Specialist Skin Clinic

More skin on show, more sun on your skin. This is the time of year moles get noticed – or missed. This month, we’re highlighting the ugly duckling sign.

An ‘ugly duckling’ is any mole that doesn’t look like the rest of the moles on your body.
If you see a mole that looks different in colour, shape, size, or border.

Around 20,000 people are diagnosed with melanoma in the UK each year, and most cases are linked to UV exposure — meaning most are preventable, and even more are treatable when caught early.

You know your own skin better than anyone.

🚨 Don’t ignore it! Early detection can save lives.

Book a mole check: link in bio or 02920 617690.

Noticed your skin’s been more reactive this month? Heat does that.

When temperatures climb, the skin barrier works harder to regulate itself. Add sun exposure, sweat, air conditioning, and pool chlorine, and the result is often redness, tightness, breakouts, or flare-ups of conditions like rosacea and eczema that are usually well controlled.

This isn’t your skin being ‘sensitive’ out of nowhere — it’s a barrier under stress.

What helps:

· Simplify your routine; drop actives like retinoids or strong acids until temperatures settle
· Rinse off sweat, chlorine and suncream at the end of the day
· A fragrance-free, barrier-supporting moisturiser rather than a heavier summer ‘treat’
· Cool showers over hot ones

If your skin is still struggling once the heat breaks, or a flare-up isn’t settling, that’s worth a proper look from one of our consultant dermatologists, rather than trial and error.

📍 Find us: 10 Penlline Road, Cardiff | 02920 617690

“Why is my skin worse in summer?” is a common question we get asked.

Your skin isn’t being dramatic. Here’s the science behind why it gets worse every summer.

Every June, the same questions come into the clinic: “Why is my acne flaring up again?” “My rosacea is so much redder.” “My eczema was fine until the heatwave.”

The short answer: summer asks a lot of your skin. Higher temperatures, UV exposure, sweat, humidity, chlorine, and changes in diet and activity all affect your skin barrier, oil production and inflammation levels – often at the same time.

Here’s what’s actually happening for different skin types:

☀️ Acne-prone skin: Heat and humidity increase sebum production. Sweat mixes with bacteria and blocks pores. Sunscreen that isn’t non-comedogenic makes things worse. Breakouts cluster around the jawline, chest and back.

☀️ Rosacea: UV radiation is one of the most consistent rosacea triggers. Heat causes blood vessels to dilate, intensifying flushing and redness. Air conditioning – going in and out of temperature extremes – compounds this.

☀️ Eczema and dermatitis: Sweat is an irritant. When combined with sunscreen, insect repellent, or chlorine, it can trigger significant flare-ups, particularly in the creases of the elbows, knees, and neck.

☀️ Pigmentation: Even a modest amount of UV exposure without protection can deepen existing pigmentation or trigger new melasma, especially if you’re using active skincare ingredients like retinol or AHAs.

The good news: all of these conditions are manageable with the right dermatologist-led approach.

Book a consultation with our skin experts at Specialist Skin Clinic, Cardiff. Link in bio.

Friday feedback! I decided I would like my microbladed eyebrows removed as I felt they were too dark now I’m a woman of a certain age! Also, I had a few surface age veins on my face, I was subconscious about.

I initially had a consultation with Aiste, Senior Laser Practitioner. She thoroughly examined the area I wanted treated and realistically explained what could be achieved, the equipment she would use, the time frame, and the cost. I would most likely require four appointments (which I did), each six weeks apart. Also, every skin is different, so each treatment is tailored to the individual.

Aiste was lovely, very welcoming, and professional, and made sure I was comfortable at all times. I highly recommend her! Such a lovely lady. The clinic is spotless and bright and welcoming as are the staff on reception.

You can see from the photo that the black microblading has disappeared! I’m so pleased, and I can say it was an easy, near painless experience. The redness in the other photos is directly after treatment, but within a few hours, it settled.

I’m so pleased with the whole experience and will most certainly visit again for ongoing maintenance.

Award-winning dermatology – right here in Cardiff 🏆

We’re proud to be recognised as Best Clinic Wales at the Aesthetic Awards, but what we’re most proud of is the care we give every patient.

Over 20 years of clinical experience.
Treatments delivered under consultant dermatologist supervision.
Safe and effective across all skin types.

If you’ve been thinking about booking – there’s never been a better time. Link in bio.

cardiffdermatology

👡 Stopped wearing sandals because of a verruca? There’s a treatment most people haven’t heard of.

Verrucas are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV) and they’re far more stubborn than most people expect. Months of salicylic acid, freezing at home plasters – and they often come straight back.

At Specialist Skin Clinic, we offer SWIFT Microwave Therapy, a clinically proven treatment developed in the UK that most people haven’t heard of.

Here’s how it works: a small probe delivers a precise burst of microwave energy directly into the verruca tissue. This heats the affected cells and triggers your immune system to recognise and fight the virus – without damaging the healthy skin around it.

SWIFT has an 80–83% success rate, and most patients see complete clearance in just one to three sessions.

Don’t put the sandals away for another year. Book a consultation — link in bio.

Sweating through your shirt in a meeting. Avoiding handshakes. Planning outfits around it. This is hyperhidrosis – and it’s a medical condition, not a personal failing.

Excessive sweating or hyperhidrosis affects around 3% of the UK population, but men are significantly less likely to seek help for it. It’s quietly one of the most confidence-destroying conditions we see in clinic, and one of the most treatable.

At Specialist Skin Clinic, we offer two clinically proven treatments:

✅ Anti-wrinkle injections — a series of small injections that temporarily block the nerve signals activating the sweat glands. Results last four to twelve months. No surgery, minimal downtime, carried out in clinic.

✅ MiraDry — an FDA-cleared treatment that uses precisely targeted microwave energy to permanently reduce the sweat glands in the underarm. Clinical studies show an average 82% reduction in sweating. Most patients see results immediately. Many need just one treatment.

3 skin conditions men often ignore 👀

1. Moles that change – don’t dismiss a mole that’s grown, changed colour or bleeds.
2. Rosacea – redness and flushing aren’t just ‘a ruddy complexion’. It’s treatable.
3. Acne – adult male acne is common and responds well to dermatologist-led treatment.

You don’t have to put up with any of these. Our consultant dermatologist is here to help.

Men’s skin health – it’s time to talk 🧔

This Men’s Health Week, we’re talking about skin. Men are statistically less likely to see a dermatologist and less likely to check their skin for early signs of cancer.

Men over 50 have a significantly higher risk of melanoma than the general population. Your skin is your largest organ. Get it checked.

Book a mole assessment or skin health consultation – link in bio.