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Author: David Jagroop

Which Laser Skincare Treatment Is Right For Me?

Posted on by David Jagroop

whihc laser treatment is for me

Many of us want to have clear, radiant skin and take steps to achieve this. Whether it’s following a quality skincare regime, ensuring you eat healthily or protecting your skin from harmful UV rays, there’s lots we can do to take care of our complexion. However sometimes, despite our best efforts, this is not enough to tackle skin problems like fine lines, blocked pores, pigmentation or broken veins. Laser treatments are used widely throughout skincare, and can often be a great complement to your current skincare routine. But it can be difficult to decide which one will be able to target your skincare problems effectively. We compare three laser treatments to help you find the right one for you.

What is Clear+Brilliant? A gentle laser treatment from Solta Medical which is designed to treat a number of skin issues such as: superficial acne scars, large open pores, blackheads, blocked pores, uneven skin tone, fine lines, rough skin texture, superficial age spots, sun spots and pigmentation.
Is it for me? If you have never had a skin treatment before, but feel your skincare routine is not tackling your problems effectively enough, then Clear + Brilliant is a great place to start. It’s a comfortable treatment, as a topical anaesthetic is applied beforehand, and the actual procedure usually takes around 20 minutes. It’s suitable for patients of any age, but particularly patients who have just begun to notice the first signs of ageing. If you want to know what to expect from a Clear + Brilliant treatment then watch our video here.
Is there any downtime required? Post treatment you may notice some redness, which will fade within one to three hours, and your skin may feel dry and rough over the next few days as your skin heals. But one week after treatment you will begin to notice smoother, softer skin and smaller pore size.
How many treatments will I need? A course of treatments is recommended to achieve optimal results. The number of treatments you will need will depend on the condition of your skin, but it is usually between 4 and 6 treatments.

Fraxel

What is Fraxel? A slightly more aggressive laser treatment, compared to Clear + Brilliant, which can improve the appearance of damaged skin and treat visible signs of ageing. It can be used to treat fine lines and wrinkle on the face, neck, brow or cleavage, crow’s feet, uneven skin tone, large, open pores, surface or acne scarring, sun spots, age spots, pigmentation, sun damage and actinic keratosis.
How does treatment work? The fraxel laser penetrates the top layer of skin and the light energy stimulates the production of collagen and resurfaces the top layer of skin. As new collagen grows, it renews the skin by plumping up pockets caused by wrinkles and scarring. Fraxel removes damaged cells and allows them to replaced with new, healthier ones so skin is visibly brighter and smoother.
How many treatments will I need? A course of treatments if usually recommended as this will allow you to achieve the best results. The exact number of treatments varies for each patient, but your aesthetic practitioner will create a bespoke treatment plan which will effectively target your skin problems. As Fraxel works with your body’s natural skin cells, results typically take 1 to 3 weeks to take effect, and patients see the best results between 1 and 5 treatments.
Is it for me? If you’re looking for a treatment which is slightly stronger, but still require no downtime then Fraxel could be for you. It’s a simple treatment which will give you visible results without discomfort. Patients report the feeling of a ‘light sunburn’ immediately after treatment, but treatment plans vary so ask your practitioner for more information. If you’re considering Fraxel then you must be aware that tanning of any kind is not allowing during treatment, and for three months after.

Laser Treatment

What is it? The Cynosure laser is able to treat and improve the appearance of pigmented lesions, vascular lesions and facial and leg broken veins.
How does it work? Lasers allow for the quick treatment of vascular legions, without damaging the surrounding tissue. Light is absorbed by the blood , destroying the vessel and overtime that vessel disappears, allowing the skin to return to it’s natural appearance.
Is it for me? People seek treatment for vascular legions for all sorts of reasons, medical and cosmetic. If you have pigmented lesions, or broken veins whihc make you feel self-conscious then treatment with a Cynosure laser may be able to improve the appearance of your skin. The exact length of the treatment varies depending on the size of the area being treated, but most treatments are less than an hour and there is no downtime afterwards. If you think Laser Treatment could be for you then you must be aware that you will need to cover the treated area from the sun for two weeks before and after treatment, and you should wear a minimum of SPF30.
How many treatments will I need? Again a course of treatments is usually recommended to achieve the optimal results. The exact number you need will depend on the condition of your skin, and what you are hoping to treat. You aesthetic practitioner will be able to create a treatment plan to ensure the best results.

Where You’re Going Wrong Treating Adult Acne

Posted on by David Jagroop

How to treat adult acneAcne is a common skin condition which affects many people in different strengths. But whether you suffer from the odd breakout and blemish, blackheads or painful acne lesions, it can be difficult to find a treatment which effectively soothes your skin. Contrary to popular belief acne is not a teenage problem. In fact it effects people in their twenties, thirties, forties and, sometimes, even their fifties. When you’re well into adulthood dealing with acne can be upsetting and annoying. It is probably a problem you thought you would grow out of years ago, and it may make you feel self-conscious and unattractive. What you might not know if you’re still suffering with acne well into adulthood is that even though it doesn’t look like it, your skin is changing. No longer can you reach for the same products that you did in your teens, and if this is what you are doing then it may help explain why you’re still suffering with frequent breakouts.

Adult Acne – The Mistakes / Misconceptions

1. Using over-drying products
In your teens it’s common to have oily skin so you probably used products with drying and antibacterial properties to combat this. However as you get older you skin becomes drier, so using harsh products like this actually has a negative effect. These products don’t strip away excess oil, they remove all the skin’s natural oils as well. Your responds to this by producing even more oil as it thinks it is dehydrated and needs to protect itself. Look for products which treat acne and encourage cell turnover as well.

2. Using Too Much Product
When you have a breakout it can be tempting to slather your entire face in topical spots treatments but this really isn’t necessary. For most people their adult acne breakouts are not as widespread as the ones they had when they were teenagers, so instead applying spot treatments to your entire face just apply it directly to the actual blemish. Choose a formula specially designed to treat you type of breakout, in your thirties you are prone to cystic acne lesions – painful, under-the-skin bumps.

3. Not Thinking About Skin Concerns
It’s not just the acne you have to deal with, but a host of other skin problems too. Your skin is ageing, and you need to find products which effectively deal with this too. Picking products which are both hydrating and exfoliating is the key to targeting adult acne breakouts. By exfoliating the skin you’re able to remove dead skin cells, dirt and impurities which build up on the skin’s surface and lead to breakouts. Regular exfoliation also keeps your complexions looking radiant and youthful because you’re allowing newer, healthier cells to come through. The trick is not too over do it as this will irritate the skin and possibly lead to more breakouts. If you have a lot of whiteheads and painful cystic acne you may want avoid exfoliating for the time being as this will damage the spots and leave them open to collect more dirt and bacteria.

What To Do Next?

If you’re still suffering with stubborn breakouts and blemishes, which seem to be resistant to any type of skincare product or prescription medicine, then you might want to try a stronger treatment. The Obagi skincare systems are designed to prevent and improve common and visible skin disorders in common skin, and they are particularly effective at treating and calming acne prone skin which has become resistant to other conventional forms of treatment. You could try a course of Isolaz treatments, a pain-free photo-neumatic treatment which could give you a 75% improvement in the appearance of acne lesion in two months. Isolaz treats acne by getting to the root of the problem, a special treatment tip is used to vacuum acne impurities, dirt and bacteria from the pores before broadband light is applied to kill acne-causing bacteria. Finally the vacuum tip used to gently stretch the skin so topical treatments can be applied with more effectiveness.

Botox Myths – We Tell All

Posted on by David Jagroop

is botox bad for youRarely a day goes by without there being some mention in the media of Botox. Most commonly it is stories mentioning celebrities, who’s had it done, who’s denying they’ve had the treatment, who says they’re open to have treatment in the future and who has sworn of Botox completely. Quite often we hear of the negative side effects of Botox, and about those who have had poor results, which can make us feel Botox is unwise, unsafe and risky.

Most recently Jerry Hall was quoted as saying that she believe women who turn to cosmetic surgery to combat ageing are ‘lunatics’ and that she won’t be having Botox because it’s ‘poison’. While having cosmetic surgery is a deeply personal choice, and not one which everyone wants to go through, both women and men are perfectly at liberty to opt to have surgery for aesthetic reasons. Although these anti-wrinkle injections are one of the most popular non-surgical treatments worldwide, there are many myths which persist about it and which give Botox a bad name. We’ve debunked three of the most Botox myths for you below.

1. Anyone Can Administer It
Botox is a prescription only medicine and must be treated as such. Only a qualified medical professional, such as a plastic surgeon or aesthetic nurse, with the right training should be performing Botox injections. Unfortunately Botox is not regulated so it is widely available from a number of places, and people who have had no experience of Botox can easily set themselves up to offer injections. If such a place offers you Botox injections or someone offers to visit you at home to perform the injections then alarm bells really should start to ring. All the side effects we hear about from Botox, such as a frozen expression, drooping eyebrows or eyelids and double vision, are usually a result of inexperience application.

2. It Is Unsafe
As we usually hear about people who had a negative reaction to the treatment, rather than those who have had a positive enhancement, it can lead us to believe the it is an unsafe treatment that we should never consider. While there are risks associated with all surgical and non-surgical procedures, Botox has been studied for use in humans for over 100 years and is completely safe. It has been the subject of over 2000 peer reviewed studies and research papers. Again the results of Botox are dependant on the skill of the practitioner not the product, bad results are most likely the result of inexperienced applications – from injecting too much Botox, injecting the Botox too regularly or injected the Botox into the wrong area.

3. Only Used For Facial Wrinkles
Although these anti-wrinkle injections are best known as highly effective wrinkle treatment it actually has a wide variety of uses. The injections on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, forehead and underneath the arms can help reduce excessive sweating, and Botox can also be used in some cases to help those with migraines. In the USA it’s also commonly used to relieve foot pain, the nasty side effect of spending hours wearing stilettos, and Botox injections in the calf can also help to reduce their size. Further research into Botox may also bring to light even more uses for Botox, at the moment it’s being suggested that it may be able to help with knee pain and be an alternative to more invasive knee surgery.

If you would like to find out more Botox and how it could help you, book a consultation with one of our aesthetic nurses here.

The Facts about Eyelid Surgery

Posted on by David Jagroop

Eyelid surgery, also known as an eyelift or its medical term of blepharoplasty, is simply a procedure to get rid of excess skin and fat from around the eye area. In fact, the term ‘eyelift’ may be deceiving because the eyelid is not in fact lifted at any point; the appearance of the eyelid is simply lifted by removing any additional skin or fat that may be causing a drooping appearance. It has become quite a popular procedure in recent years as having drooping, fatty eyelids is a big contributing factor to some people looking older and more haggard than their years.

There are two types of eyelid surgery – upper or lower blepharoplasty. The difference between upper and lower blepharoplasty depends on a patient to patient basis based on the individual problem areas. Upper blepharoplasty is the most common procedure, used to reduce excess fat and skin above the eyelid that may even contribute to vision problems. Lower blepharoplasty reduces the swollen look experience by some individuals with a build up of lower eyelid fat. By making small incisions around the eyelid, the surgeon can easily remove the fat and skin from either the upper or lower (or both) parts of the eyelid – depending on the individual’s problem area. In some cases, the surgeon will use an incision to create an eyelid crease. As blepharoplasty is minimally invasive, it can be combined with other procedures such as laser resurfacing to reduce additional lines and wrinkles that may add to the appearance of age.

When the two procedures are combined, this is referred to as double eyelid surgery and this approach has gained popularity in recent years especially in Asia. For this reason, it is sometimes referred to as Asian eyelid surgery. This procedure works to remove fat and skin from both the upper and lower parts of the eyelid which widens the general appearance of the eye. Sometimes referred to as a “Westernised” eyelift, this procedure is popular not only in Asia but amongst patients of a certain age or genetic predisposition who wish to widen and make the eye younger-looking.

Recovery time for blepharoplasty is relatively short, another contributing factor to why it has gained popularity in recent years. It is generally recommended the patient take two weeks off work, during which time mobility should be reduced but not altogether stopped. Stitches can be taken out 5 – 7 days after surgery and it is then only important to keep the area clean (e.g. no make up should be worn until two weeks post-surgery).

If you feel you are a candidate for blepharoplasty, discussion with your plastic surgeon will help determine this. Generally speaking, if your eyes appear small and/or haggard and your eyelids appear droopier then blepharoplasty should be able to help you feel more confident and young.

6 Botox Alternatives You Didn’t Know About

Posted on by David Jagroop

Botox is one of the UK’s most popular treatments for lines and wrinkles, as it is known to be highly effective and suitable for almost everyone. As we begin to age our skin starts to lose elasticity and become prone to wrinkles and sagging. Botox is a safe, virtually non-invasive treatment which can help to reduce the appearance of fine lines, giving a more youthful appearance.There has been a debate that having too many of these treatments when you are younger can actually age the skin, but we make sure every patient has all the information they need about the treatment they want before they make a decision. While people may worry about a ‘frozen’ appearance, that is not an effect of the product but a result of poor application and our emphasis is on creating a natural look.

All our procedures are performed by highly trained cosmetic surgeons or aesthetic nurses who tailor each treatment to individual patient needs.

Some people may find their skin has prematurely aged or the wrinkles they wish to treat are particularly deep for their age and choose to go with Botox or filler, other patients may choose an alternative route but ultimately it is their decision.

What is Botox?

BOTOX® is a brand name of a particular Botulinum Toxin. It is a naturally occurring protein which causes muscles to relax. It softens fine lines and wrinkles. Our practitioners administer the Botox using very fine needles. It is a quick and safe treatment, which provides long-lasting results usually noticeable between a few days and two weeks after the treatment.

Injectable Botox Alternatives

1. Dermal Fillers

An extremely popular treatment used to smooth lines and wrinkles. The results can last between four and twelve months depending on the type and amount of filler. It is a simple procedure which causes minimum discomfort due to the numbing preparations beforehand.2. Mesotherapy

This treatment involves the injection of a specially prepared mixture of vitamins ingredients. The practitioner injects the solution a few millimetres under the skin to help rejuvenate problem areas. For the best results, we recommend multiple treatments.3. Vampire Facial

Popularised by celebrities such as model Bar Refaeli, the Vampire Facial (otherwise known as PRP) involves taking blood from the patient. Then separating it into plasma and platelets before the practitioner reinjects the Platelet Rich Plasma back into the patient. This stimulates the production of collagen, smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles. It is completely safe as the product injected is completely the patient’s own by-product.

Non-Injectable Botox Alternatives

4. 111SKIN Micro Pen Facial

A favourite of model Cara Delevingne, it is the latest in micro-needling technology and used to stimulate facial rejuvenation. The unique spring-loaded tip works with the skin’s natural repair system creating micro-punctures. After the treatment, 111SKIN’s potent anti-ageing skincare products are applied resulting in radiant skin.5. Thermage

A Hollywood secret and favourite of supermodel Linda Evangelista. Thermage is an innovative skin-tightening treatment which uses radio frequencies to stimulate collagen production. As newly remodelled collagen grows it smooths away fine lines and wrinkles, improved skin tone and texture.6. Wrink-Less

Combining the two treatments above ensure the stimulation of the skin at every level to give an improving result over time. This treatment really harnesses the bodies own healing powers.If you would like to find out more about any of these treatments. We recommend arranging a complimentary skin consultation with our specialist nurses.

Have you got an inch to pinch?

Posted on by David Jagroop

 Drop a dress size in one session with Liposonix at 111 Harley St

britney spears and kim kardashian liposonix2014: A new year, a new resolution to join the gym and lose weight… only for that resolution to be forgotten halfway through January. While many of us are punishing ourselves in the gym for those excess mince pies devoured over Christmas, a weight loss treatment favoured by celebrities is growing in popularity with those who want instant and lasting weight loss results. Liposonix disrupts fat cells using ultrasound heat technology and offers patients instant results in just one hour treatment. Celebrities including Demi Moore, Kim Kardashian, Catherine Zeta Jones and Britney Spears have used this technology to achieve their weight loss and body shape goals.

Dr Yannis Alexandrides, who performs Liposonix at his 111 Harley St. Clinic says:

“This new, non-surgical, non-invasive body contouring treatment requires no recovery time, and you will begin seeing immediate results in just one hour long session. Liposonix is ideal for people who are close to their ideal weight, but who need a little help with targeted areas around their waist, thighs and buttock. It is a perfect sculpting solution for that last pocket of stubborn fat that doesn’t respond to diet and exercise.”

How it works . . .

Liposonix uses advanced ultrasound technology to break down and eliminate unwanted fat. This technology is called High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) and has been clinically proven to destroy fat cells safely and effectively. Focusing the ultrasound energy of Liposonix 1-2 cm below the surface of the skin, avoids burns or trauma to the skin and makes the treatment more comfortable. The fat cells are disrupted by the HIFU. These cells are then attracted by the body’s inflammatory and healing responses, which surround the fat cells and transports them to the liver where they are metabolised naturally. This process takes two to four weeks. Because these cells have been destroyed, there is no fat is not redistributed as fat cells in the treatment area no longer exist.

Ideal candidate . . .

Liposonix is ideal for people who are close to their ideal size and shape through a healthy lifestyle, but need a little extra help when diet and exercise do not produce the desired result. Both women and men are suitable candidates. You should be able to pinch at least an inch of fat in your area of concern.

Results . . .

Liposonix disrupts the fat cells in the target area. With a single treatment lasting one hour, you can see results immediately, with final results after three months. Most patients lose the equivalent of one dress size.

Rise in “Mommy Makeover” surgery addressed

Posted on by David Jagroop

A doctor has explained why many new mums are undergoing cosmetic procedures after giving birth to help get their figure back.

Writing for lajollalight.com, Stephen M Krant explained that whilst many mums are overjoyed at the new addition to the family, many still want to get back the figure they used to have.

For many this can be a difficult, or even impossible task, as changes which take place during pregnancy can sometimes be irreversible. As a result, countless new mums have opted to go under the knife in order to help reshape the areas where dieting and exercise alone couldn’t help.

Krant referred to this process as ‘Mommy Makeover’ surgery, although noted that it will often comprise more than one procedure, as no two experiences are exactly the same. So in order to achieve the best results, some new mums may wish to pair up a tummy tuck operation with breast augmentation in order to get a result much closer to the old body they had before pregnancy.

“Women seeking plastic surgery after giving birth tend to be interested in several key areas: the breasts, the abdomen, the hips and the thighs,” Krant told lajollavoices.com.

“During pregnancy and while nursing, breast enlargement stretches the skin, often resulting in a sagging of the breasts. Meanwhile, stubborn fat deposits often show up around the abdomen, hips and thighs, and the skin and muscles of the abdomen that were stretched during pregnancy may become lax and loose thereafter.”

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