Never mind the potions, check out your diet

Published on Wednesday 20 May 2009 08:56

In the past, a couple of spots just meant you needed to cut down on the chips and invest in some Clearasil. But not any more. Skin analysis is said to show up health problems from overloaded kidneys to a diet too full of diary products.

But does it work?

Experts at Face and Body Medical Cosmetics on Alva Street insist it does. Ahead of the Spa in the City event on Sunday – where a host of mini beauty treatments will be on offer for free – our three testers tried it out under the guidance of therapist Laura Pringle. Hazel Mollison finds out how they got on.

Isabel Fraser, a 57-year-old nursery school cook from Leith, has two grown-up children. As she has a heart problem, she takes care to eat healthily and has cut down on tea and coffee. But she is puzzled by her dry skin, which has failed to respond to any creams or treatment.

She says: "My skin has been dry all my life, especially my forehead. I don't use a lot of products, and usually just wear sunscreen and eye make-up.

"My job can be hard work, and quite hot and sweaty sometimes, so I don't look my best!"

PRODUCTS

Iseree day cream

Oil of Aloe cold cream

Avon moisturising sun lotion

LAURA SAYS

Isabel is getting a great diet, but she has dry skin all over her face and body. This is probably caused by her body not absorbing enzymes properly.

Her skin is good for her age, although there is a bit of sun damage. After the age of 11 you shouldn't get freckles – the pigmentation is a sign of damage. She's already wearing a high factor sunscreen every day, although it would be better not to use a chemical sunscreen.

ISABEL'S REACTION

This is like a breakthrough. I feel like this has solved the mystery. It was quite refreshing to find it's an internal problem. There's lots I can do by taking Omega 3 and 6 supplements and some enzymes to help me absorb them.

She went over my diet and said it's very good so I really shouldn't have dry skin. She did give me some advice on grinding seeds and putting a handful on my breakfast yoghurt, and eating more oily fish and macadamia nuts.

She said I wasn't putting anything on my skin that was damaging, although one cream wasn't exactly great as it contains liquid paraffin.

The owner of Stoats Porridge Bars, Tony Stone, 29, leads a hectic life, often travelling the country working at farmers' markets. His skin-care is fairly basic, consisting of soap, shaving gel and water. He has a fairly healthy diet, although he sometimes skips lunch.

PRODUCTS

Caurnie's Lime and Thyme Soap

Gillette shaving gel for sensitive skin

LAURA SAYS

Tony is generally quite happy with his skin. He was a little bit concerned about puffiness under his eyes – half a bottle of wine every evening will do that to anyone. He also has the starts of dehydration lines. He needs to drink more water, and they should disappear in a couple of weeks. I recommended starting a really simple cleansing and moisturising routine.

TONY'S REACTION

I found it really helpful, and I got some good ideas. Laura identified areas of sunburn and little areas that are beginning to age a bit, and recommended a moisturiser I can use.

She concentrated on my diet and lifestyle.

I'm quite bad for skipping lunch when I'm working. There's also some room for reducing the amount of alcohol I drink.

A one-hour skin analysis session costs 35 at Face and Body Medical Cosmetics, 32 Alva Street. For more information call 0845 070 55 38 or visit www.face andbody.co.uk.

Gillian Davies, 42, from Cramond, juggles her work as an artist and legal editor with caring for her two young children, aged six and four. She says her stressful lifestyle takes its toll on her skin, which has dry patches and frequent outbreaks of spots. She tries to eat well, but says she drinks too much coffee, and relies on a glass or two of wine to wind down.

PRODUCTS

Neutrogena daily cleansing cushions

Body Shop Chanvre protective cream

Revlon age-defying night cream

Clinique dramatically different moisturising lotion

Tea tree oil cover stick

L'Oral true match foundation

LAURA SAYS

Gillian's spots are like a textbook. When they are all over the face, it is either a bacteria or something in the skin congesting.

Gillian is very stressed at the moment. Sleeping at night and being able to face the day will do more for her than any cream.

I've recommended a holistic massage, which will help her relax. She is wearing quite a lot of make-up, which is aggravating what she is already doing wrong. It would be better to wear natural make-up, which allows the skin to breathe.

GILLIAN'S REACTION

She said the source of the problem is my lifestyle. It's coming from the inside, which is kind of obvious, but a bit disappointing as well.

I thought she was quite helpful and perceptive. It was more like a therapy session than a skin treatment.

BEAUTIFUL DAY

THE FACE & Body Medical Cosmetics Clinic is one of the salons and retailers taking part in Spa in the City on Sunday.

People can try out free beauty treatments and pick up helpful advice at the event in St Andrew Square between 10am and 6pm.

The largest event of its kind in the UK, it features local businesses including Espa, Edinburgh Nail Factory, Charlie Miller and the Cowshed Spa.

The Body Shop, Hanover Health Foods, Molton Brown, and many more big beauty names will also be taking part.