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

24/02/2026

✨ Ask ID with ✨
💬 The question� “I have milia on my face, and they are really starting to bother me. I used to get one at a time, and now I am getting little clusters. How should I treat them?”

✅ Prof Ralph’s answer� Prof Niki Ralph explains that milia are extremely common. They appear as tiny white, pearly or slightly yellow bumps and often occur around the delicate eye area, although they can develop anywhere on the face.

They form when dead skin cells become trapped under the surface. This can happen on oilier skin, as well as on very dry skin, where heavier, more occlusive moisturisers are used, particularly around the eyes.
Milia are completely harmless but can be frustrating cosmetically.

✨ First-line treatment� Prof Ralph often starts patients on a topical retinoid to help normalise skin cell turnover and prevent further milia from forming.

Products Prof Ralph mentions� - Alpharet Overnight Cream Intensive (for particularly oily skin)� - Alpharet Overnight Cream� - Alpharet Eye Cream
Those with very sensitive or eczema-prone skin may need to introduce retinoids cautiously.

✨ When milia are already formed� Once milia are established, they usually need in-clinic removal. Prof Ralph uses a Hyfrecator device that gently opens the skin’s surface with controlled heat, allowing trapped keratin to clear without needles.

For clusters around the eyes, a numbing cream is often applied beforehand for comfort. After treatment, normal skincare can resume, and the milia typically resolve over the following days.

✨ Maintenance tips� ✔ Use a topical retinoid regularly� ✔ Avoid very heavy eye creams if prone to milia� ✔ Consider gentle exfoliating cleansers with salicylic or glycolic acid� ✔ Seek professional removal for stubborn lesions

✨ Final word� Milia are common and very treatable. A combination of professional removal and ongoing retinoid-based maintenance gives the best long-term control.

23/02/2026

Ask ID with ✨

💬 The question� “I have rosacea with really bad redness on my nose and cheeks. What is the best way to treat it?”

✅ Prof Ryan’s answer� Prof Caitriona Ryan explains that treating rosacea successfully requires both the right skincare and targeted in-clinic treatments.

The foundation is skincare. Daily use of a zinc-based sunblock is essential, ideally a tinted formula to help neutralise redness. Consistent sun protection helps prevent vascular redness from worsening over time.

Skincare should be kept very gentle and barrier-focused. A cream cleanser is preferred, along with ingredients that support and calm the skin barrier. Hyaluronic acid, ceramides, ectoin and glycerin are all particularly helpful for rosacea-prone skin.

✨ In clinic treatments� For established redness and visible vessels, Prof Ryan recommends a combination of IPL (intense pulsed light) and Excel V laser. These treatments are highly effective at reducing background redness and broken capillaries and can make a very noticeable difference in overall skin appearance.
IPL targets diffuse redness, while Excel V is especially useful for thicker or more stubborn vessels.

✨ Prof Ryan’s approach� ✔ Daily zinc-based tinted sunblock (Elta UV Elements)� ✔ Gentle, barrier-supporting skincare� ✔ IPL for background redness� ✔ Excel V for visible vessels

✨ Final word� With the right skincare and properly performed vascular laser or light treatments, rosacea redness can be significantly improved. For many patients, it is truly a game-changer.

18/02/2026

✨ Myth Buster with ✨

❌ Myth
If someone just puts up with acne for long enough, they will eventually grow out of it
💬 A common question Prof Niki Ralph hears
“Is it true that if I just wait it out, my acne will go away on its own?”
✅ The truth
Unfortunately, this is not always true. Approximately 85-90% of teenagers experience some form of acne. While most do not scar, scarring indicates that it is time to move beyond over-the-counter products and seek medical advice.
Acne can also develop later in life, even in people who never struggled as teenagers. Adult acne is common in the twenties, thirties, forties and beyond and for women in particular, hormones can play a major role for much of adult life.
✨ Final word
It is not guaranteed that someone will outgrow acne. If acne is persistent, scarring, or not improving with home care, it is advisable to consult a physician for appropriate treatment options.

17/02/2026

✨ Ask ID with ✨

💬 The question
 “I recently went blonde and started using purple shampoo, but my skin feels irritated. Is this normal, and what can I do?”

✅ Prof Ralph’s answer
 Prof. Niki Ralph explains that purple shampoo is effective for reducing brassiness in blonde hair, but it can irritate the scalp and surrounding skin.
This may be a simple irritation, characterised by scalp itchiness, a slightly pink appearance, and dryness or scaling. More rarely, it can cause allergic contact dermatitis, which tends to be more severe and can spread to the ears, face and even eyelids.

A very common cause is overuse. Prof Ralph recommends using purple shampoo only once a week. Many formulas contain sulphates, alcohols, preservatives, and fragrances, which can cause irritation.

What to do
Cut back immediately and use a gentle shampoo in between, such as Elave, La Roche Posay or Aveeno. If the scalp is dry and scaly, coconut oil can help soften the scale. If symptoms are severe or spreading, see your GP as prescription topical steroids may be needed.

✨ Final word
 Purple shampoo works, but less is more. Once-weekly use, plus gentle scalp care, is usually the solution.

17/02/2026

Nurse Manager Claire is chatting about

For a limited time only 🙌🏻
UV AOX Eye Broad-Spectrum SPF 30 is 50% OFF 🤍

✨ Why this eye SPF is different:
• Mineral SPF 30 made specifically for the delicate eye area
• Antioxidant-rich formula to help defend against daily environmental stress
• Lightweight + tinted — comfortable alone or under makeup
• Ophthalmologist-tested & suitable for sensitive skin

🧴 Unlike facial sunscreen, the eye area is often missed.
This eye SPF is designed to complement your daily face SPF (like EltaMD UV AOX Elements), helping support complete, consistent protection across the entire face.

⏰ Please note:
This offer applies to stock with a best before date of March 2026 — perfect for everyday, preventative use.

💛 Your future skin will thank you.

16/02/2026

✨ Ask ID with ✨

💬 The question
“Does retinol give you the same anti-ageing effects as tretinoin?”

✅ Prof Ryan’s answer
Prof Caitriona Ryan explains that tretinoin is stronger and works more directly on the retinoid pathway. However, when retinol and tretinoin have been compared head-to-head in studies, they have delivered very similar benefits in collagen stimulation and wrinkle reduction.

This has been shown with tretinoin strengths of 0.025% and 0.05%, compared with 1% retinol.

A key reason retinol can perform so well is its tolerability. Many people experience irritation from tretinoin and reduce their use or apply it in smaller amounts. In Irish skin, tretinoin is frequently not tolerated, leading to redness and scaling that defeats the goal of looking fresher.

Products Prof Ryan mentions
- : Alpharet Overnight Cream
- : Night Repair Therapy
- : Retinol and Peptides

Prof Ryan also highlights retinal, a newer retinoid that sits between retinol and tretinoin and is often much better tolerated than tretinoin.

✨ Final word
Tretinoin is more potent, but retinol can yield excellent anti-ageing results when used consistently. For most people, the best retinoid is the one your skin tolerates well over the long term.

16/02/2026

…Vicki rates her favourite treatments…

What gets your 10/10 vote?!…👇🏻

11/02/2026

✨ Myth Buster with ✨

❌ Myth
Bio Oil is a safe and effective way to prevent stretch marks during pregnancy

A concern Prof Caitriona Ryan hears often
Many patients return after pregnancy saying they used Bio Oil throughout and still developed stretch marks.

✅ The truth
Prof. Caitriona Ryan advises against the use of Bio-Oil during pregnancy. Bio Oil contains retinyl palmitate, which is a form of vitamin A, and vitamin A-based ingredients should not be used in pregnancy.

It also does not significantly reduce the risk of stretch marks.
During pregnancy, the abdomen is a large surface area, and ingredients applied to the skin can be absorbed.

✨ What to do instead
Supportive garments can reduce skin pull, which contributes to the breakdown of elastic fibres and collagen.
Ingredients such as astaxanthin peptides and hyaluronic acid can be good options.
✨ Final word
Bio Oil is not recommended during pregnancy. Focus on skin support and pregnancy-safe ingredients instead.

SkincareMyths

10/02/2026

✨ Ask ID with Prof ✨
💬 The question
“I do not like wearing makeup all the time. During the week, I wanted a makeup-free solution, so I tried tanning drops, but they cling to my blemishes, and my skin looks worse. Any suggestions?”

✅ Prof Ralph’s answer
Prof Niki Ralph explains that this is a very common issue. Many people want a natural glow without wearing makeup, but facial tanning drops often do the opposite and can highlight uneven skin texture and imperfections.

Fake tan works whereby an ingredient called dihydroxyacetone, binds to amino acids in the top layer of the skin. This is the stratum corneum, made up of dead skin cells that shed daily. If the skin is not perfectly hydrated, tanning drops will cling to dry patches and make them more obvious.

This is especially noticeable if you have eczema-prone skin, healing blemishes, or areas of dryness. It can also settle into pores and sebaceous filaments, particularly around the nose, making them look darker and more visible.

✨ Prof Ralph’s recommendation
Prof Ralph’s preference is to avoid fake tan on the face altogether and instead use a tinted sunscreen to create a more even, healthy-looking tone.

Her go-to option for a makeup-free glow is UV Clear Deep Tinted. Even for fair-skinned Irish patients, it blends surprisingly well and gives a fresh, glowy finish.
It also contains niacinamide to help calm inflammation and support breakout-prone skin, along with hyaluronic acid for a more hydrated, dewy look.

☀️ Prof Ralph’s tips
✔ Avoid tanning drops on the face if you are prone to breakouts or have dry, dermatitis prone skin
✔ Use a tinted sunscreen for a more even tone
✔ Choose formulas with niacinamide for breakouts
✔ Look for hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid

✨ Final word
If tanning drops are clinging to blemishes and dry patches, it is not your technique; it is how fake tan works on facial skin. A tinted sunscreen is often the most flattering option, giving you glow, protection, and a more uniform complexion in one step.

GlowySkin

09/02/2026

✨ Ask ID with ✨
💬 The question
� “I really want polynucleotides under my eyes, but I cannot be out of work. What can I do to avoid downtime?”

✅ Prof Ryan’s answer� Prof Ryan explains that downtime with polynucleotides depends on the area being treated. On the face and neck, the small blebs usually settle within two to four hours for most people.

The eyes are different. The blebs can be more visible and can last up to one to two days, especially when higher concentration polynucleotides are used. These stronger formulations are now used more frequently, with excellent results, but they can cause slightly more temporary swelling.

✨ How to reduce downtime� Timing is everything. Prof. Ryan recommends scheduling treatment for Friday evening or Saturday morning so you have the weekend to recover and are typically fine for work by Monday.

In the clinic, cooling techniques can make a big difference. The use of specialised cryo sticks immediately after treatment, helps reduce swelling early and can also lower the risk of bruising by constricting blood vessels.
To further reduce the risk of bruising, Prof Ryan advises avoiding omega-3 supplements and anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen for the week preceding the procedure.

👉🏻Prof Ryan’s tips� ✔ Book for a Friday evening or Saturday� ✔ Use targeted cooling immediately after treatment� ✔ Avoid omega-3s for one week before� ✔ Avoid NSAIDs such as ibuprofen for one week before

✨ Final word� Under-eye polynucleotides can come with a short period of visible swelling, but with smart timing and the right precautions, downtime can be kept to a minimum for most patients.

💕 Fall in love with flawless skin this Valentine’s Day 💕Whether you’re treating someone special or indulging in a little...
09/02/2026

💕 Fall in love with flawless skin this Valentine’s Day 💕
Whether you’re treating someone special or indulging in a little self-love, discover our hand-picked, results driven skincare favourites guaranteed to glow up any routine ✨

1️⃣ UV AOX Elements – Lightweight SPF protection with antioxidant defence ☀️✨
2️⃣ Skin Recovery Night Mask – Overnight hydration and skin barrier support 🌙💧
3️⃣ Retinol + Peptide Refining Serum – Smooths, refines and rejuvenates skin 💫
4️⃣ A-Team Duo Kit – A powerful duo for brighter, healthier-looking skin 🌟
5️⃣ Illumilift – Refreshes and brightens the eye area 👁️✨
6️⃣ Ultra-Rich Moisture Repair Cream – Deep nourishment for dry or sensitive skin 🧴💙
7️⃣ Cosmetics Gift Set – Supports fuller, healthier-looking lashes 💕
8️⃣ Nourishing Lip Balm Gift Set– Soft, hydrated and protected lips 💋

🎁 For more gift ideas, click the link in our bio!

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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Professor Caitriona Ryan, Consultant Dermatologist: Expert in Medical and Cosmetic Dermatology

Professor Ryan is a Consultant Dermatologist, and is both Board Certified in Dermatology in the US and on the Specialist Register for Dermatology in Ireland. She attained a first class honours medical degree at University College Dublin where she graduated first place in her medical class. She commenced her training as a Dermatology Specialist Registrar at St. Vincent's Hospital and completed a dermatology residency and research fellowship at the esteemed Baylor Dermatology Residency program in Dallas, Texas. She remained on faculty in Dallas as Clinical Associate Professor of Dermatology for the Texas A+M Health Science Center and Vice Chair of the Department of Dermatology at Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas. She now works as a Consultant Dermatologist at Blackrock Clinic and Hermitage Medical Clinic and is an Associate Clinical Professor at University College Dublin.

Professor Ryan has published a textbook on psoriasis, six book chapters, an encyclopaedia chapter, and over 70 articles in peer-reviewed medical journals, including first author articles in JAMA and The Lancet. She regularly presents at international dermatology conferences. She has conducted both scientific and clinical research in psoriasis and other inflammatory dermatological conditions and was the Principal Investigator for drug trials in psoriasis and eczema conducted at the Menter Dermatology Research Institute, Dallas, Texas.

Professor Ryan specialises in medical and cosmetic dermatology. Her main areas of medical dermatological interest include psoriasis, melanoma, skin cancer, acne, atopic dermatitis (eczema), lupus, contact dermatitis, melasma, disorders of pigmentation and hair loss. She was nominated as a “Rising Star” in Dermatology by Superdoctors in the United States.

Professor Ryan is one of the only physicians in Ireland with formal expert training in Cosmetic Dermatology and was the director of Cosmetic Dermatology training at Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas. She now supervises the Cosmetic Dermatology aspect of the Irish Specialist Registrar Dermatology training scheme. She has vast experience in the field of cosmetic procedural dermatology and offers a broad range of dermatological procedures, including anti-wrinkle injections, dermal fillers and laser procedures to treat to treat a variety of skin concerns, such as photo-ageing, volume loss, skin discolouration, acne scarring, surgical scarring, rosacea, broken veins, stretch marks and excessive sweating.