At Forty, fine lines that you noticed in your thirties may be deepening and becoming fully formed wrinkles. You may also be seeing crowns feet and signs of age spots and hyper-pigmentation.
Ageing is inevitable. Both intrinsic (genetics) and extrinsic (free radicals, lifestyle) will contribute to accelerated ageing. Fortunately, those with the fear of going under the knife can choose from an array of non-invasive solutions. At 111 Harley St. we offer a number of non-invasive and safe alternative solutions that can help you take years off your face, giving you a more youthful and rejuvenated appearance.
Fab At Forty
Thermafrax Lift
Thermage is a great solution for sagging skin, lines and wrinkles and is popular among celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow and Amanda Holden. Thermage is able to stimulate collagen production, giving you tighter and tauter skin. Used in conjuction with the Fraxel method, Thermafrax can give you the tightening results that you would see from a facelift. Thermafrax is a highly specialised anti-ageing treatment can achieve dramatic results.
Chemical Peels are great for women in their forties who are not ready for a surgical option, and have minor patches of pigmentation or shallow wrinkles. As women age, hyper-pigmentation and redness of the skin is more likely to occur due to a change in hormones and exposure to free radicals. At 40, estrogen production slows down, causing the skin to slow down its cellular turnover process resulting in duller, and less youthful looking skin.
A chemical peel essentially removes the top layer of the skin, leaving a smoother surface and more even skin tone underneath. The strength of the peel will be tailored to the needs of your skin, and with stronger peels you may need several days for healing.
Collagen is the secret behind plump skin. It is essential in order to maintain a youthful look. The protein helps the skin to remain elastic, but as we age our skin loses elasticity. The loss of collagen results in the thinning of the epidermis causing the skin to look crepey. In order to increase the production of collagen, Micropen is advised. The tiny micro-needles cause the skin to act as though it were injured increasing the speed of healing and the collagen synthesis in the skin.
Botox works to eliminate wrinkles, fine lines and crow’s feet. The substance Botulinum Toxin is injected into the muscles to prevent the movement of muscles that cause the development of wrinkles. Results can last for several months.
The words on everyone’s lips this year are ‘Kylie Jenner’s lips’. This year, there has been a considerable amount of speculation around the Keeping Up With The Kardashian’s celebrity Kylie Jenner. For months, people assumed that Kylie Jenner had either had lip fillers or a lip implant, yet Kylie profusely denied the allegations.
When asked to comment on the matter by E! News Kylie said
“I feel like everyone has been talking about it for months, so I’m kind of sick of it. My pictures, I pout them out a lot. I think big lips are awesome. I love lip liner and over lining my lips. But I don’t even care anymore. I’m like whatever, just say whatever you want.”
Last month, celebrity Kylie finally confirmed the rumours surrounding lip fillers stating on a recent episode of Keeping Up With The Kardashians
“I have had lip fillers. It’s just something I wanted to do.”
Kylie stated that she denied the rumours because she simply wasn’t ready to come forward. Do we have any right to criticise her for this? Big sister Khloe advises that she tell the truth adding:
“If you avoid the question, you’re going to look like a liar.”
So, is it really any of our business if a celebrity has had surgery?
Whilst some celebs are forthcoming about their decision to undergo plastic surgery, others are more than happy to make no comment. With every bit of their lives scrutinized, it’s no wonder that celebrities wish to keep personal aspects of their life private. Dr Yannis Alexandrides believes that the best surgeries will go un-noticed so when the public start making accusations, this could undoubtedly trigger feelings of insecurity among celebrities.
Plastic Surgery has become acutely taboo, with the media presenting only the horror stories and worst case scenarios, portraying any association with plastic surgery in a negative manner. As a result of this, it becomes quite positive when celebrities do come forward and show great results from their surgeries. It can restore the faith in plastic surgery and encourage and inspire the public to overcome their fears. Whilst there is always risk of complications, with the right surgeon, you can expect to see positive results providing you have realistic expectations.
With the evolution of surgery, it is now not even necessary to go under the knife. Kylie Jenner admitted to having non-invasive, non-surgical lip fillers which have temporary results. Modifications are now more accessible to the public whether it’s for cosmetic reasons or health matters.
Acne is an unfortunate condition that is very common. Acne can affect people of all ages and all skin types. It can manifest itself causing scarring. Aside from this, acne can leave individuals with negative psychological feelings towards their appearance.
Why do I have acne scars
The formation of acne scars is due to inflammation. If the blocked follicle or pore becomes too enlarged, then the wall can break damaging the healthy skin surrounding the area, resulting in scarring. Mesotherapy can be an effective way to minimise the appearance of depressed acne scars.
Mesotherapy is a treatment that involved micro-injections of vitamins, antioxidants, minerals, enzymes and amino acids that will be beneficial to the underlying area. Unlike topical creams, this treatment aims to penetrate the deeper layers of the skin for more efficiency. Micro-needling in itself will be beneficial to the skin as it encourages the skin to heal and repair itself by boosting collagen.
The ingredients injected into your skin will depend on the skin problem and the affected areas. For example, for acne scars hyaluronic acid may be used.
One of the most important things to note that when it comes to treating acne scars our practitioners will need to treat the live acne first. This can be done using a very effective treatment called Isolaz
It is possible that after any operation, some swelling may occur post-surgery. This is relatively common with a tummy-tuck as the more separation there is between the muscle and the skin the more likely there is to be disruption to the blood supply, thus, the more swelling may occur.
Why does swelling occur?
Swelling occurs due to a build-up of fluid leakage as a result of the lymphatic system being impaired. During the healing phase of post-operative surgery, it is not uncommon for swelling to occur as a result of fluid accumulation. Plastic surgeons are aware that during surgery the build-up of fluid may occur and they prepare for this by using an appropriate drainage technique.
Whilst most forms of surgery will incur some form of swelling. A tummy tuck, in particular, can result in swelling due to the type of incision. The more tissue that is separated from the abdomen, the more swelling will occur. As it is a long line spanning across the abdomen there can be a lot of interruption with the lymphatic draining system, and so the draining system can become blocked. This can create swelling in the stomach area, upper thighs and legs. This will eventually subside and generally, should not be a huge cause for concern.
Swelling can be controlled by wearing compression garments on a daily basis for at least two weeks. The surgeon can advise you on the type of garment that will be appropriate. The type of compression is very important. Too much compression can lead to serious complications, even death, so it is fundamental to stay informed.
Scarring is a natural process post-breast enlargement surgery. But some treatments drastically help improve the appearance, pigmentation and texture of your scars following the procedure, including Potenza and iPixel.
More and more men are now opting for plastic surgery procedures. Plastic surgery has been linked with women’s dissatisfaction with their appearance in the past, but it is now becoming more relevant to men.
Men opting for plastic surgery
So, why does it come as such as a surprise that men desire to enhance their appearance too? Men are just susceptible to media images as women are. Whilst men may be less forthcoming than women in their openness to discuss surgery, statistics from the BAAPS show that Blepharoplasty (eye bag removal) still remains the most popular surgery of choice in males and there is no sign of a decrease in plastic surgery requests.
Could the interest in male vanity just be due to the proliferation of muscular ideals and attractiveness as standardised by the mainstream media, or are there a number of contributing factors that influence a man’s desire to undergo plastic surgery? Below, are some reasons why men choose to go under the knife:
Cultural norms
The desire for eternal youth is a cultural norm within westernised countries. With men wishing to work longer, they may feel the pressure to stay younger looking and have fears of no longer being relevant within the workplace and being replaced by a younger individual.
Changing Economy
With companies struggling within the economy and men competing against younger candidates within the workplace, many have found it fundamental to look as youthful as possible whilst retaining a natural look that retains their masculine features. For these reasons, Blepharoplasty remains the most popular surgery. According to BAAPS “men are after a refreshed look rather than conspicuous alterations.”
Masculinity
Rhinoplasty is the second most common plastic surgery procedure of choice for men. Unlike women, men are culturally expected to have larger noses where as women may opt for a procedure to significantly reduce the size of the nose. Men usually desire to remove a bump or define their nose more.
In addition, the ideal chest is something that defines masculinity. Whilst some men wish to remove the chest fat in these areas, others are looking to increase the appearance of their pectorial muscles through implants.
Health And Weight Loss
Men are now more health conscious than ever, resulting in dieting and weight loss. If men gain weight and then lose it again in a short space of time, there can be undesirable after effects such as excess skin. In this case, men may opt for a tummy tuck.
Media Focus
It is hard to ignore the constant influence of muscular ideals as communicated through the media. Whether it is a celebrity or a politician, influential male figures are coming forth on their plastic surgery stories and inspiring others to do the same.
The interest in larger buttocks appears to be increasing and it is not a surprise due to its prevalence within the mainstream media. Whilst some of us may have been genetically blessed with a large gluteus maximus, others can suffer from gluteal atrophy and ‘saggy bottoms.’
What are the causes of Gluteal Atrophy?
Gluteal Atrophy is a condition wherein there is a lack of muscle in the gluteus area. In medical terms ‘atrophy’ stands for muscle wastage. The condition can be caused by a number of influencing factors which in turn, result it a loss of muscle mass and can lead to knee or lower back pain in some cases. Some pathologies also link the condition to nerve damage, stenosis, and damage of the vertebrate.
Whilst there are a number of contributing factors that cause gluteal atrophy, lack of exercise will have a great deal of influence. If you do not partake in exercise of any form then there is likely to be a lack of muscle mass. Sometimes simple exercises including walking, running and lifting are not enough. On occasions, developing the muscle will include targeted exercises such as squats and weight programmes.
Sometimes partaking in targeted exercise programmes are not enough to enlarge our gluteal area. Perhaps it has left you with feelings of inadequacy or lack of self-esteem. In which case, you may wish to consider buttock implants or buttock enhancements.
The decision to undergo a plastic surgery is not one that should be taken lightly. There are many considerations you need to take in before you consider to go through with a life changing surgery.
Gluteal atrophy is only part of the ‘saggy bottom’ appearance. The round buttock shape is also formed by the subcutaneous fat. If someone suffers from gluteal atrophy and does not provide any shape or definition in the buttocks then the fat sitting on top of the muscles will also give a sagging bottom appearance.
What are my other options?
Nowadays, we prefer a more natural appearance, where Fat Injections into the buttocks can offer a natural, and better final result compared to Butt Implants. There is also less risk of complications arising post-op. Therefore, if you’re looking for Buttock Implants, you should come and have a consultation for buttock fat injections or a buttock lift, which can provide a much more effective result.
It is not just women that suffer from excess fat around the waistline. Men are also suffering from love handles. According to BAAPS, there has been a 28% increase in the number of men requesting Vase Lipo over the past year. The more image conscious man is becoming more self- aware of their love handles and are turning to Vaser Lipo as a solution.
Love Handles
Previously, men were more concerned with their upper torso’s and gaining a visible six pack with the abdomen being the second most popular area of target for Liposuction for men. However, as time has moved forward the dissatisfaction reached beyond this, and the flanks have become the most common area of concern due their notoriety for being difficult to get rid of despite rigorous exercise regimes.
As men start to age, there is more concern for looking better later in life and men are realising the fat removing, age erasing benefits of plastic surgery. As we age, the fat tends to centralise around the middle causing the look of the ‘spare tyre’ and so the concern seems to particularly be on the ‘love handles’ area. The introduction to Vaser Lipo has transformed the definition of body sculpting for men. Now, it is possible to get a sculpted body without even having to go under the knife.
Vaser Lipo is a state of the art Liposuction that is design to sculpt the body by targeting stubborn areas of fat. The procedure is not designed to move large quantities of fat from an overweight patient, which is why it is beneficial for those who are already in relatively good shape but are just looking to gain a more defined look.
The procedure uses sound to break up the fatty tissue in order to achieve the highest level of definition and toning. The process is minimally invasive and unlike traditional methods of Liposuction, Vaser Lipo does not require general anaesthetic and so the downtime is minimal with patients being able to resume their day to day activities almost immediately.
Veins are a part of the anatomy that we don’t tend to give much thought about, that is until we start to notice them. Spider veins do not usually cause much pain or discomfort and are not necessarily a cause for concern, but many find that their unsightly appearance troublesome.
What is a spider vein?
Spider veins (thread veins) and broken capillaries can appear when there is a dilated vessel that appears under the surface of the skin. They can appear almost anywhere on the body, but typically they appear on the face and legs and are red or blue. They take the name spider veins because they can often look like small webs or fork lightning bolts with short jagged lines.
What causes spider veins?
Lack of movement:
Excessive pressure on the veins or weakness of the vessel walls can contribute to the development of spider veins. Often this problem occurs in people that stand for long periods in one place. For example, those with the occupation of a hairdresser or those who travel a lot may be more prone to developing spider veins as the blood is less able to flow compared to walking. Similarly sitting will have the same effect. Being able to contract the muscles is essential in helping the blood to flow through the veins.
Genetics:
If either of your parents has spider veins, you will be more genetically inclined to get spider veins. Some of you may be asking ‘Well why do my siblings not have them?’. While you may be more genetically predisposed to getting spider veins and other veins problems, your everyday life will affect whether you develop them or not. It is a common myth that crossing your legs while seated can lead to vascular problems, but according to UAMS vascular surgeon Dr John Modrall and other medical professionals, this is not the case. Age can also affect our chances of getting spider veins. The older we get, the more the valves start to work, and the less blood will be able to pump around.
Hormonal Changes:
Fluctuations in hormone levels can also result in spider veins. Many women may discover that spider veins occur during their menstrual cycle, pregnancy or menopause. Types of contraception can also contribute to the development of spider veins.
Obesity/ other factors:
Various strenuous activities such as weight lifting can increase blood volume in the legs. The same effect occurs with obesity as the larger you are; this increases the amount of pressure on your veins.
Sun Exposure:
Sun exposure can increase the chances of getting spider veins and broken capillaries appear particularly on your face. Facial spider veins differ in that they are likely to be smaller and are not caused by pressure on the veins.
How can I prevent spider veins?
While genetics play a part in whether you are more inclined to get spider veins, it is much easier to take preventative measures rather than have to seek treatment at some point. Try to avoid doing anything that may put pressure on the legs such as standing up for long periods. Regarding getting facial veins, the obvious preventative measure would be always to ensure you use SPF.
Nutritional therapist, Henrietta Bailey suggests that a few changes to the diet could help to prevent spider veins from developing. She recommends avoiding spicy foods and alcohol and eating foods rich in Vitamin C and E as found in many fruits and vegetables as they are packed with antioxidants, which will help to strengthen the capillaries.
Unfortunately, as spider veins may be caused by heredity or hormone cycles, there may be not much you can do to prevent it and so the next advisable course of action would be treatment.
How can I treat spider veins?
Spider veins are not uncommon with 55% of us affected by them at some point in our lives. Some women dislike the appearance of blue or red branch like veins and become self-conscious and insecure. In these circumstances it may be worth considering the treatments below:
Topical Creams
There has been significant debate over the effectiveness of topical creams. Creams that include: horse chestnut, blueberries, diosmin and escin are said to improve the tone of their veins, there is no scientific evidence to suggest that it removes the spider veins.
Microsclerotherapy
Microsclerotherapy is the most common process for treating spider veins. It involves a solution being injected with tiny needles to restrict blood flowing through it.
Is it painful?
Many patients report no pain at all, but a minor sensation of scratching where the needle enters.
What are the after effects?
Some patients may experience slight bruising; mainly if the vein is thicker, you may also notice some discolouration of the skin which could take up to a year to fade.
How many treatments are needed?
It is best to leave two weeks before each treatment to avoid more bruising. The amount of procedures varies on a case by case basis, but typically 60% of veins will disappear within the first treatment.
Otherwise known as IPL, precise amounts of light energy are delivered through your skin’s surface. This treatment is effective for smaller veins and may be particularly beneficial for the face.
Is it painful?
Some patients report the sensation to be similar to the feeling of an elastic band snapping against your skin. An anaesthetic cream can be applied if you desire, and it is advised to take two painkillers a couple of hours before your treatment.
What are the after effects?
Slight reddening or temporary swelling may occur.
How many treatments are needed?
The amount of treatments required depends on the individual needs of a patient, but on average three sessions are needed. Procedures should be spaced apart and sunlight should be avoided at least three months after any exposure to sunlight may result in pigmentation. IPL may be a treatment you wish to consider in addition to microsclerotherapy.
The handheld device delivers waves that penetrate the targeted vessels and cause the blood inside the vein to coagulate, eventually collapsing and sealing.
Is it painful?
The laser blows cold air on the skin to help reduce the pain of the laser pulse. It reportedly feels like a very hot pinprick.
What are the after effects?
Some redness may occur after treatment. It is advised to wear SPF for up to a month after surgery and try to avoid sunlight if possible.
Breasts and nipples come in all shapes and sizes, and all variations are completely normal, but some may suffer from inverted nipples meaning that their nipple is pointing inwards or there is a slit like depression in the place of the nipple. For some, they may not be bothered by this, and for other’s they can find it horribly embarrassing which can lead to potential concerns about sex life and self-image or more functional worries such as breast feeding in the future.
Inverted nipples are relatively common with around 10% of women in the UK suffering from the condition. For those that have ‘shy’ nipples, their nipple can be stimulated, but for others their nipple may not protrude at all. Inverted nipples can be caused by a problem with the connection in the underlying tissue of the breast such as a short ligament connecting the milk ducts to the nipples.
Inverted nipples can also occur after pregnancy, but this is likely to be due to the skin around the breast becoming looser and therefore giving the illusion of inverted nipples. However, if you have not ever suffered from an inverted nipple beforehand, it is suggested that you see a doctor at first instance as this could be related to another medical issue.
For this benign condition, it is recommended that non-surgical options are exhausted first. You may wish to try:
Nipple Shields or Soft Shells– The shield is made of plastic in a circular shape with a hole in the middle for the nipple. The disc places pressure on the surrounding breast to encourage the nipple to protrude through the hole. Soft Shells provide a smoother look under clothing.
Pregnancy– Often women find that their initial fears over not being able to breastfeed disappear as their inverted nipples become everted during pregnancy.
Niplette suction device– This is the most favoured non-surgical option for inverted nipples, and uses a pump to gently add traction to your nipples pulling them outwards.
If you are considering undergoing plastic surgery for the treatment of your inverted nipple than you should discuss this matter with a surgeon to discuss the intended goals and outcomes. Some surgeries can involve cutting the milk duct which could potentially inhibit breast-feeding and these cases are depended on the severity of the inverted nipple, so it is therefore important your surgeon makes it clear about the realistic options that they can provide to you.
The procedure is performed under local anaesthetic and so there is minimal discomfort. Inverted nipple correction involves making an incision at the base of the nipple, and then holding the nipple in place with stitches until the stitches have healed. It is likely that you will feel tired and have some swelling and bruising after the surgery, but this is completely normal. Although recovery varies from patient to patient, generally, you can expect to make a recovery in 1-2weeks.
No matter how much we try to protect ourselves from environmental damage, for most of us we will have exposed ourselves to harmful UV rays which may have caused our skin some sun damage.
Persistent exposure to the sun can lead to signs of ageing which start to become visible from an early age of twenty, with cutaneous sun damage becoming more visible as we age.
How does the sun effect my skin?
The prevalence of skin damage can be significant when we start to reach our mid-thirties, and more signs of pigmentation and sun damaged skin can be noticeable. Even just a couple of minutes in the sun without protection, can lead to changes in the skin which can be noticed later in life. On the exterior the signs of sun damage can include wrinkles, spider veins, leathery skin, pigmentation (blotchy colour changes or increased amount of freckles), and sagging skin or loss of volume in the skin resulting in a sallow and hollow look. When the skin ages, there is cause for greater concern as abnormal cells start to accumulate which can lead to cancers. There has been substantial research to support the link between skin cancers and excessive exposure to UV radiation.
What can I do about sun damage?
It is important to be aware of the UV risks that the sun can cause, so it is fundamental to protect your skin and start from an early age which will help to reduce the visible an internal effects later in life. It is recommended that you ensure you use SPF on a daily basis, and incorporate it into your daily routine. For many women out there, SPF is included in some foundations and BB creams.
We recommend the Aqua Defence Physics cream by 111SKIN also includes a UV filter that protects the skin against UVA and UVB rays whilst stimulating the regeneration of skin cells.
Reported to and complained about the most by skin doctors, is the problem of skin pigmentation. Sun damage can result in hyperpigmentation or melasma. Dark spots or patches can appear giving the impression of uneven skin tone. The harmful rays from the sun can cause broken blood vessels which result in an uneven skin tone or a freckled appearance. If you suffer from the latter, there are options available which can help the appearance of your skin. The most beneficial form of repair for those that suffer from sun damage is skin peels which aim to resurface and regenerate the skin. There are different types of skin peels available to those, depending on your individual needs. A chemical peel is suitable for all skin types but works particularly well on darker skin types that are more susceptible to hyperpigmentation. The concentration used will depend on the type of peel that you opt for, but it is recommended that you have about six treatments for optimum results. Deeper peels will require more time. In addition to treating sun damage, skin peels are also beneficial for treating the appearance of mild scars, and certain types of acne.
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