When the COVID19 pandemic hit us and lockdowns began, we were likely expecting to be facing restrictions for much longer than we’d wanted and expected. Months, possibly. Instead, thanks in large part to frontline workers and the efforts of everyone else who has stayed at home and done the right thing, we’ve managed to flatten the curve and to avoid overwhelming the health system- for now. In the wake of this, there are plans afoot to open up certain types of surgery from next week, 27/4/2020 and to see what effect that has, if any, on cases. It’s worrying to see that some others have continued injecting and others will be resuming business from 27/4/2020. I’ve sought advice from my medical defence organisation and while it’s not illegal, their advice remains - they strongly advise against all non essential medical services in view of the risk despite all due precautions and the ongoing shortage of protective equipment for frontline workers including GPs to see actual sick people. I can’t in good conscience open at present so we will delay and wait until May 11 or so to see what the recommendation is. I’d hate to see a second wave because people take it upon themselves to open too soon after all the success we have achieved as a nation, largely due to the hardworking frontline workers who have taken the risk for all of us. We hope to open around May 11th or just after, and all being well, we will have plenty of time to focus on your skin goals this winter in a safe and ethical manner without taking away from frontline workers. Until then, please stay at home, stay safe and keep saving for your treatments. For those observing Ramadan, Ramadan Mubarak, we hope to open up bookings from Monday, May 11th if all remains well, and we look forward to welcoming you in our purpose built clinic just for skin soon. Bookings may be done here. We will post more closer to the date about how we aim to protect you and ourselves while caring for your skin, all being well. Hope to see you in clinic soon.  

Your skin is the largest organ in your body, yet for most of us, unless we have diseases affecting our skin, such as eczema (atopic dermatitis), or worse, we simply take this amazing organ for granted, and all the ways in which it protects us every single day over years of our lives.  Regardless of whether we care for this organ, it protects us from chemicals we come into contact with, it acts to hold organs inside and give us a boundary between what we understand to be “me” and the outside world. Often the first time we think of our skin, is as children, when we wear sunscreen to go to the beach, or at school prior to playing outdoors. For many of us, that is about the extent of our skincare regimen, especially if we are Caucasian, until decades later. If Asian, where beautiful and fair skinned people are highly regarded, girls grow up with strict admonitions against freckles, sunburn and protecting skin at all times. So when people comment on my skin, I can honestly say that most of it is due to genetics, diligent sun protection and a basic but effective skincare regimen that fits in with my lifestyle as a busy mum of 4. Well before I discuss injectables with a potential patient, I’m looking at, and assessing your skin quality, its hydration, its sun damage, if any. I’m looking for other signs of ageing such as wrinkles, sag, and other common and preventable conditions such as acne and more. That’s a big part of why I began Skin Essentials. The skin market is so huge, with so many people clamouring to get a foothold, it’s truly bewildering to know where to begin, much less who to trust.  While I love my other jobs as a GP and educator, Skin Essentials is intended to be a clinic where I indulge my passion for all things skin to help my patients achieve personalised goals to their best skin ever discreetly. What do we offer and how does it all work? Well, we offer everything from: basic skincare regimens personalised to you and your unique skin concerns, from teenage years through to your 60s and beyond.  Treatments that complement your skincare and help prevent (further) damage - acne, rosacea, hyperpigmentation, ageing and more by way of a treatment plan, duration and number of treatments, all packaged for you. Injectables such as anti wrinkle treatment, dermal fillers to reverse wrinkles and sag Thread lifts, especially for those who may not intend to go down the facelift path. So when is it a good time to care for this amazing organ we all have?  The best time is to begin before you think you’ve any problems, ie now, because without maintenance all skins suffer. There is no better time to begin your skincare plan than in winter, when the sun isn’t as harsh to undo some of the sun damage, especially since skin usually takes 3-6 months to respond. Are you ready to commit to your skin?