Emer O'Callaghan: Your summer beauty questions answered 

I’m flat to the mat in Emerald Beauty Clinic with communion and wedding season, and one thing I always notice at this time of year is how people’s spirits are raised when we get sunny, dry days.

Everyone is in instant better form, even the negative ones who never have a positive word to say about anything will feel the benefits!

Everyone enjoys a sunny, dry spell in Cork. “Grand old drying out,” we love to declare - especially if you got all the beds stripped and the sheets out - it’s all about the little wins.

We all know we don’t get enough sunshine and vital vitamin D in Ireland, so is it any wonder the flight to Spain is always so full?

While milk and dairy were a major source of vitamin D for us all growing up, now we have the new varieties of so-called milk - coconut milk, almond milk, and oat milk.

Oh, I’m a fan of an old oat latte myself, and lots of these newer milks are lower in sugar, and this is why they are so popular with many of the under 50s today.

Every summer, I get asked so many questions about all things skin and beauty, so this week I just want to share my answers to some of them in the hope they may help others who also experience such dilemmas in the summer months.

WHENEVER I SHAVE, I GET A RED RASH - HELP?

Well, like all forms of hair removal, shaving may not be for you.

As a skin specialist, I can tell you that many people’s skin is not suitable for shaving as it’s too sensitive - this is why so many people wax.

Also, when we shave any part of ourselves, we remove up to three layers of dead skin which means your skin may not be able for it.

I’m sure you have tried every type of razor, instead I’d suggest you look at waxing as an alternative.

You do not need to leave your hair grow long and hairy to wax, as regular waxing will slow down the growth over time, and you could wax monthly depending on your hair growth.

SPF STINGS MY EYES - WHY?

That sounds like a cheap SPF to me. Like anything when it comes to skincare, you get what you pay for, and cheap products are made of cheap ingredients that often sit on the skin. Instead of absorbing into it, it seeps down through your eyebrows and into your eyes.

I’d suggest you invest in proper professional grade SPF - it absorbs into the skin fast and lasts far longer also.

I did one of my popular beauty videos on this recently and you can watch it on the Emerald Beauty Clinic Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok pages.

MY HUSBAND IS BALD, HOW CAN HE PROTECT HIMSELF FROM THE SUN?

I really worry when I see a bald man in summer with no hat on - all big scorched heads on them with no clue that while hair protects our delicate skin of our scalps, the fact they have no hair means far less protection.

SPF reapplied throughout the day and a vital hat when outside really should be a non-negotiable for anyone light on top on the hair front.

I wish more GPs said this to their bald patients every summer, as we all need to be sun savvy and skin aware in summer.

Embrace the hats, lads, it might just save your life!

MY DEBS IS IN A FEW WEEKS BUT MY BACK IS FULL OF SPOTS, ANY TIPS?

I can relate, I had the exact same dilemma when I had my Debs as sporty gals will sweat more and are prone to more spots of the body.

Shower straight after exercise or training and get those sweaty sports bras and t-shirts off fast.

Next, avoid fake tan on your back for a good few weeks coming up to the Debs as it clogs the pores more.

Try to get someone to apply a back exfoliator scrub once a week to remove trapped oil, and apply Sudocrem on any spots every night, and sleep with it on.

Alternatively, you could book a good professional back treatment before the Debs - I did this and it did make a huge difference. You can’t beat a professional skin treatment.

MY FEET ARE SO TICKLY, BUT I’D LIKE A PEDICURE?

You and half of Cork, I can tell ya!

I’ve had so many over the years whose feet you barely touch and they’re squirming and giggling, it always makes me laugh.

It’s just a place where you are ticklish, but please note that all you need to do is tell the girl doing your pedicure this and she can then alter your treatment to suit you.

For example, you possibly wouldn’t be one to do a foot massage on then, but if she got all the dead skin off and your nails tied up and painted, you’ll be happy. The key is to speak up.

EACH SUMMER I GET BITTEN ALIVE, WHAT CAN I DO?

I’m sure we can all relate to this, but if it’s every year, that’s no joke.

You could speak to your GP or pharmacist about it and get a good antihistamine, which would really help.

You could also avoid perfumes and body products, and walking in fields of long grass, or wherever you get most bitten.

Aloe vera and good old calamine lotion are great for this too.

MY SKIN IS VERY SENSITIVE IN SUMMER, WHY IS THIS?

Skin conditions such as rosacea and acne are just as common in summer - heat, humidity, and sunshine are all triggers to a sensitive skin condition. The wrong SPF, certain foods, hormones, perfumes, parabens, chemicals, alcohol, spices, diet... all can be culprits here.

My advice is to sort it early before it sets in for the summer.

A skin facial will work to calm, soothe and settle your inflamed skin barrier, which is crying out for some professional care and TLC.

Even after one treatment, you should see your redness from rosacea gone and your skin so much clearer and calmer.

I would always say please do not ignore a skin condition and think, oh I will just suck it up - it won’t go away until it’s treated professionally.

I have an excellent track record in clearing rosacea, and this is why my 6-week skin kickstart plan has been so successful.

Emer O’Callaghan is a multi award winning beauty doctor and skin specialist who won Irish Beauty Therapist of the Year and works at Emerald Organic Beauty Products Ltd, trading as Emerald Beauty Clinic, 021 4365949. A Gold Standard Crown Elite Centre of Excellence 2008-2026, www.emeraldbeautyclinic.ie - follow on Facebook/Instagram/TikTok.

SIX-WEEK SKIN KICKSTART

If you would like to improve your skin, you can try the very popular 6 Week Skin Kickstart where you will get three professional skin treatments, a personalised skincare plan, and products to use to give you youthful, clear, radiant, glowing skin. Suitable for all ages and skin types. To book, simply call Emerald Beauty Clinic, 021 4365949. Free parking for clients.