CLM Aesthetics

HAS YOUR SKIN “GOT USED TO” YOUR SKINCARE?

“I swear this product used to work, but now it does nothing.”

I hear this one a lot.

But has your skin actually become “immune” to your skincare?

Usually, no.

For most skincare ingredients, your skin doesn’t simply become resistant to them. What can change is how noticeable the results are.

When you first introduce a product, improvements may be more obvious. As your skin improves, you may reach a maintenance stage where the product is still doing its job, but the changes are less dramatic.

Your skin can also change over time. Hormones, age, stress, sleep, climate, sun exposure and your skin barrier can all influence what your skin needs.

Irritation can also be mistaken for products “stopping working”. Adding more active ingredients or using them more frequently can disrupt the skin barrier, causing dryness, redness or breakouts.

And sometimes… your expectations have simply changed.

Before throwing out your whole routine, ask:

Has my skin changed?
Am I using my products consistently?
Have I introduced too many actives?
Has my environment changed?
Am I expecting a maintenance product to keep producing dramatic results?

Sometimes your skincare hasn’t stopped working. Your skin, environment or expectations have changed.

X x Courtney

References:

Draelos ZD. The science behind skin care: Moisturizers. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2018.
Ananthapadmanabhan KP, et al. Dermatologic Therapy. 2004.
Rawlings AV, Lombard KJ. International Journal of Cosmetic Science. 2012.

*Disclaimer: This information is for general education only and not personalised medical advice. Everyone’s skin ages differently depending on genetics, hormones, and lifestyle factors.

WHY DOES MY FACE LOOK DIFFERENT EVERY DAY?

Ever looked in the mirror one morning and thought, “What happened to my face?”

Then looked again a few days later and thought, “Oh… there I am.”
Your face can genuinely look different from one day to the next, and it doesn't necessarily mean your skin has suddenly aged or that you've “lost” your results.

A big reason is fluid.

Poor sleep, dehydration, a salty meal, alcohol, hormonal fluctuations, stress and inflammation can all influence how much fluid your body retains. This can temporarily change the appearance of areas such as the under-eyes, cheeks and jawline.

Allergies can also contribute to puffiness, particularly around the eyes, while inflammation from things like a breakout or irritated skin can temporarily change how your face looks and feels.

Sleep is another big one. When you haven't slept well, changes in fluid distribution, blood flow and inflammation can contribute to puffiness and a tired-looking complexion.

And then there are hormones. Changes throughout the menstrual cycle can influence fluid retention and skin behaviour, meaning your face and skin can look and feel different at different times of the month.

This is why judging your skin, facial shape or “aging” based on one particular morning isn't always helpful.

Sometimes what you're seeing isn't a permanent change.It's simply your body responding to what's happening inside it.So before you panic about what you see in the mirror, think about the bigger picture.

How did you sleep? Have you been drinking enough water? Had more salt or alcohol than usual? Are you stressed? Feeling unwell? Experiencing allergies? Where are you in your hormonal cycle?

Your face doesn't have to look exactly the same every day.And that's completely normal.

X x Courtney

References:
Watanabe M, et al. Relationship between sleep and skin health. Sleep Medicine Reviews.
Kumar S, et al. Skin and systemic effects of dehydration and water balance. Clinical and Experimental Dermatology.
Sies H. Oxidative stress: a concept in redox biology and medicine. Redox Biology. 2015.

*This information is for general education only and not personalised medical advice.

FEELING SICK? IT MIGHT BE BETTER TO RESCHEDULE.

I know life is busy, and it can be tempting to push through an appointment when you’re feeling a little under the weather.

But sometimes your body has other plans.

When you’re unwell, your immune system is already working to manage infection and inflammation. Some aesthetic treatments, particularly those that disrupt the skin such as microneedling, laser and resurfacing procedures, also rely on a controlled healing and inflammatory response.

If your body is already fighting an illness, adding another healing demand may not be the ideal time for treatment.

You may also be more dehydrated, fatigued or generally run down, which can make recovery less comfortable.

And if you have an active infection in the area being treated, it’s an even bigger reason to wait.

So if you’ve developed a fever, significant cold or flu symptoms, an active infection, cold sore, stomach bug, or you simply feel genuinely unwell…

Please let me know.

There is no gold star for getting through your appointment while sick.

Rest. Recover. Hydrate. Then come back when you’re feeling like yourself again.

Your treatment can wait. Your health comes first.

X x Courtney

References:

Adib Y, Bensussan A, Michel L. Cutaneous Wound Healing: A Review about Innate Immune Response and Current Therapeutic Applications. Journal of Immunology Research. 2022.
Robson MC. Wound infection. Surgical Clinics of North America. 1997;77(3):637–650.
Hou A, Cohen B, Haimovic A, et al. Safety Profile for Microneedling: A Systematic Review. Dermatologic Surgery. 2021.

*Disclaimer: This information is for general education only and not personalised medical advice. Everyone’s skin and healing response is different. If you are unwell or unsure whether your treatment should proceed, please discuss this with your treating clinician.

WHY DOES MY PIGMENTATION KEEP COMING BACK?

You treated it… so why is it back?

Because pigmentation isn't always just about the pigment you can see.

Different types of pigmentation have different causes. UV exposure, visible light, hormones, inflammation and individual genetics can all contribute depending on the condition.

Melasma is a great example.

It is a chronic, relapsing condition, meaning that even when pigmentation improves, the underlying tendency to produce excess pigment can remain.

And this is why treating the visible pigment is only part of the picture.

Ongoing sun protection is incredibly important, because UV exposure can stimulate melanogenesis — the production of melanin.

For some people with melasma, visible light can also contribute, which is why appropriate photoprotection is particularly important.

Inflammation can also trigger post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation after skin injury or irritation.

So if your pigmentation keeps coming back, the answer isn't necessarily “stronger treatment”.

Sometimes the more important question is:

WHY is my skin producing the pigment in the first place?

Understanding the type and cause of pigmentation is an important first step in deciding how it should be managed.

References:
Passeron T, et al. Melasma: The need for tailored photoprotection to improve clinical outcomes. Photochem Photobiol. 2022;38(6):515–521.
Ogbechie-Godec OA, Elbuluk N. Melasma: An Up-to-Date Comprehensive Review. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2017;7:305–318.

*Disclaimer - This information is for general educational purposes only and is not personalised medical advice.

Xx Courtney

EVERYONE SAYS “STIMULATES COLLAGEN”…

…but what does that actually mean?

Collagen is one of the main structural proteins in our skin. It helps provide strength, support and structure.

As we age, collagen production and organisation change. This contributes to changes in firmness, elasticity, texture and the appearance of fine lines.

So when a treatment is described as “stimulating collagen”, it generally means the treatment is intended to trigger a biological repair and remodelling response within the skin.

For example, microneedling creates controlled micro-injuries that can activate wound-healing pathways and growth factors, which may promote new collagen formation.

But here’s the important part:

It doesn't happen overnight.

Collagen remodelling is a gradual biological process, which is why skin changes following collagen-inducing treatments are generally assessed over time rather than immediately after treatment.

And “more collagen” doesn't automatically mean tighter or younger-looking skin.

The treatment, settings, individual skin characteristics and your body's healing response all matter.

So next time you see “stimulates collagen”, ask:

WHAT does it stimulate?
HOW does it work?
And WHAT evidence supports it?

References:
Schoenberg E, et al. Microneedling: Where do we stand now? A systematic review of the literature. Plast Surg Int. 2017.
Alster TS, Graham PM. Microneedling: A review and practical guide. Dermatol Surg. 2018.

*Disclaimer - This information is for general educational purposes only and is not personalised medical advice.

Xx Courtney

Keratosis Pilaris: What Are Those Little Bumps?

Ever noticed small, rough bumps on the backs of your arms, thighs or buttocks that never seem to go away?

You may be dealing with keratosis pilaris, often called “chicken skin”.

Keratosis pilaris is a very common and harmless skin condition. It occurs when keratin, a protein naturally found in the skin, builds up around hair follicles, creating tiny plugs and that characteristic rough, bumpy texture.

Genetics play a role, and it can be more noticeable in people with dry skin or eczema. It can also become more noticeable during winter when skin is drier.

There’s currently no cure, but consistent skincare can help improve its appearance and texture.

Ingredients that may help include:
Salicylic acid — helps exfoliate within the follicle and reduce keratin build-up.
Lactic acid — gently exfoliates while helping to hydrate the skin.
Urea — helps soften rough skin and improve moisture retention.
Regular moisturising is also important for supporting the skin barrier.

Keratosis pilaris is extremely common and harmless. While it can't be permanently cured, consistent use of moisturising and gentle exfoliating ingredients can help improve the appearance of those little bumps over time.

References:
Thomas M, Khopkar U. Keratosis Pilaris Revisited: Is It More Than Just a Follicular Keratosis? International Journal of Trichology. 2012.
American Academy of Dermatology Association. Keratosis Pilaris.

*Disclaimer This information is for general educational purposes only and is not personalised medical advice. Please seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional regarding your individual circumstances.

Xx Courtney

Hi, I’m Courtney, the face behind CLM Aesthetics, and I thought I’d share a few things you might not know about me.

I’m 36, a Virgo and a very proud mum of two boys.

My coffee order is an almond milk cappuccino, and if we’re having a cocktail, I’ll happily take a margarita or an Aperol spritz.

My favourite colour is blue, and a fun fact you probably wouldn’t guess… I used to play a LOT of water polo and was actually a national league goalkeeper.

I’ve been a registered nurse since 2013 and spent 10 years working in emergency nursing, which taught me a lot about people, pressure and, most importantly, looking after others.

And something a little more personal… I’m dyslexic. Reading and writing have never always come easily to me, but I’ve never let it hold me back from doing the things I’ve wanted to do.

So that’s a little bit about me.

If you’re new here, hi — it’s lovely to have you. And if you’re thinking about coming into CLM, I hope this makes me feel a little less like a stranger when you walk through the door.

Xx Courtney