Its important to wash your face as it gets rid of dead skin cells, excess natural oil and clean out your pores on the surface. Use warm, not hot, water and a mild facial cleanser. Using a severe soap can injure the already inflamed skin.

Avoid rubbing your skin harshly with a coarse-textured sponge or flannel. Just wash it gently with your hands or a soft cloth. Rinse well, and then pat dry your face with a clean towel.

Moisturise.

Many acne products can contain ingredients that dry- out the skin, so try to use a moisturiser after washing. If you have dry skin try a moisturising cream and for oily a gel-based moisturiser. Combination skin may need two products (cream or lotion for the dry section; a gel for the oily part). Remember if you moisture your skin throughout the day always hydrate your skin with water before you moisturise it.
Use minimal make-up. If you have a flare-up, try not to wear foundation, powder, or blusher. If you do wear makeup, remember to wash it off at the end of the day. If possible, select oil-free cosmetics without added chemicals, it should tell you on the label.
Avoid touching your face. Never pick or squeeze spots with your fingers, as it can result in infection and scarring. Try not to touch your face not only can you spread bacteria, you can also aggravate the already inflamed skin.

Try an acne product.

Some acne products may contain ingredients such as, an antibacterial agent with a drying effect, or a skin exfoliator skin that gets rid of bacteria. Start with a small amount at first. Then increase or decrease the amount and how often you apply it, depending on how much you are peeling or drying. Be careful if you have sensitive skin.

Use sun cream.

Whether you have spots or not, always apply sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher at least 20 minutes before sun exposure and then reapply throughout the day. Look for a non-acnegenic sunscreen to decrease the chance of new spots. Always read the ingredients on the product label.

Be careful with hair products.

Avoid using fragrances, oils and harsh chemicals on your hair. These ingredients can drip on the face, blocking the skin pores and irritating the skin. Stick to a more gentle shampoo and conditioner. If you have oily hair you could be adding to the oil on your face, so wash hair more often, especially during a pimple outbreak. If your hair is long, keep it pulled off your face.

Watch what you eat.

It makes sense to avoid greasy food and junk food and add more fresh fruit and vegetables and whole grains to your diet studies show that eating foods high in vitamin A and beta-carotene may boost your immunity and skin health.

Exercise

Regular exercise is good, the skin (the body’s largest organ) get a boost of blood flow. When you exercise, avoid clothes and equipment that might rub your skin and cause irritation. Also, avoid wearing hats, goggles, or helmets that cause you to sweat excessively, as this can irritate the skin and increase bacteria. Always shower or bathe after exercise.

De-stress.

Experts believe that our emotional state is related to all aspects of health, including skin function. Some studies link stress with the severity of spots or acne. Take time to understand what happens when you get stressed. Also, try to work out what’s causing you to feel stressed. Find effective ways to deal with stress before it builds up and causes a breakout.

Let us help.

If you are worried about spots and need advice on skin care ANNU can help, give us a call for a free consultation.

If you have had spots in the past and now have scarring we may also be able to help you, check out the treatment pages for more information on ANNU acne treatments or give us a call for a chat.

You might think that now the winter months have arrived and it’s cold that you don’t need to protect your skin. Well ANUU wants to give you some free top tips in keeping your skin looking and feeling great this winter as its more important than ever!

1, You might not think it but the wind is very damaging to our skin it can cause damage and you might not even know. We need to make sure we protect ourselves from the wind during winter do this by using a good skin cream and also wearing a hat scarf and gloves to shield your skin. If you want to know more about the cream, which is best for your skin type, give us a call we will be able to help.

2, The Sun can also be a massive factor to as people don’t use any protection as they don’t feel the suns warmth and yes it true the sun is not as strong in winter but you still need to protect yourself from the UV rays. Use a UV cream throughout the winter, contact us for more information.

3, The cold can be damaging to your skin on any part of your body which is regularly exposed, so protection is needed to help your skin looking good. Use a hat, scarf and gloves where possible. Your skin will also be affected when going into a warm place from the cold, so watch out!

5, When it comes to this time of year we tend to not drink as much water and have hot drinks instead trying to keep ourselves warm. But when you don’t drink your recommended amount of water your body can become dehydrated which is not good for your skin as it has no moisture to create new skin cells and get rid of the dead ones. Try to continue to drink the recommended 1.5 liters of water a day.

6, Alcohol is another big thing to remember over the winter months again around Christmas, we all like a bit of Christmas cheer, but after a night out drinking on the town your body will become dehydrated so remember to drink water and try and stick to the recommended units of alcohol. Men 3/ 4 units, Women 2 /3 units limit daily and have some alcohol free days in the week.

7, Our eating habits tend to change also over winter especially around Christmas, we all over indulge a little bit which is fine occasionally, but we need to try to eat healthy as the vitamins and minerals found in things like fruit and vegetables we might have eaten over the summer will keep our skin healthy. Try to think of ways to cook your food with good healthy food in it, but that will keep you warm over the winter months, for example a bean and vegetable casserole.

Make Christmas Magical!

Want to make someone’s Christmas Magical this year; we have gift vouchers that will do just that! All vouchers can be used for any treatment and come with a FREE consultation. So if you want someone to look amazing and feel like magic give us a call and order your voucher today!

ANUU wants to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year by offering a 10% discount on all gift vouchers purchased before 24th December.

Merry Christmas from ANNU xxxx

Get expert tips and advice at our make-up evening. This is a great opportunity to experiment with the latest products from this leading mineral range in a relaxed, fun and friendly environment.

ANUU will also be providing refreshments throughout the evening. Please call 01253 794504 to book your a place.

Why not bring a friend and make a evening of it!

Today was my very first real hair removal treatment. I have had no side effects after my ‘test patch’, in fact after I left the clinic last time I didn’t have any after effects, it wasn’t sore and there was no redness, you wouldn’t of even thought it would have happened!

I arrived again to the lovely town of Lytham, Lancashire and it was sunny, rang the doorbell and Norann let me in, I was feeling quiet excited. Norann greeted me and we got straight to it this time, she did ask me a few questions about whether any medical conditions had changed and how I felt after the ‘test patch’ session. I had to sign my card to acknowledge that Norann had asked me these questions. Nothing had changed for me since the last session and I couldn’t even remember that I had had my test patch as I no effects at all.

The procedure was similar to the test patch were I took off my top and wrapped the towel around me and lay on the bed. Norann put the glasses on me, then the hair removal started.

Norann cleaned the area first with some wipes and then added the cooling gel to my underarm area, I remember her saying last time that this gel help her to see where she has treated as well as keeping my skin cool, the gel was really cold.

After applying this she added the cold air, this is blown onto my skin by a machine, which makes it even cooler. Its not really the most comfortable feeling but I am glad of the cooling once the treatment starts.

Norann again started with the pulse light on low and increased the intensity as we went along, again its just like a pin prick, I felt it more in my left underarm then my right, but the sensation only last a few seconds and with the cooling gel you hardly feel it.

Norann made her way around the area to be treated; some parts on my underarm are more sensitive then others, Norann said this was normal and for most people there will be a difference between left and right. Once she had treated the area on the left she then wiped away the gel and she moved onto the other side and repeated the treatment.

The whole treatment took around 15 minutes.

Norann then left me to get dressed and wipe away any left over gel. I went back out to the reception and made an appointment for 4 weeks time.

I can’t wait to see if there is any difference from my first treatment of IPL hair removal.

I have been looking for a cosmetic therapy clinic for a while, primarly to treat the unwanted hairs under my arms. Today I sent ANUU Clinic a message on their website and got a quick response to the questions I asked. I gave them a ring and booked an appointment to discuss hair removal further.

I was told on the phone that at this appointment I would have a ‘Free Test Patch’ this is to make sure I don’t have any adverse effects and fill in some of my details about my health to make sure I am suitable for the treatment and so I can ask any more questions.

I am really looking forward to starting the treatment and seeing some results.

The test patch…..

I arrived for appointment early so had a little walk around Lytham, it’s a lovely place. You cant park directly outside I found a parking space on the street a couple of minutes walk away.

Anuu Clinic is situated next to ‘Taylor Made Betting’ and has a little canopy on the clinic front, I rang the doorbell and they unlocked the door. I went up the stairs and Norann Rozario introduced herself to me as I reached the top.

First impression was friendly, a clean and tidy reception room with a sofa and a small reception area. I sat down on the sofa and Norann explained me that we would be doing a ‘test patch’ to make sure that I do not have any adverse reactions to the hair removal treatment intense pulsed light.

Firstly I needed to fill in the paperwork, this was a really simple form with the usual stuff on it, name, DOB, address etc, then a section on medical health, I just needed to tick anything that was listed that applied to me, Norann explained that if I wasn’t sure what something was then I should just ask.

Norann then read out the section on the back which talked about the side effect which might occur, what I should do after treatment etc…..

I learnt that if I was a regular user of a sun bed then the treatment might not be suitable for me and the same applied if I had recently had a spray tan, this is all to do with the chemicals in the tanning lotion and the way a sun bed changes the pigmentation within the skin. However Norann did say that some of the lesser exposed area like my underarm can still be treated, so if you do are a regular spray tanner or a sunbed worshiper it still worth speaking with Norann.

Once we had got through the paperwork, which was very short, Norann showed me to the treatment room. This room had a bed, all the equipment and was lovely and warm. She explained that I would need to remove the top items of clothing, as she would be testing the area, which we will be treating, which was my underarm.

I wasn’t really expecting to be taking my top off, my underarm hair is dark and grows really fast, I hadn’t shaved that day and I felt a little embarrassed to be showing my underarm, however Norann didn’t make me feel in the slightest self conscious, after all she deals with this every day and this was the reason for me having this done, so I could lift up my arms without worrying what people thought about my dark, hairy arm pits!

Norann left the room whilst I took off my long sleeved top, note to self: go with easy to take on and off clothes! I was supplied with a fresh, clean towel to put across me.

Norann explained to me what she was going to do and that to protect my eyes I needed to wear goggles, these are a little like the ones you get in sun bed shop. She explained that she would apply a gel to my underarm and then blow air on to the gel, to help with any discomfort the treatment causes and also to help her to move around the area knowing which bits she had treated by the impression the machine leaves in the gel.

I told Norann that I am a bit of a wimp and that I don’t do very well with pain, she explained to me what it will feel like, like a ‘pin prick’ and it would not last long. She also said that she would start the machine on low pulse to start with and then gradually turn up the intensity.

I was a little uncomfortable at first but it wasn’t that bad really. She just did a couple of pulses and that was it. We waited a few minutes just to check that the there was no effects and there wasn’t anything all, Norann said that most people get a little bit of redness but there wasn’t even a mark, she gave me a tissue to wipe off the gel then it didn’t get on my clothes and she left the room so I was able to put my top back on.

I went back out into the reception area, Norann said she was really happy to proceed with the hair removal treatment and I have booked my 1st appointment to start the treatment. Very excited!

Part two of Diane’s experience will be posted on the website soon. If you would like to ask Diane (or Norann) any questions, please feel free to add a comment. Your questions, and their replies will remain un-editted – open, honest and truthful.

The human body cannot function without water it is vital, however how much water we drink on a regular bases will determine how healthy our body and skin stay.

Water will support the body in removing toxins and help the kidneys to perform their functions within the body. Water also transports nutrients, which we need to stay healthy to the cells within the body, helping the cells to complete an effective job. Water is also of benefit to muscles and will lubricate the joint for suppleness, so there is a great benefit to the body before, during and after exercise.

Having said this just drinking water is not necessarily a quick fix or a sure way of having healthy skin. Research has a variety of outcomes when discussing skin and water intake.

However as the water flows through the body it will flush out the toxins, if there was no water present to help this process then the toxins will build up and then escape through our skin pores, this contributes to acne.

It is recommended that we drink 8 glasses a day but this is not set in stone, it is much easier to think of 1.5 liters of water a day rather than glasses and everyone benefits from varied amounts. Most people spend there life’s in a state of semi de-hydration, you will know if you are de-hydrated by thinking about the following:

• Are you thirsty?
• Do you suffer from headaches?
• Is your urine dark in colour?
• Do you feel tired and lack energy?
• Do you have dry hair/ skin?
• Do you suffer with diarrhea/ vomiting?

If you have answered ‘yes’ to any of the above, consider how much water you are drinking, could you be drinking more?

Tips for staying hydrated:

• Always try to carry water with you, even if it’s only a small bottle in the car, in your handbag or briefcase. If its not appropriate for you to carry water all the time, carry a small amount of change so you can buy some when you reach your destination.
• When at work, ensure you can have regular break to have a drink of water, or have some on your desk all the time. Its good to take your own glass into work if you can, that way you can always use it without somebody getting upset you stole theirs!
• Always drink water before, during and after exercise. Most gyms have either a vending machine or water fountains, but its well worth investing in your own bottle.  Most people finish at the gym and then forget to carry on drinking water, your muscles will recover much quicker if you are hydrated, that way you will feel much better the next day.
• When at home you could keep some water in the fridge already bottled. Chilled water will also help you burn more calories, as the water needs to be warmed up by the body before it can be processed.
• Drinking alcohol will dehydrate, try to drink water before you have a night out, during the evening and then before you sleep. This will also help your hangover and give your body and skin a helping hand when removing the alcohol from your body.

Top tip: Water is a great hydrator, it has all the nutrients you need, be careful with some sports drinks, smoothies, tea and coffee and cordials they can be high in sugar or dehydrating, these will not give you the outcome you may hope for, water all the way!

We have one thing in common; each day we grow older and our bodies change as a result of this aging. Many of us dread the day we wake up, look in the mirror and staring back is an old person.

Today most people use an anti aging cream on their skin hoping to keep their youthful looks, however we are a society that wants much better than that. Thanks to advances in cosmetic therapy we are able to slow the aging process down and make ourselves look so much younger for longer.

At ANUU we offer a great range of therapies, which will help to keep you looking young. We offer an individual service, which will suit you and a free consultation to help get you started.

Along with the off the shelf anti- wrinkle creams, night creams and anti- aging creams there are other ways to help your skin stay young, when you attend your first consultation at Anuu we can talk to you about what creams and products are best for you and your skin. We offer a great range of creams to suit all skin type along with the cosmetic therapies.

The anti- aging treatments which are on offer at Anuu Clinic help you to stay looking young and can all be found on the website under treatments. Below is a discussion on a couple of the best-kept secrets.

Skin Rejuvenation Laser Technology:
Thread veins, sun damage or uneven skin texture are a common complaint at Anuu we use ‘Skin Rejuvenation, laser technology treatment to help you get tighter, firmer and more radiant skin.

Skin Rejuvenation, laser technology eliminates superficial signs of ageing including freckles, broken capillaries, rosacea, age spots, fine lines and wrinkles.

This treatment can be used on the face, neck and chest as well as other areas, which have been exposed to sun, such as the hands.

Dermaroller:
The treatment Dermaroller Therapy can significantly improve the appearance of:

o Acne scars
o Aged and sun damaged skin
o Facial lines and wrinkles
o Stretch marks

Dermaroller is a skincare and rejuvenation device, which will naturally stimulate collagen & elastin production in the skin; this is done without damaging it, to create smoother, tighter, younger looking skin.

Botox:
That well known treatment Botox has pioneered the treatment of ageing skin and has been around for many years, being used widely by the celebrities. Well, its not just for celebrities, at Anuu this is one of our most popular non-surgical cosmetic procedures. This treatment can have the same effect as a surgical brow lift. It’s also great for eliminating lines around the eye resulting in a refreshed appearance.

Please book your consultation at Anuu to discuss the anti- aging therapies further.

Often there is a mixed bunch of answer on many cosmetic procedures – so who do you trust?
At ANUU we are committed to being transparent, and open about all the services we offer. So at this point, we would like to welcome Diane. Diane is completely independent of ANUU Clinic, and is not on our pay roll. Her posts are her own, and we do not edit her experiences in any way. If it hurts – she’ll say!!!

Over the coming months, Diane will be having permanent hair removal at ANUU and will discuss every step on the ANUU Blog. If you would like to discuss Diane’s experiences, you can add comments to her posts – to which she will reply.

So, let the truth be told…..

ANUU Clinic is offering a fantastic competition for all our website users with the chance to WIN a Start Treatment Glycolic Peel.

You don’t need to leave your computer, you don’t even need to think, but you can WIN by only a few presses of a button. ‘Like’ ANUU Clinic on Facebook or ‘follow’ us on Twitter for a chance to win a Glycolic Peel, it couldn’t be simpler.

The Glycolic Peel smoothes and refines all skin types by eliminating dead skin build up to allowing the skin to glow with health. The skin’s moisture levels and natural collagen production are improved resulting in a clear bright complexion with firmed and toned lines, check out the website for more information on this and other treatments we offer.

Once we have 100 followers on Twitter and 100 ‘likes’ on our Facebook we will pick at random WINNER!!!

So what are you waiting for….. you and all your friends…… get networking! For every like which comes via your referral will count as another entry for you!

WIN with ANUU Clinic by the press of a button.