Video conferencing- How to look and feel your best

Over recent months, many of us have made significant changes to the way we live and work. For those working from home or for people longing to see friends and family, video conference calls have become a life line. They have allowed us to feel connected during a time of unprecedented disconnection. Despite lockdown restrictions across the UK starting to ease, this new way of working and socialising may be here to stay, for just a little while longer!

All eyes on you…

With that being said, seeing ourselves on screen day in day out can cause us to focus more on our appearance, on our so-called ‘flaws’ and subsequently impact the way we feel. We are all guilty of it! Whether it be a work meeting or a virtual quiz on a Saturday night, we cannot take our eyes off that little box, our self portrait in the corner of the screen.

For most people, these ‘flaws’ are a result of poor lighting, a bad camera angles or even a bad night sleep! But for others, it can reveal deeper insecurities. As a result, more and more people are reaching out to cosmetic and aesthetic clinics for advice.

How can we help?

At the Dr Tanja Phillips Medical Aesthetic Clinic, we encourage our patients to have open and honest conversations about their concerns. This way Dr Tanja can ensure that if treatment is required, the correct course of treatment is undertaken, whilst taking into account a patients mental health and wellbeing. By providing our bespoke laser treatments and prescription ZO Skin health regimes, we aim to enhance a persons natural beauty and improve overall skin health.

If you have any concerns you would like to discuss with Dr Tanja, or you have questions about the treatments we offer, contact us here.

Our top tips!

In the mean time, here’s how you can achieve healthy, glowing, video conference call-ready skin!

1. SPF every day- The sun damages skin every day, all year round – even on the cloudiest of days. In fact, rather than sun protection we should think of it as daylight protection! That’s because while UVB is strongest in the Summer, UVA, visible light and infrared-A are present all year round. Therefore, the blue visible light from you computer screen can also contribute towards premature skin ageing and impaired skin health. We recommend Heliocare 360. The multi-award winning range provides daily protection against UVA and UVB, plus visible light and infrared-A. It protects skin at its surface and defends skin from within with clinically proven anti-oxidants and DNA repair enzymes.
2. Stay hydrated- Not only is this good for your overall health, but drinking a minimum of 2 litres of water a day will ensure your skin stays healthy, helping to reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
3. Maintaining a balanced diet and regular exercise- A balanced diet is made up of all food groups. This includes ‘good fats’! Avocado, nuts and fish all contain fatty acids that do wonders for dry, dull skin. Regular exercise, such as a short outdoor walk is a great way of getting some fresh air, vitamin D and a well deserved break away from your computer.
4. Sleep- There’s nothing better than a good nights sleep to set you up for the day! Lack of sleep can cause puffiness around the eyes and a dullness to the skin, so try to get at least 6-8 hours of sleep a night.
5. Experiment with lighting- try to avoid working under harsh/bright spotlights that may create unflattering shadows. Natural light is best, so position yourself towards a window if possible (remember your SPF!) and work those angles!