Devine Skin & Laser Clinic

With this gorgeous (but very intense!) heatwave we are having, one of the most common skin concerns I am dealing with daily is: “Why have I suddenly got this pigmentation?” “Where has this brown patch come from?” “But Alison… I wear my SPF!” ☀️ And this is where we need to have a little chat about one of the most fascinating (and sometimes frustrating) skin conditions I see… Melasma. Because if there is one thing I have learnt in my long career working with skin, it is that t

I started watching the new series of Clarkson's Farm recently (yes, I know, some of you may already be judging me 😂) and something Jeremy Clarkson said in the very first episode of the latest series really made me stop and think. He was talking about his new venture, The Farmer's Dog pub, and how much stock had been stolen since opening. Now, when he mentioned glasses being stolen, I have to admit I have probably "accidentally adopted" a pub glass or two in my lifetime. You

Pigmentation – The Unwanted Souvenir of Sunshine Well… look who finally decided to join us! Spring is waving goodbye, summer has finally arrived, and we have actually been treated to some sunshine. I know — we nearly had to check the weather app twice because we weren't sure our eyes were working! After months of grey skies, rain, and wondering if our winter coats had accidentally become a permanent part of our wardrobe, it’s lovely to see everyone outside enjoying the bright

So, it would appear I may have spoken too soon last week. Remember my lovely blog about how relaxed I was after my holiday? How I was worried my cortisol levels had dropped so low that I could no longer think of anything to rant about? How I wondered if my grumpy, ratty old lady personality would ever return? Well... Good news. She's back. And she's not happy. Now this might be a good thing for some of you because I know how much you enjoy my rant blogs. You tell me every tim

Three weeks ago I returned from what can only be described as a lovely, relaxing, very chilled holiday. And apparently I am still on it. Now don't get me wrong, this should be a good thing. We are constantly told that holidays reduce stress, lower cortisol levels, improve wellbeing, make us calmer, happier, healthier human beings. Well, I think mine may have gone too far. Because my brain hasn't quite switched back on. Usually I have a running list of things to rant about. Cl

There are moments in this job where I genuinely have to stop and think about how absolutely unhinged we sound to the outside world. Because if anyone overheard half the conversations happening inside the clinic without context, I’m fairly sure I’d be featured on a local Facebook warning post by teatime. Imagine walking past a treatment room and hearing: “Don’t worry, the burning smell is normal.” Or: “Yes, your face is going to peel.” Or my personal favourite: “I’m just going

Right… I am officially going to attempt a positive blog. No moaning. No ranting. No “don’t get me started” moments. …ha ha ha ha… as if. But I am going to try, because lately something has been happening in the clinic that genuinely makes me ridiculously happy—and I don’t say that lightly. You’ve actually been listening to me 👀 Now, this is the part that confuses me slightly… The majority of you are actually doing exactly what I suggest. Using your skincare properly. Prot

Let’s be honest… wanting good skin isn’t a “modern thing.” It didn’t start with Instagram, Or TikTok, Or even that one friend who suddenly became a “skincare expert”overnight. It’s human nature. For as long as history has been recorded, we’ve always linked skin to health, wealth, confidence, and identity . And when you look back, it’s fascinating (and slightly terrifying) what people have done in the name of “good skin.” 👑 The Elizabethan Era: (1558–1603) Elizabethan Makeu

See it. Hear it. SAY it.... Now before anyone messages me… yes, I do know the saying goes: See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil. But in true Devine Skin fashion, we’re flipping things slightly… because honestly, when it comes to your skin — I want you seeing, hearing and speaking about it! (And if three adorable Easter bunnies can get your attention while doing it… then job done 🐰) 👀 See It – The Changes In Your Skin Let’s start with the “see no evil” part… Except I d

(If You Do Not Watch Bridgerton, You May Not Understand This) A Devine Skin Society Paper Dearest gentle readers of the skincare Ton , It has come to the attention of this author that a most curious habit is circulating amongst society. A lady – or indeed a gentleman – visits Devine Skin , seeking the wisdom of a professional consultation. Their skin concerns are discussed, assessed carefully, and a bespoke skincare routine is prescribed based on their skin condition at that

I’ve just come back from an incredible event hosted by AlumierMD for their top clinics, and honestly… I came home buzzing. The room was filled mostly with women. Many menopausal age. Many like me. And do you know what? They looked GORGEOUS. Not overdone .Not frozen. Not filtered. Glowing. Healthy. Confident. Most with barely any makeup on. And I thought — now THIS is the advert. And I had a little smile to myself because… this isn’t new to me. A true testament to what happens

Let’s start with the truth. Your skin does not care what’s trending.It doesn’t know what’s viral. And it absolutely does not watch TikTok. What it does know is when it’s being overloaded, confused, stripped, irritated or treated like a science experiment because someone online said, “Honestly, this changed my skin overnight.” After 40 years in this industry, I can confidently say this: most skin issues aren’t caused by bad skin — they’re caused by bad advice. So let’s talk

Let’s talk about January . Cold. Dark. Long. The month that feels like it’s been going on since 2019. Christmas is packed away, the decorations are gone, and suddenly everyone’s telling you to “be your best self” , start a new diet, join a gym, drink green juice, and reinvent your entire life by the 3rd of January. No thank you. What if, instead of fighting January, we lean into it ? And no — before anyone panics — I don’t mean that kind of lean. This is not a new diet, ther

A year of skin, science, stories… and a few bunnies, cauldrons, and Greek mums thrown in for good measure. 🕰️ An Early Blog Because… Jury Service! This blog is arriving a little earlier than usual because I was called in for jury service for two whole weeks starting 15th December. Today is only the 17th, and I’m still sitting here… not called in yet. Am I bored? Absolutely.Is it a waste of my time and money? Oh yes.Am I trying not to stress about how much money I’m losing

This year has been tough on so many of us, and I’ve heard something repeatedly in the clinic lately: “I’m not sure I can keep going with my skincare.” And I genuinely understand why. When life gets more expensive, we naturally start looking at what we can cut back on — and skincare often ends up on that list. But before you make that decision, let’s pause for a second. You’ve come so far. Your acne and rosacea are under control. Your hydration has improved. Your skin looks ca

This blog started as one about menopause… but the more I wrote, the more I realised it’s not really just about that. It’s about life . About being human and about how, at every age, we’re all just doing our best to hold it together. Lately, I’ve been feeling grumpy, overwhelmed, anxious — and some days, just flat. At first, I blamed it all on menopause (and let’s be honest, that’s a fair shout 😅), but in truth, these feelings don’t belong to one age group. They show up for e

Wrinkles? I earned mine! 😉After all, laughter, sunshine, and a good glass of wine leave their mark — and I’m okay with that. Let’s...

Skincare Trends: Buzzwords, Gimmicks, and What They Really Mean I told you so..... I have a love-hate relationship with social media. One...

Hot Flushes, Brain Fog & Laugh-Wee: My Menopause Story From Laugh-Wee to Witch Trials – A Menopause Reality Check Menopause – The Change...

Confidence: Social Media vs Reality One of the most common things I hear in the clinic is, “My pores are huge” or “My wrinkles are...