Introducing Brooke Iriks, one of our new injectable nurses at Skindepth Dermatology.  Brooke has been a registered nurse for over 15 years, 5 of those years has been studying and working in the cosmetic industry.

Welcome to the Skindepth team Brooke. What makes you passionate about the cosmetic industry?

Thank you, I am very pleased to be part of the Skindepth team! I love the cosmetic industry because it allows me to help my clients feel good about themselves. There is a lot to share about skin health and wellness and I love educating my clients. When people are informed, they can make the best decisions on how to look and feel great on the inside and outside.  This includes skin treatments, skincare, diet and general well-being.

What is your favourite time of year for skin?

I love spring! I especially love the spring racing carnival and all of the excitement that comes with this time of year. As we head into spring we need to consider our skincare regime, which means updating and buying new products. I love buying new skin products especially if it means a glowing complexion.

So Brooke, what are your top tips to get Spring Racing Ready?

The first thing I recommend is re-visiting your skincare routine. What your skin needs in spring is different to what it needs in winter due to the environmental changes. The main thing is increasing your SPF coverage. During spring and summer make sure you are using a SPF 50+ coverage every single day. No questions! You might want to also add an active cream like a vitamin C to target pigmentation during the day, and a Vitamin A to settle some congestion overnight. I am also adding some radio frequency treatments to boost collagen, tighten the skin and smooth out any wrinkles. I won’t be able to fit all the treatments in before the spring carnival, but I can get a good start.

 What about if I want an extra boost?

If you are considering anti-wrinkle or dermal filler for the spring racing carnival, now is the time to get started. Book your antiwrinkle injections in at least 6 weeks prior and dermal filler injections 4 weeks prior. I am a big fan of the natural look and I am conscious of working with my clients to achieve their end result. Personally, I like my face to have some movement and lines. We always encourage a review 2 weeks after your treatment to assess and make sure it is settling in nicely.

 What else is key for this time of year?

Like Skindepth, I have a holistic approach to health and well-being and view looking after my skin as something I need to do from the inside as well as the outside. I personally love going to the gym and working on my Olympic Weightlifting. It makes me feel great, but importantly it helps me reduce my stress levels which is an important part of any healthy lifestyle.

Diet is also important. At this time of year we naturally change our diets to engage seasonal produce which often means more salads and lighter meals as we steer away from root vegetables associated with winter.

Here are some small and easy changes I have made to look after my health and my skin:

• I tend to crave sugar in the afternoon and to curb it I like to have a Kombucha. Not only does it reduce my sugar intake, but it helps increase my energy levels, hydrates me and is delicious. Win!
• I love chocolate after dinner, so I have shifted from milk chocolate to dark chocolate. I also enjoy it with berries which are full of antioxidants and great for the skin.
• I try and swap my mid morning latte for a long black. One thing research has shown is that dairy can greatly affect the skin, particularly if you have problematic or acne prone skin. If you are looking for a milk substitute, almond milk is a great alternative.

Brooke is available for appointments in the clinic every Tuesday.

We would love to know if you have any pre carnival tips. Just direct message us @skindepthdermatology