Lady Greystones

A quick google confirms that our skin is an organ and its main function is one of protection, protection from pathogens and excessive water loss as well as insulation, temperature regulation and production of vitamin D folates. So it makes sense that we should make every effort to protect this hugely important organ.

Wanting to look our best is probably one of the biggest motivating factors for minding our skin, so here are a few guidelines about what our skin needs to work optimally and then hopefully as a result look the best it can!

Vitamin C – this water soluble antioxidant is vital for synthesis of collagen and elastin. It is a powerful free radical (baddie that causes aging amongst other issues) scavenger.

Free radicals are constantly being produced just by existing.

I like Pukka Natural Vitamin C as a supplement – it is a food source supplement which means it has all the other important co-factors required for optimum absorption. Added bonus is that your immune system will be supported by this super vitamin also!

Essential Fatty Acids – essential as our bodies can’t make them so we need to consume them! Oily fish, avocados, nuts/seeds to name a few, are easy to take in regularly. You can also supplement, just look out for supplements that do not contain added synthetic vitamins such as A and D – I like Nordic Naturals Arctic Cod Liver Oil or Rositas, both are available online. I have only listed Omega 3 supplements as they are the hardest ones to get enough of and are the ones that help to fight inflammation.

Rositas is not for the faint hearted – it’s pretty fishy, I’m used to it now but I definitely prefer the taste of the Nordic Naturals.

Our skin cells all need fats (good fats – like the ones mentioned above), eating a low fat diet is very bad for your skin (as well as the rest of you!). Eliminating highly processed foods and sugars will improve your skin… and your waistline!

Drink lots of good quality water, apart from flushing out skin damaging toxins it is also required for every cell in your body, including your skin cells – imagine your whole body becoming prune like from dehydration… not good!

Get a sensible amount of sunlight to make sure your getting your vitamin D in BUT do not burn, from the point of view of your face and chest I would recommend protecting it every day. We love the Image Skincare Prevention + SPF’s here at Lady G.

Thanks for reading,

Orla

Despite being reasonably “hippyish”, I have always used “conventional” skincare products. I am very happy ingredient wise with the products we use in the salon. Recently I have had rather stubborn blackheads around my nose, to be honest they were driving me bonkers. So when oil cleansing popped up during conversations this month around DIY versus professional treatments, I thought I’d give it a go.

I googled my topic and sure enough lots of my favourite bloggers had articles on oil cleansing…it seemed it was going to be a game changer!!!

Delighted that I would be able to use the olive oil that I already head in the press for my salads, I only had to purchase some castor oil. Now every site warned that there may be some purging and that my skin may be worse before it got better so I was prepared for that. I mixed 1/4 castor oil with 3/4 olive oil and went for it! Initially I was very impressed, my skin felt good and looked good, but then it got really really dry. Further googling suggested that I was using way too much castor oil which is an astringent and that I should probably add some avocado oil for essential fatty acids. So I made another blend with 10% castor oil with the further 90% made up of olive and avocado oil. It was still too drying so I moved to just avocado oil, this was better but I still wasn’t happy.

Interestingly, at exactly this point an ad popped up on my newsfeed about Kinvara Oil Cleanser, I looked up the ingredients and figured it would cost me a small fortune to replicate it so I duly purchased said oil cleanser. I am currently using it and finding it lovely, I still have dryness but its getting better.

I think going forward I will go back to my trusty YonKa and Image Skincare cleansers and will use the oil cleanser as a treatment a couple of times a week. I suppose it’s like most things, there is no one size fits all and you have to dabble a bit to find out what works for you!

Orla

We have two types of massage clients, the ones that come in when they are suffering with pain and are hoping  for relief and those that come regularly, just because.

So often in our high tech world, our interactions with other humans are via email or social media. As a therapist, I feel that there is a little bit of magic that happens during a massage treatment. It’s human touch. There is so much trust placed in us as therapists really and genuinely I feel lucky that I can help people feel lighter, relaxed and minded.

I couldn’t tell you how many clients have come down the stairs here in the salon following a massage treatment with any of our therapists and they are almost groggy with relaxation. But guess what? Apart from the feeling of wellbeing there are many other benefits!

All the movements, be it kneading or effleurage stimulate both your circulatory system, bringing oxygen and nutrients to the muscles, ligaments and skin, and also the lymphatic system which helps to drain away toxins and carbon dioxide from the same areas.

While more research is needed to confirm the benefits of massage, some studies have found massage may also helpful for:

• Anxiety
• Digestive disorders
• Fibromyalgia
• Headaches
• Insomnia related to stress
• Myofascial pain syndrome
• Soft tissue strains or injuries
• Sports injuries
• Temporomandibular joint pain

We offer Swedish and hot stone massage here at Lady G, these massages are ideal for helping to relieve tension and relax. They can be helpful following treatment by physiotherapy or other therapeutic treatments as a way of maintaining wellness. If however you are suffering with severe or chronic pain, it is vital that you seek medical attention.

If you would like to book in for a massage at Lady G you can book online here:

http://ladyg.ie/book.php Or call us on 01 2872311

We are also delighted to have Shirin from the Sports Massage Clinic offering sports and deep tissue massage for those of you that need more therapeutic massage…

At the Sports Massage Clinic our speciality is sports and deep tissue massage.

Sports massage is a form of massage that addresses problems and imbalances in the soft tissues of the body (muscles, tendons and ligaments). These problems can be caused by repetitive and strenuous physical activity and trauma. For the sporty person, sports massage may assist in the prevention of injuries and help with recovery and more efficient training. The benefits of sports massage are not just aimed at the sporting population, they are far reaching and can help muscleoskeleteal complaints such as pain and tension in the neck and shoulders from sitting at a desk for work.

Deep tissue massage uses deep friction techniques to target knots and adhesions on tired and aching muscles, this popular massage has proven very successful in reducing tension while maintaining the relaxation effects of massage.

Each treatment is always tailored to the individuals needs and a thorough consultation is carried out to discuss the issues that need to be addressed and the clients expectations of the treatment.

For more information visit thesportsmassageclinic.ie  or email info@thesportsmassageclinic.ie.

Thanks for reading,

Orla

From a certain age (early 30s) many of us begin to see the effects of premature aging such as dull, rough skin with enlarged pores, fine lines and wrinkles as well as pigmentation  and vascular irregularities such as  Telangiectasia (broken capillaries). This is usually as a result of sun damage and other lifestyle factors.

Our IPL rejuvenation treatments can be tailored to your specific concerns and help address premature aging by promoting fibroblast activity and subtly restructuring collagen with the skin.

It is important to note that IPL is not a substitute for surgery , ablative resurfacing or other procedures which improve deep wrinkles and sagging skin. You will need to speak to a dermatologist for information on these types of treatments.

• There is a relatively small risk of adverse effects and no down time post treatment.
• The primary aim is to induce a healing response of the skin and promote new collagen formation.
• It is important to be patient, changes in collagen structure are not immediate and best results are often visible several weeks post treatment
• Multiple treatments are required – usually 6 (at 3-4 week intervals)
• Combining IPL treatments with our YonKa Alpha Vital facial, Image iPeels or Jetpeel Facial will optimise your results.
• Our IPL system allows us to vary treatment depending on what your primary concerns are: Vascular and pigmentary irregularies, enlarged pores, fine lines or poor skin texture.

We offer a complimentary consultation which is required  prior to any treatment, it also allows us to discuss what other treatments may be of benefit to you. You can book your complimentary consultation online or by phone.

Thanks for reading,

Orla

Vascular Lesions:

There are a variety of reasons why some of us end up with thread veins on our face including, a heredity predisposition (if your parents suffered it’s likely you will too!), sun damage, aging, steroid use and also pregnancy. They are most common on the cheeks and sides of nose. These veins aka telangiectasia are small dilated blood vessels and the good news is that they usually respond very well to IPL treatment in often as little as one or two treatments.

Rosacea is a very common inflammatory condition of the skin, it often presents as a red facial flush along with telangiectasia. The cause of rosacea is not known but there are a number of environmental factors that may aggravate the condition. While rosacrea responds well to IPL treatment it cannot be cured and maintenance treatments of often required to control the condition.

Sider Naevi are little red “spots” with feeding capillary legs, if you press on the spot it will blanch, these lesions respond well to IPL treatments.

How does IPL work for these lesions?

Our machine emits light which is absorbed by the pigment (haemoglobin) found in these vessels, this causes a thermo-coagulation of the vessels and following treatment the body just absorbs the damaged vessels leaving little or no trace of the initial lesion.

It is important to note that 100% clearance cannot be guaranteed, there are a number of issues which will impact on the result, lifestyle factors as well as size, depth and density of the vessel in question.

A complimentary consultation and patch test are required prior to any treatments to ensure suitability.

Pigmented Lesions: 

Most people develop pigmented lesions of some type over the course of a lifetime. IPL can be used to treat specific types of lesions including, freckles (ephelides) and age/liver spots (Lentigines). We do not treat melasma/ cholasma which is a discolouration caused by pregnancy, the contraceptive pill or other hormonal medication. Moles also cannot be treated.

How does it work?

Similar to the vascular treatment, our Excelight machine emits a light which is absorbed by the pigment (melanin) in the lesion, this light is converted to heat which destroys the excess melanocytes. Following treatment, the lesion will darken and form a thin micro-crust, it will peel off over the space of a week or so, leaving the area treated without excess pigmentation.

Again, 100% clearance cannot be guaranteed and sun exposure may result in the appearance of lesions. Multiple treatments may be required and maintenance are often necessary.

A complimentary consultation and patch test are required prior to any treatments to ensure suitability.

Orla

So we have reached the end of another summer, and how lovely it was! The downside to beautiful weather is unwanted hair. Daily shaving or waiting a month until your next wax can be a chore and annoying. If you have dark hair we may have just the solution for you! This is the best time to get IPL treatment to be ready for next summer.

Intense Pulsed Light treatment relies on the absorption of light by the pigment (melanin) contained in dark hair, this light energy is converted to heat energy which in turn travels down the hair shaft to destroy the follicle and in particular the blood supply to the hair.

Our IPL machine uses the process of selective photothermolysis, this means that the light is absorbed by the hair rather than your skin, so your skin remains cool and undamaged.

What else do I need to know? 

• The light energy is attracted to and absorbed by melanin. There is very little melanin in hair that is blonde, white or grey, therefore unfortunately these hair colours cannot be treated. We also cannot treat tanned or fake tanned skin as there is too much pigment on the epidermis.
• Hair must be present in the follicle for effective treatment, so any form of hair removal such as plucking, waxing, threading is not advisable for a month prior to the treatment. You can however shave or trim the hair in fact this is necessary prior to treatment so you don’t have to be hairy while waiting for your appointment.
• 100% clearance cannot be guaranteed, there are many factors including hair colour, texture and density, skin type and hormonal status that will have implications.
• Results are not immediately visible, it may take up to 3 weeks for the hair to shed. You should then have a hair free period until hairs that were not in the particular phase (anagen) required at intervals of 4 to 8 weeks.
• Maintenance treatments may be required, especially where there is a hormonal imbalance present.
• There are potential side effects as there are with all treatments, your therapist will discuss these with you at your consultation.

We offer a complementary consultation which includes a patch test, this is a pre requisite to any treatment regardless of whether you have had previous IPL treatment or not.

If you would like to book in for a consultation to see if you are suitable and to ask any questions you may have, please book online or call us on 012872311.

Orla

Reflexology during pregnancy can really help with treating some of the minor disorders that can occur. It is a very safe treatment and a wonderful tool during pregnancy and labour. It is important to note that reflexology cannot do any harm and certainly cannot bring on labour – I had treatments twice a week on my second pregnancy and I still had to be induced despite my best efforts!!

Benefits of reflexology during pregnancy include:

• Reduced morning sickness, all day sickness that persists past first trimester.
• May help relieve heartburn, indigestion, constipation, lower back pain and symphysis pubis diastasis.
• Prepares body for labour by balancing the body systems, in particular the endocrine system, which is in charge of the labour process.
• The length of labour may be reduced by having regular reflexology treatments in the weeks prior to due date.

Relaxation during what can be an anxious time is the biggest benefit, and most pregnant women love to have their feet massaged! Myself and Laura have attended specific ante-natal reflexology training and would be delighted to look after you. As with all treatments there are some contra indications so please give us a call and we can make sure that you are suitable for treatment and get you booked in.

Thanks for reading,

Orla

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been asked “what is reflexology?” or “why should I have a treatment?”, so this article is written with the intention of explaining how a treatment works and who would benefit from a treatment.

What is Reflexology?

Reflexology is a very gentle therapy that encourages the body to balance and heal itself. During a treatment finger or thumb pressure is applied to specific points on the feet and/or hands. These points or reflexes mirror particular organs and structures of the body as well as a persons emotional health.

This method of healing goes back many centuries and has been part of several cultures. The earliest evidence of hand and foot massage was discovered in an Egyptian tomb dated back to approximately 2330 BC, some of the medical reliefs contained in this tomb show people receiving hand and foot massages in order to ‘give strength’ and also ‘do not cause pain’.

The ancient Chinese also worked the hands and feet in order to remain well and prevent disease. They developed Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) which includes acupuncture, acupressure, herbalism and exercise. At the core of TCM is the theory that our ‘vital energy’ runs through 14 major meridians in the body, twelve of these meridians either being or end in the tips of the fingers or toes. Massage of these areas stimulate the flow of energy and clears congestion of these meridians, allowing harmony in the body.

Foot massage is also significant in Ayurvedic Medicine which was developed in India and is thought to be the oldest recorded system of healing dating back some 5000 years.

Who can have a treatment?

Reflexology can be enjoyed by anyone at any age, from newborns to those receiving end of life care and everyone in-between. As with all treatments there are certain situations/conditions which are contraindicated, if you are concerned as to whether or not you can be treated, give us a call.

Reflexologists do not claim to cure, diagnose or prescribe. Our treatments are very individual and are tailored to you as a whole person. The best way to find out if it works for you is to try it. You should expect reduced tension and feel generally relaxed after a treatment. You may also find that you sleep better and that your mood and sense of well-being improves. You may have other benefits also, but these happen on an individual basis.

Life can be stressful, it is important to take responsibility for our health and among other therapies, reflexology may be one of the ways to reduce the effects of stress on our bodies.

Thanks for reading,

Orla 

This is a disease that I feel very strongly about as my own mum is very badly affected by it. If undiagnosed and untreated, it will lead to fractures which ultimately can cause a huge loss of both independence and confidence. It is also largely preventable and if diagnosed on time can be treated very well through diet, safe supplementation and there are new pharmaceuticals that can help also.

The first sign is most commonly a fracture from a low trauma injury – a fall from standing position or less. My mum stood up from a chair but lost her footing and fell on soft flooring, she broke her knee cap and ankle and required convalescent care in order to recuperate, she still suffers with pain and loss of confidence while walking – this has led to significant loss of independence.

What is Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis literally means porous bones. Our bones are living tissue which is constantly being replaced and rebuilt. They need vitamin D (AKA Sunlight), numerous minerals including calcium, magnesium, zinc and boron, adequate sex hormones and plenty of weight bearing exercise, in order to remain healthy.

As we age our bones naturally lose more bone than is replaced, people with osteoporosis lose more than others and as a result their bones become fragile and prone to fracture from minor injuries or falls.

Who is at risk?

Osteoporosis affects both men and women and can occur at any age. Approximately 1 in 4 men and 1 in 2 women over the age of 50 will fracture a bone due to osteoporosis. It is estimated that over 300,000 people in Ireland have Osteoporosis.

There are numerous risk factors, www.irishosteoporosis.ie is a very informative site in this regard.

The following are just a few examples:

• Family history of osteoporosis
• Use of steroids
• History of eating disorders
• Digestive disorders such as coeliac, crohn’s, IBS which can lead to malabsorption of nutrients
• Stress – which can also lead to poor nutrient absorption
• Various endocrine disorders i.e. hyper/hypo thyroidism
• Menopause
• Diet choices – Vegan, vegetarianism, low fat diets (calcium, vitamin D and protein requirements may not be met by these diets)
• Low body weight i.e. being underweight for your height
• Smoking
• Excessive alcohol consumption

The gold standard for diagnosis is a DXA scan of your spine and hip to determine bone density and is recommended if you are at risk.

Signs and Symptoms of Osteoporosis:

The first sign is a fracture from a low trauma injury – a fall from standing position or less.

Symptoms:

• Sudden severe episodes of upper, middle or lower back pain.
• Loss of height (greater than 2 cm)
• Development of a humped appearance (dowagers hump) and/or a change in body shape for example, the ribs appear to sit on the pelvis

There is generally no pain until a fracture occurs – this is why osteoporosis is known as a silent disease.

What can I do to keep my bones healthy?

• Eat a varied, balanced, nutrient dense diet. Include:
• Plenty of vegetables and some fruit. These contain a variety of vital minerals for bone growth and repair but also antioxidants and vitamin K which is also required for the utilisation of calcium. So green, leafy vegetables, colourful berries, avocados, kiwis – fill 1/2 your plate with veggies at every meal.
• Good quality animal protein, such as eggs, fish, natural yogurt and other full fat organic dairy produce.
• Include bone broth in your diet – it makes sense that bones would have the required ingredients for healthy bones! This is a helpful link to get you started – I use the carcass of an organic chicken after our roast dinner, I find simmering for 4-5 hours is sufficient. Add to your soups, casseroles, bolognaise etc.
• The best way to keep your vitamin D levels as they should be is by getting adequate sunlight exposure – this means exposure without SPF. It is vitally important that you don’t burn but 15 minutes exposure to as much of your body as possible should allow sufficient vitamin D without burning. Vitamin D containing foods include eggs, liver and oily fish such as mackerel, sardines and herrings.
• Get out and walk for 30 minutes a day, especially if you have a job that keeps you sitting for long periods.
• Take a good probiotic (Udo’s Super 8) or even better include fermented foods such as sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha and kefir in your diet on a daily basis, this keeps your gut health good with lots of healthy bacteria who help produce vitamin K in your gut which in turn aids calcium absorption.

If you have concerns about your bone health, please talk to your GP, they can refer you to any necessary tests if required.

If you would like to take a supplement, please look for a food based supplement as this will be more easily utilised by your body than a synthetic version, and never ever take calcium as a stand alone supplement, it requires other minerals and vitamins to be effective.

Thanks for reading,

Orla 

I must begin by saying that as a Nutritional Therapist, I firmly believe that the food you consume will absolutely have either a positive or negative effect on your health. I do not believe that entire food groups should be cut out from anyone’s diet – unless the foods in question cause ill health. The obvious ones are gluten containing foods for coeliacs, foods containing eggs, nuts or shellfish for those that suffer with ALLERGIES to these foods. In these situations consumption of these foods will cause serious harm.

But what about those of us that suffer from excema, acne, rosacea, sinus problems, fatigue, headaches, anxiety or digestive discomfort that is often diagnosed as Irritable Bowel Syndrome? Is it possible that there is something we are eating or drinking regularly that is causing INFLAMMATION and pain? I think that in many situations – there is! It may be that for one reason or another a person could develop an intolerance to particular foods.

It is highly unlikely that we are deficient in the various medications that we are given in an effort to clear up these conditions and it is more likely that we need to dig a little deeper to find out what the root cause is. Don’t get me wrong, as a short term measure the medications are fantastic at providing pain relief and clearing up any infections that are present, BUT if we don’t figure out why the problem happened in the first place and fix that, how can we ever really solve the problem for good?

What is a food intolerance?

Food intolerance develops when foods that are poorly digested arrive in the intestines. These foods react badly with the huge colonies of bacteria which normally reside there. If this situation continues, these undigested foods will feed and encourage any opportunistic, pathogenic bacteria which also reside there, leading to a toxic state within the intestines.

If we continue to eat these problem foods, this toxic mix will continue to cause damage to the gut wall, making it more permeable. The remnants of these undigested foods and the associated gut toxins will eventually seep into the bloodstream.

The immune system responds to the undigested foods which are feeding these gut toxins by producing armies of defense antibodies. These antibodies are designed to block and destroy these problematic foods. However, if the person continues to ingest these problem foods, the immune system will continue to flood the body with these powerful defense antibodies. Pain and inflammation are the end result of this response.

The resulting problem for people suffering with a food intolerance is that their digestive system is weak and their immune system in particular, their antibody response is too strong. The only way to assist this weakened digestive system and to calm to over-reacting immune is to avoid these problem foods.

(Source: Fitzwilliam FoodTEST – Food Intolerance Guidebook)

What can I do if I think I have a Food Intolerance?

There are a number of Food Intolerance tests that you can pay for, these tests measure the amount of IgG antibody you are producing against all of the foods included in your particular test. These tests are expensive and in my humble opinion there is a better way – an elimination/challenge diet.

In fact this is really the gold standard of intolerance testing. This should be done with the help of a qualified Nutritional Therapist.

The removal of an antigen (problem food) for 21-28 days should improve symptoms, it is necessary for all potential antigens to be removed. Usually the most common foods to be removed for this period are cow’s milk, wheat, egg, corn, soy and tree nuts, however if you feel there are other foods that may be causing problems the diet can be modified to challenge those foods. After the elimination period the patient carefully adds back in one of the problem foods one at a time, allowing 2-4 days between each food. This allows for recognition of delay hypersensitivity responses.

(Source: Textbook of Functional Medicine, The Institute of Functional Medicine 2010)

Your Nutritional Therapist will also work with you in order to improve your gut flora and reduce inflammation, through food as much as possible and with supplements where necessary. The ideal outcome is that after a period of time you would be able to tolerate at least small amounts of that food which was once a problem.

You may not have a food intolerance but it’s worth ruling out, right?

Thanks for reading,

Orla