Today, 2nd April, Elave announce their fundraising partnership with the Irish Cancer Society’s Survivorship Programme. This programme provides practical and emotional one-to-one support for those diagnosed with cancer by people who have undergone cancer treatment themselves.

The Irish Cancer Society’s partnership with Elave means that from April to the end of May, €1 from every Elave Shower Gel 250ml, Shampoo 250ml and Intensive Cream 125g sold will go to the Society’s Survivorship Programme.

Being diagnosed with cancer can sometimes be a lonely and frightening experience. All of the Society’s volunteers have had a cancer diagnosis and know what this news can mean. A one to one conversation with someone who has been there too can make a huge difference at a very difficult time. All of the volunteers have been carefully selected and trained to give support, practical information and reassurance to those newly diagnosed with cancer.

“This is an ideal partnership for the Irish Cancer Society,” said Cliodhna O’Riordan, Corporate Partnership Manager with the Irish Cancer Society. “The Survivorship Programme is a vital service that we provide and the funds raised through this partnership will help us grow and build awareness of this programme whish is one of our key goals for 2012” she said.

Elave have been manufacturing sensitive skincare solutions in Ireland since 1934. Elave is committed to providing skincare products that are free from harsh chemicals that are linked to flare up in sensitive skin.

“We’re delighted to be working with the Irish Cancer Society in such a practical and positive way,” said Joanna Gardiner, Elave’s Managing Director. “This partnership is a natural fit for both Irish Skincare Range Elave and the Irish Cancer Society as we combine giving support to the Survivorship Programme as well as reminding people that we provide a solution to dry, sensitive skin,” said Joanna.

Special edition €1 donation packs of Elave will go on sale from 2nd April, available from all major pharmacy outlets including all major chains such as Boots, Doc Morris, McCabe’s, Sam McCauley’s and Bradleys. The Elave Shower Gel 250ml is priced at €7.10, the Elave Shampoo 250ml at €7.10 and the Elave Intensive Cream 125g at €8.49. Special packs can also be purchased online from Sam McCauley’s website www.buy4now.ie.

BUY NOW

If you or someone you know would like to receive samples of these Elave products just ‘Like’ our Facebook page www.facebook.com/ElaveSkincare.

Samples available while stocks last.

Cancer in Ireland

Ireland’s cancer rate is one of the highest in the world. One in three of us will be diagnosed with cancer during our life time and it is estimated that by 2020, 43,000 new cases will be diagnosed. Latest date form the National Cancer Registry (NCRI) shows that nearly 30,000 people were diagnosed with cancer in Ireland in 2011. These stark figures mean that there is an ever increasing demand for the direct patient care services provided by the Irish Cancer Society.

Survivors Supporting Survivors

Survivors Supporting Survivors is the Irish Cancer Society’s one-to-one support programme, providing emotional and practical support to newly diagnosed patients.

Being diagnosed with cancer can be one of the most difficult situations a person will have to face in their lifetime. All of our Survivors Supporting Survivors volunteers have had a cancer diagnosis. The volunteers have been carefully selected and trained to give support, practical information and reassurance when you need it most. You can speak to someone who really knows what you’re going through.

Survivors Supporting Survivors aims to:

• Help you come to terms with your diagnoses of cancer
• Discuss your feelings and anxieties about cancer treatments
• Give you emotional support and practical advice

You can get support if you’re facing a possible diagnosis, if you’ve been recently diagnosed or if you’re dealing with the side effects of treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormonal therapy.

To find out more about the Survivorship Programme call the Irish Cancer Society’s National Cancer Helpline on Freefone 1800 200 700, or visit www.cancer.ie

The range caters for Anti-Ageing, Hydrating for extremely dry skin types, Oil Free for oily and combinational skin types and Protect & Treat to protect and nourish the skin. The range allows the customer to mix and match to suit their personal requirements for their skin! All of the products are clinically proven to be kind and mild to skin, are dermatology tested and have a skin friendly PH.

 

Oil Free Skin Balancing Cleansing Gel 125ml

Recommended for Normal, Oil and Combination Skin Types

Elave skin balancing facial cleansing gel contains a unique blend of naturally derived foaming cleansers with pure active antibacterial Manuka Honey for deep cleansing treatment to remove daily residue, oil, make-up and impurities. A multi action formula with natural amino acid humectants Sodium PCA and plant derived Glycerin to hydrate and soften skin. Vitamin E and calming Chamomile Extract help shield skin from environmental stress. Leaves the skin rebalanced, soft and refreshed.

 

Oil Free Skin Balancing Moisturiser 50ml

Recommended for Normal, Oily and Combination Skin Types

Elave skin balancing oil free moisturiser is a sheer quickly absorbed cream with a matte finish specially designed for normal, oily and combination skin. A multi-action formula with plant derived Glycerin and Sodium Hyaluronate complex boost the skin’s natural hydration levels and smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Naturally derived sugar and vegetable Preboiotics regulate the skin’s natural balance with antibacterial Manuka Honey to restore a healthier skin barrier. Vitamins B and E condition and smooth the skin’s appearance. Your skin is rebalanced, soft and refined.

 

Age Delay Lip Defence SPF 20 15ml

Recommended for All Skin Types

Elave Daily Lip Defence is an ultra hydrating Lip Balm with Broad-spectrum Sun Protection Factor 20 to protect Lips from the harmful effects of UVA and UVB rays. A multi-action formula with coconut Oil, Shea Butter, naturally derived collagen and vitamin E to recondition, smooth and protect lips. Menthol gives a cooling sensation. Lips are soft and protected from environmental damage.

 

Age Delay Eye Contour Concentrate 15ml

Recommended for all Skin Types

Elave Eye Contour Balm is a light easily absorbed balm with a matte finish specially designed to rejuvenate the delicate eye area. A multi-action vitamin rich formula with natural Humectants and Biopolymer to hydrate and smooth out the eye area. A unique combination of natural Bio-Extracts Braxilian Muira Puama, Ginseng and the Madonna Lily reduce the appearance of dark circles and puffiness. Aloe Barbadensis from Aloe Vera juice calms and soothes the eye area. Vitamin B, C and E provide anti-oxidant environmental protection. Your eye area is refined, toned and younger looking.

People with rosacea may experience spots and persistent redness of their skin. Small blood vessels in the skin can become visible. In the most severe cases, the skin can thicken and enlarge, usually on and around the nose.

There is no cure for rosacea, but treatments are available to control the symptoms.

How common is rosacea?

Rosacea most commonly affects fair-skinned people from northern Europe and is estimated to affect up to 1 in 10 people.

Rosacea affects twice as many women as men, although it is usually more serious in men. The symptoms usually begin between the ages of 30 and 50.

Triggers of rosacea

While the exact cause of rosacea is unknown, several triggers have been identified that make the symptoms worse in some people. These include:

• Exposure to sunlight
• Stress
• Cold weather
• Hot drinks
• Alcohol
• Eating certain foods, such as spicy foods

Identifying and avoiding the triggers of rosacea can be a useful way of controlling the symptoms.

Outlook

As well as avoiding the triggers, you can control the symptoms of rosacea by using a number of different medicines.

Rosacea is a relapsing condition, which means that it will keep returning. People with rosacea will have periods when their symptoms are particularly bad, followed by periods when the condition is less severe. However, most cases of rosacea can be effectively controlled with medication.

Symptoms of rosacea

The symptoms of rosacea often vary from person to person. Although the condition has a number of common symptoms, not everyone will experience all of the possible symptoms. The common symptoms of rosacea include:

• Flushing
• Persistent redness
• Papules and pustules
• Visible blood vessels
• Thickened skin
• Eye irritation

These symptoms are explained below.

Flushing

Flushing (when your skin turns red) is usually the first sign of rosacea. Episodes of flushing can last up for up to five minutes. The flush can spread to your neck and chest, and you may experience an unpleasant feeling of heat.

Persistent redness

With rosacea, episodes of flushing are sometimes followed by episodes of persistent facial redness. This redness is like a flush or a patch of sunburn that does not go away.

Papules and pustules

If you have rosacea, you may develop:
Papules: round red bumps that rise from your skin
Pustules: pus-filled swellings

These spots will appear on your face and are similar to teenage acne. However, unlike acne, your skin should remain free of blackheads (small, blocked pores).

Visible blood vessels

If you have rosacea, you may experience inflammation of the small blood vessels in the surface of your skin. This can cause your skin to appear red and swollen, producing the sort of blotchy skin that is often associated with excessive alcohol consumption. This can be upsetting for people with rosacea, as people often mistakenly assume that they are heavy drinkers.

The medical name for visible blood vessels is telangiectasia.

Thickened skin

In the most serious and developed cases of rosacea, the skin can thicken and form excess tissue, usually around the nose. This causes the nose to take on a large, bulbous appearance. This is known as rhinophyma.

Rhinophyma is a rare symptom of rosacea. When it does occur, it is usually more common in men than women.

Eye irritation

Over half of people with rosacea also experience symptoms that affect their eyes, such as:

• Feeling like there is something in your eyes
• Dry eyes
• Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
• Irritated and bloodshot eyes, which can often lead to related eye conditions such at blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelids)

Rosacea that affects the eyes is known as ocular rosacea.

Other symptoms

Other symptoms associated with rosacea include:

• A burning or stinging sensation on your face
• Dry, rough skin
• Raised red patches, known as plaques, on your skin
• Facial swelling
• Not being able to use cosmetics because your skin is sensitive to them

Most people with rosacea have periods when their symptoms are particularly troublesome, followed by periods where their symptoms are less problematic.

Permanent damage to the face, such as scarring, almost never occurs in rosacea.

Rosacea is a common skin condition that mainly affects the face, causing redness and spots.

Causes of rosacea

The exact cause of rosacea is unknown. However, most experts believe it may be caused by a number of related factors. These are outlined below.

Blood vessel abnormalities

Many dermatologists (skin specialists) believe that abnormalities in the blood vessels of the face may be a major contributing factor for rosacea. This may explain the symptoms of flushing, persistent redness and visible blood vessels. However, it is not known what causes these abnormalities.

Demodex folliculorum

Demodox folliculorum is a microscopic mite (tiny insect) that may contribute to rosacea. These mites usually live harmlessly on human skin, but higher numbers of mites have been found on people with rosacea. However, it is uncertain whether the mite is a cause or an effect of rosacea.

Helicobacter pylori bacteria

Helicobacter pylori bacteria, which are found in the digestive system, have been suggested as a possible cause of rosacea, although the link is not proven. The bacteria may stimulate the production of protein called bradykinin, which is known to cause blood vessels to expand.

Genetics

Rosacea seems to run in families. However, it is not known which genes are involved or how they are passed on.

Triggers of rosacea

Most people who have rosacea notice that certain triggers make their symptoms worse. Different people can have different triggers, but the most commonly reported ones include:

• Exposure to sunlight
• Stress
• Hot weather
• Exposure to wind
• Strenuous exercise
• Alcohol
• Hot baths
• Cold weather
• Spicy foods
• Humidity
• Caffeine (found in tea, coffee and cola)
• Dairy products
• Acute (short-term) medical conditions, such as a cold or fever (high temperature)
• Chronic (long-term) medical conditions, such as high blood pressure (hypertension)
• Vasodilatory medicines, which are often used to treat high blood pressure

Diagnosing rosacea

See your GP as soon as possible if you think you have rosacea. The sooner treatment for rosacea begins, the less likely you will develop the more serious symptoms of the condition, such as thickened skin.

There is no specific clinical test for rosacea. Your GP will make a diagnosis by:

1. Examining your skin
2. Asking you about your symptoms
3. Asking you about any possible triggers you may have
4. In some circumstances, your GP may recommend you have further tests, such as a blood test, to rule out other conditions that have similar symptoms, such as:
5. Lupus, a condition where the immune system (the body’s natural defence against infection and illness) attacks healthy tissue
6. The beginning of the menopause (when a woman’s monthly periods stop)

Treating rosacea

The symptoms of rosacea can be treated in a number of ways. These are described below

Facial flushing

Making lifestyle changes, such as avoiding possible triggers or wearing sunscreen, can be a good way of controlling the symptoms of facial flushing (when your skin turns red).

Creams and Gels

A number of treatments are effective in treating the spots and pimples caused by rosacea. Your GP can recommend a cream or gel as the first treatment option.

Complications of rosacea

Rosacea can cause complications that affect you physically and psychologically.

Eye problems

Rosacea that affects your eyes (ocular rosacea) can lead to a number of eye conditions.

Blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelids) is the most commonly reposted eye condition resulting from rosacea. It can usually be successfully treated by adopting a daily eye cleaning regime and by using antibiotic tablets and creams

Up to 1 in 20 people with rosacea may experience symptoms that affect their cornea (the clear outer layer at the front of the eyeball). This can:

• Make your eyes bloodshot and watery
• Cause scarring of your cornea

In severe cases, if it is not treated, ocular rosacea can lead to vision loss. Your GP my refer you for treatment with an ophthalmologist (a doctor who specialises in eye conditions and their treatment or surgery).

Psychological and social effects

Any chronic (long-term) condition can have an adverse psychological effect, but rosacea can be particularly troublesome because it affects your appearance. This can change how you feel about yourself and also how you interact with other people.

Many people with rosacea have reported feelings of:

• Low self-esteem
• Embarrassment
• Frustration

It is important to come to terms with the fact that you have a chronic condition which, although incurable, is controllable. Persevering with your treatment plan and avoiding your individual triggers are best ways of controlling your rosacea symptoms.

As your physical symptoms begin to improve, you will start to feel better psychologically and emotionally.

If you have rosacea, try to take comfort knowing that you are not alone. There are millions of people across the world who are living with the condition.

Speak to your GP if you are feeling depressed as a result of your condition. They may recommend further treatment.

Preventing rosacea

You can take steps to prevent your symptoms of rosacea from flaring up.

Avoiding triggers

Avoiding known triggers can help reduce the severity and frequency of your rosacea symptoms. To establish what is triggering your symptoms, you could keep a diary of your daily activities to record their impact on your symptoms.

Advice about how to avoid some of the common triggers of rosacea is explained below.

Sunlight

As sunlight is the most commonly reported trigger of rosacea, it is recommended that you use sunscreen every day, even on overcast days.

A sunscreen cream with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 is recommended. Using sunscreens specifically designed for children may help reduce any irritation to your skin.

During the summer months, minimise your exposure to the sun, particularly in the middle of the day when the sun is at its hottest. However, remember that the sun can also be very strong in the morning and evening, so you will need to take adequate precautions at these times as well.

To reduce your exposure to the sun:

• Regularly apply sunscreen to your skin
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat

Stress

After sunlight, stress is the second most reported trigger of rosacea. Successfully managing your stress levels can help control your rosacea symptoms.

You can reduce stress by:

• Taking regular exercise
• Eating a healthy, balanced diet
• Getting the right amount of sleep

As strenuous exercise can trigger an outbreak of rosacea, a low intensity exercise programme, such as walking or swimming, may be better than high-intensity activities, such as running or aerobics.

You may also want to try some relaxation techniques, such as:

• Deep breathing exercises
• Meditation
• Yoga

Food and drink

The most commonly reported food – and drink – related triggers are alcohol and spicy foods. You may want to completely remove these from your diet to see if your rosacea improves.

However, there are many other dietary triggers that can adversely affect some people with rocacea. Include information about how your diet affects your rosacea symptoms in your rosacea diary.

Cold weather

Covering your face and nose with a scarf can help protect your skin from cold temperatures and wind.

If you need to spend considerable time outside during cold weather, you can protect your face with a balaclava.

Skin care techniques

The advice below about skincare techniques may also help control your rosacea symptoms:

1. Do not rub, scrub or massage your face. Doing so can irritate your skin.
2. Use a moisturiser to soothe your skin if it feels sore.
3. Do not use oil-based make-up, scented soaps, alcohol-based skin cleansers or other facial or hair products that contain ingredients that might irritate your skin, such as alcohol and fragrances.
4. Look for products that are suitable for sensitive skin or non-comedogenic (will not block pores and cause spots)
5. Gently clean your skin every morning and evening using a gentle, non-abrasive cleanser.
6. Rinse your face with lukewarm water and allow your skin to dry thoroughly before you apply medication or make-up
7. Men may find that using an electric razor, rather than a blade, helps reduce skin irritation
8. Do not use steroid cream unless you are specifically instructed to by your GP. It may make your symptoms worse.

Oily and acne prone skin can also be sensitive and just because the skin is oily it doesn’t mean that it shouldn’t be moisturised. Read on for some skincare advice for oily skin types.

If you have oily skin, you may be overwhelmed with the amount of products on the market specifically targeted for oily skin. In no time you can spend a lot of money and still not know if you’re taking care of your oily skin the way you should be.

Here is a list of what you should be doing daily and weekly to make sure your oily skin is getting all the TLC it needs.

Daily Skin Care Needs for Oily Skin

• Cleanse morning and night. People with oily skin do well with a gel based of “soapy” cleanser – try Elave Oil Free Skin Balancing Cleansing Gel, it contains pure active antibacterial Manuka Honey for a deep cleansing treatment. This will help clean out pores and strip away excess oil. Look for a cleanser specifically for oil skin.
• Splash skin with cold water. After cleansing, splashing the skin with cold water will act as a toner and help close open and large pores that are often associated with oily/acne prone skin.
• Use a light moisturiser. Many people with oil skin are afraid to moisture their skin. But guess what? Even oily skin needs to be moisturised. Use something light such as Elave Oil Free Skin Balancing Moisturiser, it is a sheer quickly absorbing cream with a matte finish to combat shine on oil skin.

Weekly Skin Care Needs for Oily Skin

• Exfoliate once or twice a week. Exfoliating your skin helps to get rid of the dead skin cells and encourage cell turnover, which brings healthy skin to the surface faster. If you’re acne prone, be gentle. Over exfoliating can cause more breakouts. Glycolic products are also excellent for oily and acne prone skin try Elave Age Delay Cleanser and Elave Age Delay Night Treatment for a gentle approach to exfoliating the skin.
• Use a weekly mask. Large pore size is a common complaint for those with oily skin, so by using a clay mask once a week with help tighten up and clean out pores.

Occasional Skin Care Needs for Oily Skin

• Acne treatments as needed. Using a spot treatment or an all over face acne treatment will help combat acne and help keep it at bay. Use as needed, but remember, acne starts before you can see it. If you are prone to acne popping up on a regular basis, use an acne treatment once a day on a continual basis.
• Stick to a skin care routing. Remember it may take up to 6-8 weeks to see an improvement in the skins appearance so stick with your skincare routine and you should see improvements.

For Elave stocks visit www.echemist.co.uk to buy any of the range.

Make sure you have a correct diagnosis that the condition is Eczema.

Some helpful points to bear in mind to manage the baby’s condition:

• Bathing: Always use a soap free emollient product suitable for babies – why not try one of the Ovelle emollients such as Aqueous Cream, Emulsifying Ointment or Silcocks Base – or alternatively use our Elave Baby Range. Many ordinary baby bath formulas are not suitable for eczema.
• Don’t bathe or wash a baby with water only: This has been shown to dry the skin further particularly in hard water areas.

With severe eczema, bathing is paramount in fighting infection. There are specific products that have been designed to fight infected eczema. Try using a barrier cream such as Ovelle Paraffin Gel to create a protective and moisture layer to the skin.

• Moisturise: Keeping baby’s skin moisturised can help reduce discomfort. You may need to apply an emollient several times a day and certainly after bathing.
• Use special clothing: There is a great range of specific garments that soothe the skin and protect from scratching. They are of huge benefit to both baby and parent. Avoid itchy fabrics such as wool – instead go for cotton garments.
• Keep nails short: No sharp edges.
• Keep pets away: Pet hair can be a common irritant.
• Go dust free: Keep the baby’s room as dust free as possible. Limit soft toys and furnishings.
• Don’t use synthetic bedding.
• Don’t use strong detergents: When washing clothing and bedding – use a non-bio washing product. Don’t use fabric conditioner.
• Room temperature: Do not over heat baby or the room they are sleeping in.
• Diet: There is a limited evidence that suggests sensitivity to foods can cause eczema flare up. General advice when weaning is to introduce one food at a time so that you can notice any reactions. NEVER RESTRICT BABY’S DIET WITHOUT SEEKING MEDICAL ADVICE FIRST.

Always use a gentle hand wash – try to avoid soap or anti-bacterial products are often very harsh on skin. Try Elave Handwash which is gentle enough to use regularly and is formulated for dry skin conditions.

Hand cream such as Elave Intensive Cream or Elave Dermo Hand Treatment is another must have for your hands. Keep it in the bathroom, the bedroom and the kitchen, near the sink so you can use it after washing your hands.

Take care of your nails too. This starts with drinking enough water and eating a healthy diet. But here are a few more tips:

NEVER cut your cuticles. Keep them from drying out by using a good hand cream that is gentle (try Elave Dermo Hand Treatment) and hand soaks then push them gently back with a cuticle/orange stick. Once you do this if you notice any white residue you can gently rub the area to remove this, but no cutting.

When you do cut your nails or hang nails make sure the clippers and other tools are very sharp so they don’t tear as you trim. Always trim neat and clean-not too deep. Once you get them cut, try filing weekly instead of cutting. Use the file in one direction to avoid splitting and use a good quality file. If you maintain your nails this way you may not have cut them. Use gentle hand treatments to soften your skin and your cuticles.

Check out the video by clicking on the picture.

What is it?

Chaps are small cracks in the skin of the fingertips that can be painful especially if they’re deep.

In nearly all cases, chapping is preceded by the skin drying out due to exposure to cold air or to hot, dry air.

It is therefore most common in exposed parts of the body such as on the lips, fingers, hands and ears.

Is it serious?

Chapping isn’t a serious condition and is also not usually a sign of any internal disorder.

What can I do to avoid chapping?

• Never wash with soap – try Elave Hand Wash, have one at the sink. Soap de-fats the skin and makes it rough. For the body wash with Elave Wash or Shower Gel.
• Use an emollient cream such as Ovelle Aqueous Cream in place of soap to clean the skin.
• Keep nourishing Elave Intensive Cream in your bag, in the car or on your desk and use it hourly and after washing your hands.
• Wear gloves outside – use Elave Cream on the hands before putting on gloves – the heat will help absorb the cream and keep the hands soft and supple.
• Keep your core temperature up by wearing a hat, scarf and boots.

Cold winter air can create havoc for your poor skin and hair. Harsh winter winds and freezing conditions whipping your skin daily; then moving indoors to the other extremes – where skin is exposed to central heating and open fires has an impact on all skin types, not just dry skin. Therefore extra care should be taken of your skin in winter.

Here are daily tips for looking after your own skin and all the families during the coldest season of the year.

1. Remember to use elave combined therapy – elave wash, cream and shampoo. Harsh shampoo’s can irritate sensitive skin when rinsed over the body – so although you may use elave wash on the body you may undo the effects if a non-irritant shampoo is not used
2. Carry an elave intensive cream in your handbag/baby bag or even on your office desk and apply regularly through the day.
3. It’s a good idea to keep elave cream in the car as blow heaters can be quite severe on the hands and face especially – get into a habit of applying whilst stopped in traffic!
4. Wear gloves, but apply a little amount of elave hand treatment before putting on your gloves – this way the warmth will help absorb the cream into the hands.
5. For bathing and showering use a gentle wash such as elave wash or shower to prevent further drying of the skin. Afterwards apply elave body lotion or for extra moisture use the intensive cream.
6. Although a hot bath in winter may be tempting, its actually bad for your skin, it removes natural oils from the skin. Having your bath a bit warmer than lukewarm will prevent your skin from getting dryer.
7. Elave bath oil is prefect for apply directly to the bath or a few drops applied to wet skin then patted dry works very well.
8. Always pat skin dry, never rub.
9. Limit showers to 10 – 15 minutes.
10. Have an elave handwash and 500ml intensive cream by the sink – once you’ve washed your hands, make sure you dry them thoroughly before going out into the cold. Not doing so will make your skin more vulnerable to dryness. When the 2 products are together it will be easier to remember to apply the cream immediately after washing to seal in moisture.
11. Remember to continue using a sunscreen during winter months, snow reflects UV light, so you are still at risk of sun damage.
12. Don’t forget to protect your lips, petroleum jelly yellow is perfect and doesn’t contain bleaches. It is also excellent on problem areas to seal in moisture and heal very dry skin.
13. Elave shampoo is mild shampoo for frequent use on your hair and scalp, harsh products stripe the natural oils from the hair, finish with elave hair conditioner to the ends of the hair.

Look forward to showing off beautiful healthy skin again in summer when care is taken to look after it in winter!!