Why Winter Skin Feels So Miserable
Whenever someone walks into my office in January and blurts out that their skin feels like an old leather wallet, I tell them I completely understand what they mean. Winter air steals moisture from your skin faster than you realize. Cold wind outside. Hot air blasting inside. Low humidity everywhere. Your skin gets tight, flaky, itchy and sometimes even a little angry with you. Think of winter as a season that needs its own skincare routine. Your summer habits simply cannot carry you through February. This is the time to switch gears to richer textures, calmer routines and smarter protection. Time to Bring Out the Heavier MoisturizerYour skin barrier works harder in cold weather. It loses water more quickly and needs a thicker product to trap hydration and keep everything comfortable. A lightweight lotion that felt wonderful in July simply evaporates too fast in December. Look for creams with ceramides. Hyaluronic acid. Glycerin. Shea butter. Anything that can sit on the skin and give it a protective drink. I tell my patients to think about texture. If the cream feels luxurious and stays put, your skin will thank you. Apply it twice a day. After your shower, pat dry and put it on right away. At night, do the same. Winter skin thrives on routine. Yes, You Still Need SunscreenThis surprises people every single year. The sun is lower. The cold tricks you. You assume you are safe. Unfortunately, the UV rays are still there and snow acts like a giant mirror reflecting the light straight into your face. For skiers, this becomes even more important. High altitude increases UV exposure. Fresh powder reflects it back at you. You can come back from the mountain with a burn even if it is minus fifteen and windy. Use a broad spectrum SPF 30 or higher every day. If you ski, reapply during breaks. Your future self will be grateful. A Word for All the Skiers Out ThereIf you love the slopes, winter is thrilling and terrible for your skin at the same time. Cold wind strips moisture. Goggles rub. Sun reflects everywhere. Add the dry chalet air and you have the perfect storm. Before heading out, put on a thick layer of moisturizer. Think of it as another piece of protective gear. Then apply your sunscreen. A stick format is easy to reapply on the mountain. When you come home, give your face a break. Use a creamy cleanser and a soothing balm. Drink water even if you are not thirsty. Your skin will bounce back faster. Why You Should Shorten Your ShowersLong hot showers are winter’s silent enemy. I know they feel wonderful. I know everyone secretly wants to stand there until the bathroom looks like a sauna. Hot water strips the natural oils that keep your barrier strong. Once those oils are gone, dryness and itching begin. Keep the water warm rather than hot. Limit the shower to ten minutes. Use gentle cleansers rather than foaming ones. Then moisturize immediately while your skin is still slightly damp. This small change alone can improve winter itch dramatically. Final Thoughts from the ClinicWinter does not have to feel like a battle. It just requires a shift in habits. A heavier moisturizer. Daily sunscreen. A little care before and after skiing. Shorter, gentler showers. These are simple adjustments that give your skin a fighting chance all season long. If your skin is still uncomfortable despite all this, come see me. Sometimes winter dryness is not just dryness. Eczema can flare. Rosacea can worsen. A proper plan can make winter far more tolerable. Until then, stay warm, stay hydrated and treat your skin kindly.
Holiday Face Planning
The holidays sneak up like a relative you swear you blocked last year. One minute you are crunching leaves under cute boots, the next you are in a change room under fluorescent lighting asking yourself why your face suddenly resembles an under-hydrated peach. I always think I have time. I always think, oh, I will schedule that laser next week. Then next week becomes the week I am stress-eating Ferrero Rochers and wondering why my skin looks like it survived a dust storm. So, here is the honest seasonal planning guide. No lectures, no moral superiority. Just realistic steps so you do not panic-book a peeling laser treatment three days before the office party and show up looking like a lizard who wants to network. First, timing. Aesthetic treatments have their own pacing. You cannot rush collagen, the same way you cannot rush a teenager to move out. Botox takes around 7 to 14 days to settle. Fillers need a week to stop giving that subtle puffy look. Laser treatments can take a couple of weeks for redness to fade and results to appear. So if you are thinking about sprucing up before holiday gatherings, give yourself a comfortable runway. Rule of thumb: Now, skincare. Skincare is the part people either take too seriously or not seriously at all. For the holiday stretch, the basics are non-negotiable: vitamin C in the morning, retinol at night, moisturizer that does not smell like candy but actually hydrates, and sunscreen. Yes, sunscreen. Even if it is cold. Even if the sun looks like it took the season off. The sun is still up there, plotting. All your expensive treatments will work better and last longer if you do not fry your collagen under sneaky winter rays bouncing off snowbanks. It is like protecting your investments. Except instead of stocks and bonds, it is your face. If you are dealing with dryness because the heat indoors has the humidity level of a dehydrated museum, add hyaluronic acid and drink water. I know, drinking water feels like cliché advice printed on wellness mugs. But dehydration shows up on your skin faster than regret after a second martini. Let us also talk about holiday stress because it is its own cosmetic villain. Stress tightens your jaw, clenches your teeth, raises your shoulders to earlobe height, and pulls your entire face toward the center. I can feel my face contracting just thinking about the dysfunctional dinners. If you get jaw tension or grinding, Botox can help the masseter muscles relax. It does not change your personality, just your jawline and your ability to not snap a fork while chewing turkey. And sleep. I once thought I could cheat sleep by buying expensive eye cream. I now know that eye cream is like hiring a therapist after a breakup. Helpful, but it cannot undo the damage if you are still texting your ex at 2 am. Sleep is the cheapest beauty treatment. It is also the most annoying because you cannot buy it in a chic bottle. But it works. The holidays are also a time when we eat things we normally pretend we do not eat. Salt, sugar, alcohol. I am not telling you to abstain. I am not here to ruin the only time of year when cheese is considered a meal. Just hydrate and maybe walk around a little so your body does not feel like it was embalmed in brine. One more thing. Do your maintenance for yourself, not for the in-laws, coworkers, cousins you see once every five years, or that one person who always says you look tired. There is a special place in hell for people who tell others they look tired. You do this because you like how you feel when your skin looks luminous and your forehead has stopped folding like origami. So, think ahead. Give your treatments time. Love sunscreen like it is a religion. Sleep like it is your job. Drink water, even when you wish it were Prosecco. And enjoy the holidays with your nicest face forward, not your panicked one. Your future December self will thank you.
The Ponytail Lift Everyone’s Talking About
At KANDL, we’re always looking for smart, subtle ways to lift, define, and rejuvenate without surgery, and the latest buzz is all about the Ponytail Lift. This innovative treatment uses filler placed along the sides of the hairline (yes, right into the temple and hairline area) to gently lift and contour the face. Instead of adding volume to your cheeks or jawline, the filler works like an invisible string that tugs the face slightly upward, mimicking that sleek, youthful look you get when your hair is pulled back tight in a high ponytail. No strings attached, don’t mind the pun. The result? A more angular, defined, and refreshed face without ever touching your actual facial features. It’s one of those procedures you have to see to believe. The treatment takes only about 20 minutes, results are immediate, and there’s no downtime at all. You can walk out ready to meet friends or head straight to work. Patients have been genuinely amazed at how natural and transformative it feels, like seeing their younger self, but better. While the Ponytail Lift won’t replace surgical options for everyone, it’s a clever and cost-effective way to get that lifted, sculpted look without the recovery, risk, or expense of surgery. Most people are great candidates, though a quick consultation will confirm what’s best for your anatomy and goals. Curious to see if the Ponytail Lift at KANDL could be right for you? Book an appointment and let our specialists show you how a small tweak can make a big difference. KANDL- Beauty backed by Science
KANDL Turns One
It’s hard to believe it’s already been a year. When KANDL began, it was a few rooms, a few loyal clients, and a few too many cups of coffee. We had no idea that what we were building would grow into something this alive. A space that hums with possibility. A place where science and beauty sit quietly side by side, and confidence is the language everyone speaks. We started with a simple idea: skin care should feel personal. It should look like you, only better. It should age with you, not against you. That idea became a mission, and the mission turned into a movement. Our clients didn’t just come for treatments. They came to feel good in their own skin again. Somewhere along the way, KANDL became less about a look and more about a feeling. The one you get when you catch your reflection and think, that’s me. The past year has been a blur of growth, laughter, and learning. We’ve added new services, new technologies, and new people who share our obsession with detail. We watched our clients glow, transform, and come back with friends. We’ve heard the stories that keep us going, the woman who said her skin hadn’t felt this alive in twenty years, the man who swore his coworkers thought he’d just come back from vacation, the client who said she finally stopped hiding behind makeup. Behind every new treatment, there is a story of curiosity. Someone on our team sees a new study, a new method, a new possibility, and we test it, refine it, and adapt it until it feels like KANDL. That is what makes us different. We never stop asking what’s next. The science never stops moving, and neither do we. Of course, none of this happened in a vacuum. We have an extraordinary team, people who care as deeply about skin as they do about the people who walk through our doors. They are artists, scientists, therapists, and listeners. Every glow that leaves this place has their fingerprints on it. And to our clients, thank you. You made this year what it was. You gave us your trust, your loyalty, and your faces. You told your friends, shared your photos, and cheered us on from the start. You made KANDL more than a clinic. You made it a community. Now we’re looking ahead. What’s next is not just more treatments. It’s more connection. We are working on new collaborations, new technology, and ways to make every visit feel more customized. We are refining what we already love and exploring ideas that feel almost futuristic. Think regenerative care, precision formulas, and techniques that don’t just treat but train your skin to perform better. We are interested in the long game, the art of keeping skin healthy and luminous at every age. The future of KANDL is rooted in innovation, but it’s also grounded in something simpler. Gratitude. We remember the first client who walked in when the paint was barely dry. The first review that called us “the best-kept secret.” The first time someone said, “You’ve changed how I feel about myself.” Those moments keep us grounded. They remind us why we started. So here we are, one year in. A little wiser, a little busier, and a lot more inspired. KANDL has become a place where beauty feels intelligent. Where technology serves artistry. Where every visit feels like a small act of self-respect. And where, somehow, the best is still ahead. Come see what we’ve become. And what you could be.
Scare to Care: The Heartbeat of my clinic
People often ask how my clinic, Clinique Medic Elle began, expecting a story about business plans or inspiration boards. The truth is simpler and more human. It began with fear, intuition, and the smallest act of self-preservation that grew into something larger than I could have imagined. It feels fitting to tell it now, in honour of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The beginning of my clinic traces back to a single moment in a doctor’s office, the kind that quietly rearranges your sense of safety. During a routine annual checkup, my doctor felt a lump in my breast. I had been careful ever since my mother’s breast cancer diagnosis, keeping my yearly appointments the way some people keep prayer, out of both faith and fear. He told me it was probably just a cyst, that familiar word physicians use to soften uncertainty. But intuition can be loud when something is wrong. Fear began to rise, silent but undeniable, a tide you cannot talk yourself out of.Before heading to Clarke Radiology for the ultrasound, I stopped for coffee. It was my ritual when anxiety took hold. My coffee was my liquid courage, a small comfort that reminded me life could still feel ordinary. Holding that warm cup made me feel anchored, even as the ground beneath me began to tilt. Clarke Radiology was the opposite of comfort. The waiting room felt sterile and impersonal, more concerned with procedure than people. The receptionist looked at my cup with suspicion and told me coffee was not allowed because it might yellow the grout. I remember thinking how strange it was that in a place devoted to diagnosis and healing, the grout mattered more than the person holding the cup. When I finally saw the doctor, I was still trembling. He noticed the tears on my cheeks and looked at me with a mix of confusion and impatience, as if fear were a behaviour to correct rather than a human reaction. His detachment stung. It was not cruelty, but absence, the kind of absence that makes you realize how much compassion has gone missing from medicine. Everything was fine, but the experience haunted me. Out of that disquiet came the first spark of what would become my clinic. What if care could feel different? What if a clinic could be built around warmth instead of walls, where no one was made to feel foolish for being afraid, or for needing a moment with their coffee before facing whatever came next? That is how my clinic began. Not from ambition or strategy, but from a small act of defiance, a refusal to let care become cold out of fear, yes, but also from a deep belief that healing should feel human. That belief became the foundation of Clinique Medic Elle, a place where compassion is as essential as medicine, and where the people will always matter more than the grout.
Finding Light: Nat Lauzon’s Story of Strength and Second Chances
Nat Lauzon is one of Montreal’s most familiar voices, a seasoned broadcaster on The Beat and voice artist whose warmth and humor have been part of people’s daily lives for years. Beyond her work, she’s someone who brings people together, tells the truth with a wink, and finds light even in the heaviest moments. This year she’s opening up about her experience with breast cancer, not just to share medical details but to remind us that even in the scariest chapters, family, friendship, and perspective are what carry us through. Earlier this year, Nat was diagnosed with DCIS, an early form of breast cancer. Like many women, she faced a maze of decisions and uncertainty, but she also found strength in research, in medical advances, and in the people who stood beside her. With the support of her doctors, her family, and close friends, she was able to navigate treatment in a way that fit her life and celebrate the incredible relief of hearing that her risk was as low as it could possibly be. Through it all she has kept her sense of gratitude, her humor, and her belief in living life with joy, second chances, and the people she loves most.
Intimate Rejuvenation with Dermal Filler
Why We’re Talking About It Now Over the past few months, many of my patients have been asking me about intimate rejuvenation. It is not surprising. Our bodies change with time, hormones, pregnancy, and even weight fluctuations. While women are very open when talking about skin, hair, and health, conversations about intimate concerns often stay behind closed doors. Patients whisper, they hesitate, and then finally they ask: “Is there something I can do to restore comfort and confidence?” The answer is yes. What Is Intimate Rejuvenation? Intimate rejuvenation with dermal filler is a quick, in-clinic procedure that restores soft fullness to the outer labia. Over time, the natural tissue can lose volume and elasticity, and this can leave women feeling less confident or even uncomfortable. Dermal filler helps smooth and plump, giving back a more youthful look and feel. The treatment is discreet, safe, and performed in a completely confidential setting by an experienced medical team. Who Is Asking for It? What surprised me most is the wide range of women interested in this treatment. Some are in their thirties, post-pregnancy and curious about restoring what has changed. Others are in their fifties or sixties, noticing shifts after menopause. The common thread is the same: they want to feel like themselves again. Confidence is not a luxury. It is a vital part of how we move through the world, and I love that women are embracing their right to ask for it. Why Now? We live in a time when women are more empowered to speak about every stage of life. We discuss skincare, we discuss hormones, and we should absolutely feel free to discuss intimate health. Offering this treatment at KANDL feels like a natural extension of what we already do. Our goal has always been to help women look and feel their best at every age. What to Expect The procedure itself is straightforward. It is done right here in the clinic, takes very little time, and requires minimal downtime. Patients often tell me they are surprised at how comfortable and easy the process is. Most importantly, they leave with a renewed sense of confidence. That is the part I love most.
Where Scars Become Strength
“Is that your STEP?” was the first thing she said to me during a class at Westmount Y, and so unfolded a friendship woven with both luminous and dark threads. In honour of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I’m sharing Kella’s story as a vivid tapestry of human resilience, a rallying cry beyond pink ribbons. I will call her Kella to honour her privacy, but a changed name can’t dilute the magnitude of her life story. Over casual walks and more cups of coffee than I can count, I learned Kella was living with a man a decade her junior. A seemingly benign detail until I discovered she was also battling breast cancer. She opted out of a recommended mastectomy, not by choice, but because her boyfriend forbade it. I realized Kella was fighting two cancers: one in her cells and another in her home. When I advised Kella to seek professional help for her abusive relationship, she did, but to no avail. The system failed her as surely as her body was failing her. Her twin battles against cancer and domestic violence marched on, intertwined and relentless. Faced with an inescapable mastectomy, her boyfriend committed another act of violence. He unleashed another round of abuse on her the night before her life-saving operation. Concurrently, I was embroiled in my own challenges—launching a women’s wellness clinic. Born from a vision of empowerment, the clinic became an ironic crucible of misogyny, fueled by both my financial partner and my so-called healer of a doctor. We devised a plan: Upon completing her final chemo session, Kella would sever ties with her boyfriend and move in with me and Peter, turning a new page toward happiness and healing. This hopeful blueprint crumbled with a gut-wrenching call from the police. They had found Kella bruised and battered on a city sidewalk and immediately escorted her to a shelter for her safety. Despite this jarring setback, she refused to be deterred. We found her an apartment and brought her into the fold at my clinic, inching closer to a sense of normality. It was then that Kella, freshly liberated from an abusive marriage and chemo’s grip, stepped in to be my rock. Her indefatigable spirit became the lifeline that anchored me through my own quagmire of struggles. A semblance of normalcy seemed within our grasp, a testament to how far determination can carry us, even when the world insists on knocking us down. Things were going well; months rolled by with Kella working steadily, rekindling friendships, and genuinely enjoying life. Then, as if fate had a dark sense of humor, she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukemia. Six months later, she was gone. Kella was a warrior. She had the kind of grit that turns suffering into strength, not just for herself but for others. Amid her storms, she became my anchor, demonstrating a selflessness that defied logic. Her beauty was in her indomitable spirit, her capacity to love even when she was starved of it. Kella left an indelible imprint on the souls she touched, proving that heroes don’t always wear capes—sometimes, they bear scars. This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I celebrate Kella, a radiant beacon of strength and unconditional love. She didn’t just fight her battles; she made us all a little stronger for them. And for that, her memory deserves nothing less than to be celebrated and forever etched into the chronicles of the warriors who make this world a better place. I miss her.
Why and Who Does Your Filler Matter
A story that walked through our doors The other day, a woman came into our clinic to see one of our doctors. She was visibly upset, and when we asked what was wrong, she told us about a recent filler appointment. She had gotten her lips and cheeks done at a place that promised the same results for half the price. Instead of a doctor, the injections were done by someone introduced as a nurse. At first, the discount felt like a win. But within days, she noticed hard bumps in her cheeks that did not move. Her skin became red and painful. She ended up in the emergency room, terrified that her face was ruined forever. The worst part? She later discovered the injector was not a nurse at all. She had no credentials. None. Why credentials count There is a reason fillers and Botox are classified as medical treatments. They are not just beauty quick-fixes. They involve needles, anatomy, and real risks. Knowing exactly where to inject and how deep matters. Knowing how to handle complications is even more critical. Doctors who practice aesthetics are trained not only in the artistic side of creating balance and symmetry but also in the medical realities. They know what to do if something goes wrong. A discount injector without training does not. What we did to help When she came to us, her cheeks were swollen, lumpy, and infected. The only safe way forward was to slowly dissolve the filler. We used hyaluronidase, an enzyme that melts away hyaluronic acid filler, but this process had to be done carefully over time to avoid damaging her tissue. She was incredibly fortunate. If the harmful injections had been Botox instead of filler, there would have been no antidote. Botox cannot be reversed once injected. The hidden cost of a bargain Saving 50 percent feels great until it costs you 500 percent more in correction, treatment, and stress. Infections, lumps, and vascular occlusion (when filler accidentally blocks a blood vessel) are real risks. When you are in safe hands, the chances of something happening are minimal, and if something does happen, your doctor knows exactly how to manage it. How to protect yourself If you are considering filler or Botox, here are a few quick things to check before letting anyone near your face: The bottom line Aesthetic medicine can do wonders for confidence when it is done properly. But your face is not the place to cut corners. That woman’s experience is unfortunately common, and it is precisely why we believe treatments should only be performed by qualified medical professionals. Cheap filler is never cheap once you add the cost of fixing it.
Fall Skin Refresh with Dr. Mathieu Powell
Why Your Skin Needs Extra Care in Fall and Winter As summer fades and the colder months roll in, your skin’s needs change dramatically. Humidity drops, indoor heating cranks up, and suddenly dryness, redness, and irritation become daily visitors. Knowing how to adjust your skincare routine now can save you from a long, flaky winter. Hydration is the First Step One of the most significant skincare shifts for fall is the importance of hydration. Summer humidity helps our skin hold moisture, but autumn air is far less forgiving. To keep skin soft and resilient: These small changes can prevent dry patches and keep your skin barrier strong. Treatments That Work Best in Fall Fall is the ideal season to book treatments that don’t mix well with summer sun exposure. With lower UV levels, your skin heals more effectively and the results last longer. Some of the best options include: If you’ve been waiting all summer to try these, now’s the perfect time. Don’t Ditch the Sunscreen It’s a common mistake to stop using SPF when summer ends. But UV rays don’t take a holiday. Fall and winter sun, especially when reflected off snow, can cause just as much damage. Daily SPF is non-negotiable if you want to prevent premature aging and skin cancer. Key Takeaway: Prep Now for Winter Skin Success Think of fall as a reset button for your skin. Hydrate more, repair summer’s damage, and protect against the sun year-round. With the proper care and treatments, your skin will look and feel its best, even when the temperature dips. See you at the clinic, Dr. Mathieu Powell
