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Acne can be a frustrating and confidence-damaging condition, but with the right skincare routine, you can take control of your skin and achieve a clearer complexion. Treating acne-prone skin requires a balanced approach that focuses on gentle cleansing, proper hydration, and targeted treatments. In this blog post, we'll discuss skincare routines that are specifically designed for acne-prone skin. Understanding Your Skin Type: Before establishing a skincare routine, it's crucial to identify your skin type. Acne-prone skin can vary from oily to dry or a combination of both. Understanding your skin's specific needs will help you choose the right products and treatments. This can also play a part in instances for those who have sensitive skin as certain products may dry your skin out or cause you to break out. Gentle Cleansing: Cleanse your face twice daily using a gentle, non-comedogenic cleanser. This is typically done in the morning and again at night. Avoid harsh cleansers that strip away natural oils, as this can trigger more oil production and worsen acne. Look for ingredients like salicylic acid or tea tree oil, known for their acne-fighting properties. Exfoliation: Exfoliating your skin helps remove dead skin cells and unclog pores, preventing breakouts. However, be cautious not to overdo it, as excessive exfoliation can irritate the skin. Opt for a gentle exfoliator or chemical exfoliants with ingredients like glycolic or lactic acid, which promote cell turnover without causing excessive dryness or irritation. Hydration is Key: Contrary to popular belief, even acne-prone skin needs hydration. Look for oil-free, non-comedogenic moisturizers that provide lightweight hydration. Ingredients like hyaluronic acid and ceramides help maintain the skin's moisture barrier without clogging pores. Targeted Treatments: Incorporate acne-fighting treatments into your routine to specifically address breakouts. Spot treatments with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid can help reduce inflammation and kill bacteria. However, use them sparingly and as directed, as excessive use can lead to dryness and irritation. Sun Protection: Protecting your skin from harmful UV rays is crucial, especially when using acne treatments that may increase sun sensitivity. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, specifically formulated for the face. Look for non-comedogenic options to avoid clogging pores. Hands Off: Avoid touching your face throughout the day, as it can transfer bacteria and aggravate existing acne. Additionally, refrain from picking or popping pimples, as this can lead to scarring and further inflammation. Makeup Considerations: If you wear makeup, choose non-comedogenic, oil-free, and fragrance-free products. Mineral-based makeup is often a good option for acne-prone skin. Be sure to remove makeup thoroughly before bed to prevent clogged pores. Healthy Lifestyle Habits: Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can positively impact your skin. Get enough sleep, manage stress levels, exercise regularly, and follow a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. These habits promote overall skin health and can aid in managing acne. Consistency and Patience: Remember that results take time. Stick to your skincare routine consistently and be patient. It may take weeks or even months to notice significant improvements. Avoid switching products frequently, as it can disrupt your skin's balance. Conclusion: Establishing an effective skincare routine for acne-prone skin is all about finding the right balance. Focus on gentle cleansing, hydrating your skin, incorporating targeted treatments, and protecting it from the sun. Additionally, adopt healthy lifestyle habits that promote overall well-being. This also includes maintaining a healthy diet as things like junk food and spicy foods can often trigger acne. Remember, if your acne persists or worsens, it's best to consult with a dermatologist who can provide personalized advice and guidance based on your skin. Information on our Dermatology services here: www.healthharmonie.com/dermatology

Menopausal effects can bring on an array of changes to your daily life, it is important to identify these and what triggers them and then knowing how to manage them correctly. Dealing with menopausal effects can be challenging, but there are several strategies that women can use to manage their symptoms. One of the most effective ways to reduce the severity of menopausal symptoms is to maintain a healthy lifestyle. This includes eating a balanced diet, staying active, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. Ultimately, it is important for women to speak with their healthcare provider about their individual symptoms and to develop a personalised plan for managing menopause. Mood changes: Changes in hormones can take an effect on your mental health and cause frequent mood swings along with feeling anxious, these are a common cause of Menopause. While menopause is a natural part of aging, it can be challenging for some women to manage these symptoms, and there are various treatments available to help alleviate them. How to manage mood changes: Ensuring you have plenty of rest Avoiding alcohol, coffee, and any mood impacting drinks Exercising regularly Having someone to talk to Hot flushes and night sweats: Having hot flushes can interrupt daily life and activities. If you experience specific triggers for hot flushes, then it is worth noting this to help combat them. How to manage hot flushes and night sweats: Dressing in layers so clothing items can be removed when experiencing hot flushes Avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and spicy foods If you are a smoker, try to reduce the number of cigarettes you have per day as much as possible, this will also provide health benefits beyond hot flushes Try to maintain a healthy weight Ensuring your bedroom is kept at a cool temperature at night Feeling tired and irritable: Feeling tired and irritable can affect your mood, productivity, and overall well-being. This can make it difficult to interact with others in a positive manner. How to manage feeling tired and irritable: Getting an adequate amount of rest Eating a healthy diet Engage in stress-reducing activities i.e. Meditating, Yoga, Journaling Joint stiffness: Joint issues often stem from Oestrogen. Oestrogen affects your cartilage so this can have an impact and create issues like inflammation and pain. Joint stiffness and pain is most common in ages 45yrs – 65yrs. How to manage joint stiffness: Regular exercise to maintain and improve joint flexibility Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication such as aspirin and ibuprofen Trying to maintain a healthy weight so that there is less strain on the joints Vaginal dryness: Skin dryness in general can become an issue during menopause, however vaginal dryness is most common and is often the area that is most affected. How to manage vaginal dryness: Using moisturisers and applying often to combat dryness Staying hydrated Prescription medications such as ospemifene Avoiding irritants such as harsh soaps that can increase dryness Tinnitus: Tinnitus causes a constant or intermittent ringing or buzzing sounds in the ear(s). This may be present in some individuals already but is known to worsen when they are menopausal. How to manage feeling tinnitus: Avoiding triggers such as noisy environments Medications such as tricyclic antidepressants or benzodiazepines Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) Information on our gynaecology services: www.healthharmonie.com/gynaecology

Eczema is a skin condition that causes parts of the skin to become itchy and inflamed. When this is aggravated, the itchiness can worsen and the skin can become dry, appear red/pink in colour and begin to crack. The cause of Eczema is not clear and not specific to one single reason. However, causes of eczema typically are down to: Genetic Age (common in children) Food allergies Eczema can be troublesome for those working in jobs that involve contact with irritant chemicals and materials. There are many factors that can trigger an eczema flare-up, so it is important to be mindful of the list below: Contact with soaps, detergents and any other chemicals that are applied to the skin Exposure to heat, dust, wool clothing and pets Worsens when the person has fallen ill (generic conditions like a cold or cough) Stress Treatments are available for eczema to help control the condition but not cure it. These treatments will put the affected area into remission so there are no signs of it for a period of time: Emollients Topical corticosteroids Dietary changes Self-care If left untreated, eczema can persist for months or in some cases even years, worsening over time. This can also be the case if treatments are stopped too soon.

We are delighted to announce that we have been recognised as one of the Top 200 Female-Powered Businesses in the United Kingdom. We are incredibly proud to be featured within this list of such exceptional companies and strive to continue to bring healthcare services closer to home and provide additional capacity to hospitals. We are committed to our vision of creating long term, sustainable and patient-focused healthcare, and are very humbled to be recognised for our hard work. J.P. Morgan Private Bank have analysed almost 40,000 companies that combined, form the United Kingdom’s high-growth ecosystem. This revealed that 10,647 female-powered businesses are founded, led, owned or managed by women. These female-powered businesses are a vital part of the economy, employing almost 700,000 individuals, amounting to roughly 2.79% of the nation’s workforce. This report details recognition of women’s resilience and their critical role within the community as well as an understanding of how female-powered companies are reaching high-growth status within a short timeframe. This ranges from managing responsibilities at work to running and leading businesses. Women across the world have risen to so many new challenges, not only within the pandemic but also throughout the overall economy, and prevailed with incredibly profound results. As of 2012, female-powered businesses accounted for just 6% of all equity investments, with 6.7% of grant funding. By 2021 this had risen all the way up to 19.1% and 16.7%. Top 200 Female-Powered Businesses: www.privatebank.jpmorgan.com/top-200-female-powered-businesses J.P.Morgan Website: www.privatebank.jpmorgan.com

Carpal tunnel surgery releases the pressure on the median nerve inside the wrist. This allows the nerve to freely travel through the narrow tunnel passage correctly without causing any discomfort. Once surgery has been completed you will be given a care plan via your doctor on how to protect your wound and gradually regain normal function of your hand/wrist. After Your Surgery After surgery, there will be a feeling of numbness in the hand which generally passes within the first week, however it is not uncommon for this persist over the course of a couple of months. Over the counter painkillers like paracetamol and ibuprofen are available should the pain or discomfort continue. It is important to always read the instructions that come with any medication to ensure correct usage. Bandages and Dressing The bandages and padding can be removed after 48 hours, however the small white dressing is left on. Keeping your hand elevated after this can help to relive pain and swelling. Splints are often worn within the dressing of the wound to provide support throughout the healing process. This, along with the small white dressing and stitches will be removed after 2 weeks by a medical professional at your follow up appointment. After this, the 2-4 week period is typically when you can gradually begin to resume normal day to day tasks with your hand. Your will be provided with a care plan in order to correctly manage the healing process. Hand Exercises Performing simple exercises can help to gradually build up the strength back in your hand. These should be performed in a gentle manner and only repeated up to 4-5 times during each period as your hand will still be in a fragile state. If you feel any sharp pains when performing the following exercises then stop and contact your doctor immediately. Exercises that can aid in recovery are: Moving your wrist gently forwards and backwards Making a loose fist and then releasing slowly Slowly stretching your fingers open back and forth Putting hands in a prayer like position and raising towards your chin and back down Avoid repeating the same movements over and over and gripping objects as this will be painful at first. Heavy lifting should be avoided entirely over the healing period. You will need to ensure the wound is kept clean and dry until completely healed. Return to Work Time off work will be needed whilst you recover in order to heal and reduce the use of your hand which could otherwise cause complications. Most patients will take 2 weeks off until they can return to work but this depends on the nature of your job. Any form of heavy lifting should be avoided so if there are no strenuous activities involved in your job then you should be able to return after the 2-week period should you feel comfortable doing so. A doctor’s note can be provided to confirm your time off and if you do feel as though you need more time then you can speak to your doctor to discuss this and have an assessment on your healing progress. Upon return to work it is important to still be vigilant with how your use your hand and not resume as normal straight away. Most people have the full use and strength of their hand return to them after 6-12 weeks. When to Contact Your GP Experiencing severe pain If the wound area becomes red/pink If discharge seeps from the wound If the wound starts to bleed Our Minor Surgery Services: https://www.healthharmonie.com/minor-surgery

Keloids are formed from an over production of collagen. Most commonly to those between the ages of 20 and 30 years old, however anyone is prone to developing a keloid scar. The appearance of these scars are shiny, raised and often firm to the touch. The process of a keloid forming is when the skin suffers trauma and scar tissue builds over the wound. Excess scar tissue can then develop over this which leaves a scar larger than the wound sustained, this type of scarring is referred to as a ‘Keloid’. Keloids are most common on the chest, sternum, shoulders, chin, neck, lower legs and earlobes. Following any injuries, if the skin is tight in the affected area then this can lead to a keloid forming, which is why areas like the chest and sternum are so commonly prone to keloids. The most common injuries that can result in a keloid are in the form of ear piercings, burns and chickenpox. If undergoing surgery, it is not uncommon for a keloid to develop from your surgical scar. A keloid scar isn’t something that will appear immediately but rather over the course of months or years. Early signs of a keloid forming to look out for are: Itchiness in an area that has sustained injury Red, brown or purple bumps on skin Patch of skin that is of a different texture in appearance Treatments to reduce and flatten the appearance of a keloid can be in the form of: Steroid injections Freezing with liquid nitrogen Applying silicone gel sheets onto the affected area Surgery Laser treatment If a keloid scar is causing discomfort or insecurity and you are seeking treatment, you should visit a dermatologist to help manage your condition. Information on our dermatology services: www.healthharmonie.com/dermatology

April is Stress Awareness month. This has been around since 1992, with the purpose to raise awareness of the causes and cures for our modern stress epidemic. These past 2 years have been a very stressful time for most and this can create an abundance of issues to mental and physical health, so it is Important that support within the community during these challenging times continues. Stress has an effect on your skin due to a hormone called ‘cortisol’ that is released which increases the oil production in your skin. As your pores become clogged up from this oil, spots and blackheads are formed. It is common for patients that suffer with skin conditions to have higher levels of stress. When these stress levels are decreased, the skin condition calms down. Similarly, when these stress levels increase, so does the severity of the skin condition. If you are suffering with, Eczema, Acne, Hives, Psoriasis, Rosacea or any type of Rash then these conditions can be rapidly exacerbated when experiencing high levels of stress. When conditions like this worsen and are visible to others then this creates insecurity which then leads to a build up of more stress. This can then spiral into your mental wellbeing, creating issues like low self-esteem and anxiety. 85% of dermatology patients feel that psychosocial factors are a key factor to their skin conditions, with 17% requiring psychological support to deal with their condition. Stress is something we all experience in our life and how you handle these moments are imperative to your health and well-being. Steps to help reduce and deal with stress: Use stress management techniques like breathing exercises such as the 3-4-5 technique. Breathing in for 3 seconds, holding for 4 seconds and exhaling for 5 seconds. Yoga and Meditation are also great techniques to relive stress. Ensuring enough sleep is achieved each night. The mind and brain both need time to rest and recharge each night. Without the necessary amount of sleep this cannot be achieved correctly. The National Sleep Foundation guidelines advise that healthy adults need between 7 and 9 hours of sleep per night. Skincare is something that can easily be forgotten through stressful periods. A good skincare routine is crucial in taking care of your physical appearance. Exercising is not only good for the skin but can also help to reduce stress levels. Monitoring your MSD’s (Micro Stress Doses). Putting tasks off each morning like snoozing an alarm clock which then leads to making you late for work or not going through your emails which leads to you missing vital pieces of information for that day will accumulate these MSD’s. This builds up less resilience throughout your day which increases stress levels. If stress continues and acne becomes an issue, then treatments can be prescribed over the counter by your GP in the form of: Topical antibiotics Topical retinoids Antibiotic tablets Azelaic acid Isotretinoin capsules More information on Stress Awareness Month: www.stress.org.uk/national-stress-awareness-month Information on our Dermatology services: www.healthharmonie.com/dermatology

1 in 8 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer within their lifetime. This is the most common form of cancer in men with more than 47,500 diagnosed each year within the UK. Symptoms of prostate cancer are difficult to pinpoint until the cancer has grown to a size big enough to start interfering with how the bladder functions. These symptoms persist when the the tube which carries the urine is being pressed against. Once this occurs, it can create symptoms such as: Struggling to begin urinating Urinating frequently and urgently A weak flow Feeling of need to still urinate after you have already been to the toilet Traces of blood in urine and/or semen Painful ejaculation Whilst there is no specific cause of prostate cancer, there are things that can increase the risk of developing it. Age is the biggest contributing factor, with most cases of prostate cancer developing from the ages of 50 and above. Genetics are another factor, if your father or a brother has previously suffered with prostate cancer then the chances of you developing this too are increased by a small percentage. Studies have also shown that obesity can increase the risk of developing prostate cancer. Treatment may not always be needed depending on the severity of the case. If prostate cancer is identified but is not causing any symptoms, then treatment may not be required as a patient can live for decades if the nature of their case is evolving at an incredibly slow rate. This all comes down to various aspects such as the age and general health of the patient themselves. Treatment can create side effects such as erectile dysfunction and urinary issues, therefore this can be delayed where need be in order to consider the options available or not performed at all if there is no risk. It is important you discuss these options with your doctor as they can give you a clear insight of the steps available. Prostate cancer is different on a case-by-case basis, but in some instances this can be life-threatening if the rate in which it is spreading is at an increased rate. This can be in the form of either surgery or radiotherapy. If the cancer isn’t diagnosed at an early stage and it has already begun to spread throughout the body, then there are chances it cannot be cured entirely. In these situations, surgery is still performed but with the intent of relieving the symptoms and creating the longest life span possible. For more information, please visit the Prostate Cancer UK website: https://prostatecanceruk.org/

March is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. A month in which we can all contribute and support this cause by taking part in projects, opportunities, and challenges for charity. A chance for us to spread the word and educate those on Ovarian Cancer. Ovarian Cancer is a type of cancer that affects the females 2 small organs known as the ovaries. This begins when abnormal cells start to grow at the end of the fallopian tubes or near/inside the ovaries. Each year, 295,000 women around the world are diagnosed with ovarian cancer and there are numerous signs to look out for to monitor this. The quicker the symptoms are detected, the better the chance of a successful treatment. When diagnosed and treated within stage 1, the survival rate is increased to 94%. Only a very small percentage are aware that some of the following symptoms in this blog are a sign of Ovarian Cancer and this needs to change so that Ovarian Cancer can be assessed and acted upon before it spreads and becomes more difficult to fight. Awareness on this subject will help to create a larger understanding of not only the symptoms to look out for, but the potential causes and the treatment options to follow. Symptoms: Swollen or bloated stomach Urinating frequently Low Appetite / Feeling full after small amounts of food Fatigue Back pain It is important to see a GP for an evaluation following any of these symptoms. Causes: Mostly common between those of the age of 50 and above Inherited through family genes Smoking Began periods at a young age or experienced Menopause late Not given birth (ovulation is higher in these instances) Endometriosis Treatments: The treatment in which will be performed will depend on several factors such as: Where in the body the cancer is or has spread to The patients health Size of the cancerous area Most Common Forms: Surgery Chemotherapy (Usually performed after surgery) Other Forms of Treatment: Hormone therapy Immunotherapy Targeted therapy Below are some well-known charities that are all running events throughout Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month: Ovarian Cancer Action: https://ovarian.org.uk/ Target Ovarian Cancer: https://targetovariancancer.org.uk/get-involved/ovarian-cancer-awareness-month The Eve Appeal: https://eveappeal.org.uk/getting-involved/take-part-in-an-event/ovarian-cancer-awareness-month/ More information on Ovarian Cancer can be found at Cancer Research UK: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/ovarian-cancer

Both Abdominal and Pelvis scans are performed in a similar fashion, however they will both require different types of preparations before they can be carried out. Abdominal Ultrasound Scans An abdominal ultrasound scan is a non-invasive exam that is performed using sound waves that creates images (sonograms) to view the organs within the abdominal area. We will perform these scans if any of the following areas need to be examined: Aorta Biliary Tract Gallbladder General Abdomen Inferior Vena Cava Kidneys Liver Pancreas Retroperitoneum Preparation for an Abdominal Scan Prior to the scan, the patient will be asked to fast as food inside the stomach can interfere with the scan. This allows the gallbladder to fill with bile so that the ultrasound scan provides clear imaging. Wearing loose fitting clothing is advised to wear on the day. Once at the appointment, the patient will need to remove anything that may affect the scan such as any jewellery. Performing an Abdominal Scan Once prepped, the patient will be asked to lay down with the abdomen exposed so that the sonographer can perform an examination. Patients may need to turn over onto each side throughout the scan to get the best images possible. Lubricating gel will be applied to the abdominal area, this is because the ultrasound sound waves struggle to travel through air pockets, this gel will reduce the air on the area so that the sonographer is presented with clear imaging during the scan. The tool the sonographer will use for the scan is called a ‘transducer’, this will be moved up and down the area to capture the whole area needed for the scan. This process not cause any discomfort and will take no longer than 30 minutes. The patient is then able to resume their day as normal once the scan is complete. Getting The Results The sonographer will compile a full analysis and breakdown of the images they have produced after the appointment. This information will then be sent to their GP where they can follow it up with the patient. Pelvic Ultrasound Scan A pelvic scan is an exam that is performed using sound waves that create images (sonograms) to view the organs within the pelvis region. We will perform these scans if any of the following areas need to be examined: In women, a pelvic scan is performed to view: Bladder Cervix Fallopian Tubes Ovaries Uterus Vagina In men, a pelvic scan is performed to view: Bladder Prostate Gland Seminal Vesicles Preparation for a Pelvic Scan Before a pelvic scan, the patient will be asked to drink 1-2 pints of water, 1 hour prior to their appointment. Similar to fasting, this helps to create clearer imaging for the sonographer when assessing the area by making the organs show up more prominently. Wearing loose fitting clothing is advised to wear on the day. Performing a Pelvic Scan Once prepped, the patient will be asked to lay down so that the sonographer can perform an examination. Transabdominal - An ultrasound gel will be smeared over the skin of the lower belly to eliminate air pockets so that the best sound conduction can be produced. A transducer will then be placed over the area and moved around to create imaging on their screen. Transvaginal – A thin, lubricated transducer is placed inside the vagina and moved around to create imaging of the area. This is to assess the female reproductive organs. This process will take no longer than 30 minutes and the patient will be able to resume their day as normal once the scan is complete. Getting The Results A full analysis and breakdown of the images will be created after the appointment. This information will then be sent to their GP where they can follow it up with the patient. For more information on our Ultrasound services: www.healthharmonie.com/ultrasound

Ocular Hypertension is the condition in which the pressure inside the eye is higher than normal. When this occurs, the front of the eye is unable to drain fluid correctly, which causes the pressure inside the eye to increase. Ocular Hypertension can be difficult to detect via symptoms alone, so regular eye exams should be attended to maintain healthy vision. Ocular hypertension can be the first sign in identifying early stages of Glaucoma, which is the best time to treat it. As the pressure in the eye increases, so does the risk of developing Glaucoma. However, Glaucoma can also be diagnosed without high eye pressure present, so this isn’t always a contributing factor. Causes 'Aqueous humour' is the name given for the liquid inside the front section of the eye. This supplies the necessary nutrients as well as removing any waste to help maintain the pressure in the eyes. If this area becomes blocked, then correct drainage of the eye is restricted and this will cause eye pressure to rise. Overproduction of the Aqueous humour – Whilst we need the Aqueous Humour to produce nutrients and oxygen for the ocular tissue, too much of this can be problematic. If the production rate of the Aqueous humour is excessive, then the eye will be overloaded and will lead to an increase in eye pressure. Underproduction of the Aqueous humour – The Aqueous humour maintaining a healthy production rate is important, as an underproduction will have the same effects of an overproduction in that correct drainage is not being achieved, also leading to an increase in eye pressure. Trauma inflicted upon the eye – Injuries sustained to the eye can disturb the aqueous humour which can decrease the rate in which the eye is drained. This then leads to the pressure in the eye building up. Treatments Medication – General treatment for Ocular Hypertension will consist of eyedrops that aim to lower the intraocular pressure. Surgery – In more serious cases, laser trabeculoplasty will be performed to reduce eye pressure. For more information on Glaucoma and how to Diagnose the condition, please see here: www.healthharmonie.com/post/diagnosing-glaucoma Information on our Ophthalmology services can be found here: www.healthharmonie.com/ophthalmology

Dry eyes are a common condition that can be aggravated during the winter. This is not unusual as the wind and low temperatures can dry up the skin in several areas throughout the body. Heaters are used heavily within the winter periods at the workplace and at home, which can strip the air of moisture which can have an impact on our eyes. We do not have control of the conditions in the outside world, however we do have control of how we combat these conditions. Symptoms of Dry Eyes Burning sensation Itchy Mucus build up Redness around eyelids Sensitive to light Prevention Use a humidifier in order to stop the air from drying out Minimise the use of heathers and air conditioners If you are someone who wears contact lenses, then swapping these out for glasses can help to rest your eyes Limiting your smoking and alcohol intake Taking a break from daily activities that require you to concentrate, such as reading, using the computer, and being on your phone, as these can all limit blinking Avoid using hairdryers Medication Inflammation Reducing Drugs: Antibiotics can be prescribed to you by your GP that can assist in reducing inflammation around your eyelids. This can be in the form of eyedrops, but also in medication that can be taken through the mouth or as an ointment to apply around the eyes. Eyedrops: Prescription eyedrops can be obtained from your GP that can not only help to lubricate the eyes, but also to assist in reducing inflammation around your eyelids as well. This will then help your Meibomian (Oil) Glands to secrete oil back into your eyes naturally. Common Types of Eyedrops Include: Artificial Tear Drops: Commonly used for less severe cases of Dry Eyes and typically used as the first step of treatment. Artificial tear drops can be used frequently throughout the day to lubricate the eyes. Restasis: This is a daily use eyedrop, requiring two applications per day. Used to both lubricate the eye and reduce inflammation to aid in producing natural tears back into the eye. However, this is not an immediate effect and is a process that can take between 3-6 months. Xiidra: Similar to Restasis, in that it aims to reduce inflammation and requires two applications daily. Xiidra however, has a faster treatment rate, providing eye care relief for patients between 2-12 weeks. There are more eyedrop options and all medications can pose side effects, so we recommend you book an appointment with your GP to explore which one is best suited for you. Other Treatments Scleral Lenses/Bandage Lenses: Contact lenses designed specifically for dry eye treatment, these help to lock in moisture to combat dryness. Eye Masks: An eye mask is used to clear blocked oil glands. If your dry eyes persist, then we recommend consulting with your optometrist or pharmacist as they will be able to advise you further on the severity of your condition and what steps to take next. Further eyecare during the winter information can be found here in one of our previous blogs: www.healthharmonie.com/post/winter-eyecare