The Special FAQs
Some of the ingredients in your Klira Special are acting at a cellular level to exert a biological change in the cells, to repair damage and to onward protect. Remember, this treatment works – this is not a marketing claim – this is a real change and has been proven to the very highest level of evidence, in the skin of humans, and in-life situations. The ingredients of this cream will be making a real difference to your skin.
We have also developed a specific base for your SkinSize that will allow maximum penetration into the skin in the most effective and nourishing way. Other ways you might have tried retinoids in the past might have induced some problems, this new formulation and the controlled slow introduction to your skin should mitigate those issues.
We will deliver the ingredients in increasing concentrations and changing the way it is delivered every month. You should experience far less of the problems that are normally associated with starting retinoids across every SkinSize and skin colour.
Your skin might feel a bit dry and even have a very fine scale to it a few days after starting to use the treatment. This might last in some people up to 6 weeks. Essentially some of the ingredients are exfoliants meaning, the ingredients are doing the job of exfoliating the skin – from inside the pores and on the surface. That’s why I always say there is no need to scrub the skin. The ingredients are effectively doing the scrubbing for you.
Tretinoin can make the skin feel dry at the beginning of use – in the early days it has an irritating and drying effect on the skin. We have formulated the tretinoin to be delivered in a way that immediately provides hydration and an effective moisturising effect. Lots of other retinoids may be in gels – these can be very drying on the skin particularly if they have alcohol in them that too can be drying.
Essentially some of the ingredients are exfoliants meaning, the ingredients are doing the job of exfoliating the skin – from inside the pores and on the surface. That’s why I always say there is no need to scrub the skin. The ingredients are effectively doing the scrubbing for you. I also sometimes say to patients – “think of this a bit like a skin peel except instead of having to take a week of work and have a very red face you are swapping it for a gentle peel, just a bit at a time over 4 weeks.”
In terms of wanting to stop the peeling ideally the idea is to let it run its course. It is expected to happen and will stop by itself as the skin becomes used to the treatment. The skin peeling is the first stage in the brightening of the skin. My main tip is to apply your moisturiser over the top of your KliraSpecial at night (Cetaphil Body Moisturising Cream used on the face / Cerave moisturising cream / La Roche Posay Cicaplast Baume B5).
But remember the basic routine: –
- Don’t forget your gentle cleanser
- Cleanse using lukewarm water and fingertips – a very gentle cotton face cloth can be used to gently wipe the skin.
- Pat the skin until nearly dry
- Moisturiser onto the skin while it is “nearly dry ‘
NOTE: The peeling should be mild and never associated with any extra weeping, redness or blistering – these would be the much rarer sign more a sign of an allergic reaction to an ingredient in one of the creams of your skincare routine. In this case, all creams should be stopped and contact our Dermatology Nurse Consultant to discuss the potential need for allergy testing.
The first question is… Why do you want to have a facial? All the ingredients you need to maintain healthy glowing skin are in the skin routine prescribed to you. People may want to have a facial for several reasons and here is my take on whether you should continue or not:
- Relaxing purposes: consider reflexology instead
- Decongesting the skin: your Klira special is already doing this in a more meaningful way – some traumatic tools used for these types of facials can cause more inflammation and upset the skin routine. Additionally, some of the harsher acids used in these facials can upset the skin barrier and throw your routine out of whack.
- Fluid retention reduction: carry on with this but ask them to use one of the moisturisers I recommend as the vehicle for the message rather than oils like olive oil which can be more drying on the skin. Consider with Ice Globes.
- Blackhead removal: No need to continue with this, this is all in your Klira special formulation.
- Skin Glow: no need to continue with this – this is all in your Klira special and additional treatments might compromise that.
If you are having laser hair removal in the area where you are applying your Klira Special, then you should stop the treatment 3 days before the laser. You can re-start usually the day after treatment. Show the ingredients to your laser provider and they can advise directly. Interestingly, the use of the Klira Special as part of your skincare routine is likely to lead to fewer problems with hyperpigmentation if you are having laser treatment.
Botulinum Toxin and Filler injections are usually completely fine to have, but you should show the ingredients to your practitioner – if they are not sure – let us know but ultimately you should then find a different practitioner (this one doesn’t know enough!).
My advice is to NOT have a break if you are going on holiday, apart from a few scenarios. There may be another adjustment you need to make to the routine but continuing with the Klira Special is important. Depending on what type of holiday it is you can then make the following adjustments:
- Hot and Humid – ensure you top up your SPF during the day and use hats to protect the skin of the face
- Swimming holidays – wash the face after the swim and apply your SPF – additional moisture might be needed so prepare to add the moisturise moisturiser to eh routine at night
- Cold Ski holidays – the worst really as you have additional UV exposure with direct and reflective light as well as cold windy environments – this attacks the skin from all sides. Here I would recommend a strong moisturiser – you can see my moisturiser ladder for recommendations. It is important to increase applications of the SPF during the day.
- Wearing tight goggles or face masks for skiing or diving – recommend stopping the Klira Special for the duration of the holiday
- Adventure holidays – unable to wash or cleanse properly then you should stop treatment too.
The cream is made up to suit your skin type. We know the active medical ingredients work best in a cream rather than a gel and that is the format we deliver this in. The cream base is made up to your skin type with the magic proportions that support and nourish the skin barrier.
Base ingredients contain: Aloe, Glycerine, Hyaluronic acid, Cholesterol, Squalene.
The medical ingredients include:
Azelaic Acid:
Azelaic acid is a compound found in wheat, rye and barley that can help treat acne, perioral dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, hyperpigmentation and rosacea because it soothes inflammation. Azelaic acid treats sunspots and melasma because it blocks the production of “abnormal pigmentation”. Much of the research” on topical azelaic acid is for prescription-strength formulas with 15- to 20-per cent concentrations. While lower-grade options are generally found in over-the-counter preparations. Azelaic acid is also a tyrosinase inhibitor, meaning it can prevent hyperpigmentation because it interferes with melanin production. It’s anti-inflammatory for acne and its anti-pigment because it blocks tyrosinase. Azelaic acid is an antibacterial antioxidant that decongests clogged pores.
Tretinoin:
A form of acidic vitamin A, that has been classified as a drug or medicine, was first discovered in the ’60s by Dr Albert Kligman. It was first used to treat severe acne and later discovered as an effective solution to treat wrinkles and ageing skin, it penetrates the outer keratinocytes of the epidermis, causing a reaction to remove the dead superficial cells sitting on the surface, increasing the blood flow in the skin and thus, increasing the rate of new epidermal cell replication and collagen formation. This process allows for a healthier, less wrinkled appearance…Retinoids essentially make it more difficult for comedones to form, and the P acne bacteria become less prolific due to oxygen exposure of pores Tretinoin has been found to significantly lessen acne. It has significantly been shown to:
- Reduced fine lines and wrinkles
- Reduced inflammation related to acne
- Decreased hyperpigmentation
- Improved texture of the skin
- Increased collagen synthesis
You can use your regular foundation.
- The SkinSize test
- Video consultations