Non-Surgical Cosmetic Treatments, Medical Aesthetic Procedures, Plastic Surgery

Is Botox Good or Bad? We Answer Your Questions about the Cosmetic & Medical Uses of Botox

May 24th, 2013 | No Comments so far - leave us one ?

Botox has lots of medical uses as well as its most famous cosmetic use to treat lines and wrinkles. When administered correctly Botox treatments offer a great and sustainable way to ensure you manage and avoid those bothersome deep lines and wrinkles.

In response to the questions we get asked by patients, we thought we would put together a blog post all about the various uses of Botox and some of the most common questions we get asked to help you better understand why Botox can be good.

What are the cosmetic uses of Botox?

Our Botox treatments to the face and neck can help target problem areas like:

Forehead
Frown Lines
Crow’s Feet & Under the Eyes
The Nose Area / Bunny Lines
Jaw line
Chin
Neck

We use Dermal Fillers for problem areas around the mouth like:

Above Lips
Smoker’s Lines
Corners of Mouth

What are the medical uses of Botox?

The medical uses of Botox include (to varying degrees of success and popularity):

Blepharospasm (excessive blinking)
Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)
Migraine and other headache disorders
Incontinence
Anal fissure
Vaginismus to reduce the spasm of the vaginal muscles
Trauma, stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and cerebral palsy
Diabetic neuropathy
Wound healing
Excessive salivation
Vocal cord dysfunction
Painful bladder syndrome

John Mayer, a famous singer from the US, has been treated with Botox for vocal cord dysfunction.

How often should I have Botox?

Your doctor or nurse at The Private Clinic will work with you to decide the best course of treatment in order to maintain natural-looking results. It may be the case that you can extend the gaps between treatments and still maintain your desired look. For younger patients, this may be especially important. Some patients have treatments annually. You can discuss this in more detail at a consultation.

Who should I choose for my Botox treatments?

Botox should be administered carefully in a controlled clinical environment by experienced professionals. With experienced and fully qualified practitioners you are in the safest hands possible. Here at The Private Clinic we only work with qualified and experienced doctors and nurses for our cosmetic Botox treatments as we take patient care very seriously, putting your care before everything else.

A good doctor or clinic will inform you about how you can achieve natural looking, sustainable results. That is why it is so important to choose an experienced practitioner and not let your decision be based on cost alone.

Botox has definitely benefited people. Like with lots of things in life, it’s about moderation when it comes to using Botox for cosmetic reasons. Finding a clinic and medical team you can trust to work in your best interests can be a challenge.

Is Botox safe?

Used correctly it won’t damage your body. The effects are temporary on the muscles but overuse of Botox will cause problems for the muscles. That is why it’s very important to choose experienced and qualified practitioners.

Allegan, the manufacturer behind Botox, points out that there has not been a single fatality related to its cosmetic use.

The Private Clinic

Botox Treatment Page for The Private Clinic: http://www.theprivateclinic.co.uk/treatments/botox/

Excessive Sweating or Hyperhidrosis Treatment Page for The Private Clinic: http://www.theprivateclinic.co.uk/treatments/excessive-sweating/

The Top 10 Things You Should Know about Hair Transplants

May 20th, 2013 | No Comments so far - leave us one ?

Your Confidence. Your Social Life. Your Hair. BRING IT BACK!

Hair Transplants can be a great way to boost confidence, helping you look and feel better for your age. Hair Transplants can also be done badly – something we wanted people to know how to avoid. We have put together 10 things you should know before having a hair transplant and why you should choose The Private Clinic for your FUE hair transplant.

1. FUE vs. FUT – The Two Most Popular Procedures

There are two main types of hair transplant procedures that clinics offer – FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) and FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation a.k.a the ‘Strip’ method).

The FUT method is older and involves cutting and removing a strip of skin and hair on your scalp. From there it is divided up and transplanted into the balding or thinning areas. It leaves a scar at the donor site, which can be covered by hair, and requires a lengthy aftercare schedule.

The more recent FUE method utilises the advances made in the field and makes small incisions around each hair follicle unit, which is then prepared and transplanted to the balding or thinning area. There is little downtime and aftercare required but it takes longer than the FUT method – something that raises the cost. Our medical team specialise in the latest minimally invasive procedures, which is why we do not perform the older FUT method.

In the end the result is still the same – a hair transplant – but the FUE method will: allow you to get back to normal quickly; involve less pain and reduce scarring to a minimal.

For lots more information about the differences, please see our blog post: http://www.theprivateclinic.co.uk/blog/2013/03/04/this-is-my-hair-a-fue-hair-transplant-in-action

2. Ethnicity – Skin & Hair Type

If you have Black or Asian skin types, your hair demands an experienced surgeon who has regularly helped patients of similar skin type. In order to achieve the best results possible and reduce scarring, with maximum success, you need a Hair Transplant Surgeon that knows how to care for your skin and hair type.

We have two Hair Transplant Surgeons, who both regularly help patients of all skin and hair types achieve the results they wanted.

3. Cost

Don’t base your decision on costs. Success rates are important when considering who to choose to perform your hair transplant. Good and permanent results take time and money.

As with all cosmetic procedures costs should not be the deciding factor in going ahead but it is an important consideration. We treat many patients who wish they had researched more and gone for a better clinic or medical team. What might seem like a money-saver now might cost you a lot more later on correcting or redoing a procedure.

4. Experience

Make sure your clinic and surgeon have lots of professional experience performing hair transplants – particularly with your skin and hair type. Ask to see before and after pictures. Ask how often they perform procedures. Don’t be afraid to ask the surgeon about their experience and qualifications.

5. Risks and Complications

Ask your clinic about the possible risks and complications. Ask them what they do to ensure that they minimise the risk and what will happen to you if there is a complication, i.e. who will pay? Put yourself in a safe position by asking the questions and opting for a clinic that puts patient care first. Unfortunately cut-price clinics may not offer the standards of care that will afford you the results you want or the care necessary when undergoing such a procedure. So be careful.

6. Social Media & the Internet

Social media and (more generally) the internet have transformed how we access information and interact with each other. Check out the online reputation for clinics, doctors and surgeons. Bear in mind, not everyone who has a hair transplant wants to talk about their procedure online. It is only one measure when gauging reputation.

7. Preparations and Aftercare

There will be a number of things you will need to avoid in the run up to your hair transplant, during it and soon after. This time frame is extended for the older FUT method, as a rigorous aftercare schedule is necessary. Luckily the FUE method requires little downtime and aftercare, helping you to get back to your normal life as quickly as possible. Typical things you can expect to have to avoid for a hair transplant include: alcohol; smoking; exercise (particularly excessive sweat) and even spicy foods. For more info: http://www.theprivateclinic.co.uk/blog/2013/04/12/what-to-avoid-for-your-hair-transplant

8. Take Your Time

Unless you have an event or time frame in mind, it is always advisable to take your time. A good clinic will not pressure you to sign anything until you are ready. There are usually patient advisers at hand to help you with any questions you might have so please do use them. Do lots of research and avoid making any big decision soon after a dramatic change in your life to ensure you are going ahead for the right reasons.

9. Hair Loss Medication

There are two approved hair loss medications that can effectively do so – Minoxidil (brand names include Regaine) and Finasteride (brand names include Propecia). It is advisable to speak to your surgeon about using medication to help before and after your Hair Transplant in order to help halt any further thinning or hair loss.

10. The Private Clinic – leaders in treating Hair Loss & FUE Hair Transplants

We promise this is a valid point! Here at The Private Clinic we have two experienced and qualified Hair Transplant Surgeons, working from our Harley Street clinic – Dr Kouremada-Zioga and Dr. Raghu Reddy. They regularly perform procedures on men and women suffering from hair thinning or balding.

Before & After: FUE Hair Transplant by The Private Clinic of Harley Street

For information about how we can help men: http://www.theprivateclinic.co.uk/treatments/hair-transplant-men/

For information about how we can help women: http://www.theprivateclinic.co.uk/treatments/hair-transplant-women/

How DHT Affects Hair Loss

May 17th, 2013 | No Comments so far - leave us one ?

Hair loss affects men and women in different ways and can have a dramatic impact on our lives. Hair loss will affect most men at some point in their lives and it affects many women too to some degree. DHT, or Dihydrotestosterone in full, is a steroid and hormone that plays an influential role in hair loss. Find out more about DHT and how you can mitigate its effects in our blog post.

The Norwood Scale – Male Pattern Baldness Scale

What is DHT?

DHT, as it commonly abbreviated, is a sex steroid and an androgen (associated with masculine characteristics) hormone. The enzyme (a substance produced by the body to help bring about a biochemical reaction) called 5α-reductase synthesises DHT from testosterone in areas like the prostate and hair follicles, as well as the testes and adrenal glands. Essentially DHT is made from testosterone and helps the body grow and regulate itself.

What does DHT do?

DHT is involved in maintaining and developing sexual characteristics as well as metabolic activities such as the production of blood cells. So for men, DHT is an essential part of puberty that can quickly sour in the minds of many when experiencing thinning or balding on the scalp.

DHT inhibits and reduces the proper growth of hair in the follicles in a process called ‘miniaturisation’. ‘Miniaturisation’ affects genetically-susceptible hair follicles resulting in lighter, finer hairs. DHT attaches itself to receptor cells of the part of these follicles called dermal papillas (the root), preventing the necessary nourishment for the hair getting through for proper growth. DHT causes the hair follicles to shrink. The growing ‘anagen’ stage of the hair is shortened and the resting ‘telogen’ stage is extended. Eventually these hairs stop growing.

Male pattern baldness, or androgenic alopecia, typically affects the front and top of the scalp first where the most genetically-susceptible hair follicles reside. DHT is the primary contributing factor in male pattern baldness. Female hair loss can be very complicated and DHT could be just one of the possible causes. In women DHT is influenced by a decrease in oestrogen and hair loss tends to result in thinning, rather than complete balding.

What can I do?

There is help. You can inhibit the production of DHT. 5α-reductase inhibitors are frequently used to treat male pattern baldness and can help some types of female hair loss. Finasteride – one of only two approved hair loss medications – is a 5α-reductase inhibitor. It is only effective whilst taking it but it is easy to take and it is popular.

The Private Clinic

Here at The Private Clinic we offer complete hair loss solutions. We offer the two approved hair loss medications – Finasteride and Minoxidil. In addition we offer FUE hair transplants, which utilise the latest technology to afford our patients permanent, successful results from our very experienced medical team.

For more information about our hair loss treatments: http://www.theprivateclinic.co.uk/treatments/hair-loss/

For information all about our world-class FUE hair transplants: http://www.theprivateclinic.co.uk/treatments/hair-transplant-men/

The Cosmetic Surgery Boom And The Private Clinic

May 10th, 2013 | No Comments so far - leave us one ?

Britons are spending £2.3 billion a year on cosmetic procedures, which includes invasive and non-invasive treatments and procedures. The figure is expected to rise to £3.6 billion in two years and around 43,000 people are having cosmetic surgery each year in the UK. In light of Sir Bruce Keogh’s recent review of the Cosmetic Industry, we wanted to explore a little more the kinds of things people want and what people can have.

The A-Z of Cosmetic Treatments

You can have unwanted body fat taken out of you by a VASER Lipo or MicroLipo procedure and if you want you can even have that fat filtered and injected into the face and hands to tackle the signs of ageing or into the breasts and buttocks to enhance the size, giving patients a ‘natural’ boob job or Brazilian Butt lift.

You can get your ears reshaped and pinned back. You can use Botox to treat more than just a wrinkle, with many medical uses such as treating excessive sweating. You can have lasers zap away scars caused by injury, surgery or acne as well as chemical peels to take away the most visible signs of ageing and damaged skin.

There are different treatments to tackle the different types of snoring. There are procedures where individual hair follicles are transplants from the back of your head to thinning or balding areas for men and women of all races. Men can get rid of the man boobs, or moobs, and women can reduce, lift or increase the size of their breasts.

There are so many possible treatments out there. With so much choice on offer, make sure you do your research and find a good clinic in order to be as safe as possible for the best results.

Why is there a boom in the Cosmetic Industry?

It has been revealed that 1 in every 50 Britons has had cosmetic surgery. Its popularity looks set to continue. Reduced stigma, downtime, scarring and increasing pressure to look even better for our ages have all been cited as possible reasons why cosmetic surgery has been on the rise despite the economic gloom. The UK is home to some of the best doctors, surgeons and clinics in the world, which attract many foreigners to our shores.

We don’t think there’s anything wrong with wanting to look good for your age but in the wrong hands and in the wrong frame of mind a decision can cost you a lot more than a lot of money – with complications and dissatisfaction with results.

Here at The Private Clinic we think it’s very important to give the patient time to reflect and think things through before going ahead with a procedure. We want our patients to be going ahead for the right kinds of reasons, in full knowledge of the potential positives and negatives of a procedure.

The Private Clinic

If you take our Fat Transfer procedures for example, a ‘natural’ boob job can last as long as breast implants and eliminate many of the concerns women have about implants. There is plenty to cheer about when it comes to Cosmetic procedures. At its core, the industry in the UK is a hotbed of technological advances and innovations, helping to drive the world of medicine forward. Bad practitioners exist in all industries and it is with concerted effort that we support greater regulation to protect patients, particularly in response to Sir Bruce Keogh’s Cosmetic Industry review.

Please feel free to continue looking through our blog for lots more information and discussions about the industry, trends and procedures.

If you would like more information about our treatments and procedures, please see our main website: http://www.theprivateclinic.co.uk

Cosmetic Surgery: 10 Ways on How to Find Good Clinics

May 2nd, 2013 | No Comments so far - leave us one ?

In the wake of Sir Bruce Keogh’s Cosmetic Industry review and the recent PIP Breast Implant scandal, we decided to put together a blog post all about how people looking into treatments and procedures can do so safely. Have a look at our guide to finding reputable cosmetic surgery clinics.

Finding a good clinic can be hard amongst all the hard-sells and promises.

1.Take YOUR Time
Regardless of which clinic you end up choosing, make sure you are choosing to do it for yourself. Cosmetic surgery can significantly help people but needs to be done well and for the right reasons.

It is also very important to give yourself breathing space and approach any procedure carefully. You don’t want to rush. If you have an event or time frame in mind that is influencing how quickly you may want it, discuss this with the doctor or surgeon who can work with your goals carefully and professionally.

We do not pressure our patients. Instead we urge patients to consider their motivations and expected outcomes as part of the decision process. We pride ourselves on our ethics.

2. Realistic Expectations
A good clinic will set out realistic expectations that suit you! It is important for people to know that there are a range of factors at play when you have a procedure which may affect the results. Each body reacts differently. It is important to bear this in mind when envisioning the final result. It is important to choose an experienced and qualified practitioner in order to achieve the results you want, whilst minimising the risk of complications.

3. Cost
It is important to look at costs but it is more important to be cautious and not let your decision be determined by cost. It is surprising to see how people can risk their safety and long-term health by opting for cut-price procedures. It is your only body and deserves a good practitioner. What may seem like a good price to begin with may incur hidden costs and if things go wrong you may have to spend a lot more correcting mistakes. A good clinic will offer support you beyond the procedure itself.

4. Aftercare Promise
A good clinic will offer some sort of aftercare promise, whether stated explicitly or not. This ensures that the patient is taken care of after the procedure. A bad clinic may leave you completely alone afterwards and offer little advice. The PIP Breast Implant Scandal taught many people a hard lesson when their clinics chose to turn their back on them. Please note we never used PIP Breast Implants.

5. Going Abroad
Surgery abroad can leave patients with fewer options when it comes to recovery and aftercare. Foreign countries may not be subject to the same standards of care and any complications could be difficult to manage in another language. At a reputable clinic you should be seeing an experienced practitioner who has a good track record with his/her patients. Follow-ups form part of the procedure and this is made considerably more difficult when doing so abroad, if at all.

6. Clinic/Doctor/Surgeon Experience
A doctor or surgeon should be regularly performing the procedure in question. You can always ask about their experience at the clinic. Additionally, a sign of a good clinic is that they have a long-standing reputation. We have been providing top-level care for 30 years.

7. Possible Risks & Complications
Make sure you ask your clinic about the possible complications and side effects, including how often complications happen and how the doctor/surgeon is able to handle them. In doing so ask if there are any costs associated with complications.

8. Exercise, Smoking and Alcohol
The downtime involved in many procedures often means that exercise, smoking and alcohol are just some of the things you will have to be careful of whilst recovering. In many cases, they are to be completely avoided soon after a procedure as they can increase the risk of infection as well as detrimentally affecting recovery and the results.

9. Social Media
Social media is fast becoming a crucial tool for businesses. It allows patients, prospective or otherwise, to interact with medical professionals and clinics like never before in a transparent manner. Have a look at Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Youtube accounts to get a better feel of how a clinic wants to be known.

10. Who Are You Seeing?
Consultation charges vary across the industry. Patient advisers are a great source of information at a good clinic and have a wealth of knowledge and experience. Doctors and surgeons are giving their medical opinion, which may cost, especially if it is a diagnostic consultation. However, don’t let this put you off – after all, you’ll be seeing a specialist.

We allow patients to see our patient advisers anytime at no cost – something that will be made clear to you. Many patients like to talk and gather as much information as possible so they are very much a necessary part of how a good clinic functions. We offer a fully refundable deposit (refunded upon arrival at the clinic for the consultation) for most of our Doctor consultations and only charge a small consultation fee for others.

VASER Lipo Body Contouring: The Recovery Period

April 26th, 2013 | No Comments so far - leave us one ?

To help you better understand VASER Lipo, we’ve put together our answers to a selection of the most commonly asked questions related to VASER body contouring.

Before & After VASER Liposuction

Q: What is VASER Lipo?

A: VASER, or Vibration Amplification of Sound Energy at Resonance in full, is advanced technology used in certain body contouring procedures, which involve ultrasound fat emulsification and gentle aspiration to achieve a toned, defined appearance. The VASER Lipo procedure utilises minimally-invasive techniques (such as gentle aspiration) to tackle stubborn pockets of fat around various areas of the body with more precision, less trauma to the body and superior results, in comparison to a full Liposuction procedure.

During a procedure carried out with VASER, the area to be treated is injected with tumescent fluid (a specialised saline solution), helping to numb the area, reducing subsequent bruising and enlarging the area to aid subsequent fat emulsification and aspiration. A small-diameter probe is then inserted and targeted at fatty tissue, the tip of which emits ultrasound energy that essentially shakes loose fat cells, while preserving blood vessels, nerves and connective tissues. The fat cells mix with the tumescent fluid for easier aspiration via a specialised, small tube, called a cannula. More information is available on our website.

As VASER Lipo has developed, its application is being used not only for lipolysis and aspiration, but as part of fat transfer procedures, where your own body fat is transferred from a place of excess fat to a part of the body where it’s needed, like the breasts, hands, face and buttocks – as a natural alternative to synthetic implants. Find out more about Fat Transfer here.

Q: Does it hurt?

A: VASER Lipo Body Contouring procedures are minimally-invasive, and performed under local anaesthetic. Compared to traditional liposuction, the pain is greatly reduced. Discomfort is kept to a minimum and is a large factor in the popularity of the procedure. Most discomfort is reported around the treatment areas for the initial 1-3 days, after which you may feel a dull background ache around the treatment sites for anywhere between 1-4 weeks – remember everyone’s body heals differently.

To help with any discomfort, you are prescribed a course of painkillers as part of the recovery process. In line with what you will be told before the procedure, after the procedure you will be fitted with compression garments and an aftercare schedule necessary to aid the swift recovery.

Q: Do I go home straight after the procedure?

A: You will be allowed to leave the clinic as soon as you feel you’re ready. We allow our patients to take their time, but an overnight stay is not necessary with VASER Lipo.

We recommend that you take 2-3 days off work to adjust to any discomfort you may feel.

Q: Will I have any swelling, bruising or numbness? If so, for how long?

A: Each person’s body may respond differently, but from our experience it is not uncommon to experience some slight swelling and probably bruising within the first few days post treatment.

Swelling and bruising can be frustrating for many patients, keen to feel the effects of the procedure in full, and we understand that. We advise people to understand and share their stories with other people but bear in mind it is very much an individual response.

From our extensive experience, we have seen a very wide range of recovery periods, and our consultations are a great opportunity to ask our leading doctors and surgeons about their experience carrying out body contouring procedures with VASER.

The Private Clinic

Any common side effects or possible complications will be discussed with you during your initial consultation with your Doctor.

For more information about surgical liposuction, as opposed to VASER Lipo, please see our website.

For more information about how VASER Lipo is used in other procedures, check out our website for more details about Fat Transfer procedures.

Q&A: 2013 Cosmetic Industry Review by Sir Bruce Keogh

April 24th, 2013 | No Comments so far - leave us one ?

Sir Bruce Keogh, the health service’s medical director, published a review for the Department of Health in England on the problems associated with the Cosmetic Industry, including calling for a complete reclassification of dermal filler products. At the moment, anyone can set themselves up as a practitioner for Dermal Fillers, with no requirement for knowledge, training or previous experience.

The ‘casual-ness’ of the Dermal Filler industry, specifically the quality checks associated with the products, has alarmed the Keogh panel and for this reason, a number of recommendations were put forward.

What were the recommendations?

Some of the recommendations put forward by the Keogh panel to help contribute to a safe industry include:

Making all dermal fillers prescription only
Implementing qualification requirements for those injecting fillers or Botox
Ensuring that the production process of filler products fall under the same controls as other implants
Ensuring that non-healthcare practitioners who have achieved the required accredited qualification only perform these treatments under the supervision of an appropriate qualified clinical professional
A register for everyone performing non-surgical treatments to help monitor and protect patients

It is important to remember these are only recommendations. Any new laws would only take effect in 2014 at the earliest – due to Parliamentary timescales.

Botox is NOT subject to the same regulation as dermal fillers presently. Botox is prescription only. However dermal fillers are regulated in a similar way to toothbrushes, which is why it is so important to find a practitioner who is well-trained and experienced, working from a reputable clinic.

Here at the Private Clinic, we highly regard the importance of patient safety and only our fully qualified team of Practitioners and Nurse Prescribers administer fillers and other injectables.

Fat Transfer to the Hands

April 22nd, 2013 | No Comments so far - leave us one ?

Liz Jones, beauty reporter and columnist for the Daily Mail, is well known for giving her frank opinion as part of her job and it was no different when it came to reporting back on her Fat Transfer to the Hands procedure, performed by The Private Clinic’s Dr. Dennis Wolf.

Our Dr. Dennis Wolf performed the procedure on Daily Mail favourite Liz Jones, as she explores just how much an effect hands have on the way we look and feel as we age. With 1 in 8 worried about ageing hands more than ageing faces, Liz Jones set out to find out if Fat Transfer procedures could help bring back lost fat volume, which radically age our hands as skin appears brittle and thin.

The article can be found here:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2312581/Worry-hands-age-away-So-did-Liz-Jones-radical-grisly-new-solution.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

What do you think? Please let us know on social media as we really enjoy feedback.

The Procedure

Fat Transfer to the Hand utilises the latest VASER technology used in specialised liposuction procedures to extract unwanted body fat where it is then refined and carefully transferred to the hands. As we age our skin loses fat volume and elasticity. For the hands this means thinner looking skin with the appearance of raised blood vessels, something no amount of healthy living can resolve. Each body ages differently so it may not be an issue for some but for those concerned about the look and feel of their hands, the Fat Transfer procedure affords patients the hands they feel great about.

Dr. Wolf’s experience and expertise ensures the extraction process keeps the fat cells intact and viable for transfer. An inexperienced practitioner will damage the fat cells during the liposuction step in the procedure and the resulting fat cells transferred will be damaged irreparably and quickly absorbed into the body. Dr. Wolf has been refining and improving the Fat Transfer methods for many years, with a high success rate.

It is a procedure that has been popularly gaining popularity and we are at the forefront of the procedure. The procedure is similar to fat transfer to the breasts, buttocks and face procedures, which offer a non-invasive alternative to implants and surgical facelifts.

Our youtube video of another recent Fat Transfer to the Hands patient is available to watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YtgqIOfgIs

Your Body

It is all about the individual and how they feel about their bodies when it comes to cosmetic treatments. Take your time and explore your options. Here at The Private Clinic we always urge our patients to address their happiness from all sides, ensuring they try to lead healthy and varied lives in order to age comfortably and happily.

The Private Clinic

Here at The Private Clinic we specialise in natural looking, long-lasting results that enhance your body. We offer quick lunchtime procedures, like Botox, to plastic surgery procedures, like rhinoplasty and breast augmentation with implants – from our world-renowned medical team. We afford all our patients the medical care we know they deserve, however quick and straightforward the treatment.

For more information about our Fat Transfer to the Hands procedure, please see out website: http://www.theprivateclinic.co.uk/treatments/fat-transfer-fat-grafting/hand-fat-transfer/

The ‘Free’ Consultation – Why Some Places Charge and Others Don’t

April 18th, 2013 | No Comments so far - leave us one ?

Industry bodies have recently raised concerns over excessive advertising of clinics offering free consultations to see surgeons and doctors in the Cosmetic industry. Advertising free consultations for surgical procedures, as part of an incentive, is considered a hard selling technique and many would like to see tighter controls to protect the public. We wanted to respond to the questions out there about free consultations and our ethical and sustainable approach to consultations.

The ‘Free’ Consultation?

Full free consultations offer an irresistible pull to many people looking at cosmetic treatments. Free consultations are popular. It’s natural to want to explore options and many people will go to more than one consultation before deciding on the procedure and the practitioner. Cosmetic treatments should be carefully researched and these meetings can help you gather the information you need to help understand the procedure and to see if you really want it, and more importantly, if you’re suitable for it. We all like to feel like we’re saving money but you need to approach with a sensible dose of caution.

Why Do Some Places Charge?

Paid consultations involve detailed examinations by Doctors or Surgeons, and where appropriate a medical diagnosis. It is not simply an assessment by a sales person.
At reputable clinics, you could be seeing world-renowned doctors and surgeons – worth a consultation fee, which for many consultations is refunded upon arrival at the consultation.
Your body deserves the proper expertise and experience with the right amount of aftercare – something cut price clinics offering full free consultations might not offer.
From experience, free consultations result in more people not turning up, which is costly and time-consuming for the doctors and surgeons.
It makes sense to try out free consultations to get a feel of what the procedure involves. However don’t let this completely determine your choice. Always consider a range of clinics.

We only charge a consultation fee only for diagnostic consultations for medical treatments, like varicose veins, snoring and hair transplants, with a specialist.
We offer fully refundable deposits for many of our consultations upon arrival at the clinic for your consultation.

Why Pay When You Don’t Have To?

Free consultations allow people to explore but to what extent? The free consultation will not be free eventually. At some point along the treatment process, the costs involved in seeing many more people than who choose the clinic for free (clinic and staff costs) will become apparent.
As each clinic will be looking for a way to appeal, some clinics choose completely free consultations as a way to get people through their door and signed up. Being cautious really pays off in this industry, which needs more regulation. It is useful to always remember if it sounds too good to be true, it often will be, especially in the Cosmetic Industry.

The Private Clinic & Our Responsibility

We’re here to make everyone more knowledgeable of cosmetic procedures and treatments, in the hope that our openness and honesty is rewarded in time. Many people, including us at this clinic, feel the industry lacks proper regulation to protect patients and clinics from bad practitioners. We would like to see stricter controls in place to protect the patient from signing anything before they are ready.

Here at The Private Clinic we offer:

Refundable deposits for most of our full consultations with a doctor or surgeon, which are fully refunded once you arrive for your consultation.
Opportunities to come to our clinics and chat to our staff about procedures. Trust is always important so we will let you know in advance who you can see.
Alternatively you can always call or email us with your questions and to make a booking.

We have some of the best doctors and surgeons in the world and, as such, our consultations offer patients an unparalleled opportunity to seek the utmost professional advice. Our costs reflect the level of care we afford all our patients long before and after any procedure. We are upfront with our costs and there will be no surprises along the way.

If you have any questions you can always call or email us and we can do our best to help you understand the procedure in question before you commit to a consultation.

What to Avoid for Your Hair Transplant?

April 12th, 2013 | No Comments so far - leave us one ?

Here at The Private Clinic we perform advanced FUE hair transplants, which go beyond the standard practices as we have a medical team at the top of their game, helping to push the limits of science and provide the latest hair transplant techniques. We also make sure you are well informed about the risks and help you to manage your expectations. As part of our commitment to honest advice, we have drawn together some of the most common things to avoid when having a hair transplant.

Exercise:

You should avoid exercise during the initial healing period after the procedure because excessive sweating increases the risk of infection. This also means no soothing visits to saunas and steam rooms.

Spicy Food:

Spicy food should also be avoided before and around the procedure as the body’s response to spices (however accustomed you may be to spices) interferes with the stable conditions ideal for the procedure. Ultimately, it is up to you to make the procedure a success.

Alcohol:

The procedure will not go ahead if you are intoxicated and it is important not to drink before, during and for approximately a week after the procedure. Alcohol is a drug that can affect the blood supply to the head and the healing process.

The Fear of Pain:

Fearing pain is unnecessary with our advanced FUE hair transplants. If you may be concerned about the pain of the procedure, it’s good to know that many patients naturally fall asleep during the procedure. A recent case study reported that he could only feel a touching and gently pulling sensation. When he felt some discomfort it was voiced and immediately dealt with by the hair transplant surgeon. There are a number of things we can do to mitigate pain and discomfort with our procedures so there is nothing to fear.

Drugs:

Reputable clinics will not perform the procedure on someone who is a regular or recent drug user, for patient and clinic safety. We are confidential and professional in our services and treatments so ask questions (email/call us or come to a consultation) if this is relevant to you.

Lying to Your Clinic:

The clinic should be there to help and importantly protect you. You must be honest with your medical history and habits. We want you to achieve the best result possible and sometimes patients will withhold important information that may determine their suitability. Your health is so important for your happiness so please don’t risk unnecessary complications.

Lying to Yourself:

You may not be suitable for the procedure if you suffer from epilepsy or heart problems, for example, as the condition or the medications taken may interfere and pose a risk. Patient safety is paramount and a detailed medical history is required to assess suitability. Sometimes it is necessary to get this information from your GP before a procedure can go ahead.

Chemicals on Your Hair:

Some patients are used to using chemicals on their hair to help straighten it out but they can have a damaging effect if used too frequently and particular caution should be taken after a hair transplant, if this has been or could be a factor in your hair loss. Consult your clinic about the suitability of the products you intend to use to be safe.

Minoxidil & Finasteride

The use of minoxidil (brands = Regaine) and finasteride (brands = Propecia) in the lead up to and soon after the procedure needs to be discussed with your clinic. Advice will be given about the use of hair loss medication, to ensure the effects do not affect the hair transplant procedure. This will be brought up as part of the consultation process, at a good clinic, so don’t worry about trying to remember everything.

Of course, in order to maintain hair loss from thinning and balding regions (in male pattern baldness cases), continuing or starting to use these two approved medical treatments is advisable post-procedure.

A Bad Diet:

It isn’t essential if you have a good, balanced and healthy diet but a number of people take multivitamins in the run up to a hair transplant to help give their body a boost. A healthy body has a lot more chance of responding very well to the transplant so it’s in your best interest to eat healthily before, during and after the procedure.

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