Boujee Blondes
Skincare, botox or fillers: Skincare Real Talk with Expert Sarah Mcgarry
Discover the secrets to nurturing your natural beauty and aging with confidence in our latest episode featuring Sarah Mcgarry, an acclaimed skincare expert and owner of Skin Aesthetics clinic. This insightful discussion peels back the layers on how social media can skew our perception of beauty, the role of tanning injections in today’s beauty culture, and the merits of treatments such as Botox. Learn why embracing the skin you're in isn't just a slogan but a revolutionary act of self-love, and how Sarah's clinic is helping women navigate these challenging waters with bespoke skincare solutions.
Sunscreen isn't just for the beach, and retinol isn't just a buzzword; these are the pillars of a skincare regimen that stands the test of time. Sarah sheds light on why a daily SPF 50 application is non-negotiable and how a judicious approach to retinol can transform your skin's health. We dissect the myths around sunbeds and over-the-counter treatments, zeroing in on the long-term benefits of expert-led skincare over quick-fix solutions. Strap in for tips that will elevate your daily routine and protect your skin for years to come.
But it's not all serums and skin cycles; at the heart of our conversation is the emotional journey to beauty self-acceptance. Sarah and I open up about our own experiences, advocating for a holistic approach to skincare that encompasses diet, environment, and managing stress. It's a candid exchange on why confidence should radiate from within, and how to achieve it. From the essential basics to professional treatments, this episode is your guide to feeling fabulous at any age, armed with expert advice and a fresh perspective on skincare.
Contact Sarah
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahmcgarry.ie?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
https://www.instagram.com/skin_aesthetics_clinic_?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
Discover the secrets to nurturing your natural beauty and aging with confidence in our latest episode featuring Sarah Mcgarry, an acclaimed skincare expert and owner of Skin Aesthetics clinic. This insightful discussion peels back the layers on how social media can skew our perception of beauty, the role of tanning injections in today’s beauty culture, and the merits of treatments such as Botox. Learn why embracing the skin you're in isn't just a slogan but a revolutionary act of self-love, and how Sarah's clinic is helping women navigate these challenging waters with bespoke skincare solutions.
Sunscreen isn't just for the beach, and retinol isn't just a buzzword; these are the pillars of a skincare regimen that stands the test of time. Sarah sheds light on why a daily SPF 50 application is non-negotiable and how a judicious approach to retinol can transform your skin's health. We dissect the myths around sunbeds and over-the-counter treatments, zeroing in on the long-term benefits of expert-led skincare over quick-fix solutions. Strap in for tips that will elevate your daily routine and protect your skin for years to come.
But it's not all serums and skin cycles; at the heart of our conversation is the emotional journey to beauty self-acceptance. Sarah and I open up about our own experiences, advocating for a holistic approach to skincare that encompasses diet, environment, and managing stress. It's a candid exchange on why confidence should radiate from within, and how to achieve it. From the essential basics to professional treatments, this episode is your guide to feeling fabulous at any age, armed with expert advice and a fresh perspective on skincare.
Contact Sarah
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahmcgarry.ie?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
https://www.instagram.com/skin_aesthetics_clinic_?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
from following you on social media now. I just classify you as like the SVF queen.
Speaker 2:Yeah, tanning injections and also the nasal spray tan as well. That changes the color of your skin and it helps you tan more because of themselves cancer. They also don't know what's in these tanning injections.
Speaker 3:Say, girls in their 20s that, like, are looking at other people getting votes off the Rev but are trying to avoid it. What would be your top five tips to give them?
Speaker 1:It's the Boojee Blonde podcast with Melissa and Simone, available on Spotify, apple or wherever you get your podcast Now, let's get. Hi, I'm Melissa. Hi, I'm Simone. Our podcast is serving you, besty vibes.
Speaker 3:We are just two country girls chatting about all things we struggle with daily life.
Speaker 1:And, of course, talking about certain issues that some people are afraid to speak about, we give it to you real, while having crack along the way. Remember, these are just our opinions, girls, so don't take us too seriously. We're just giving you some best friend, of course.
Speaker 3:So on this week's episode we have the lovely Sarah MacCarrick joining us. Welcome, sarah.
Speaker 1:Welcome, sarah.
Speaker 3:The owner of Skin Assessives.
Speaker 2:Clinic how are you for having me. I'm good, yes, very excited to be here, love talking on podcasts and obviously love talking with skincare, two beautiful women who I know are both interested in skincare as well, so it's always good to have those kind of chats.
Speaker 1:Absolutely. I'm obsessed with skincare. So are you Simone, aren't you?
Speaker 3:Yeah, definitely I do. I will admit, though, I need to trap myself in from the sunshine in Dubai, because I know what isn't the best for my skin, so I need some advice further on that.
Speaker 1:But yeah, sarah, you're based in Cork, is that correct?
Speaker 2:Yes, so I just opened my clinic in October. I've been in the industry nearly 18 years and then in October I took the leap of becoming my own. Well, I've been in my own bath for a while, but actually opening up my own aesthetic clinic and that's where skin aesthetics came from. So I love helping people women, men, anyone with their skin concerns. So whatever that is to everyone, because everyone's skin concerns different to them, and I always took a primary and secondary issue. So your primary might be aging but then your secondary might be pigmentation. So it's kind of addressing the two together and seeing what I can do to help you.
Speaker 1:Then OK, and what would be your biggest? What would be your biggest concern? Most women would ask when they come into your clinic Like what do you feel that most women struggle with?
Speaker 2:And I think we live in an era where, like you, can't age. You know what I mean Between Instagram, social media, the rest thing we cannot look old and I think a lot of women have that kind of stress that they don't want to look their age. Now, I don't want to look my age either. I want to look my best age, but I'm not afraid of having a few fine lines or wrinkles. I'm you know, I've lived a life and what I always say to my clients is you've got to love the skin you're in and the privilege to age. So our faces, our bodies show that and I think we need to be OK with that as well. So helping women just fall in love with the skin that they are in for what it is.
Speaker 3:Well, ayesha, would you highly recommend then start enough, like say, botox, like starting your journey.
Speaker 2:So I haven't had Botox yet. I always say and I'm 37. I've got three kids 14, 11 and 9. I've been really good with my skincare routine over the past kind of 10 years and I've been really good with my SPF, which would be the main thing.
Speaker 2:And I think, unfortunately, women who are getting it done too young. I think when they're older they're going to be restricted of what they can do next because getting Botox in your 20s I know people are like, oh, I'm preventing the age, the wrinkles and stuff but I suppose my concern is what happens when you're 40 or 50, you're going to have to go and get faceless because Botox would no longer work for you, it would no longer maintain that lovely, smooth skin. I'm not against Botox. I suppose I would always be wary of getting it done at a younger age. For me it's kind of your mid-30s, early-40s is a prime time to be getting it done. But it is a thing in the market at the moment that, like these treatments and baby Botox which there's no such thing as baby Botox, it's just less Botox because you don't need it is what it is. Do you feel that social media like? I feel it is going?
Speaker 1:back to what you said at the start, that there's a lot of pressure that we can't age anymore, and I feel like when you see people on social media who are looking flawless, that you feel you're feeling pressured to get Botox and fillers, and I think it's really hard as a woman. It's hard for us to accept ageing as well, absolutely, and I think you have all your filters as well.
Speaker 2:And I think that's giving like a false realism of what skin is, what natural beauty skin is. We all have pores, we all have pigmentation, we all have something with our skin. No skin is flawless, and I think making that a bit more normalised is probably what we should be doing, and not filtering everything out.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I think the filters is the problem, isn't it? Like, I feel, with social media now, with Instagram and all that, everyone has filters on and it's given an unrealistic expectation. Do you find that with clients when they come into you, that they're giving you an unrealistic expectation from the cells because they're seeing people on social media? I feel that social media plays a massive role in people getting more Botox and getting fillers, especially in your clinic. Would you see like a lot of clients coming in from people to see like on social media or celebrities or what?
Speaker 2:I think a lot of my clientele would be kind of the 35 to kind of 50. And they're actually afraid of Botox because they see so much online of these like flottis filter, these gorgeous women, and they're just like, oh no, their faces are frozen. I don't want a frozen face. We're like for me, botox, you know, it is something I haven't had yet and I always say yes because I'm not against it, but I'm trying to do everything possible to stop from getting it done until I really need it. I don't need it at the moment because I look after my skin, I do regular treatments, I wear my SPF every day. But you know, I do have women who have deep set lines and unfortunately, you know, all the skincare in the world isn't going to help minimize that. They do need toxins and I think there is a place in the market for it.
Speaker 2:But I think women don't accept their skin for what it is and they want alternatives to health and I think we need to normalize pores, we need to normalize finelinks, we need to normalize pigmentation, like we all have it. But when you're looking on social media and everyone's flawless filter, it's hard to say like, oh, my God, it's not normal to have these, you know. So, like I mean, I went on my social media recently and I put up a picture on TikTok and I know makeup on and someone like literally slated my skin. I was like this is what, like this is why, when, like I feel comfortable, because I'm like look, my skin is my skin, I love it. But like if I was a younger person or you know, starting off in social media, now I'd like I have to have everything put into my face to look perfect.
Speaker 3:And nobody, just more so a trend, I think more than anything, and unfortunately, younger girls in this generation. They just seem to follow trends, like it's become a bit normal to do it. But what would be the top tips then for, say, girls in their twenties that like are looking at other people getting both tops or whatever, but are trying to avoid it? What would be your top five tips to give them to try and wait until they're in their late 30s, early 40s?
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 2:So the kind of things that I always say to people is you got to look the ingredients you're using on your skin. So if you're in your early twenties, main thing is cleanse your skin morning and night. That'd be like the number one, number two and I will always this will be SPF. Like if you're not wearing SPF then there's no point doing anything else, because SPF is that one thing that just protects your skin. I'd always recommend an SPF 50 and wearing it all year round, 365. It doesn't matter what the weather is, but that's the one thing that stops your skin from aging, pigmentation, damage, uv. So if you're using all the retinols and all the other products and you're not wearing SPF, then there's actually genuinely no point. So SPF would be my one that I have found about an awful lot. Then I would be saying look at your retinols. When retinols, like I heard on the market, tick, tock and there's 10 year olds looking for retinol for this skin, this is absolutely crazy. Yeah, I've seen it. It's horrible. And it's scary to think like there's people on social media promoting these children to start skincare routines. They don't. I've got three kids. All they do is cleanse their skin and wear the SPF. That's literally what they do and that's going to benefit them in later years in life.
Speaker 2:Retinol is a very good ingredient, a very active one, but in your twenties you might only need to use it once or twice a week. Do you know what I mean? You don't need to be using it every night, because what can happen is you'll oversensitise your skin and it could cause more damage, and again, if you're not wearing your SPF with it, you could be causing more damage. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant which I would always recommend to use. This actually stops free radicals from aging your skin. It's a tiny inhibitor, so that means it stops pigmentation, so your sunspots things like that aren't going to come up as you get older.
Speaker 2:Like. What I like to say to people is whatever you're doing now, it's going to benefit you in 10 years time. So it's not so much about how to look good now, it's how to keep looking good for longer, and I think if you look after your skin in your twenties, you will avoid the Botox in your late twenties, early thirties, and that's kind of where I'd like to get that message out is just investing good skincare, just some regular treatments, and find someone that you gel well with, you know what I mean. Like, I've a lot of clients I work with online as well as in the clinic, and it's just getting them the right ingredients and just knowing how to do their skincare, because everyone's going to different and not everything suits everyone either.
Speaker 1:I feel like from following you on social media. Now I just classify you as, like, the SPF queen. I haven't called that, yeah, like literally. I'm like. I just like, I just have you know when you'd like put a name to someone, I'm like the SPF girl, like literally. I just put it so good though, because I think people they don't they underestimate the power of SPF, of like how important it is. Like I know from my mom, for example like she's 66 and her skin is phenomenal. She never had Botox fillers, anything, but always invested in good skincare and goes for regular facials. And the one thing she always said to me was like SPF 50, even in the winter, put it on your neck, I don't care. So and like clearly she's proof that it works, like in this phenomenon.
Speaker 2:I think people don't think long term when it comes to skincare. I think they think short term. So, like your things like your Botox and your filler, that's instant. You know you'll see the volume in your skin, you'll see the reduction of filings and wrinkles, but that still doesn't protect against pigmentation or DNA damage. You know, because Botox only goes into certain areas. So you're looking at the rest of your skin your neck, your tachalitis, so like something like SPF that protects all that. Like it just makes sense. But you know, I've claimed who are in their 50s and 60s. Spf wasn't as well known and what it does for skin is it is now. But also I have claimed who does. Who do sunbeds and I'm like you're sunbeds, I hate them. Like if you're going to do Botox and fillers and all that and you go into sunbeds, what's the point?
Speaker 1:I'm saying there's so much, like I know, years ago there wasn't as much information about sunbeds and stuff. But I feel like now there is so much information about sunbeds and the damage and it still baffles me that people still do them.
Speaker 2:Sarah, I'm like I can't believe there's still tanning places, like there's one in Douglas and like look, you know LED light, which you probably might know about. It's really good for skin conditions, but that's not going to change the pigmentation of the melanin in your skin. That helps with things like psoriasis, you know, dermatitis, things like that, but sunbeds literally damage your skin. They're turning the melanin in your skin. And Ireland is like our highest cancer in Ireland is skin cancer and we do this to ourselves and it's the one thing we can protect our skin from. Like SPF is the thing that you can get in the pharmacies. You can get a professional one, we can get it everywhere. We're so lucky that we can afford this and you can get in different price ranges and whatever, but we don't wear it and our highest cancer in Ireland is skin cancer.
Speaker 3:Yeah, and I know, unfortunately we all get so mo when it comes down to getting a good time when we go on holidays and that healthy, glowy looking skin and stuff like that, but we don't realise how much is actually damaging our skin Now, even though, like when we go on holidays and stuff like that, like some of the guards be saying to me they're wearing makeup out in the sun like butter and mature, but I'm wearing SPF under my foundation and I have foundation on me, but I know, like it's, it's just something that I do. Not everyone shows their skin in the sun. I get that, but unfortunately the weather climb out here and stuff like that I do, but automatically, like, like religiously, no matter what, put SPF on my skin and foundation. I would not allow this on hit off my face. I just won't.
Speaker 2:I won't do it to myself and you'll see the benefits in that in the next 10 years. You know, and I would have a lot of older clients who were that year of like putting on baby oil and baking. You know there was that generation and they're coming in now and, like, pigmentation is there. And the thing with pigmentation, to get rid of it, like when it's melasma, it's very difficult, like it is very difficult. And you're looking at more your ablative treatments to their things that are resurfacing, taking off multiple layers of the skin, and the downtime on those is quite, you know, it could be up to two weeks depending on the machine and the treatment and stuff. So, like to rectify the damage that they're doing could actually cost you more, you know, long term.
Speaker 2:And, look, I love a color. I love fake tan. I'm pale at the moment because I'm like after the weekend getting it off, so I didn't like the fact that, like we have substitute for tanning, you know is a good thing. Look, there's going to probably be, like you know, chemicals in tan that aren't good for your skin. Fair enough, but there's organic tans out there that you can use as well. So you know, I love a colour.
Speaker 2:We all feel healthier and feel better when we have a bit of a colour. I totally understand that, but I suppose it's being sun safe is really important. You know so wearing a hash, wearing your glasses, you know not being out in the sun from, you know, 12 until 2. You know the midday sun is the most and you need sun like. This is the other thing I'm not like to say. We need sun for our skin, we need it for our vitamin D. So like it's really good to grow first thing in the morning and get a bit of sunlight for your vitamin D, it's good for your mood booster, it's good for your, your body. It helps produce collagen, you know, so it is good for you. It's burning is where the damage is going to come.
Speaker 3:I think that's the thing that some people don't understand is, like you said, everyone's skin type is different and, like some people will tan a lot quicker, which their skin is able to like reduce the tan or like get a tan, where some people it could be pale, so pale and it's damaging their skin and the more they're tanning they're just burning up and burning up and burning and they don't realise what they're actually doing to their skin and they think again short term.
Speaker 2:I've just burnt my shoulders there. But then you probably notice every time you come every year, then you always have that mark from where you burned that year and I mean I have it on the tops of my feet. I burned them years ago and I'm scolded. They'll always tan first because there's more damage done there than the rest of my body. You know, and look again. I'm not going to sit here and say I never got sunburned, I absolutely did. But I just tried to be a lot safer now in the sun.
Speaker 3:If the tanning injections, I think that are scaring me, like if I'm being honest, like there's so many people out here that are on them, they don't realise what they're doing to their skin. Like they don't realise what they're actually putting into their body, like it's changing, like your whole skin type.
Speaker 2:I've never heard a tanning injection yeah, tanning injections, and also the nasal spray tan as well, yeah, so basically, it changes the colour of your skin and it helps you tan. More Basically, they are causing themselves cancer. They also don't know what's in these tanning injections. You can get them online. They're not FDA approved. They're not approved like. They're not safe to use at all and they're using they're going to cause more damage, like it's a bit like the sunbeds every time you go on the sunbed, you have 25 percent higher increase of getting skin cancer. You know so like that's just absolutely scary, but people are willing to do it to themselves because they're not thinking long term, they're thinking short term. I will love you tan. I look fab, you know I look great, but in ten years time they could be dying of skin cancer. You know what I mean. Or have to get them all removed. That's going to cause more scarring because how deep it is.
Speaker 2:So, as you said, I am the SPF queen and I do harp on about it, but I think it's. We don't think about long term. We don't think about what, what's going to happen later on, because when we're younger, we think we're invincible and nothing bad's going to ever going to happen us and, fair enough, I was that at 20 something as well. But I suppose, being in this industry for 18 years, I'm seeing clients who've done the damage, who are older than me, and we're trying to reverse the damage that's done and it's very difficult, you know, and so I think the tanning injections and the nasal tans like just stay away from them, like just don't do it, it's not worth it, we have fake tans for reasons it's not even a reason to me anyway they're hoping to open up and hell, they're like.
Speaker 1:we're using them Well who's even doing these tan injections, like is it beauticians? Or like is it like doctor? No, you buy it online. You can buy it on the market. You can buy it on the market. You can buy it on Amazon or wherever and look it up.
Speaker 2:We're not promoting that. Please do not go on Amazon and go looking up that, but like there you can just buy them. It's like if you, um, you can take tablets. They're like carotene, so basically they change your skin. Orange, if you eat, if you, if you take them, they actually just cause more carotene in your skin, the melanin in your skin to come darker, and then when the sun hits them, they just the melanin expands more and it takes them more color. So they're not safe because you don't know what it's doing. If it's doing that, your skin on the inside out, what's happening?
Speaker 1:else inside, but that's quite scary though. There isn't it like you can like? Like, basically, a 13 or 14 year old girl can go on to Amazon and just buy this nasal spray, yeah, and spray things up their nostrils.
Speaker 2:Yeah, the chemicals. They're literally sniffing chemicals to change their skin color, which is just terrifying. And I think, look, I'm Irish, so you know we get two weeks a year in the sun if we're lucky, right, and we all grow some bacon. If, because we want that, I think we need to be comfortable with the fact that we're pale and that that is our nation. It's our national color, you know? Yeah, and look, like I said, fake tan does me great. You know what I mean? I can put around whatever I want, I can have a color whenever I want, but I'm also happy being my actual color, which is almost certain.
Speaker 1:I am obsessed with fake tan. Like I would never go on to sunbeds because I I'm just like no, my skin to be youthful, but I don't know if it's like an Irish thing, but I just feel so insecure and I'm so pale, like I have to put on fake tan every week. And I suppose it kind of brings me back to the whole thing of social media, like Sarah is like, is it because we're looking at all these people like it's celebrities being tan? That like so consciously it's probably making me feel a bit insecure. And I did say at the start of the year I was like right, I'm not, I'm going to try be comfortable not wearing tan, which I kind of have tried to reduce it, but still I feel so much more confident when I put on fake tan I know that's terrible, I'm the same.
Speaker 2:Like I'm not going to say like look, I find like there's certain you know, dresses and stuff like that. If I wore a certain dress and I was my normal color, which is fairly pale, I don't think it would look as good on me as I would with tan. I am not against tan at all. I think it gives me great confidence. I feel better in my clothes.
Speaker 2:You know again, social media, I think, and I have been asked before when I have no makeup on or no tan, I haven't asked like are you okay? Like people might think that I'm sick or ill and I'm like no, this is just me, naturally, you know, you know and it's just, it is the way I am. But I suppose, and I guess, what tan does for people it does give a confidence, but like we should learn to just be like it's okay for an art hand all the time. Do you know what I mean? If you've something coming up, absolutely put your tan on. I mean I, I love it on, but like the whole process putting that stuff on is a workout in itself. Do you know what I mean? So, and getting it off is another workout, but I do feel better in town, and I do think social media has a role to play with that.
Speaker 1:Absolutely, and TikTok especially. Like I find TikTok the worst, like I, like I what you were saying earlier about TikTok people coming at you and you're you're lucky that you're confident and I'm same as well. But I think it was like a recent video I had up and the amount of comments You're like, state of your eyebrows, oh my God, Like, like, and then once one starts, it's like to come out of the air. I'm like, where do these people come from? Like and like, like the state of your eyebrows. State of your eyebrows, oh, they're laughing at your eyebrows and I laugh it off and I just I get a great kick out of it, but if, if, it was a young girl, this is why it leads them down getting Botox and fillers.
Speaker 2:It's called. It's saying, like the way we look should be judged, and I don't think, like we all like, we're like, we're like, we're like, we're like we all look different, unless you're a twin. But, like you know, we should embrace people's beauty for their beauty. And I that's what I do with my clients. I want everyone to feel confident in their skin. You know, I I do beauty treatments as well, so I do brows and things like that as well. But I also just, you know, after a facial, I love giving clients a mirror and they're looking at their skin. There's no makeup on it, you know. If they've tan on it, it's probably been taken off. But using certain products just gives them that lovely glow and they just feel like oh, that's great.
Speaker 2:It's known, known has the authority to comment on someone else's skin. Even clients come in and ask you. They're like oh, what do you think's wrong with my skin? I'm like well, look, tell me, what's your biggest concern. What do you like about your skin? We're so fast to you know, like literally go the negative on people, even ourselves. We do it to ourselves. I think you know people can as well. So it's all about just building that up to just be more positive about like your skin. I have lines, I have wrinkles, I have pigmentation Absolutely. Do you know what I mean? I don't need anyone to comment on that. I know, I have that. I don't need some stranger.
Speaker 1:Yeah, exactly Like I actually really love what you said there about how you brought back to your clients when they ask you what's wrong, when you kind of turn it around and like, well, what do you feel insecure about, instead of because you could probably mention maybe something that they weren't insecure about. So that's a really like, really positive and like kind of way to approach a situation as well, and even for ourselves to look in the mirror and be like. You know, I learned to kind of like try love, like imperfections to an extent as well.
Speaker 2:Yeah, like this body has, like, birthed three kids. I have, you know, cellulite. I have stretch marks from having babies. You know, like this my life has been through so much and you know I'm very proud of that as well, because you know I've done all this. Like I breastfed three kids and my boobs aren't up where they should have been. Do you know what I mean? Yeah, would I like breast sometimes? Yeah, probably, I'd like them to be a bit perky. Are we going to do it? Not really at this stage in my life. You know what I mean. I'm like, I'm married, I have a husband. He accepts me for who I am. He thinks I'm gorgeous with the fab. Do you know what I mean, even when I don't feel it.
Speaker 2:And I think you just need those people in your life that just look at you and think like you're fab, the way you are, you don't need to change anything. And if you do want to change something about yourself, just do it for you, don't do it for other people. And I would say about that, because there is nothing wrong with getting your injectables, your fillers and stuff like that Once you're doing it for you, because it makes you feel good, and I always have to client there like, should I get this treatment? Should I get that treatment? I'm like, well, look, what are the concerns? This is how skincare is going to help you and this is how toxins are going to help you and this is how fillers are going to help you.
Speaker 2:So, like, whatever your concern is, there is a solution. But it's finding what's right for you, because, again, we're all different and, as you said there, melissa, I don't like to point at anyone's flaws because it's not nice, and I do look at people's skin and think, like, really, pigmentation is your issue. I'd actually look at this. But if that's what their concern is, that's all that matters, and I will treat that as their primary and then I will treat the other concerns that I'd have for their skin as their secondary concern. So we're actually treating all of them at the same time, but they know I'm focusing on what their concern is and that's what's important.
Speaker 3:I love that, though that's actually a really nice way of putting it, like I just I feel like in this day and age and this generation, like it's constantly, we're trying to like better ourselves, better the way we look, instead of actually the way we feel on the inside and why we're feeling this way, or taking advice from other people and other people's judgments, rather than you said, like what your husband and all you've been through, and he loves you for who you are.
Speaker 3:He doesn't want to change a thing about you. Like that's. That's amazing and it's actually an inspiration, and it's an inspiration to young girls out there from like as they get older, like they don't need to be, like pumping a heap of fillers into their face to make them feel good or look better or whatever it may be, because, like you said, we're all different and we're all unique in our own different way. We all have different body shapes and every woman has a cellulite, and I think that we need to come to the acceptance that we're not picture perfect and we're not filtered and we're not all airbrushed on a day to day basis. So it's just like you said here, it's just to kind of get comfortable in our own skin and see ourselves for the way we are.
Speaker 2:And that's a lot easier said than done. And I do feel like I'm so glad I'm not a young person now because I think, with social media and the fact that, like you know, when we were in school, if someone said something to it just stayed in school, we're now like that follows them all the time and, like I said, I've got three kids and I suppose all I can do for my children and anyone listening who has kids or potential kids or whatever is just get their confidence up to love the skin they're in. You know what I mean Because you know my kids would always say to me when I get dressed up, they're like oh, mom, you look fab. And I was like, oh, would I look fab all the time. You know, just because I have a pretty dress on in this Instagram picture doesn't mean I'm any less prettier.
Speaker 2:When you see me first thing in the morning, you know, and I think it's just and I say that to them and they're like what's the thing that's dressed in? It's like you look gorgeous and everything you wear it doesn't matter, because you shouldn't have to wear a certain outfit or dress or look a certain way to feel have that kind of recognition from people. You just look fabulous all the time. But we all love to get dressed up and we all feel good when we get dressed up. But I think I like to instill in them it doesn't matter if it's first thing in the morning or in a ball gown on Instagram I look fabulous all the time. I love having that inner confidence.
Speaker 1:I think those skin is like that thing that it is. It is kind of like that inner confidence looks good, Like I feel I don't know I associate you the same Simone, like I associate skincare with that, like inner glow. You get what I mean. Like I feel like confidence and skincare, kind of like just bounce off each other.
Speaker 3:When your skin is looking good and it's glowing from, like your day to day routine, or if you're just neglecting it, then you do obviously feel a little bit insecure in yourself.
Speaker 1:Well, I do anyway.
Speaker 3:And then it's down to the foods that you eat. That's what makes your skin a lot better as well, because I know skincare has what it is down to what people are putting in their body as well isn't it?
Speaker 2:It's a three, six year approach. I would say. Skincare it's not topical, it's, you know, internal, it's what you eat. You know stress affects your skin, environment affects your skin. You know sleep affects your skin. So, like it's not just about applying the right products or getting a treatment on it is that three, six year of like what you're putting. You get out and look like I get hormonal breakouts at 37. Do you know what I mean? Like that's really annoying that I get that, but I just move on because it'll be gone in a couple of days and I'm having my period and that's totally fine.
Speaker 2:I do have, you know, teenage clients coming in with really bad acne and I do feel for them because that's really difficult because no matter how much confidence you have, if you have acne on your skin and I deal with a lot of teenage boys as well that's really difficult because at least girls can try and a bit of makeup and kind of hide that Boys can't and that confidence that they lack.
Speaker 2:You know that I just like they're my client side, like I want to bring you under my wing and I'm going to help you.
Speaker 2:It's going to take a couple of months but we're going to get there and then if they need to refer down to you know GP and dermatologists will always look at that as well because, again, I'm only skin care therapist so sometimes they need more professional help. But, you know, doing a good skin care routine they can actually see improvement in a couple of weeks and I love that because I was like especially the boys. I think they shouldn't shy away from skin care. They need it. There's plenty of treatments, products out there for them and when I have boys who go from really, really acne to like as clear as they're going to get because you know you will have a bit of a residue there their confidence changes and I just think like that's what I want to do. I have a teenage son who is prime acne age and you know I don't want him hating his skin because he's going through this hormonal imbalance that he has.
Speaker 3:I think it's why we do forget about the boys, don't we? As women, it's easy for us to draw on a bit of foundation or a concealer and I know a lot of girls do stuff with acne but at least they can cover it a little bit. But when it comes to the boys, it is quite hard on them.
Speaker 2:Absolutely, and they feel like they can't get help where there is help out there.
Speaker 1:Yeah, that's what I was about to bring on to my next topic. I think there probably needs to be more marketing then around younger boys getting skin care treatments and making it more of a normal thing to do, because I suppose it's not normalised for young boys to go get skin care treatments, isn't it not really?
Speaker 2:Yeah, and I will say it's always the mom who is my client who is like do you look after teenagers? I bring them into me and I will look after them, no problem. And I suppose where my clinic is in Cork it's secluded so people won't see you coming in and out. It's usually just me here or one of the doctors that I work with. So there is that discretion which I think, for teenage boys especially, is really important, because some boys are lack a little bit of confidence. They don't want anyone knowing that they are getting skin treatments done. Other boys have more confidence, they don't mind.
Speaker 2:But I literally treat from like 12 up, which is great, and I have 12 for all boys coming in with their parents and we are seeing an improvement in this game. But I would always say to anyone who is listening with acne it's a process and it will not happen overnight. It does take a bit of time but it's just finding someone who can get you on the right treatment products and just kind of get you the results. And sometimes you do have to get anti biotics from your GP or dermatologist. So you know there are other ways, but there is help out there. No one should be suffering with acne in the medicine society that we have now.
Speaker 1:And you know the way. There is so much hype, sarah, about retinols right, and I see it everywhere and I know obviously we have the situation now where, like these, 13 or 14 year old girls use retinols. But is it actually as good as people say? Like, what is your true expertise opinion on retinols? Because I even love, hate relationship with retinols.
Speaker 2:Tell me about your love hate relationship with retinols.
Speaker 1:Yeah. So my love hate relationship with retinols is I do retinol and I'll be fine, and then all of a sudden I'll get this massive, like, totally like reaction that like my neck is all inflamed, my eyes, my cheeks sore, and then I'll go off retinol and then I'll gradually try to start like introducing it again, and I'll be fine for months and then bang the flare up, happens again, and now I'm on stage where I just don't even want to use it anymore. I actually sometimes think my skin is nicer without it.
Speaker 2:So the flare up that happens, are you using it like every night or every second night? How does that build up to that?
Speaker 1:I don't know, like I don't use it every night, like I don't use it maybe two or three times a week. This is things or something like a more yeah.
Speaker 2:And what retinol are you using to know the percentage?
Speaker 1:So I'm using the Environ retinol number two.
Speaker 2:That's the AVS system, isn't it? Yeah, and so I'm not trained in Environ, so I don't like to talk about brands that I'm not trained in, but I suppose you're getting a retinol response is what I would call it and you're supposed to get like a bit of dead skin cells shedding. That's completely normal, but then there's what's not normal that inflammation in your skin now could be triggered by other things as well, and there's a lot going on. If, like, I think retinol is amazing, do I use it every night? No, do I have different ones that I use? Absolutely? Do I have different percentages that I use? Yes, I do, but I think what happens is people over do the ingredients. So it might not just be the retinol. It could be other things that you're applying as well with that that might be causing an irritation. I know you do a lot of makeup tutorials and stuff like that, so there could be a reaction with some ingredients and a makeup that you're putting on over that the following day, that could be causing a little bit of irritation. Okay, it's never just one thing, it's always a couple of factors you know like are you religious with your SPF when you're using your retinol? If you're not. That could be another trigger to why you're getting it. Do you bring your SPF down around your neck where you're putting your retinol on?
Speaker 2:Not every retinol is the same. As I like to say, retinol is the umbrella and then there's so many different palmitates so you're really strong ones and then you have your really not so strong ones. So there is a brand and I'm not going to mention them but, like, if you're paying very cheap money for something, then it's a very cheap ingredient and it's probably not going to work. And I did a little post about this, about vitamin C and retinol and stuff, and you know I got a bit of backlash. You know I can't afford to spend six year on a retinol. I'm not asking you to spend six year on a retinol, but if you've paid six year for retinol, do you think it's a good retinol? Yeah, okay, and that comes down to marketing. That's what brands do? You know they market their product and you know thing like this is the best one. This is the 1.6% retinol. If you actually look to the palmitate of it, it probably isn't as strong as it's claiming to be.
Speaker 2:Retinol, for me, is a product that, again, you use now and you'll see the benefits when you're older. Do you know what I mean? It's not something that you see now and you're like, oh my god, my skin looks so much youthful or it's glowing. It will, but it's as you're aging, you're not going to have as much DNA damage because your cell, your cell, your turnover has increased or it's being increased, so you're keeping that lovely, healthy, chewy look.
Speaker 2:Retinol is great for again, what people would acne? Because it helps to clear out the follicles in your skin. So, again, but you need to be like prescribed the right retinol for your skin. So anyone who has retinol assistance, please don't go and use one. Go and get advice. I just want to say that because anyone's listening like I'm just going to have acne and do retinol. But it is a soap process and it's something I think if you're getting a response, what you could do is do a sandwich effect where you'd actually apply a tin layer of moisturizer, then your retinol and then moisturiser over that again, and that just stops it from being quite potent on the skin and might stop that irritation. But again, it's just having those conversations with someone who's trained and can care that you're doing it right for your skin.
Speaker 1:So do you, if you think of I just did it like twice a week, that would be enough?
Speaker 2:Yeah, absolutely yeah, no, and, like I always say, you need to kind of watch what happens. So, like, if you say it's grand for a couple of months, what's the trigger then that it shuts. You know, are you wearing, are you washing your, are you doing like your tutorials, and you might have changed your makeup a couple of times that day and that's what's happening. You know, have you been out running the day after? It's like loads of different factors. So if it's going to continue to happen, you need to kind of track what's happening in your life to see if that helps.
Speaker 1:Okay, we'll go back on with then. Sarah, today, absolutely Well, make sure the skin is young looking in front of 50.
Speaker 2:That's the goal never look or age, and that's my thing. I just don't ever want to look my age. Look, you know, on social media, sometimes I look older and sometimes I look younger, and I just don't want to ever look my age, but like. I don't want to look like I'm 15 years younger than what I am, because that's unrealistic as well. You know what I mean. So I just want to feel good in my skin and if I have a lovely glow and if someone doesn't believe my age, then I'm winning at life really.
Speaker 1:And do you think that definitely, like it is worth investing like money and time into like advanced skin care treatments? Because, like what you said there earlier, which I agree with you, that there is brands out there that have the cheaper products compared to like the obviously more like luxurious products. And I'm going to say, like Jorias is, like you know, like the skin care brands, especially skin care, they're in salons. So do you think that it's better to invest in like a good skin care treatment every six weeks rather than buying.
Speaker 2:Yeah, so I've one client and I treat her daughter, her sister and her niece so that's four of them together right, she is every four weeks for facial and I swear to God, her skin is amazing. She does very little at home but she is so consistent, becoming in for facial every four weeks, like me and her sister. I'm like like she comes in, I'm like, oh, what's your biggest concern today? And I'm looking at her skin. I'm like it's not a wrinkle, she hasn't had Botox. She, I'm like she's literally so religious with her skincare treatments and that's because I can do you know my grenade laying, or I can do a few bills, or I can do you know more advanced, deep Penetrating products and treatments and it's working on her skin Well, like she is one of my best clients.
Speaker 2:She has been so religious for last years. I mean her sister service and her sister comes and I'm like her skin. She's like I know Sarah, she's like I just need to get up to her level and you know like she's able to afford that as well, because I mean that's another thing. Like obviously we go. I look at affordability. Like I always say to people, if you could get four facials a year. That would be amazing for your skin. Facials are an add-on to what you're doing at home. You need to be doing the work as well at home. But, like being consistent in anything is going to be beneficial. So if it's being consistent with treatments or being consistent with you know the right skincare treatment.
Speaker 2:And I think that's the thing about Ticktock and social media. It's a new trend. You know, this brand has this product out and it's amazing. This influence it's using it. She said her skin is amazing and then they're all buying it and then their skin response or breaks out or they haven't used it long enough.
Speaker 2:And this is, I think, what's happening in the market. People are like I tried that it doesn't work. I tried that it doesn't work. Like how long did you try it for? You know what else were you using with this? You know, maybe it does work, but you just didn't give it enough time or used it incorrectly, or maybe it wasn't for your skin, you know. So it's a very tough market, I think, for me in the in the moment, because everyone is very well educated. I think COVID really brought that up, that people got more educated about skincare and ingredients and treatments and stuff, which is great. But then they also became to the point where they they knew everything and how it works. Yeah, actually, matter of fact, it doesn't, and it's always changing as well.
Speaker 3:And it is so true, though, with social media. Like even my younger sister, like she's 15 now, but like in COVID she was 12 of 13 and like she was gone, obsessed with skincare. Like it wasn't down to like, I know, when I was younger, like when I was that age, I was using essence makeup on my face. It wasn't Kylie's cosmetics or like Clinique or all all these beauty brands for for your skincare, and like she's way, she was way too young, but it was just the influx of the younger generation that was pulling these products on their skin. They don't realize the damage.
Speaker 3:I think that they're doing like you said on their skin at that young age and it's when they get older they're like just getting breakouts, all these kind of things on our face for a little young teenager. But I feel, like that generation, from looking at, like I know, girls in their 20s, 30s or whatever, like we do influence younger girls. So I think, even coming from me and Melissa, we do try to bring out that you don't need all these kind of both talks, you don't need fillers. Like we do try to take the natural approach. We're not saying it's there's anything wrong with, like you said, sarah, and getting all of these things don't yourself, but it's just going to natural group more so than company. Heat the stuff into your face.
Speaker 2:Absolutely and I like, I completely, and that's what I kind of educate my clients and patients with is that, like you don't Like, let's start with skincare. You know, first, and like I treat, like I said, if two kids you know they use over-the-counter cleansers, you know which is perfect and they use one of the professional SPFs Because I just think that's more important. Cleanser to me is a bit of a cleanser unless there's a condition there, so like that's fine, you know I mean, but they just need to know team their skin properly every day and every night and apply the SPF. They don't need much. But I think that influential market that we are in and look, I do it as well. I promote certain products and brands and I'm very well aware of that as well.
Speaker 2:But I come from an ingredient standpoint that, like why you're using this ingredient and I think that's what I like to get across to people it's not like this brand is amazing, it's like these ingredients are sounds back to you know they're proven to work and I think you don't need a whole lot when you're young, like you really don't, you need a little bit more, but if you just do the core things when you're, you know, younger and Absolutely. And also you have to remember, like when we're in our teens, like our collagen is producing so much, like our skin is flawless, like you might have acne, but like your actual skin itself, the collagen that you have is just amazing. When you hit 25, like 1% of your collagen depletes every year and then that just grows year on year. So, like you know, we all need collagen to keep our skin bouncy and, you know, lovely and tight, but you don't when you're in your teens, because you've got loads of us, absolutely loads of us.
Speaker 1:Yeah. Do you feel then, sarah, like, if so say, for example, we'll call her Helen Client, call Helen who just comes to you every four to six weeks to get facial done and Does the bare minimum home? Like I mean, she just cleans her face and puts on a bit of SPF. Is that enough? Like if she say, was someone who just wanted to invest her money and just facials with you and then just buy Cleanser and a moisturizer and SPF home, would that be enough?
Speaker 2:Yeah, like, and I have a client who does that and I can say that because I have a client who, literally, that's all she does, absolutely like she doesn't have, and I suppose that's think she doesn't have any major concerns. You know what I mean. So, like, she doesn't have any fine lines, wrinkles. You know she doesn't have pigmentation that we're targeting, so there's nothing on her skin that needs more additional help. Does that make sense that, like, she has lovely skin so we're just maintaining her healthy glow, her deweiness, her hydration and Keeping everything else up a as best we can. So, yes, absolutely Okay, that's cool. Yeah, and now if you had a concern, like, if you had like pigmentation or fine, then you would need to be following up with home care. So it's all about what your concern is and that's how that's adjusted.
Speaker 1:Okay, yeah, that's interesting. It's just for a ways that you know that people always kind of say, oh, I don't have the money to this. But if they actually just invested in their regular face at every four to six weeks and just keep the basics at home, they're still gonna have like, unless they have like a condition, as you said. But that is enough. Yeah.
Speaker 2:And I suppose what people forget is you know you can do certain treatments at home, but the percentage is never going to be the same. Yeah, I do a 50% glycolic peel but it has a thing called fixotropic gel so it acts like a 70% glycolic feel. I've approved a gas appeal and these pills, like you cannot spy on the market, you cannot buy Online at all, and these pills literally do dissolve the dead skin cells, have the pigmentation stuff, like that. You can't Legally do that at home, like I am licensed to do that in the clinic. And you know, and I think even with micro needling everyone's doing the home needle roller rollers, same, no.
Speaker 2:But also my biggest concern with that is and how well are you sterilizing those needles on a roller? Because if you're not, what you're gonna end up doing is putting more bacteria into your skin. So like I don't really like there was a whole look phase that everyone was micro needling home and it was amazing. But like if you're not keeping that in a sterile container and keeping it sterile you could actually doing more damage to your skin, then you know, actually making it helpful. So when you do micro needling in the clinic, you know you have your needle which is opened and thrown away after we use it on you, and also what we're needling into the skin is, you know, different ingredients, different high Hyaluronics, active ingredients, exosomes, things like that. So like that's why your professional treatments are more beneficial, because we are using higher standard of ingredients and Treatments that will get you your results.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and it's the same with the derma planing, though like no result at home. Kid to, it's now that people have but and they're fine, but as long as you say there's, make sure they're sterilizing it, because they're probably just putting it back into the bag and then going again and then catching bacteria like from the last, all the oil and everything on your skin. So it is about like just make sure in a sterile as well.
Speaker 2:That's it. I like look the derma planing. It's one of these things I'm like is it a good idea? Is it a bad idea? Do you know? That kind of way.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I do. I do like it for my makeup, though. Sarah, like I make up will Stick when I so I recommend for bright like that. Well, I think people are overdoing it though.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and I suppose my thing with the derma is like the peach flowers. Does that grow back any different? You know, some people say it doesn't, some people say it does that's my biggest firm. Like a visor act, like shaving my face? That's yeah. I'm like, look, I do threading, which is an alternative to that.
Speaker 2:Like it is removal of hair. I have facial hair that I remove. I'm not gonna say I don't have to do, but, like you know, it's the people doing at home. It's, you know, again the blades of they cut themselves. Bacteria get into the cut. So like it's just again these treatments. You just got to be very careful when it's coming to the skin in case Something else could happen or go wrong. You know what I mean. And, like you said, I know people who get it done and their skin is flawless and their makeup goes on and their products going lovely. I am like, oh god, I am a bit afraid of it. You know that kind of, and I won't do anything on anyone that I won't do on myself, so like, love that, my thing.
Speaker 1:Okay, sir, so we're gonna finish off the little episode with a little game, this or that. Okay, you ready, I think. So no worry, this one's clean. It's not like I give we have day cream or night cream, oh, day cream. A Scrub or a mask, mask, eye cream or serum, serum, collagen or retinol, retinol, vitamin C or Vitamin C or vitamin, a Vitamin.
Speaker 2:C.
Speaker 1:Okay, mysterizing or brightening, anti-aging or acne control. So like which one?
Speaker 2:Yeah, which one would you like?
Speaker 1:you personally prefer like acne to help acne clients, and creams or lotions or oils.
Speaker 2:Creams, okay, and I'm always like it depends on where you're asking and we have all natural or high-end.
Speaker 1:High-end. Yeah, okay, well, that there were. That's a little disservice. So thank you for participating. And so see what tell us a bit about where people can find you in social media, where they can book in with you and so they can give you a follow and if they want to get any like treatments around on with you, perfect. So I have two pages, though I have skinny statics so you can go on to skinny statics, and that would be where the website is.
Speaker 2:You can actually this book on the website. I'm based in Cork and in the South ring Industrial Park, so if you know where Smith's, you'll find me, and then if you want to follow my own personal page, which is Sarah McGarry dot e, you'll actually find my clinic through that as well. So Instagram is probably the best form to follow me on anything. All my details are on my social medias and I'm always there in the DMs as well if anyone has any skincare questions. Thank you so much for your time and I believe Sarah's details in the description, so if anyone's, just go to description and I'll have the links directly.
Speaker 1:But thank you so much for joining me. Yeah, you really gave us so much valuable information. We're really in our skinger and you're a.
Speaker 3:Thank you so much, sarah, thank you so much.
Speaker 1:Nice day. Thank you so much, sarah. Thank you so much.
Speaker 3:Nice day Thank you have a lovely day. Talk to you soon, bye.