Institute of Dermatologists

Institute of Dermatologists Centre of Excellence for Medical and Cosmetic Dermatology

Our mission is to deliver excellence and the highest standards in Medical and Cosmetic Dermatologic care

May marks International Skin Cancer Awareness Month, a time to focus on prevention, early detection and long-term skin h...
02/05/2026

May marks International Skin Cancer Awareness Month, a time to focus on prevention, early detection and long-term skin health.

As we move into brighter, warmer days, it’s important to think about sun protection, even in the Irish climate.

Over 13,000 new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in Ireland every year. With predominantly fair skin types and the common belief that cloudy days are low risk, UV exposure is often underestimated.

The reality is that UV rays can pe*****te cloud cover and cause damage to the skin even on overcast days.

🧬 Why this matters

Repeated UV exposure contributes to long-term skin damage and increases the risk of skin cancer.

💧 Simple ways to protect your skin

✔ Use a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher daily

✔ Reapply every two hours when exposed

✔ Seek shade between 10am and 4pm

✔ Wear protective clothing, including hats and sunglasses

✔ Perform regular skin checks

🩺 Final word

International Skin Cancer Awareness Month is a reminder that small, consistent habits can have a significant impact on long-term skin health.

28/04/2026

Ask ID with

💬 “I have brown spots on my neck, what are they?”

If you’ve noticed brown marks or bumps appearing around your neck, you’re not alone - and there are a few different things they could be.

Skin tags are very common, particularly in those with darker skin tones. They have a characteristic shape: a bulbous top sitting on a narrow stalk. Seborrhoeic keratoses can look similar but sit flat against the skin or raise up without a stalk - often described as wart-like, though they’re completely harmless and not contagious. You might also be seeing solar lentigines (sun-induced freckles), which tend to appear as flat brown marks on the face and neck.

These lesions can become irritated by necklaces and clothing, which is often what prompts people to seek treatment.

The good news? Most of these can be treated effectively with cryotherapy; a quick freeze treatment that causes the lesion to darken, then gradually shed over the course of a skin cycle (around 28 days). Keeping the area moisturised with Vaseline supports the healing process. For larger skin tags with a wider base, a minor snip excision under local anaesthetic is a straightforward alternative.

One thing to bear in mind: timing matters.

Treating areas on the neck in the run-up to summer may leave a temporarily darker mark while healing - so autumn and winter tend to be the better seasons to book in.

As always, if you’re unsure about any lesion, get it checked by a professional before pursuing treatment.

27/04/2026

✨ Ask ID with Prof Caitriona Ryan ✨

💬 The question

“On the nights I don’t use tretinoin or exfoliants, what should I use to nourish my skin? Not too expensive please.”

✅ Prof Ryan’s answer

Prof Caitriona Ryan would actually approach this differently. Rather than alternating between strong actives and recovery nights, she advises nourishing the skin every single night.

Many people are simply using too many actives. In most cases, you only need one retinoid in your routine. Whether that is retinol nightly or tretinoin if well tolerated, this already drives excellent cell turnover.

Because tretinoin and retinoids increase turnover so effectively, additional exfoliants are often unnecessary and can disrupt the skin barrier.

💧 What to use instead

After your retinoid, wait about ten minutes and then apply a good nourishing emollient. Look for barrier-supporting ingredients such as ceramides, hyaluronic acid and glycerin. These do not need to be expensive to work well.

🧴 Products Prof Ryan likes:

Barrier Renewal

Sleep Cheat Night Cream

moisturisers

✨ Prof Ryan’s routine tip

✔ Use your retinoid consistently

✔ Follow with a nourishing moisturiser nightly

✔ Avoid over-exfoliating

✔ Support your skin barrier every evening

🌟 Final word

Do not dry your skin out one night and try to fix it the next. Consistent nightly nourishment alongside your retinoid keeps the skin barrier calm, resilient and looking its best.

26/04/2026

The ID Ingredient Edit: Hyaluronic Acid

One of the most important molecules for skin hydration is one your skin already produces in vast quantities. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring sugar found throughout the dermis, and it can bind up to 1,000 times its weight in water - locking in hydration, supporting volume and giving skin that plump, healthy appearance.

A common misconception is that it’s only for dry skin. In reality, every skin type benefits. Oily skin still needs hydration - oil and water are not the same thing.

Top tip from - apply to slightly damp skin, then lock it in with a barrier-supporting moisturiser.

Everyone’s skin loves hyaluronic acid.

We’re hiring! Full time and part time experienced Aesthetics Nurses&Part Time Receptionistat Institute of Dermatologists...
25/04/2026

We’re hiring!

Full time and part time experienced Aesthetics Nurses

&

Part Time Receptionist

at Institute of Dermatologists

If interested, please email your CV to:
businessmanager@instituteofdermatologists.ie

23/04/2026

Laser Genesis works beneath the surface to gently stimulate collagen, reduces lingering redness, and calms inflammation - all while refining pores and smoothing overall texture.

Think of it as your once-a-month reset: no downtime, no disruption, just better skin.

A considered routine for rosacea-prone skin.When managing rosacea, consistency and simplicity matter more than complexit...
22/04/2026

A considered routine for rosacea-prone skin.

When managing rosacea, consistency and simplicity matter more than complexity. A well-balanced routine should focus on three key principles:

1. Supporting the skin barrier
2. Reducing inflammation
3. Protecting against daily triggers

From gentle cleansing and mineral SPF in the morning, to barrier repair and carefully introduced actives in the evening, each step is designed to calm, strengthen and support the skin over time.

Less irritation, more resilience - and a routine that works with your skin, not against it.

21/04/2026

Mythbusters: does cutting your hair make it grow thicker and faster?

Let us settle this one properly.

Cutting your hair does not make it grow faster or thicker. This is one of the most widely held hair myths - and unfortunately, it is not true.

Hair growth happens at the follicle, which sits below the surface of the scalp entirely. Trimming the ends has no influence on that process whatsoever. Growth rate is genetically predetermined and shaped by your overall health and nutrition. The average is around half an inch per month.

What a regular trim does do is improve the appearance and condition of your hair. Removing split ends prevents further breakage and stops the hair from thinning and tapering at the ends — which does create the illusion of thicker, healthier hair. That is a meaningful difference, even if it is not the same thing as changing your growth rate.

The habits that genuinely support hair health are straightforward: avoid over-styling, use heat protection products consistently, and trim regularly to keep breakage under control.

20/04/2026

Ask ID with Dr Niki Ralph.

💬 The question
“I’m starting to break out in my 40s, having never really struggled with teenage acne — what is going on?”

✅ Dr Ralph’s answer
This is one of the most common concerns we hear in clinic. Many women report regular breakouts in their late 30s and 40s, sometimes presenting as deep cystic acne that can lead to scarring.

The underlying process is the same as teenage acne: excess sebum clogs the pores, forming comedones (blackheads), and inflammation combined with bacteria produces red spots, pustules and deeper nodules or cysts — the kind you often feel before you see.

🌿 Why it happens in your 40s
The key driver is hormonal. During the perimenopausal years, fluctuations - particularly surges in progesterone - stimulate sebum production, triggering the cascade that leads to breakouts.

💧 How to approach it
Adult skin behaves differently to teenage skin. It tends to be drier and more sensitive, so the aggressive drying products often recommended for teens are rarely well tolerated in your 40s. A more considered approach works best.

🧴 Dr Ralph’s routine tips
✔ Use a creamy cleanser — not one loaded with acids
✔ Introduce salicylic acid gradually, around twice a week, to deep-clean the pores
✔ Avoid layering multiple drying actives at once
✔ Support the barrier as you treat the breakouts

🩺 When to seek professional help
If you’re noticing scarring or deep, painful cysts, don’t wait. Speak to your doctor about hormonal options or clinical treatments that can reduce sebum production and calm the process at its source.

🌟 Final word
Adult acne is common, but it is very manageable with the right approach. Treating maturing skin with the same intensity you might have used as a teenager often does more harm than good - gentle, consistent care paired with targeted treatment is the way forward.

19/04/2026

Why we love niacinamide.

Vitamin B3 is one of the most versatile ingredients in dermatology - calming inflammation, supporting the skin barrier and promoting long-term skin resilience. It’s particularly helpful for acne-prone skin and rosacea, and suitable for almost every skin type.

‘s clinical favourites containing niacinamide:

· UV Clear (tinted and untinted) daily SPF
· Glow & Go
· AlphaRet Overnight Cream, a retinoid paired with niacinamide

A reminder: more isn’t necessarily better. Lower concentrations still deliver excellent results, with less risk of irritation.

Is exercise good or bad for your skin?The answer, according to - is straightforward. The benefits far outweigh the down...
16/04/2026

Is exercise good or bad for your skin?

The answer, according to - is straightforward. The benefits far outweigh the downsides - and it is worth understanding exactly why.

Exercise increases blood flow and oxygenation to the skin, supports the production of collagen and hyaluronic acid, and reduces inflammation throughout the body. It also improves sleep quality and lowers stress levels, both of which have a very direct impact on how your skin looks and feels over time.

The result? Skin that is better supported from the inside out, without a single product involved.

A few small habits make all the difference: wearing SPF every time you head outdoors, cleansing properly after your workout, and keeping kit like headbands and helmet linings clean. Simple things, but they matter.

Exercise is one of the most effective things you can do for your skin. And it costs nothing.

15/04/2026

Rosacea explained with

Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin condition most commonly presenting as persistent facial redness. It affects up to 10% of fair-skinned adults and can vary in presentation.

The two most common subtypes:

→ Erythematotelangiectatic – ongoing redness with visible capillaries (typically across the nose and cheeks)

→ Papulopustular – red bumps and pustules alongside background redness

Common triggers include:

Heat, exercise, alcohol, spicy foods, and sudden temperature changes - often leading to flushing.

Management focuses on:

✔️ Barrier repair – using ingredients like ceramides to support skin function

✔️ Daily SPF – essential to minimise inflammation and vascular flare-ups

✔️ Medical treatment – topical or oral therapies may be prescribed following consultation

✔️ In-clinic procedures – IPL and vascular lasers can effectively reduce visible capillaries and redness

A combined, consistent approach is key - particularly ongoing use of sunscreen to maintain results.

Watch as Dr Niki Ralph breaks down how to identify and manage rosacea clinically.

Address

Institute Of Dermatologists, 10 Pembroke Place, Ballsbridge
Dublin
D04V1W6

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 9pm
Tuesday 8am - 9pm
Wednesday 8am - 9pm
Thursday 8am - 9pm
Friday 8am - 9pm
Saturday 9am - 6pm
Sunday 9am - 6pm

Telephone

+35319123030

Website

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