Look... skin transformations to WOW!

By Gemma Little

Meet Charlotte…

I’ve owned my multi award winning salon for 16 years. Charisma Beauty, Skincare & Aesthetics in Norwich.

I’ve spent my career advising and educating my clients about their skin. How to keep it in top condition, how to treat various skin problems and how to ensure that they look fabulous for their age.

I whole heartedly believe in my work. My passion for results driven skincare, makes every working day a rewarding pleasure. I know that my work can change people lives. Now I’ve experienced this first hand.

Friends would describe me as confident, having an uplifting, bubbly personality. I like to think of myself as an open and honest person. What you see is what you get with me!

Can you imagine how I felt when my own skin took a cruel turn for the worst? To keep my unhappy secret, I kept my skin hidden behind a mask of concealer & foundation.

My story begins…

Blessed with the safe arrival of my second baby, another beautiful daughter joined our family. A happy time for us all.

As my hormones changed after her birth. So did my skin. I didn’t get the glowing radiant skin that many new Mums report. Instead I got dry, painful, red, angry, spotty skin that I wouldn’t wish upon anyone else.

My reflection in the mirror, brought me to tears

I had developed second stage acne rosacea. Now my skin condition overshadowed the joy of being a new Mum.

I took these first pictures alone in the privacy of my bathroom. I didn’t want anyone to see my skin. I sat and sobbed at my reflection in the mirror, it was a really low point.

I remember thinking ‘come on pull yourself together.' What would you tell your clients to do? How would you help someone else in the same situation? And thanks to my experience as a skincare professional, I knew what I must do next to do get the problem under control.

My rosacea became infected

I needed to treat the infection before I could treat my skin. My GP prescribed me a course of antibiotics. I don’t always agree with using medication to treat your skin, it’s often harsh and the side effects can be damaging to not just your skin but also your body and mind. In this case without getting the infection under control I would never achieve the results I wanted.

Now it was time for me to do what I do best. But this time I was treating my own skin!

Without action my skin would have become worse and everlasting damage would be done. I would be left with scarring, uneven, damaged skin. I knew from experience that the redness would get darker, and more purple in colour if I let it get out of control.

It was time to reconsider my skincare routine. I went back to basics with Katherine Daniels products. I introduced a proper cleansing routine - a double cleanse and tone with the Essential Cleansing Milk and Essential Toning Lotion.

This is how I would cleanse a client’s skin at the start of a professional treatment. It’s the best way to be sure your skin is cleansed gently and properly. To moisturise I used the Age Defence Dry Skin Cream. To replace lost oils and moisture and defend my skin from the environment.

If you’re short of ‘me time’ you’ll love this

My skincare routine takes me no longer than 2 minutes in the morning and the same in the evening. It's thorough and I use products that give me results.

In a few weeks I saw a dramatic improvement. My skin started to change, it was no longer dry, the soreness was less and the redness reducing. More than this my self-confidence was coming back! I felt like I could face the world, without people staring & judging me. I started to feel like me again!

I have positioned myself as an expert in my industry. Now it was time to prove my expertise

Rosacea is caused by the lack of oxygen in your skin. Oxygen is provided by your micro circulation. Your cells need oxygen for their ability to function and be healthy.

During the onset of rosacea, cells become suffocated (by the lack of oxygen). Your micro circulation becomes restricted, resulting in an even greater lack of oxygen! It’s an ever increasing effect that easily spirals out of control.

This is why rosacea should be treated at its earliest stage. You can boost oxygen levels in your skin with high doses of calcium. This allows your blood capillaries to function properly. Stagnant toxins can be flushed away by your lymphatic system.

There is a bacteria present in rosacea, this causes the pimples. Mine got out of control, which is why it became infected. With the correct salon treatment you can control this too.

How did I achieve my incredible results?

To begin I wanted to strengthen my skin and make sure that it was functioning well. I did this with a course of 4 Age Defence Treatments for Sensitive Skin. Now much less red, more comfortable and calmer. My skin was hydrated and ready to receive the next step in my skincare journey.

Photo-Dynamic Therapy

I treated my skin for Rosacea and Sensitive Skin. Photo-Dynamic Therapy allowed me to treat my skin from the inside out, thanks to the use of red and yellow LED light.

Along with this. I used the (unique Katherine Daniels) light activated skincare technology - Photo-Dynamic Concentrates. Designed to multiply the results you achieve from using light therapy.

I stimulated the production of lymphocytes, to carry away the stagnant toxins. This reduced the inflammation and congestion in my skin. The Photo-Dynamic Concentrate is rich in oxygenating calcium, as well as powerful calming and soothing ingredients.

At home I added 1 more product. I used the Photo-Dynamic Treatment Boost for Rosacea & Sensitive Skin. It’s developed to support the professional treatment. More calcium, more calming and soothing ingredients were delivered to my skin twice each day.

Find out more about this amazing Katherine Daniels treatment here.

Just look at my skin now!

The visible results are only one aspect, the psychological effects have been huge too. The combination of both have given me back my zest for live. I feel happy. I feel pretty. I’m enjoying the challenges of being a working Mum again. But more than this I feel confident in my own skin!

Help is at hand

If you or someone you know are having similar skin problems to me. I understand how you feel. There is hope and there is freedom from this terrible skin condition.

If you need any help with your skin, myself or one of my team would love to support you with your journey to better skin for life. Find my salon information here.

If you're too far away to meet us. There’s an army of independent Katherine Daniels Skincare Professionals out there.

Its been a pleasure to share my story with you.

Charlotte

As the cold months roll in it's easy to think SPF can take a backseat in your skincare routine. But Daily DNA Defence SPF30 is much more than just a sunscreen, it’s your final coat of skin armour, it’s weather protection for your skin.

Our award-winning, broad-spectrum SPF protects your skin from more than just UV rays. It guards against environmental pollutants and blue light
emitted from your screens. Meanwhile, winter’s cold air, winds and rain can damage your skin barrier.

During and after exposure to the elements, Daily DNA Defence protects and repairs your cells DNA.

And more than this, it’s the best make-up primer. Talk about a multi-tasking product! Its lightweight formula sits comfortably under your foundation, ensuring your make-up stays fresh and stays ‘put’ all day.

Keep reading as we deep dive into the benefits of Daily DNA Defence SPF30 and why it’s an essential part of your winter skincare regime.

Broad-spectrum, photostable protection with Daily DNA Defence SPF30

Not all SPF products are created equal, Daily DNA Defence SPF30 offers broad-spectrum protection. This means that it shields your skin from both UVA rays (the ones that age your skin) and UVB rays (the ones that burn your skin). If your moisturiser or foundation contains an SPF it’s worth checking, make sure you’re covered for both UVA and UVB. Many of those products only protect against UVB, leaving your skin vulnerable to the long-term damage caused by UVA rays.

I’m guessing that you follow your daily skincare regime to promote skin health and to keep your skin looking great for your age? Using Daily DNA Defence SPF30 will help you avoid undoing all that effort by providing the UVA protection your skin truly needs.

And here's the bonus: our SPF is photostable, meaning it won’t break down or lose effectiveness in the sun. However, if you're by the pool make sure to reapply every two hours as water, sweat and towel drying can remove it, leaving your skin vulnerable.

Blue light and pollution protection

In today’s world, your skin is up against more than just the sun. Daily DNA Defence SPF30 also shields your skin from two often overlooked threats: blue light and pollution.

Blue light, mainly from our smart devices and pollution in the atmosphere. Blue light and pollution trigger changes in your skin cells, even leading to cell death. Unprotected exposure to these will lead to hyperpigmentation and can damage your skin’s health. Most blue light comes from smart technology, which is used daily by most of us. Pollution is all around; levels are higher in towns and cities all year.

DNA Defence and Repair: protecting your skin at the cellular level

When your skin is exposed to radiation it faces more than just surface damage, your cells DNA is at risk. Daily DNA Defence SPF30 acts like a "virtual parasol," shielding your cells during exposure to harmful rays. But the protection doesn’t stop there. After exposure, your body naturally works to repair DNA damage. Your cells naturally produce an enzyme which kickstarts the repair process of your DNA. Thanks to the powerful repairing ingredients in our formula this process is accelerated up to 100 times, meaning your skin recovers faster, stays healthier and sustains less long term damage.

In summary, wear Daily DNA Defence SPF30 as your final coat of skin armour each day in all seasons and you can rest assured you’re doing your best to protect your skin.

Magical make-up priming

We know that finding the perfect daily SPF texture is a challenge. We’ve been there too. Most SPFs feel like a layer too many, leaving skin feeling greasy, heavy or cause foundation to slide off by midday. This is why we made our product for you. A super light veil, which is suitable for even the most sensitive skin. With no oily or white residue, it’s non-pore blocking and
dries over your moisturiser to become the best make-up primer you’ll ever use, keeping your foundation perfectly in place all day or all night long.

No make-up, no problem

For our men and/or non make-up wearers, our handy pocket size product gives you the same invisible veil and matt skin finish. Skiers, golfers and cyclists will love that it slips easily into a pocket, bag or pouch.

Where else should you be applying your SPF?

Your SPF isn’t just for your face, use all the way down to your décollete and up to your hairline. Not forgetting areas like the tops of your lips, ears, nose and the backs of your hands. These are often overlooked spots that are equally exposed to the sun, whether you’re lounging by the pool or simply driving. The backs of your hands are quick to show signs of ageing, so it’s vital to keep them protected. And if you’re grabbing some winter sun make sure to apply it to the tops of your feet.

How much SPF should you use?

Aim for about the size of a 5 pence piece for each application. However, this should come after Step 2 – Skin Boost and Step 3 – Skin Defence Cream in your skincare routine. If you're planning to sunbathe, apply Daily DNA Defence SPF30 at least 15 minutes before heading outside. Once you're in the sun reapply after 15 minutes for the ultimate protection, then continue every two hours.

And remember, swimming, sweating or towel drying can remove your SPF, so be sure to reapply regularly to keep your skin fully protected.