Skin conditions and concerns
Whatever your skin concern or condition, every new Skin Treatment appointment starts with a detailed consultation, addressing diet, skin history and many lifestyle factors along with a skin analysis, all with the aim of getting to know you and your skin.
I will always be honest about what we can achieve together but with a combination of the best homecare and in-clinic treatments along with your patience and commitment, many common skin conditions and concerns can be treated and managed very successfully.
Skin conditions include rosacea, eczema, perioral dermatitis, acne and long term sensitivity.
Common Skin Concerns
Premature & Accelerated Aging
Skin ageing is inevitable, but how it shows up, and how quickly, is far more within our influence than most people realise.
Premature ageing isn't simply about lines and laxity. At a cellular level it involves declining energy production, a build-up of chronic low-grade inflammation, and a gradual shift in the skin's microbiome that erodes its natural resilience over time. UV exposure, stress, poor sleep, blood sugar imbalance, and hormonal changes, particularly around perimenopause, all accelerate this process in ways that topical treatments alone cannot address.
My approach looks at the whole picture. Through a detailed consultation I'll explore what's driving your skin's behaviour, both internally and externally, and build a plan that works on every level, from Corneotherapy-based homecare through to in-clinic treatments designed to support barrier function, stimulate repair and restore vitality to the skin. For clients wanting visible, progressive results, The Rachel Hicks Remodel, my signature treatment combining Neurotris PicoWave microcurrent and Face Remodelling massage is particularly transformative.
Ageing well isn't about turning back the clock. It's about understanding your skin and working with it.
Acne & Persistent Breakouts
Adult acne is one of my primary specialisms, and one of the most misunderstood skin conditions I support.
It's not simply a hygiene issue or something you grow out of. Acne is a multifaceted skin barrier disorder, influenced by hormones, diet, stress, gut health and bacterial imbalance, often all at once. Not all acne even looks the same: some people break out on dry skin, having been told for years that oily skin is the problem.
Getting to the root of what's driving your acne is where lasting change begins. That's why my consultation goes well beyond the surface, exploring diet, lifestyle, stress levels and skin history alongside a full skin analysis.
With the right homecare, in-clinic treatments and a genuinely joined-up approach, acne can be treated and managed very successfully.
Rosacea or suspected Rosacea
Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory condition and one of the more complex skin concerns I work with, because it's rarely driven by just one thing.
At its core, rosacea involves super-reactive blood vessels that flare in response to triggers: heat, spicy food, alcohol, emotional stress. But underneath that, there's usually a combination of immune system misfiring, a weakened skin barrier that lets irritants in and prolongs flushing, and sometimes an imbalance in the skin's natural microbiome including higher levels of Demodex mites, which can quietly aggravate the immune response. Genetics play a role too, though rosacea can develop in anyone.
As a non-medic it isn't my place to diagnose rosacea, but I'm well placed to support you and your skin in a genuinely holistic way. Corneotherapy is particularly well-suited to rosacea, working to calm, strengthen and protect the barrier rather than strip it further. We can't cure it, but with the right approach, flare-ups can become less frequent, less intense, and much easier to manage
Eczema
Eczema is a skin condition where the outer "brick-and-mortar" wall is missing pieces. Water leaks out, irritants sneak in, and the immune system flags an SOS, resulting in dryness, redness, and that relentless itch.
For some people this starts with genetics, a variation in the gene that produces filaggrin, the protein that glues your skin cells together. When filaggrin is lacking, the barrier becomes leaky and vulnerable. Triggers like soaps, fragrance, dust mites, food, stress, and cold dry air can then keep the cycle going, as can the scratching itself, which creates more breaks in the barrier and feeds the itch all over again.
What's often missed is the gut connection. A less diverse microbiome and a poor diet are increasingly linked to inflammatory skin conditions, which is why I look at what's happening on the inside as much as the outside.
My approach focuses on repairing the barrier through Corneotherapy, alongside honest conversations about lifestyle, diet, and triggers. With the right support, eczema can be managed far more successfully than most people expect.
Sun damage and Pigmentation
Photoaging refers to any premature ageing symptoms caused by UV. Sun damage can show itself as pigmentation as well as fine lines, wrinkles, loss of volume, skin lesions and broken capillaries.
Pigmentation can be caused by many things other than UV exposure, for example hormones (melasma), medication, HRT and post acne scars. It is during Consultation I will discuss the symptoms and address possible causes and give you advice as to how you can proceed. Treating pigmentation can take time but with the right homecare and in-clinic treatments we can take pro-active steps together.
