Seaweed skincare: Our acne-busting marine algae mask

For any woman who lives in Dubai, there is no better treat than enjoying a rejuvenating face mask. These amazing treatments not only make you feel great but also make your skin look fabulous too.

One of the best facial masks around is the marine algae mask by Ivory Aesthetics.

Why use our marine algae facial mask?

There are lots of great reasons to use this facial mask. To start with, it is simply the best hydrating face mask that you can find in Dubai. Whether you are getting ready for a night out with friends or simply needing a superb hydrating facial treatment, this will work wonders.

Naturally infused with rejuvenating natural seaweed and algae, it will make your skin look younger and fresher. Also contained in this blue marine algae mask is an innovative Plasmic gel, which works to soothe skin and fight inflammation. This, along with the deeply cleansing properties of the blue algae, makes the mask ideal to help calm acne-prone skin.

If you want the best seaweed skin care benefits with all that a blue marine algae mask offers, then this is a great option.

1. Quick results

Of course, we realise that you have a busy life in Dubai, so this blue marine algae intense hydrating mask is fast as well as effective. Taking just 60 minutes to complete, it is speedy enough to fit into a lunch hour or in your hectic day.

2. Fantastic skin care for post-extraction treatments

As this facial mask is so soothing and hydrating, it is perfect to use as a follow-up mask after any extractions done on your skin. Once the treatment is complete, it will help reduce any signs of the extraction treatment and leave skin beautifully fresh.

If you live in Dubai and need help with fighting acne prone skin then this marine algae mask is a great choice. It is also the best hydrating face mask for dry skin and will revive your skin with a blast of moisturising goodness.

Get in touch today to book your treatment – call us on 04 451 5554.

Stress showing on your skin? Don’t underestimate the power of a face massage!

Just like the rest of your body, your facial muscles too require a good workout on a regular basis.
And no, we aren’t hinting at an exercise regimen or face yoga!

(Although if you’d like to give that a try, here’s some great info. Check it out: How to do Face Yoga for Younger-Looking Skin)

We’re talking about something that barely requires any effort, facial massages!
Facial massages have long been an anti-aging secret and if done right, facial massages can offer a lot more than skin rejuvenation, tightening & toning.

We’ve broken it down below.

Relaxes Facial Muscles For A Natural Facelift

Stress builds up tension in your muscles, so when your facial muscles tense up they’re more likely to cause wrinkles and fine lines on your face.

Face massages work wonders in relieving this stress, which goes a long way in anti-aging and skin tightening. Stimulating pressure points around the eyes and nose, face massage eases up tight muscles which can even prevent the onset of crow’s feet.

An added benefit of a face massage is that the regular stimulation increases oxygen flow and boosts collagen production which in itself is a great anti-aging technique that gives a facelift.

While you can incorporate a facial massage in your daily skincare routine, bear in mind that your skin type determines the kind of massage you need. Anymore than 10 minutes and a harsh technique could worsen an acne condition or stretch skin unnecessarily.

Improves Circulation & Lymph Drainage

Ever felt facial bloating or puffiness after a night of bingeing, lack of sleep or your menstrual cycle? That’s where face massages come into play.

A specialized face massage can unblock your facial lymph nodes and vessels which tends to store any toxin and fluid build up. By applying a deep pressure massage technique in the right spots, you are essentially draining out any accumulated build up and easing congestion which will reduce any facial swelling, bloating and can even help reduce eye bags.

Plus, the increased blood and oxygen circulation in your face will result in an evened out skin tone and a brighter complexion.

Boosts Product Absorption

A completely overlooked benefit of regular facial massages is the fact that it helps boost absorption of any products used in your facial treatments and any skincare products that you use, which of course, increases the effectiveness of your products.

Not only does facial massages have several immediate benefits for or skin, but it also gives several long-term effects in terms of anti-aging, skin tightening, toned muscles and a radiant appearance.

But you must know that, a couple of circulation motions during your skincare regimen may do more harm than good. You do not want to stretch your skin, apply too much pressure or spend too much time on it. It’s crucial for you to get your technique, stimulation points and pressure level absolutely right.

We truly recommend getting your fix from a professional aesthetician who’s equipped with the right techniques and will tailor the facial massage for your skin type. If you’d like to incorporate this into your daily regimen, we’d still recommend learning a few tips from your aesthetician before you try it out yourself.

For those of you who desperately need some professional skin pampering, we’ve linked our top client-favourite facial treatments below, all of which are customized for your skin type and of course, include a thorough facial massage.

Acne Treatment – Facials You Should Avoid & Ones You Should Definitely Try!

Acne is a common condition that most people will experience at some stage in their life. Although common, it’s not exactly pleasant. There are a variety of different options when it comes to acne treatment, but one of the most popular is through the use of facials.

Be wary though – some facials are great for your skin, and some should be avoided like the plague. Thankfully, we’ve put together a guide explaining what’s bad and good.

Oxygen facials

Acne tends to occur when one or more of your skin pores become clogged. Therefore, for an acne treatment to be successful, the bacteria must be removed and killed. Oxygen facials and treatments can do this and more. They have the ability to both treat acne, and also increase the healing process.

This is because, when acne is presented to oxygen it destroys Propionibacterium (a bacteria that causes facial acne) and helps to improve the appearance of your skin. Oxygen facials are one of the most popular acne treatments.

Book an Oxygen Facial

Hydrafacials

Another great acne treatment comes in the form of hydrafacials. A hydrafacial can help improve the appearance of acne scarring and acne itself by regulating oil levels caused by excess sebum.

The great thing about a hydrafacial is that the strength of the treatment can be tailored to your needs depending on the severity and condition of your acne.

Plus, this power-facial boasts a host of other amazing benefits too.

Book a HydraFacial for AED 550

Facials to avoid

There are a few facial related acne treatments that you should avoid. This includes both microneedling and microdermabrasion.

These treatments need to be avoided on active acne as it can do more damage than good. They can further irritate the skin causing your acne to become worse.

If you do want to use these treatments, you can use them to help fade scarring as a result of acne. However, this is only when active acne has been resolved.

If you’re interested in facial treatments for acne, consult with our reknowned skin specialist Shohreh Bagherian. Her customized facial treatments have been featured in publications like Cosmopolitan ME, Harpers Bazaar Arabia, Good Housekeeping and more!

Schedule a Consultation

Our facial spa and aesthetic center is conveniently located in Business Bay. To get in touch over the phone, call us on 04 451 5554

How To Keep Your Skin Radiant During Ramadan

Ramadan is the time to reflect, revive and rejoice. It is when one observes approximately 14 hours of fast followed by a get together where families get together to feast.  

During this time, lack of food and sleep could lead to dehydration, not just of the body but also of the skin.

Along with Dubai’s crippling heat, skin can end up looking dull and damaged. This is why it is extremely important to stay on top of this by following certain measures.

Drink your water!

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!

Drink plenty of liquids in the form of water and natural juices during this time as your body may not be receiving natural hydration and nutrition.

You will need to drink as much water as possible after breaking your fast to make sure your skin remains looking supple and fresh.

Avoid drinking caffeinated drinks such as coffee, sugary colas or even tea, as it can lead to dryness of the skin and further dehydration.

Sleep

This may seem like the obvious one, but it is surprising the amount of people that skimp on this due to having to wake up early for Suhoor or simply because the family gathering the night before finished up late.

Don’t’ let these things stop you from getting your 7 hours of sleep.

It is called beauty sleep for a reason!

Eat well

It can be incredibly tempting to eat all the fried goodness during Iftar. However, consuming oily/fast food can lead to skin blemishes, breakouts and dull skin.

To achieve radiant skin, make sure your diet is full of nutritious and wholesome foods such as leafy greens and fresh fruits.

Break your fast with fruits high in vitamin C such as strawberries and oranges. Vitamin C, plentiful in this produce, is vital for the production and formation of collagen.

You can also pair these fruits with sunflowers seeds or almonds as these nuts are high in vitamin E that lock in some moisture and give you a dewy, hydrated look.

Apart from all these above steps, make sure to follow through with your every day skin care routine such as applying sunscreen daily and cleansing your wash with a gentle face wash.

If you feel like your skin is really starting to show signs of dehydration during Ramadan, you may consider opting for an instant hydrating treatment that will combat the dehydration it goes through during Ramadan.

Our top choice for a quick fix is the HydraFacial, which gives you an instant hydrating boost and restores your skin from within.

To book with us for a 60 min HydraFacial in Dubai (we’re located in Business Bay), use the button below.

Book HydraFacial for AED 550

Topics To Discuss With Your Aesthetician

Going to an aesthetician, especially one who you may not know and trust completely, can be a daunting process. Considering that your aesthetician has the power to make or break your skin, it is vital that you build a relationship with them before starting your skin repair journey.

Discussing these essential topics will ensure that your aesthetician is fully informed to take up and customize treatments to take care of all your skin concerns.

1. Your skin type, skin concerns, sun exposure & medication

It’s absolutely essential to give your aesthetician every single detail you can about your skin. And not just the basics like your skin type being normal/ oily and your concerns about fine lines, dull skin etc.

Get into the real details, are you prone to breakouts, redness, allergies? Does your skin shine in summer and dry up in winters? How often do you get exposed to sunlight and if you use sunscreen. Does hormonal imbalance play a role in your skin condition?

These are the kind of details that will help your aesthetician determine the most suitable treatments and customizations for your skin.

Don’t forget to mention finer details such as any medication that you may taking, and ailments and pregnancies. It is vital for your aesthetician to know these details before administering any laser treatments or chemical peels.

2. Products that haven’t worked for you

Never forget to mention any skin care products that haven’t worked for you in the past. If you’ve had topical creams, toners or peels that have caused any irritation, flare-ups or allergies in the past, you have to mention it to your aesthetician as they’ll then tailor your treatment to exclude any ingredients that may aggravate your skin.

3. When something doesn’t feel right

Now you may give your aesthetician all the necessary information and get your facial treatment tailored to perfection, but rarely things still go wrong with treatments. Never be hesitant to speak up, when parts of the treatment may not feel right on your skin. Whether it’s pain during a needling treatment or irritation during a peel or a mask, it is absolutely necessary for your aesthetician to know exactly how your skin feels during the process.

While it’s most common for these effects to be be completely normal, it is still highly advisable to let your aesthetician know when something feels out of the ordinary.

4. Getting on a skincare regime.

If you do end up meeting an aesthetician who understands your skin and one that you completely trust, then getting into a skin care program is absolutely essential. Regular facials are the best way for you completely take care of all your skincare concerns and get your skin feeling healthy and fresh, all the time. If you go for a facial every 3-4 months, your aesthetician will be limited to fixing damage and restoring balance to your skin. On the other hand, regular facials gives your aesthetician the power to work and improve upon all your skin concerns.

Got any other topics you think should be discussed with your aesthetician? Let us know in the comments below!

If you are desperately in need of an aesthetician you can rely on, get in touch with our skincare experts at Ivory Aesthetics. We promise, they’ll cover all these essential issues with you. 🙂

How Facials Save You Money – We Do The Math!

We’ve all dealt with that excruciating process of buying a skincare product that seems so promising at first, but a few weeks in you realize that it isn’t really working for your skin.

Of course you can’t return it and you just feel terrible about all the money that’s gone down the drain.

Well, with the help of regular facials. It might be the time for that to stop.

1 out of 4 women admit to spending over AED 500, every month on skincare.

This comes up to a whopping AED 6k, every year on skincare products!

Pretty overwhelming when you think about it, right?

And the older you get, the more products you’ll need.

Anti-wrinkle creams, eye creams, and anti-aging products all rack up a to a pretty hefty amount alone, not to mention when they’re added on top of your normal monthly bill of products.

With regular facials tailored to your skincare needs, overspending on skin care products can definitely be avoided!

While the average cost of a facial is around AED 500, you’ll only need to get one every 6-8 weeks! This comes to a total of AED 3000 a year, a saving of 50%!

A cheap, drugstore face mask might cover one step, but a professional facial will include every stage of a facial skin care routine all in one; cleanse, tone, exfoliate, mask, serum, moisturise and massage!

Working with a trained aesthetician will ensure that you get the skincare that is the perfect match for your skin, cutting  out the guesswork, and giving you the best long term results. Yes, this does mean you can stop panicking about having to get injectables at 60 because your wrinkles will be non-existent!

At half the price of D.I.Y skincare, getting regular facials is not just a luxury. It’s a necessity. Your skin will thank you for it later.

To get in touch with our experts, give us a call at 04 451 5554 or get in touch with us by clicking this link. We specialize in advanced aesthetics and are conveniently located in Business Bay, Dubai.

The Most Effective Treatments for Facial Scarring

We’ve all dealt with raging teenage breakouts and hormonal adult acne that have left us with deep acne scars that just don’t seem to go away. If not acne scars, then there’s pigmentation, discoloration of skin, and dark spots.

Scarring is a true nightmare, and sure, we can use foundations and filters… But there’s nothing like having that smooth, flawless skin in real life, and there are ways to get it!

The important thing to realize is that scarring can be treated in ways that are non-invasive and don’t require you to burn a hole in your pocket. They do not have to involve several trips to a Dermatologist, and no, they won’t leave you with side effects and damaged skin to deal with.

Before we get to the treatments that actually work, you’ve got to identify whether your scars are superficial or deep. It’s highly recommended to have your skin assessed by a professional aesthetician who can determine this.

Minimal or superficial scarring occurs after the healing process of pimples and clogged pores, and this is usually on just the outer layers of the skin. Such scarring is easier to manage, as a few professional exfoliating treatments combined with the right products usually makes magic.

However, deeper scarring can be slightly trickier to deal with. Deep tissues that are scarred often change the texture of the skin as well as the color, which usually happens after severe hormonal acne. Deep scarring cannot be treated by topical creams, as they don’t penetrate to the deeper layers of the skin.

Laser treatments are often recommended as a treatment for deep scarring. However, laser treatments come with several downsides, including burning of the skin, redness, irritation, sensitivity – and not to mention the high costs involved with no guarantee. To know more about why laser treatments should be avoided, click here.

Unless you’re willing to invest in the large costs and high risks of laser treatments, non-invasive facial treatments are your best bet to get rid of scarring, both superficial and deep. Here are the best treatments for you based on your level of scarring:

Superficial Scarring: Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion is a light, superficial peel that exfoliates your surface skin layer, repairing minimal acne scarring, dull skin, spots and pigmentation. Microdermabrasion is minimally abrasive and doesn’t require any downtime. Besides redness for a few hours, your skin will be good to go!

Plus, microdermabrasion can be customized to treat other skin concerns such as clogged pores, dehydrated skin and uneven skin texture, making it the perfect facial treatment for superficial scarring!

Price range – AED 500 onwards per session 

Deep Scarring: Microneedling

Microneedling is an advanced therapy that’s the best alternative to laser & surgical facial treatments. As the name suggests, the treatment uses micro needles that create nano holes in your skin to push healing serums to the deeper layer.

The best part is that microneedling actually works in treating several skin concerns all at once, including large pores, hyper pigmentation, aging signs and loose skin. The treatment has a regenerative effect, wherein the needles force your skin to produce collagen and boost healing.

Microneedling can also be customized to treat your exact skin concerns and you can select between basic micro needling vs advanced micro needling that uses pure oxygen to heal the deepest layers of your skin.

Price range – AED 1000 onwards per session

Remember, healing deep or superficial scarring is a journey that takes effort, but the right treatments from the right aestheticians can do real wonders for your skin!

To get in touch with our experts, give us a call at 04 451 5554 or get in touch with us by clicking this link. We specialize in advanced aesthetics and are conveniently located in Business Bay, Dubai.

5 Smoothies That Will Make You Look & Feel Younger

We all want to look and feel younger. But often times, our busy lives don’t allow us to take time off and treat ourselves. Whether it’s a quick facial or a relaxing massage, running the house and taking care of the kids can eat up most of our time. And by the end of the day, we’re already exhausted.

Well, here’s the good news!

Looking and feeling younger isn’t impossible.

By incorporating certain foods like fruits and leafy greens into your diet, you can easily defy age. These foods help improve cell growth and prevent cell damage, giving you radiant and youthful looking skin.

Here are 5 quick and easy anti-aging smoothies –

1. Green Goddess Smoothie

Key component: Vitamin B, perfect for skin moisture retention and protection from harmful environmental effects

Ingredients:

1 cup of tightly packed spinach (vitamin E)

1/2 ripe medium banana

2 Tablespoons avocado (peeled and pit removed) (vitamin E)

1 Tablespoon sunflower seeds (vitamin E)

2 Tablespoons lemon juice

1 cup of unsweetened almond milk (vitamin E)

2. Blueberry Breeze

Key component: Vitamin C, perfect for improving cell growth and regenerating other vitamins in the body like Vitamin E.

Ingredients:

1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries (vitamin C)

1 cup fresh or frozen strawberries (vitamin C)

1 cup coconut water

1 Tablespoon lemon juice (vitamin C)

1 teaspoon chia seeds

1 handful of mint (leaves only) (vitamin C)

3. Carrot and Kale Power Smoothie

Key component: Beta-Carotene, perfect for protecting cells from damage and improving the eyesight.

Ingredients:

1 cup kale (only take the leaf part and leave out the stem) (beta-carotene)

1 carrot (chopped) (beta-carotene)

1 green apple (core removed and chopped)

Lemon juice from 1 lemon or 2 Tablespoons lemon juice

1 cup coconut water

4. Chia Smoothie

Key component: Omega-3, perfect for hydrating the skin.

Ingredients:

½ cup mango (sliced)

1 cup pineapple (sliced)

1 Tablespoon chia seeds (Omega-3)

1 cup coconut water

5. Cacao and Banana Smoothie

Key component: Polyphenols, perfect for protecting the body from harmful oxidizing agents.

Ingredients:

1 banana

6 strawberries

1 Tablespoon cacao powder (polyphenols)

1 cup unsweetened almond milk

Incorporate these foods into your daily diet to look and feel younger from deep within. Always remember, we are what we eat.

How To Do Face Yoga For Younger Looking Skin

Although face yoga is known as the non-invasive alternative to injectables and surgery, how exactly does it help banish fine lines and wrinkles, and firm sagging skin?

Face yoga works the hypodermis (lower layer of the skin), dermis (middle layer of the skin), and epidermis (upper layer of the skin).

The techniques used during a face yoga are designed to stimulate collagen and elastin production, giving you smoother, supple, and younger-looking skin. These techniques involve gentle acupressure, a classic technique that increases the energy on the face.

When these techniques are done correctly, face yoga helps increase blood circulation, allowing more nourishment and oxygen to reach the cells of the skin.

Everyone has a different face structure, so results may vary from person to person.

However, here are 3 facial exercises that’ll keep your face smooth, firm, and youthful. We recommend doing these for 20 minutes, 6 times a week, for better results.

To reduce lines and wrinkles around the eyes

Step 1: Put both middle fingers together between your eyebrows

Step 2: Apply pressure to the outer corners of eyes with your index fingers

Step 3: Look up and move your lower eyelids upwards

Step 4: Relax and repeat six more times. To finish, squeeze your eyes shut for 10 seconds then relax.

To reduce lines around the mouth, and to lift and firm the cheeks and jaw

Step 1: Hide your teeth with your lips and make an ”O’’ with your mouth

Step 2: Smile as widely as you can, whilst still hiding your teeth

Step 3: Repeat six times.

Step 4: Hold the smile shape and place one index finger on your chin

Step 5: Move your jaw up and down as you tilt your head back. Relax and repeat two more times.

To tone and lift the neck

Step 1: Tilt your head back and place your fingertips on the neck.

Step 2: Pull the skin down and bring your head back down. Repeat this step twice.

Step 3: Place your fingers on the collarbone and point your chin upwards.

Step 4: Pull the corners of your mouth down. Hold for four deep breaths.

Apart from doing these facial exercises, it’s also best to incorporate a regular skin and facial treatment for best results.

Find out what your skin needs, and know more about our highly recommended anti-ageing facial treatments. Book a consultation with us by calling 04 451 5554.

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