nose, forehead and upper lip. Melasma is a very common patchy brown, tan, or blue-gray facial skin discoloration, usually seen in women in the reproductive years.

What actually causes wrinkles?

Damage occurs to the collagen and elastin fibers in the reticular dermis over time. Expression lines are caused by a gradual “denting” of these fibers from repeated facial movements. Just like a piece of metal that is bent multiple times, the fibers become weaker and weaker and thinner in the area of the constant bend.

Environ is now Exclucively sold at Medical Esthetics by Katie

Environ is a globally recognised and loved Professional Skin Care brand that is built on science, beauty and care. 
We believe that skin has a life and that vitamin A is the "oxygen" it needs to look healthy and beautiful for life. It is for this reason that we actively pursue skin care science to skilfully and consistently develop best-in-class, scientifically researched and developed products that work with skin. 

What is Skin Microbiome?

Like the gut, the skin has its own microbiome universe, a complex ecosystem of fungi, bacteria and archaea that serves as the foundation for healthy skin. Our skin's structure and function is absolutely essential to our general health. The skin microbiome, found at the surface of the skin, is your skin's first line of defense. The three elements of a healthy skin barrier are the skin microbiome, the acid mantle and the lipid barrier, which work in harmony to protect against irritants, environmental damage and infection.

April is National Rosacea Awareness Month

The National Rosacea Society has deemed April as Rosacea Awareness Month, by the National Rosacea Society (NRS). Rosacea is a very common disease that affects 15% to 25% of all people. Diffused redness (early rosacea) refers to a condition caused by dilated capillaries, most commonly affecting the nose, forehead, and cheeks.

Did you know by the age of 40 we lose about 2% collagen a year?

Collagen production begins to diminish starting at age 21 with the average woman’s skin decreasing in thickness by 7% every ten years. Collagen is the most important building block in the human body which makes up 70% of your skin, it prevents wrinkles from forming and it’s integrally involved in vital skin elasticity.

What causes skin aging?

Skin aging is influenced by several factors, including genetics, environmental exposure, hormonal changes, and metabolic processes. In humans, structual and functional changes attributable to aging and more visibly evident in the skin than in any other organ.

Intrinsic Factors

Intrinsic (internal factors) aging, or your natural aging process, begins appearing in your mid-20's:

Why Retinol is such a workhorse in your skin care regimen?

As we age our cycle of cell production slows down to about 45-60 days in our 40's and 50's and further slow down to 60-90 days in our 50's and 60's. Retinol is a vitamin A derivative that has been used for anti-aging and acne clients for years. Retinol stimulates the metabolism of skin cells and encourages collagen production. Retinol is much gentler when absorbed within the skin and it’s converted into tretinoin (the acid form of vitamin A, also known as retinoic acid).