If you are an aesthetician considering expanding your portfolio to encompass medical-grade skincare, you may have a few questions. Who better to ask than an expert skin aesthetician? Dr. Bibi Ghalaie is a highly skilled cosmetic doctor and is the Clinical Lead for our Advanced Skin Course, launching soon and available to book now.
Created in collaboration with skincare industry giant Alumier, this ‘first of its kind’ course provides comprehensive training in medical-grade skincare and practical competencies of chemical peeling. With over 12 years of experience in Aesthetic Medicine, Dr. Bibi Ghalaie’s past surgical experience at several of London’s top teaching hospitals and at Harvard Medical Schoolis reflected in her dexterity and artistic approach. Her postgraduate studies in Dermatology, completed with Distinction, have provided a sound clinical knowledge of the skin, whichshe uses to enhance her aesthetic practice and disseminate invaluable knowledge to her delegates.
Ahead of the launch date of the course, we asked Dr Bibi for her expert answers to some of your most pressing skin questions:
- What are the essentials of a good skincare routine?
“A good skincare routine must be tailored to the individual patient. What is best for one skin type will not be suitable for every skin type. The goal of any routine should be to optimise the complexion whilst targeting specific concerns. In doing so, there are certain core principles that should always feature and it is important to note that consistency is key. Being adept in medical-grade skincare will enable clinicians to prescribe a bespoke and focused skincare routine for any patient they encounter.
CLEANSING: Using a cleanser is the most basic step and is essential for getting rid of impurities, environmental pollutants, dirt, and bacteria. Washing twice a day, morning and night, will help to avoid clogged pores, dullness, and acne. The right formula will cleanse without stripping essential healthy oils. The cleanser should be tailored to the patient’s skin, for example, acne-prone skin can benefit from a salicylic acid cleanser. A good universal cleanser is micellar water, which is soap-free and suitable for almost every skin type.
ANTIOXIDANT SERUMS: An antioxidant serum should be applied after cleansing to target the oxidising radicals that lead to skin cell damage, pigment deposition, and ageing. Vitamin C serums are excellent at neutralising free radicals, fighting photodamage, and promoting collagen production; thereby improving skin elasticity and texture whilst brightening surface skin tone. The vitamin C agent that is used should be medical grade.
MOISTURISING: A daily moisturiser applied after washing is essential for minimising transepidermal water loss and maintaining the skin barrier. This will help to prevent dryness and irritation of the skin.
SUNSCREENS: Using sunscreen is essential, even in winter and when indoors. Photodamage not only ages the skin by reducing skin elasticity and contributing to the formation of wrinkles, but it can cause hyperpigmentation and lentigos. Daily UV radiation protection with a good sunscreen of at least SPF 30 should be used religiously. A combination product containing a moisturiser and/or Vitamin C and sunscreen can minimise the need for numerous steps in the skincare regime and can increase compliance.
RETINOIDS: Retinoids are the most potent anti-ageing ingredients in our armoury. Topical retinoic acid-containing products play a key role in treating and preventing fine lines and rhytides, pigmentation, acne, and photodamage. They improve skin texture and tone through exfoliation and oxidising harmful free radicals. They can increase the photosensitivity of skin so they are best applied at night and must be used with a concurrent daily SPF.
CHEMICAL PEELS: These involve chemical exfoliation using topical natural acids such as lactic acid, alpha-hydroxy acids, and glycolic acids. Periodic chemical peels should feature in every patient’s skin routine. They will improve skin texture, stimulate collagen production, and aid in better absorption of active ingredients. All of this contributes to an overall healthy and radiant complexion. Alumier’s famous Glow Peel is a perfect example.”
- What is the value of including skincare into aesthetic consultations and treatment plans?
“When practicing Aesthetic Medicine it is important not to forget that an aesthetic client should be treated with the same care, precaution, and attention as any medical patient. As such, attention to skin disease and skin health is as important as delivering injectables. A dermatology history should always be taken and this will provide the perfect opportunity to identify any previous skin disease, existing skin concerns, and the patient’s daily skin routine. I often see patients who attend requesting lip fillers or non-surgical rhinoplasty, but seem to be ignoring their acne or pigmentation. Similarly, patients who attend for Botulinum toxin admit that they are sun worshippers or, even worse, that they use sunbeds. Ignoring these important issues is not only failing to provide optimal care for your patient but it is also a missed source of revenue.
The skincare products that we can prescribe for our patients are an entirely different proposition to the over-the-counter creams and serums that are often ineffective and overpriced. Most patients are unaware of the difference and it is important to educate them in this regard. Medical-grade skincare is evidence based, potent and can produce significant results on skin quality and appearance. As doctors, we can use these products to address a host of concerns from flaky, dry skin to oily skin, to skin diseases like rosacea and melasma. Moreover, we can also prescribe them for their powerful anti-aging effects. It is so easy to incorporate these products into the patient’s daily routine and by doing so, we can actually enhance the result of the injectables.
Skincare consultations should be an option in every aesthetic Doctor’s treatment portfolio and being trained on one of the top international ranges, like Alumier, will help you to excel in the aesthetic field. Furthermore, such consultations can be conducted by video link which is a major advantage for both clinicians and patients, especially in these uncertain times.”
- Where do I source higher training in medical-grade skincare and chemical peeling?
“Medical-grade skincare ranges all have their own training programmes that will familiarise you with their products and treatment methods. The Acquisition Aesthetics Advanced Skin Course is unique in that it has been created with a medical focus. It will not only teach you about the key components and their effects on the skin, but it will encourage you to assess skin care products in an evidence-based fashion, and show you how to integrate them into a medical treatment plan for your patients.”
At £699 + VAT per delegate, this course has limited spaces and will launch on 5th September 2020 in Central London. Delegates receive an exclusive invitation to open an Alumier account at 50% of the standard fee. Book your space here, email contact@acquisitionaesthetics.co.uk or call 020 3514 8757 to speak to a friendly member of the Acquisition Aesthetics team.
