Journal

Welcome to my skincare journey, a tale of transformation, self-discovery, and the incredible impact of Ivy Clinic. Two years ago, I stepped through the doors of Ivy Clinic, clueless about how to care for my skin and prone to impulsive skincare choices that wreaked havoc on my complexion. Little did I know that this initial visit would mark the beginning of a remarkable voyage towards radiant and healthy skin. From the moment I experienced my first treatment at Ivy Clinic, I was blown away by the expertise and genuine passion exuded by the knowledgeable staff. They guided me on an enlightening path, educating me about my skin's needs and introducing me to Ultraceuticals, a skincare brand that would become my holy grail. With a newfound dedication to a consistent morning and evening routine, I witnessed a remarkable transformation in my skin—gone were the breakouts and blemishes, replaced by a luminous glow that I had only dreamed of. (Before- left; after- right. Demonstrates a reduction in blemishes, irritation, hyper-pigmentation & fine lines plus improved hydration & skin strength). Regular visits to Ivy Clinic every 5-6 weeks have become a cherished ritual, a rejuvenating escape from the demands of everyday life. The treatments are nothing short of amazing. The radiant aftermath, coupled with soothing skin treatments and indulgent hand massages, leaves me feeling refreshed and revitalised on every occasion. As I have bid farewell to bad habits and embraced a more a disciplined approach, my skin has thrived. No longer drowning in a sea of skincare products, I now know exactly what my skin needs and I'm diligent about applying the right ones. The results? Pigmentation fading, blemishes disappering, and my skin exudes an undeniable freshness and radiance.     (UV Light - shows reduction in hyper-pigmentation caused by sun damage predominately through the central panel).  Start your skincare journey at Ivy Clinic today! Book a Skin Discovery...   Quick Fire 5 with Gennady... 1) Fav skincare product and why? Ultimate SPF 50 Hydrating Moisturiser - it's kept my skin safe from sunburn over summer and is the number one thing I won’t ever not put on my face. 2) Hottest skin tip? Routine! It's so important to have a good routine when it comes to your skin. Every morning and every night I apply the same products and my skin looks better than ever. 3) Fav treatment at Ivy Clinic and why? 'Mandelic Dialled to the Max' is my favourite. It combats oily skin and breakouts plus I always walk out feeling so refreshed.  4) If you could tell your teenage self something about skincare what would it be? Start using the right skin care earlier. I never did anything to my skin and I most certainly never wore sunscreen. Oh if I could turn back time! 5) Worst skin habit you have had to kick to improve your skin? I used to have a whole lot of random, unprescribed skin care not know what to do with it. It left my skin in constant breakouts and redness but now that's a thing of the past.   Start your skincare journey at Ivy Clinic today! Book a Skin Discovery...

The best anti-ageing skincare routine will vary depending on your individual skin needs and preferences, however we have whipped together Ivy Clinic's top 8 recommendations to kick start your anti-ageing journey.  Book a Skin Discovery 1. Cleanse: Start by cleansing your face with a gentle cleanser that suits your skin type. Choose a cleanser that effectively removes dirt, oil, and makeup without stripping the skin of its natural moisture. 2. Exfoliate: We suggest a chemical exfoliant, such as alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs), to remove dead skin cells and promote cell turnover. Exfoliating 1-2 times a week can help improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and dull skin. 3. Apply a treatment serum: Look for serums containing ingredients like retinol, vitamin C, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, or antioxidants. These ingredients can help improve skin texture, reduce the appearance of wrinkles, boost collagen production, and protect against environmental damage.    4. Moisturise: Hydrate your skin with a moisturiser that is suitable for your skin type. Look for moisturisers that contain ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, sodium hyaluronate or peptides, which can help improve hydration and maintain the skin's moisture barrier. 5. Protect with Sunscreen: Sun protection is crucial for preventing premature aging. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 every day, even on cloudy days. Look for sunscreens that offer both UVA and UVB protection.   6. Eye Cream: Use a targeted eye cream to address specific concerns like fine lines, wrinkles, or dark circles around the delicate eye area. Look for ingredients like peptides, retinol, vitamin C, or caffeine. 7. Healthy Lifestyle Habits: In addition to a skincare routine, adopting healthy lifestyle habits can contribute to overall skin health. Get enough sleep, drink plenty of water, eat a balanced diet rich in antioxidants, and avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. 8. Consider Professional Treatments: Depending on your goals and budget, you may want to explore professional anti-aging treatments like chemical peels, hydrobrasion, dermal fillers, anti-wrinkle injectables or IPL photo-rejuvenation.      Remember, consistency is key when it comes to skincare. It may take time to see results, so be patient and stick to your routine. And don't be afraid to ask for guidance - our skin therapists are here to help you achieve your skin goals.     Book a Skin Discovery

IPL is a popular treatment for addressing a range of skin concerns, thanks to its safety, effectiveness and minimal (if any) downtime. To help optimise the results of your IPL procedure, Ivy Clinic’s highly trained therapist have put together this article about what to expect before, during and after IPL. BEFORE Booking an IPL consultation at Ivy Clinic First, you’ll book a consultation with one of our caring therapists, to figure out whether IPL is suitable for you to address these skin concerns: Hyperpigmentation Sunspots/age spots Redness/rosacea Broken capillaries Unwanted hair Before your consultation, we’ll send you a couple of forms to complete: our medical form, and the Fitzpatrick Test. Your Fitzpatrick score is a gauge of your skin type, and suitability for IPL. We can safely and effectively treat Fitzpatrick 3 or below.    Know your skin type. Take the Fitzpatrick Test now. Have a Fitzpatrick score higher than 3? No worries, you’re still welcome to chat with a therapist. Ivy Clinic offers plenty of options for addressing the above skin concerns that don't involve IPL.  Your IPL consultation The initial 30-minute consultation at Ivy Clinic costs just $50, which is redeemable on future IPL treatments. During this initial consultation, you and your therapist will: Discuss and assess your skin concerns Go through the best treatment options available to address those skin concerns Determine how suitable IPL is for you. This will include your medical history, your Fitzpatrick score, whether IPL is right for addressing your particular skin concerns, your ability to commit to a course of treatment, and the season. (If it’s summer, you’ll need to wait until autumn, for example.) Go over the IPL treatment process: how it works, safety precautions and possible side effects, and the results you can expect. Look at the treatment packages available for your skin concern and the area to be treated.  Then, if you and your therapist decide IPL is right for you, you’ll sign our consent form and book in for your first treatment session. BTW. Because it can increase photosensitivity, we only use IPL during the cooler months. Your therapist will schedule your treatments with this in mind. Take a look at Ivy Clinic IPL packages. DURING Here’s a walkthrough of the IPL treatment process here at Ivy Clinic. Other clinics may have slightly different steps. Everything we do is to minimise discomfort, support healing and optimise your results. Throughout the session, your therapist will talk you through the process. Please ask questions and let your therapist know if you have if you have any concerns. Your therapist will make sure you’re warm, comfy and the area to be treated is exposed. The treatment area will be assessed, cleansed, and prepped. Your therapist will map the area with a white pencil. If you’re having hair removed, the area will be gently shaved (or you can shave the area beforehand – the morning or night before your appointment). Your therapist will programme the correct dose of energy for your treatment into the IPL machine. This dose is expertly pre-calculated by your therapist based on your consultation. Both you and your therapist will put on the appropriate eye protection. Your therapist will apply a cooling ultrasound gel to the area being treated followed by the IPL device. Your therapist will warn you with a countdown before delivering the light. You may feel a small flick or warmth when the button is pressed. Your therapist will then move to another spot and repeat until the entire area has been treated.   AFTER The aim of IPL aftercare at Ivy Clinic is to optimise your results, while minimising side effects and speeding up skin repair. After your treatment, your therapist will look at how your skin’s responded to the treatment and the likely way your skin will act over the next few days: i.e. slight reddening, mild flaking of darker sunspots etc. The area that has been treated may feel slightly hot and tender, like a mild sunburn. You’ll need to use non-active products and avoid sweaty workouts and hot showers for a day or two. Expect an email the day after your treatment with your aftercare instructions. You can also find our aftercare resources here. You’ll also book your next IPL session. The time between sessions depends on your skin concern, and how many sessions you need. Here are some timings: Hair removal 4 weeks between sessions 8-12 sessions (future maintenance treatments may be needed) Hyperpigmentation, facial redness (including rosacea), facial rejuvenation (collagen induction) 4 weeks between sessions 4-6 treatments  The reason for the season At Ivy Clinic we only carry out IPL treatments between March and October. To get you the best outcomes and avoid damaging your skin, we avoid doing IPL treatments in the summer. Having IPL while your skin is being exposed to the summer sun can downgrade your results or even exacerbate your skin concerns.

- Discovering Your Skin Type with the Fitzpatrick Score - We understand that everyone's skin is unique. That's why we use the Fitzpatrick Skin Type Score as a guide to help determine the best skincare treatments and products for our clients. Our Skin Experts have put their heads together to explain what the Fitzpatrick Skin Type Score is and how it can help you achieve healthy, beautiful skin. What is the Fitzpatrick Skin Type Score? The Fitzpatrick Skin Type Score is a numerical classification system based on an individual's skin colour and reaction to the sun. The score ranges from Type 1 to Type 6, with Type 1 being the lightest skin and Type 6 being the darkest. The Fitzpatrick Skin Type Score takes into account several factors, including: Genetic disposition Skin colour Reaction to the sun Tanning habits Presence of freckles or moles Why is the Fitzpatrick Skin Type Score important? It helps us determine the best skincare treatments and products by giving us a deeper understanding of our clients skin behaviour. People with different skin types have different skincare needs, and what works for one person may not work for another. For example, we are unable to treat people with a score 4 or greater with intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy. People with Fitzpatrick skin type 4 or above are at higher risk of developing complications from IPL. This is because their skin contains more melanin, which absorbs more light energy during IPL and can result in burns, hyperpigmentation, or scarring therefore we have a selection of alternative treatments on offer.    At Ivy Clinic, we offer a range of skincare treatments and products tailored to each individual's skin type. Our experienced team can help you determine your Fitzpatrick Skin Type Score and recommend the best skincare regimen to help you achieve healthy, beautiful skin.  Book a Skin Discovery consult now!   TAKE THE TEST...(get your calculators ready)...  Eye colour? Natural hair colour? 0. Light colours 1. Blue, grey, green 2. Hazel or light brown 3. Dark brown 4. Black 0. Sandy red 1. Blonde 2. Chestnut or dark blonde 3. Brown 4. Black Natural skin colour (without sun)? Freckles? 0. Reddish 1. Pale 2. Beige or olive 3. Brown 4. Dark brown 0. Many 1. Several 2. Few 3. Rare 4. None If you stay in the sun for too long (without sunscreen)? Do you turn brown/tan? 0. Painful blisters, peeling 1.  Mild blisters, peeling 2. Burn, mild peeling 3. Rare 4. No burning 0. Never 1. Seldom 2. Gradually 3. Usually 4. Always (quickly) How brown do you get?  Is your face sensitive to sun (without sunscreen)? 0. Never 1. Light tan 2. Medium tan 3. Dark tan 4. Deep dark tan 0. Very sensitive 1. Sensitive  2. Sometimes 3. Resistant 4. Never had a problem How often do you actively tan? When was your last tan? 0. Never 1. Seldom 2. Something 3. Frequently 4. Regularly 0. More than 3 months ago 1. 2-3 months ago 2. 1-2 months ago 3. A few weeks ago 4. A few days ago   Now add up your total number of points....  Fitzpatrick Skin Type 1 = 0-6  Fitzpatrick Skin Type 2 = 7-13 Fitzpatrick Skin Type 3 = 14-20 Fitzpatrick Skin Type 4 = 21-27 Fitzpatrick Skin Type 5 = 28-34 Fitzpatrick Skin Type 6 = 35+   What are the different skin types according to the Fitzpatrick Skin Type Score? Type 1: Pale white skin, blue or green eyes, red or blond hair. Always burns, never tans. Type 2: Fair skin, blue or green eyes, blond or light brown hair. Burns easily, tans minimally. Type 3: Fair to medium skin, hazel or brown eyes, dark blond or light brown hair. Burns moderately, tans gradually. Type 4: Olive or light brown skin, brown eyes, dark brown hair. Burns minimally, tans easily. Type 5: Brown skin, dark brown eyes, dark hair. Rarely burns, tans easily and darkly. Type 6: Dark brown or black skin, dark brown eyes, black hair. Never burns, tans very easily and deeply.   ***Remember that this is just a general guideline, and your skin may not fit perfectly into one specific category. It's always important to use sunscreen and protect your skin from the sun's harmful rays, regardless of your skin type. If you have any concerns about your skin or sun exposure, consult with a skin specialist.   Book a Skin Discovery consult now!

Walking, driving, chores, gardening, hand washing, clapping… Could we give a warm round of applause to our hardest working extremities, please? The skin on our hands has to deal with a lot. It follows then, that skin ageing on hands is a natural and expected process.   But if you’re concerned about your hands showing wrinkles, pigmentation or dryness, there are several steps you can take to slow that train, or maybe even back the truck up (to mix our metaphors). And because she’s an expert in skin rejuvenation, here’s Ivy Clinic expert therapist Isabella to share some of the most effective treatments. You could even say she’s an ‘old hand’ at this. (Sorry, we’ll keep working on better material, promise.)     1) Moisturise ✌️ Having dry, cracked skin and cuticles can make your hands look older, and more crepey. Lack of moisture not only makes hands appear more wrinkled, it can also contribute to an impaired skin barrier, exposing hands to a range of skin conditions. I won’t go anywhere without a tube of hand cream. At Ivy Clinic we have the Henné Organic Hand Cream range - it’s fully loaded with super nourishing plant oil goodness including Argan, olive, jojoba, rosehip, avocado, shea butter and more. Perfect for protecting my hands against the dry climate and extreme seasons down south.     2) Treat yourself to regular manicures 💅 It’s one thing to care for the skin on your hands, but if those hands end in hangnails and chipped polish, it’s gonna spoil the overall effect. As part of my self-care routine, I like to take a few minutes to clean up those cuticles and bask in the goodness of cuticle oil. I’m all for low maintenance when it comes to polish, a simple hardening base coat, or neutral tone, stays looking tip top for longer.   3) Dermapen! 🖊️ I’ve seen beautiful results here at Ivy Clinic from using Dermapen on hands. Yup, micro needling is a rejuvenating skin treatment that works by using tiny needles to cause tiny micro-injuries to the skin, triggering the body to produce elastin and collagen, and build a fresh layer of skin. This new skin looks and feels tighter, smoother and more youthful.     4) IPL treatment 💡 IPL is a light treatment that harnesses a special wavelength of visible light to target and destroy pigment – visibly reducing superficial spots on our hands that develop over the years from sun exposure and other damage. I’ve been doing extensive training on IPL techniques, and am thrilled that we’re launching IPL at Ivy Clinic soon. If you’re keen to find out more, make sure you’re on our mailing list.   5) Profhilo Injections 💉 Profhilo is an ideal treatment to correct fine lines & wrinkles across your hands. Thanks to Profhilo's intensely hydrating hyaluronic acid formulation, the skin has the power to retain more water, which helps to firm up aged or wrinkled skin. If you’re not sure whether this treatment is for you, you could book a FREE Profhilo consult with one of our Cosmetic Registered Nurses.   6) Use sun protection!!! ☀️ Sun damage ages hands like nothing else for our hands. Here in New Zealand, the sun’s particularly harsh, but this advice applies pretty much everywhere. Remember when you’re putting SPF on your face (Every. Single. Day.) to share the love with the backs of your hands too. A nice pair of driving gloves wouldn't go astray – chic and protective! We stock some excellent sun care products – take a look online, or ask us for recommendations at your next session.    7) Look at lifestyle factors 🥗 Just like the skin on our faces, our daily habits affect how our hands age. Consider whether you need to drink more water, eat more good oils, fruit and veg’, quit smoking or work on your stress and sleep levels. Everything counts.    

Meet Kaylie Harrison – Ivy Clinic co-director and highly experienced Cosmetic Registered Nurse. She’s our resident injectables guru, one of our co-founding ‘Mothers’, and a generally busy, productive person. Luckily, she’s absolutely lovely with it, and took time out of her full schedule to answer our 10 questions in 10 minutes.   How long have you been nursing for and cosmetic nursing for? Nursing, I graduated in 2000 so a-a-a-ages ago ha ha. Cosmetic Nursing, I started in 2016. What made you choose this career path? Well, I have a real passion for caring for people – which I managed to fulfil through doing hospital nursing for 15 years. But being a Cosmetic Registered Nurse means I can care for people, while also creating a clinic environment that makes people feel happy and welcomed.   What aspect of cosmetic nursing do you like the most? And client relationships, which develop over years: I am still seeing some people that I started treating in my first year of working in the industry. I love seeing the inner confidence that grows more and more over time, when clients get results they’re happy with.   What aspect of cosmetic nursing do you least like? Unrealistic and unattainable looks that are portrayed in the media, that make some people feel insecure about their own unique beauty. I know that could sound confusing but I like to help people preserve and maintain their own natural beauty. Not change the way they look to try and look like someone who has been photo shopped.   Any unexpected surprises you've experienced in the job? How much I love it!! I have always been quite natural in my own appearance, so wasn't even sure myself if I would like working in this industry. Then I realised there are treatments that offer lovely subtle results, and guarantee to start softening a line or two. It feels good to make people feel good!   How do you manage being a director, injector, and mum? I’m not sure, ha ha ha... with lots of help from my lovely husband, work wife (Ebony), family and friends. You also need to recognise when you're not coping and see what's out of balance and needs some tweaking. I think we’re all a work in progress.   What is your favourite treatment to do on clients? I love the guaranteed results clients get with Botulinum toxins, from low downtime and low risk. It’s so good to see the fresh look when the Botulinum toxin kicks in – which takes a few days to a week to show the full effect.   What are your top tips when choosing an injector? If going somewhere new, do your research, ask around. Book a consultation before you actually go ahead with treatment and see if you like the person and feel safe in their care. They are medical treatments and that deserves respect. You should be seeing a safe and skilled injector who can provide you with proper follow-up care.   Any advice for people who might be hesitant/scared/unsure of injectables? If you're interested but not sure, then just go for a consultation to discuss things. A good injector should be able to provide you with good education and answer all your questions with no obligations or hard sell.   And lastly, like to spill the tea on your favourite Ivy Clinic treatments? Again, in terms of bang for buck, a touch of strategically placed Botox. I also love a 50-minute Luxe Deluxe facial with one of our experienced skin therapists to help me unwind. Those facial massages are absolute magic!   Book a zero-obligation Appearance Medicine Consultation with Kaylie or another highly trained Ivy Clinic Cosmetic RN.       ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------     BOTOX® PRODUCT INFORMATIONBOTOX® is a Prescription Medicine containing 100 units of clostridium botulinum Type A toxin complex for injection. It is used for the treatment of severe frown lines of the face. It should be administered only by trained medical professionals. Botox has risks and benefits. Talk to your specialist about the benefits/risks of this procedure in appearance medicine. Cautions: people with defective neuromuscular transmission disorders, presence of infection at site of injection, glaucoma, pregnancy and lactation. Possible side effects include headaches, pain, burning or redness at injection site, local muscle weakness including drooping eyelids, lack of feeling and nausea. If you have side effects or concerns speak to your doctor. A charge applies. Note Botox treatment lasts about 4 months and after this time further courses of treatment could be necessary. Speak to your medical practitioner about your own situation. For more information read the Consumer Medicine Information for these products available at www.medsafe.govt.nz

As we bid farewell to 2023 and welcome the freshness of a new year, it's time to turn our attention to those resolutions that go beyond the typical promises of hitting the gym or cutting down on screen time. This year, let's pledge to give our skin the love and attention it deserves. As your fearless skin cheerleaders, we've curated a list of simple yet impactful changes to elevate your skincare routine and make 2024 your best skin year yet!   1. Get an Up-to-Date Skin Assessment Just as we evolve over the years, so does our skin. The products and treatments that worked wonders for you a few years ago might not be as effective now. Schedule regular assessments with a skin therapist to ensure you're on the right track. Your skin therapist will guide you in tailoring your routine to your current skin needs, helping you achieve those radiant goals. Embrace change, and let your skin thrive! --> check out our Skin Discovery diagnostic facial <--      2. Simplify Your Skincare Routine Out with the old and in with the effective! Take a good look at your skincare stash and bid farewell to expired products and those that aren't delivering the results you crave. Simplify your routine with well-thought-out products, focusing on active ingredients that cater to your skin's unique requirements. An uncomplicated routine not only saves you time but also prevents unnecessary sensitivities, ensuring your skin gets the love it deserves without the overwhelm.   3. Use a Treatment Serum Elevate your skincare game by introducing a treatment serum into your routine. Cleansing and moisturising are essential, but a targeted serum can address specific skin concerns. Consult your skin therapist to find the perfect serum that aligns with your goals. Whether it's tackling fine lines, hyperpigmentation, or hydration, a treatment serum can work wonders, giving your skin that extra boost of love and care.   Ageing – Ultimate Perfecting A Serum (Retinol) Saggy/loose skin – Ultimate C Firming Serum (Vitamin C) Pigmentation – Ultimate Brightening Serum Dehydration – Ultimate B2 Hydrating Serum     4. Treat Yourself to More Professional Treatments Homecare is crucial, but for that extra oomph, indulge in professional treatments every 4-6 weeks. Your skin therapist will assess your unique needs and recommend in-clinic treatments that can take your skin to new heights. Not sure where to begin? Kickstart your journey with a diagnostic facial to understand your skin better. Remember, investing in professional treatments is an investment in the long-term health and radiance of your skin.      --> Check out our Skin Discovery diagnostic facial <--   5. Wash Your Pillowcase Regularly Sometimes, the simplest changes make the most significant impact. Your pillowcase can harbour oils, skin, and hair impurities, leading to bacteria buildup and potential allergies. Combat this by washing your pillowcase regularly, ideally every second day. It's a small step with big rewards, ensuring your skin enjoys a clean and fresh environment every night.     6. Avoid Hot Water on Your Face While a hot shower or face wash might be tempting, especially during the chilly winter months, it's time to reconsider. Hot water can strip your skin of its natural oils, leaving it dry and vulnerable. Dry skin can compromise your skin barrier, making you susceptible to various skin conditions. Opt for lukewarm water to cleanse your face, preserving your skin's natural moisture and promoting a healthy complexion.   As we step into 2024, let's prioritise our skin health with these simple yet transformative resolutions. Your skin deserves the best, and by incorporating these changes into your routine, you're setting the stage for radiant and healthy skin throughout the year. Cheers to a year filled with glowing skin, confidence, and self-love! 💖✨  

Whether it’s a short burst in the sun or a full-on day in the water, sun protection is a must in your daily skincare routine. But with so many sun care brands on the market, it’s hard to know which sun protection products are right for your skin. So what do you need to factor in when choosing a sunscreen this summer? Consider this article your go-to guide to getting your precious skin the sun protection it deserves. Why does our skin need protection from the sun? Exposure to UV radiation produced by the sun can result in skin damage, wrinkles, premature ageing, problems with melanin production sunburn and even skin cancer. Physical vs chemical sunscreens – what’s the difference, and how do different formulations work? -   Physical (aka mineral) sunscreens deliver broad-spectrum protection, and act by blocking and reflecting UV radiation away from your skin using minerals like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as active ingredients. -   Chemical sunscreens contain active ingredients that absorb UV rays before your skin can. How to choose the right sunscreen?  Here are our 5 recommendations. 1. Consider the SPF – most dermatologists recommend using a SPF 30 or higher, as 30+ blocks out approximately 97% of UVB rays and 50+ will block up to 98%. 2. Check the active ingredients –  physical/mineral sunscreens will have formulas that contain zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide. And in chemical sunscreens you should be looking for ingredients such as octinoxate, octocrylene, oxybenzone and avodenzone. Ingredients to avoid are aminobenzoic acid (PABA) and trolamine salicylate. If you’re taking a dip in the ocean, opt for a physical/mineral formulation, which is safer for swimming near precious coral reef ecosystems. 3. Check the label for ‘Broad Spectrum’ – this ensures your skin is protected from both UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays age your skin cells (causing wrinkles and sagging) and can cause indirect damage to their DNA, as well as potentially playing a role in some skin cancers. UVB rays penetrate and damage skin’s upper layers, causing suntan, sunburn and, in extreme cases, blistering. Both UVA and UVB are also known carcinogens. 4. Pick your sun protection format – consider which SPF format will give the look and feel you’re after on your skin. -   Spray: perfect for the hard-to-reach places, those on the go, children & easy reapplication. Another bonus – great for hairy body parts. -   Physical/Mineral lotion: Good for sensitive or acne skin types and children, and suitable for both face and body. Some formulations can look and feel a bit chalky, so if this is the case, we recommend a tinted lotion, especially for darker skin tones. -   Chemical lotion: these lotions don’t leave a visible film layer on the skin, making them easier to wear on most skin tones. They have greater absorption and don’t leave the skin feeling sticky or greasy making them easier to apply and wear (especially under makeup). Rest assured, all Ultraceuticals chemical SPF lotions are non-toxic and free from nasties (or we wouldn’t sell them). 5. Consider your sun exposure – factor in how long you’ll be exposed to the sun, at what time of the day, if you’ll be getting wet or sweaty, how easy it will be to reapply etc. The sun in New Zealand and Australia is particularly harsh, so err on the side of sun care caution. - Sports/swimming: choose a water-resistant sunscreen with a minimum 30 SPF, and reapply every at least every hour. This is where a spray might come in handy for ease of application.- Outdoors (especially between 10am and 4pm): again, a minimum of SPF 30 is essential, and you’ll need to reapply every hour you’re in the sun.- Every day (i.e. wear to work or while driving): a lightweight chemical SPF might be the best option here, to sit nicely under makeup.

Once they hit their forties (and beyond), many women shy away from lip fillers thinking they will look fake. Fair enough. They don’t want to look like Desperate Housewives. Pondering lip filler post 40? Here’s what you should know. But lip fillers aren’t all about overfilled, obvious, fake looking lips! Lip fillers can address volume loss, smoker’s lines, dehydration and asymmetry, without a hint of the dreaded ‘trout pout’. And while dermal filler in this area won’t last as long as when it’s applied to the cheeks, you can expect the effect to stay for 9-12 months before it subtly fades again.   Here are the top 6 ways lip fillers can change your life if you’re 40+...   1) Hydration restoration Smooth out the wrinkles and the crepiness! Here at Ivy Clinic, we use a premium quality dermal filler for the lips, made from a substance called hyaluronic acid that already occurs naturally in the body. Hyaluronic acid is a hydrophilic substance –meaning it attracts moisture. This results in greater hydration of the tissues underlying and supporting the skin, wherever the filler is placed.   2) Plump up the volume Unfortunately, ageing takes the youthful fullness of our lips and seems to either deposit it in places we don’t want it, or make it disappear. Judiciously placed dermal filler can help combat the lip volume loss that happens as we age. A small amount will subtly restore this youthful plumpness and give you back a more luscious pout, without anyone else being any the wiser.   3) Reduce ‘smoker’s lines’ Developing ‘smoker’s lines’ in your forties? And you’re not even a smoker? These vertical lines above the top lip border are also a sign of ageing and volume loss. When they start to appear, you can nip them in the bud with a subtle amount of lip filler, without it even increasing the size of your lips. (Unless you’d like to turn up the volume a notch, that is.) Bonus: wear that killer red lippy with confidence, because less of it will ‘bleed’ into those pesky lines.  4) Correct facial asymmetry None of us are perfectly symmetrical beings. But did you know that a little expertly placed lip filler can enhance facial symmetry by correcting uneven volume in the lips? And while it can’t alter alignment issues with the teeth and jaw, applied correctly, it can be a highly effective way to give that illusion. As well as symmetry, lip filler can enhance the proportions of the top and bottom lip.   5) Enhance lip proportions Beautiful lips aren’t just full, they also have balanced proportions. As well as symmetry, lip filler can be used to enhance the proportions of the top and bottom lip. When you speak to a Cosmetic Registered Nurse, they’ll pay careful attention to looking at lip proportion as well as volume and symmetry – considering the balance of upper to lower lip height.   6) Boost confidence! With all the above being said… One of the results we love the most for both men and women over 40 – is what a little lip filler can do on the inside. If you feel good, you’ll look good. You can now smile without your top lip doing a disappearing act. And the best part is – when dermal filler is injected by a highly skilled practitioner, no one else need ever know. Just prepare for compliments about how fresh you look.   Love to emphasise your freshly plumped lips with a pop of lipstick? Let’s open the toybox!   At Ivy clinic, we’re not about making you look ‘done’, weird, or just not like you. Feel free to read more about dermal fillers and whether they might be right for you. Or book a free consultation at Ivy Clinic with a Cosmetic Registered Nurse.

“Nature gives you the face you have at twenty. Life shapes the face you have at thirty. But at fifty, you get the face you deserve.” This quote has been attributed to quite a few different people. But whoever actually said it first, we’re pretty sure they were vigilant with the sunscreen.  You may not see it for a few years, but the invisible damage you do to your skin now will one day come back to bite you on the… face. Conversely, take care of your skin today, and it’ll look after you tomorrow. At Ivy Clinic, we’re huge believers in proactive skincare. So if you’re in your teens or early twenties, check out our list of good skin habits and how to make them a part of your life.   Book a Skin Discovery session to learn more about skincare in your teens and twenties.   Cleanse before bed. Cleanse before bed. Nope that’s not a typo – it’s so important, we’ve said it twice. If you're too exhausted (because, life) to tie your hair up and properly cleanse, tone and moisturise your face, neck and décolleté, at least use makeup removing wipes. Sleeping with makeup on can lead to breakouts and dermatitis – not great at the time, and can create permanent scarring and pigmentation issues. Plus, makeup gunks up your pillow.  For oily skin choose a foaming or gel cleanser, for dryer skin stick with milky or creamy textures. Cleanse at least once a day, but morning and night is even better.   Sharing (makeup) is not caring Avoid sharing your makeup. Yes, it's tempting to test out your friend’s new eye-liner or holy grail lip colour,  but eye and lip products are especially prone to germs – best to keep those to yourself.   Exfoliating is essential Exfoliate once or twice a week, to keep skin cells turning over regularly. The trick is to choose a gentle exfoliant and avoid scrubbing. For acne-prone skin, look for ingredients like salicylic acid and lactic acid, which will help to control oil production without stripping.   Always use (sun) protection By protecting your skin from the sun – think big hats, loose shirts, sunglasses and daily sunblock application – your skin will have a brighter, smoother future. You’ll be preventing more visible signs of ageing that will become more obvious in your thirties and beyond, like premature wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and loss of elasticity.   Discover why Vitamin C is your first line of skin defence, after sun protection.   So that’s it. Just four good skin habits you can start today. Future you will thank you.