Acne.. It doesn’t even look like a nice word to write never mind a nice condition to suffer with.  Acne is one of those horrible skin disorders that is difficult to get rid of, it is hard to diagnose where the root of the problem lies in its chosen victims.  The severity of acne differs between individuals.  Some victims present with two pimples on their face, others will present with oily skin and congestion such as black heads, more will present with a severe covering of big, red spots complete with yellow heads and inflammation.  The person with the covering of spots might think that the other two people with congestion and spots is over exaggerating if they complain of having acne, but the reality is that all three individuals do in fact suffer with acne.  Medical practitioners would consider anyone with black heads or white heads an acne sufferer, spots are just the icing on the cake so to speak..!!  Due to the difference in the severity of acne four different grades were developed.  Grade one being your congestion and mild spots, then progressing to grad four you would present with red, big spots with or without a yellow head.  Grade four acne will be incredibly inflamed, painful and progressing into cysts and nodules, and grade four acne suffers can often find themselves in hospital getting the cysts drained.  Two spots doesn’t sound so bad anymore, does it??

Acne is a skin disease, and like any other disease it can strike at any time.  When ones thinks of acne one would often imagine a hormonal teenager with oily skin and breakout, so this is a teenager and teenagers are suppose to have spots and as they mature the spots will disappear, right..??  Wrong..!!  Acne as I have stated before can rear its ugly yellow head at any age from puberty onwards into adulthood and can refuse to move.  I can vouch for this.  I as a 28 year old adult I suffer with acne, and believe me it gets no easier to live with the older I get.  It is as embarrassing and as ugly as it was the day it arrived on my face at the tender age of ten years old.  And yes you are reading my words correctly, I developed acne at the age of ten.  So for eighteen long years I have been looking at my spot covered skin wondering how do I get rid of this join the dot game on my face?   This thought is always followed closely by WHY ME??  WHY MY FACE?? And then the dramatic melt down begins where I claw at my face pretending to rip it off, because no skin would be better than this skin, right?  Well the last bit may be a little exaggerated but you catch my drift.  Its horrible..!! 

So for eighteen long years I have woke to a pimple ridden face,  in all those years I have heard a million  reasons as to why I was cursed with this skin, and equally I have heard a million different ways in which to get rid of my curse.  But due to the fact that I still suffer with acne this will tell you exactly how effective most of the miracle cures were.  But firstly I will address the reasons as to why acne occurs, and just to set the record straight it is not because you have ate too many bags of chips or bars of chocolate (although too many of either never did anyone any good as far as I know!).  Acne can occur during puberty when hormones are surging and the body creates an excess amount of oil, this can create breakouts on the face, neck, back, chest and occasionally on the arms.  Then there are those who have adult acne, these are the lucky ducks who got through puberty without a pimple in sight but suddenly in their twenties break out.  Again this acne can occur anywhere but it is mainly found on the face and it is more common in girls than boys, again this is linked to those pesky hormones.  Then you have the people who have what is now medically being called the acne skin type.  Yes, acne clients now have their very own skin type all to themselves.  This will be a very general description, and some clients will have all the characteristics and some will have only a few.. but here goes..  Acne skin types generally get breakouts in their teens and it continues into adulthood.  They have thick oily skin but not necessarily overly oily.  They are prone to congestion such as black heads, white heads and spots.  These spots can be found on the face, neck, chest and back.  Acne skin types, according to medical journals, produce more skin cells than any other skin type.  So lets say the normal amount of skin cells a human produces in a day is one million, an acne skin type produces five million.  The build up of skin cells and excess oil then creates spots.  Sounds straight forward, but I am making this as basic as I can.  I am not even mentioning breakouts due to allergies, the bacteria that can cause breakouts, conditions due to hormonal imbalances etc… My information here is a small fish in a big spotty pond.

The really irritating problem with acne is that it sounds like it could be easily treat, but sadly nothing could be further from the truth.  There are a multitude of reasons for ones acne and the trick is finding the root of the cause. Therefore guess work is often used during the treating of acne.  As you may imagine guess work is exactly as it sounds, it is a guess… Sometimes the guess is right and more often that not the guess is wrong.  This for the sufferer is a bigger disappointment than one can even imagine.  The elated feeling one gets when they think that the cause of the condition has been determined and a treatment has been selected.  At that very moment the sufferer begins the dangerous pass time of imagining themselves with perfectly clear spot free skin…  It is only a matter of time until this glowing skin arrives, or so they think.  Sadly it does not always work out that way..!!  Acne is unnaturally stubborn and difficult to get rid of it, it seems to have some sort of magical power where by it can adapt to whatever potion you diligently apply to it. 

So what can be done to threat this nasty condition?  Doctors can prescribe topical antibiotics, medication and sometimes the contraceptive pill as it balances hormones.  There are a huge rang of acne skin care lines, and oil free products.  There are laser treatments, chemical peels and a range of facials too big for me to talk you through.  There are bizarre diets, dairy free diets, gluten free etc…  There are acupuncture treatments, reflexology treatments and I am sure that even the odd seventh son of a seventh son has been visited in the quest for perfect skin.  The truth, in my opinion is, treating acne is a massive learning curve.  Thankfully I have discovered the secret to curing my acne.  I doubted it when I seen it, but with nothing to lose except a spot or two I decided to give it a whirl.  It arrived in the super familiar shape of a bottle, well three bottles to be exact.  Some people doubt the ability of anything in a bottle as they have had bad experiences with them before, I too could have fell into this category.. but no more..!!  I diligently used my magic potions every morning and night (and still do), the road was long and as you can imagine spot covered and bumpy, but I have found the key that unlocked the clear skin that I always knew I possessed.  So I can now confidently say that I am a twenty eight and a half year old with clear skin.  I use my potions as religiously as ever on the off chance that those pesky spots decide to come back, and in my own head I will always probably think of myself as an acne sufferer, but thankfully my face tells a different tale…!!

 If I could give you any advise on finding clear skin it would be drink at least two litres of water every day, use oil free products and pick up the phone and give me a call here at Advanced Laser Light.  I can give personal advice to suit individuals and explain why I think certain treatments and products would work best for you.  And although it might take time I am as committed to clearing your skin as much as I am my own.  I hold a serious grudge with acne and I simply won’t be happy until I have eradicated it from every face in Ireland… having found the key to my own clear skin I now find in my possession a whole bunch of keys with no owners, so why not give me a call as one of them might be yours…!!

Hair removal is a constant worry, irritation and chore for some people.  When one thinks of hair removal most minds, not all, will wander to womens hair removal.  Bikini waxes, the shaving of legs and underarms, the bleaching of facial hair or the threading of eyebrows.  But why limit hair removal to just one sex?  Do both sexes not remove unwanted hair from their faces and bodies?  One might think reading this that the only hair removal performed by men is the daily shaving of the face, right?  Wrong.  Men, as the years move on, are becoming more and more aware of body hair.  Unwanted body hair to be exact.  Again one might think that surely no hair on a man is unwanted, right?  Wrong again.  Men are now becoming less and less tolerable with their own body hair.  Back hair, chest hair, excessive hair on the face and neck is all becoming more of an issue for men and they are seeking professional help to remove it.  The reason I am encouraging you to look outside the box when it comes to hair removal is because hair removal can be a very taboo subject, for both sexes.  Sadly there are individuals out there who think that there is something wrong, or a little a miss at least, with them due to the fact that they have hair or excessive hair in a particular area or all over the body.  I would like to change your thinking on body hair right now.

Firstly I would like to remind you that everyone has body hair, men and women a like.  Facial and body hair growth are due to the action of androgens, the family of hormones that includes testosterone.  Though androgens are loosely thought of “male hormones” this is very misleading.  Both sexes have active levels of testosterone in their blood.  However the levels in men are about ten times higher in men than in women.  At puberty levels in both sexes rise dramatically, hence this leads to the growth of body and facial hair.  Although humans are evolving our genetic make up has not changed dramatically in those years, body and facial hair has been around forever.  However the way in which we think of body hair has changed, and this believe it or not has more to do with fashion than anything else. 

When it comes to hair removal it is often and up hill battle.  Shaving hair means that a day or two later the process has to be done all over again.  With waxing one will be hair free for longer than with shaving, but inevitably the waxing will have to be performed again either within a few weeks or for the super lucky nearly two months later.  I am merely scratching the surface of hair removal but you catch my drift, shaving and waxing are hair removal processes that have to be performed again and again, and for the foreseeable future. 

But there is light at the end of the hair covered tunnel, and it comes in the shape of a laser.  Laser hair removal has been around for over fifteen years, but it is only now that people are really catching on to this new trend.  Advanced Laser Light was established in 1997, they were one of Ireland’s first laser clinics, and therefore have a huge array of knowledge in the field of laser therapy, priding themselves in this area after having the opportunity to try and test all the systems on the market.   Laser has come on in leaps and bounds in the last few years for a few reasons.  First the price of laser has reduced dramatically and is affordable for most everyone.  Secondly people are tired of other methods of hair removal which are expensive and are an on going chore with no end in sight.  People want a more permanent method of hair removal and they want to spend less time achieving this, and laser is the solution to all these problems.  Laser hair removal is fast becoming the way forward in facial and body hair removal.  Why?  There are many reasons for this:

• With laser hair reduction there is a reduction in the amount of hair after every treatment, something you will not get with any other method of hair removal.
• The treatments are quick, mess free and relatively pain free.
• The treatments are carried out every eight weeks because hair needs to be in the anagen phase of growth in order to get the best results, any less than eight weeks and results can not be guaranteed.  As with any reputable laser treatment no sooner should be required.
• There is relatively no down time with laser, we do however advise that one stays away from heat treatments and refrains from exercise for the remainder of the day.
• There is virtually no prolonged redness or discomfort after a laser treatment unlike waxing or threading which can be quite traumatic on the skin.
• Laser eliminates the risk of ingrown hairs which can be a big problem for individuals who are shaving, waxing, epilating or even plucking.
• Over 90% of individuals are very happy with their results.  Advanced Laser Light are the preferred clinic for rectifying bad laser experiences booked on a cheaper price and a better promise.
• Laser hair removal is suitable for everyone except for those with red or blond hair. 
• With the advances in the laser technology laser is now suitable for all skin types on the Fitzpatrick’s scale except skin type six. 
• Those suffering with excess hair growth due to hormonal can be treated very successfully.  The results on facial hair can be slow but achievable none the less.  Advanced Laser Light are the preferred clinic recommended by endomologists and dermatologists.  

It is crucial when committing to a course of laser that one has a full and thorough consultation.  Embarking on a course of laser is also an essential, and in our extensive experience no less than eight treatments, regardless of the area, will suffice in order to get the best results possible.  Laser is a very powerful tool in the removal of hair but as with anything else it is paramount that the laser is used in a safe manner.  The only way one can be guaranteed that they are getting the best and safest treatment available is to choose a reliable, well established clinic and a well trained therapist.  When you can tick those boxes you can be guaranteed a great result. 

Advanced Laser Light is offering an extensive menu on the areas that can be treated with laser, ranging from the very tiny to the larger areas.  To view our menu you can go to our web site www.advancedlaserlight.com.

Winter Skin Care

Winter has arrived with a bang this year.  The country was transformed into a Winter Wonderland within a matter of days, and were we prepared? No…most of us were not prepared.  What happens when we are not prepared for situations?  Most of us PANIC and the chaos begins!!  Suddenly everyone was concerned with salting roads, anti-freeze, shoes with grips and thermal clothes… When one is not expecting something then one can not prepare for it, so anyone who had these things in stock from last year was in luck.  There are somethings you can predict for Winter.  The cold harsh weather usually arrives, as can snow, frost and even more rain than is usual for this country.  So when it comes to ones skin in Winter it is better to be prepared for every eventuality as oppose to panicking over something you could not have predicted would either arrive, or in the severity that it did arrive in.  So that is the point of my blog.  Individuals can not predict what will happen to their skin over the Winter months, but a skin specialist like me has a fair good idea what can or could happen.  I will share my knowledge with you so yo don’t get caught out skin-wise as it is the best I can do to help you out this Winter.  Sadly I do not have a secret supply of snow grips for shoes to hand out….!!!!

We offer an array of high end skin care treatments in all our clinics and never more than in the harsh winter months does one need to look after ones skin.  Winter months brings a whole host of issues for our skin to deal with ranging from the cold, the wind, central heating, significant ranges of temperatures between inside and outside, irritations from scarfs and hats, not to mention the layers that we wear in winter which suffocates our skin leaving it dry and flaky.  All of these issues can exasperate conditions such as dry skin, sensitive skin, thread veins, psoriasis, eczema and increase irritations within the skin.  

So in order to keep our skin in tip-top condition there are a few subtle changes we need to make to our routines. 

• Firstly we need to insure that we are using a good moisturiser that is suitable for our skin type.  Temperature changes and central heating, to name but two, dry out the skin and leave it tight and flaky.  Everyone needs to invest in a good moisturiser to give the skin back the moisture that is being robbed from, it along with drinking at least a litre of water a day.
• Secondly we need to exfoliate our skin on a regular basis so as to insure that there is no build up of dry, dead skin cells and to insure that your skin absorbs all of the moisture available to it.  Exfoliation will increase the blood flow and gives the skins own function a helping hand.  It will leave the skin looking radiant and better able to absorb moisture.
• Third thing you need to do is invest in a good lip balm.  Cracked lips are very common during the winter months again because the cold will steal the moisture from them, so a good lip balm is essential.  It will keep the lips looking plump and very kissable coming up to Mistletoe Time…or after it……!!!!!
• Lastly everyone needs to continue to wear their Sun Screen which will help to protect the skin from Sun Light (yes even in Winter!! Daylight is the work of the Sun… Therefore if there is light there is Sun!!) Sun screen is not just for the beach, it is essential to protect the skin from harmful rays from the sun.  And everyone knows that the sun is the biggest ager to the skin.  So protect your skin, keep it young and fresh looking, avoid pigmentation and USE A SUN SCREEN!!! SPF’s also protect the harsh winter environmental elements!!

And of course when discussing Winter the one thing that pops into everyones head is the very important, long awaited for Festive Season, or as others call it “the silly season”.  This is a time of year when our inner child rears its mischievous head, when all rules, diets and good habits go out the window and weeks of bending the non existent rules commences.  Oh the fun.  But all too soon January arrives coated in bleakness, the partying is over and all that is left is a very tired, worn out body (with skin to match.) and memories of good diets, rules and regimens.   Overindulging can take its toll on both the body and the skin.  One can feel sluggish, tired and jaded, and sadly this can often be seen in ones face.  Bags under the eyes are a common sight in January, as are breakouts, black head and congestion (often caused by not taking off ones make-up after a hectic night out..BOLD..!!), and a dull grayish completion which is just screaming out for help!!  Well help is certainly at hand here.  These conditions can be easily rectified and the skin clock can be turned back to days of polished, glowing skin with the right products and some expert advice.  Some people totally under estimate the power of products, and see them as unnecessary expense.  However products, when recommended correctly, have the power to turn the skin around and transform it.  They have the ability to hydrate and give the skin the nutrition it is crying out for after the party season.  And a word to the wise.. NEVER underestimate the power of a good eye cream, the eternally youthful swear by them….!!!

So why not leave your computer now, go and take a good look in the mirror and examine your own skin and decide whether the aggressive Winter or the draining Festive Season has taken its toll on your own skin.  Maybe it was a winter three or even ten years ago that took its toll on your skin?  Remember it is never too late to give your skin a helping hand at recovery or maintenance.  Here in Advanced Laser Light we have access to the best quality equipment and products.  We have a wealth of knowledge we are only too anxious to share.  We know that there is no task too big or too small as either can make a massive difference to each individual.  So what ever your concern we would be delighted to deal with it, a skin problem shared is a skin problem halved….!!!!

Christmas Gift Ideas

For most people Christmas is a wonderful time of the year.  It is a time for celebrating and reuniting with loved ones.  It is a time for eating, drinking and being merry.  It is a time for the giving and receiving of gifts.  And it is the latter that has the ability to send a shiver to the very core for some people…. For a lot of people the Festive season can pose a selection of gift related issues.  What to get..???  Where to get it…???  Will the receiver like it…??  How much to spent…???  As the years pass by these questions become no easier to answer, options are fewer and our material belongings are mounting up in the cupboard.   So what not treat a loved one to something that will enhance their life day in day out…??  Why not leave the socks and jumpers for now and concentrate on enhancing something that they wear every day…..  Some thing that they can use every day…  And something that they can see improvements every day…??? Sounds ideal right…. It is…  Every one be it man or woman has skin, and everyone’s skin requires a helping hand now and then.  This is why customised product gift boxes and vouchers make the perfect gift.  They are tailor made and customised to each individuals needs.  Christmas is all about giving people treats that they would not get for themselves on any average day.  It is about spoiling people, and making them feel good.  So why not give a gift that lasts longer than the festive season.  Here are our suggestions……

Voucher gift cards are an ideal gift around this holiday time.  Everyones skin needs a helping hand in these cold, winter months and a voucher is the perfect way to ensure that the glow is kept year round.  We here at Advanced Laser Light customize all our facials to suit the clients needs.  As stockists of the Dermalogica, Image and Australian Tea Tree Bodycare ranges we use only the best products which not only give instant but long lasting results to each individual’s skin.  So the gift of a voucher lasts longer than the Christmas Season.

Purchasing a product gift box is also a lovely gift for a loved one, and it is one gift that will not sit there gathering dust like so many other.  The key to giving the perfect gift box is to have be able to give a good description of the person in minds skin type.  This will insure that all the correct products are chosen and that they will not only enhance but feed the individuals skin, and the end result being beautiful, plump glowing skin.  These gift boxes are not only for the women but loved by the men also.  Here in Advanced Laser Light we stock the much sought after Dermalogica Mens Shave Range.  This rang stimulates the skin, makes it look bright, sloughs off dead dry skin cells or sooths dry irritated skin…  You name the condition and this range has a product to alleviate it. 

A very popular gift this Christmas is the gift of a Teeth Whitening Treatment.  Again this treatment can be seen as a luxury, but this festive season you could give someone the gift of a sparkling smile.  We stock the amazing Beyond White Spa home teeth whitening kits which also makes a beautiful gift for loved ones. 

Christmas is a time for giving and receiving, but Christmas after Christmas we accumulate more and more unwanted and unused gifts.  So this year why not give a gift that can enhance your loved ones life.  Give a gift that will be used, appreciated and that will make a difference all year round.

For Gift Vouchers, Product Gift boxes and information call us here at Advanced Laser Light and we will point you in the right direction.

Chemical Peel

When you hear the words chemical peel what image pops into your head?? Do you see fresh, healthy, brighter, tighter, youthful looking skin?? Or are you imagining red, irritated, angry skin that is peeling off your face in strips and sheets?  Sadly most people picture the latter and because of this inaccurate picture that has been painted so many people are missing out on what can be a life changing, and certainly a skin changing treatment!! 

Firstly let me actually explain to you what a chemical peel is.  A chemical peels is an accelerated form of exfoliation induced by a chemical agent.  When the acids are applied to the skin they break down the links between the skin cells, this action allows dead skin cells to be released and shed, and it accelerates the production of fresh, plump new skin cells.  Doesn’t sound so scary now does it??  Thought not…

Next you may wonder what kinds of acids are used in these peels?  The most common acids used in chemical peels are glycolic, salicylic, kojic, citric, hyaluronic and lactic acids. These acids are derived from natural sources such as the willow bark tree, mushrooms, fruit and milk, and this is to name but a few.  With the wide selection of acids available this inturn means that a wide variety of skin conditions can be treated.  Each of these acids can be used to address skin issues including pigmentation, premature aging, sun damage, acne, rosacea, dull complexion, dehydration and again this is to name but a few.

It is important for a client to have realistic expectations when going for a chemical peel.  The first job of a chemical peel is to accelerate the rate at which dead skin is shed, its next goal is to accelerate the rate of cell turnover within the skin.  As we age the rate of cell turnover slows down, the acids in the peels will boost this turnover and create new skin cells.  The peel will then begin to tackle the concern at hand, be it acne, pigmentation, rosacea etc, this is why it is essential that chemical peels are completed in courses.  Normally a course of peels is four treatments, however depending on the severity and the nature of the condition six peels may be needed.  For the necessary length of a course of peels to be determined it is essential that a client attends a trained professional for a professional consultation with realistic goals.  No matter what peel is used a realistic expectation would be lighter, brighter, tighter, plumper looking skin, with a fantastic improved texture.

One of the myths out there concerning chemical peels is that the skin will end up looking raw, red and peel off the face in strips.  This is not the case.  Some of the side effects of a peel can be tightness in the skin (due to the release of dry, dead skin cells), initially a dull complexion (again due to the release of dead skin cells) and mild shedding can occur.  These side effects are not dramatic, should not last long, and will develop with very little, or no, disruption to ones life.

So from reading this I hope the inaccurate and unfair reputation that surrounds chemical peels has been removed and replaced with a curiosity and an admiration for such simple ingredients with such powerful abilities.  To find out more about these magical peels please feel free to call any of our below numbers and any of our trained therapists would be only too happy to tell you more.

Summertime is a much awaited time of the year for some sun worshippers but for those who suffer from blonde soft downy hairs on the face it’s a total nightmare. For some reason the suns rays seem to act like a big magnifier highlighting any blonde facial hair making people so conscious and so aware of the hair when normally it may not have been a problem before. A good tip is if you are applying make up, sweep over the areas of blonde hair to remove assess make – up as make-up as this can accentuate this type of hair.

The removal of hair by laser treatment works amazing for the darker hairs but again this treatment was always looked upon as unfair by the lighter hair sufferers, as they were not suitable for treatment. But as time moves on and the standard of technology advances. There is finally a new breakthrough treatment available out there for all hair colour’s. Blonde, white and red hairs are now successfully treatable by the Applisonnix ultrasound system.

Everyone is suitable for this treatment and each treatment is spaced out at 2-3 weeks intervals at the beginning. A course of 10 treatments are recommended depending on the area. Unlike the laser the individual need not have to have pale complexion, as the Applisonnix can treat even the darkest skin type, and is pain free.

For more information or if you need good advice on this treatment please contact Advanced Laser Light. offering one to one consultations free of charge.

Not sure about which type of machine is best for your needs?  Our guide to I.P. L and the different types of laser should guide you in the right direction.

Now is the time to start preparing your skin to glow for the spring and summer. Shedding that tired, dull look is only one step away. Introducing exfoliation to your skin care regime will reduce the signs of aging, brighten the skin and improve the skin texture.  Exfoliation will benefit all skin types from oily to dry, aging skin.

Benefits of exfoliation your skin

• Exfoliating is the best and only way to keep your skin smooth, soft and looking young.
• No matter how much lotions and potions you are applying on your skin, if you are not exfoliating your skin on a regular basis it will not absorb all the benefits your skin care has to offer and therefore will not work.
• Keeps skin looking fresh and healthy by avoiding breakouts.
• Increases cell renewal therefore reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
• De-clogs pores and helps prevent blackheads.
• Removes all the dead skin cells that your skin has shed
• Improves hydration to the skin by increasing circulation to the skin cells and bringing nutrients to the skin.

Recommended  Dermalogica Exfoliants to use:

Skin Prep Scrub: A physical polishing exfoliant that leaves the skin instantly looking fresh

Gentle Cream Exfoliant: A gentle non-abrasive exfoliant perfect for the most sensitive skins that dramatically improves skin texture.

Daily Microfoliant: A gentle enzymatic exfoliant which can be used daily on the most sensitive skin type to help improve overall appearance of congestion and dryness along with giving a brightening effect to the skin.

So why not drop into our clinic today for free skin analysis to discover your tailor made skin care regime for your individual needs and take one step further and treat yourself to a deeper peel for clinic use only for powerful results.