What is your background and how did you know you wanted to have a career in skincare?
I originally worked in my family’s food business, which is where my holistic view on skin comes in. I retrained as a therapist in my early 20’s and again the focus was on holistic and massage, then as I progressed and kept learning. I got more interested in skincare and skin wellness.
How are using holistic modalities important in the services you provide?
I always look at someone’s diet and lifestyle, these have such an impact on a client’s skin…stress, diet, where they live, their past.
What is the link you see between our skin’s health and our overall health and well-being?
There is definitely a close correlation with overall health and a number of skin conditions, premature ageing, acne, dullness, sensitivities. However, you do also get those who struggle with their skin and eat and live clean, and they still have concerns.
You must see sun damage on your clients’ skin. How do you see sun safety as an element of proper skincare and wellness?
All the time! And across all age groups, sun safety is essential, I am often treating premature ageing, pigmentation from sun exposure with peels, IPL and other methods. Sun protection on the face all year-round is essential to prevent and also maintain results. And becoming more essential as people are self selecting and using acids and retinols at home. Then from a health perspective, there are more and more skin cancers cropping up, I am always recommending and reminding people to get their moles checked and moles mapped.
Tell us more about your book, Love Your Skin, and why was it important for you to write it?
I had been asked for many years by my clients, friends and press to write down the advice and tips I would share with them. I spent many years continuing to educate myself as well as working and always keen to keep learning so it felt a need to write down some of this. It took over 5 years to get a book deal! I wanted to share the holistic with the scientific in an easy to digest book about skin and wellness with something in it for all ages and skin types. Because I am dyslexic, I wanted beautiful photography to sit alongside it.
For more about Abigail and her book, go here.