Blog: January 2025
🎉 New Year, New You - Caitriona! Are we all still on that buzz?
Why booking a consultation is a good idea?
Is there a treatment you wanted to try but just weren't sure about it? Well, now might be that time. Come in and talk to us about your concerns - refresh your skin regime, tackle those pesky lip lines or try one of our bio-stimulators. A consultation appointment might be just the thing you need.
We're all busy, time is short and we have a million jobs to do. It is tempting to just book that upper face treatment again. When you leave - are you satisfied or do you want to know more? If that is the case, then a consultation appointment is the one for you.
It is a longer appointment which gives us time to discuss all options. As always, there is no obligation to proceed with any treatments on the day, but it allows enough time if you would like to go ahead with something that day.
Consultation appointments can be followed up with a treatment plan by email. This is something you can refer back to over time. Maybe it's the right treatment, but just not the right time. You have that point of reference to read again when the time is right for you.
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Claim Your Complimentary Peel!
Reaching out to all who bought gift vouchers in November and December - Please remember to get in touch to book your complimentary peel. (Offer ends Feb 28th)
We run this offer at various points throughout the year, so if this is something that would interest you - keep an eye out!
And now for the science bit:
MIRROR, MIRROR, ON THE WALL...
Have you ever seen yourself in a photo and thought, “Do I really look like that?” For many, this moment triggers a mix of emotions ranging from curiosity to discomfort. Our relationship with our appearance—as seen in photos versus the mirror—is a fascinating psychological phenomenon. It’s not just about lighting or angles; it’s about how we understand ourselves through daily habits and subconscious biases.
The photographs to the left show how changing the focal length on the camera can completely change how you look.
The Psychology of Self-Perception
Mirror vs. Photo: A Cognitive Dissonance
Looking in the mirror, we see a reversed image of ourselves—a version that’s become familiar through years of daily interaction. This familiarity aligns with the psychological principle known as the “Mere Exposure Effect,” which suggests that people tend to prefer things they see more often. Our mirrored reflection feels natural and comforting because it’s the version we’re most accustomed to seeing.
Photographs, however, tell a different story. They present an unflipped, true-to-life version of our appearance, often highlighting unfamiliar asymmetries or features. The lighting, camera angle, and lens can further exaggerate perceived flaws, making photos feel less flattering and more jarring. This cognitive dissonance—the mental discomfort caused by the discrepancy between how we think we look and how we appear in photos—can significantly impact how we perceive our appearance.
How This Impacts Cosmetic Consultations
When you come to a consultation, you bring expectations shaped by your mirrored and photographed self. The emotional disparity between these two perceptions can influence your concerns and therefore a thorough consultation is key. At that appointment, sitting in front of a mirror and expressing your concerns allows time to address whether these issues are real or perceived and find out how we can together improve this, mask it or come to accept it.
