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anti-wrinkle injections

Anti-Ageing – What are my options?

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The term ‘anti-ageing’ actually started becoming a recognised term in the 80’s with the idea of getting older and looking older becoming a negative thing.

Here at The Private Clinic we prefer the term ‘Pro-Ageing’ as, let’s be honest – there is no defined way to stop the process of ageing, but we can instead help our skin look the best it can for the age it is and the result of that is actually a younger and fresher appearance.

So what are your options?
We have recently launched the Miracle Face Booster package which is perfect for those who are relatively new to aesthetic procedures.

The Miracle Face Booster package was put together by our Non-Surgical Lead Mel Recchia who has described the package as being good for anyone considering anti-ageing treatments for the first time and for those starting to show the first signs of fine lines or the skin not being as radiant.

The package itself includes;

  • Wrinkle Relaxing Injections (one area) – To improve the appearance of lines/wrinkles
  • Juvederm® (Vycross) Dermal Fillers 1ML – To restore fullness and volume
  • Circadia Vitamin C Reversal Serum 15ML – To Increase firmness and neutralise free-radicals
  • Circadia Alpha Beta Peel – A high performance peel which gently exfoliates

As well as the package above, we also have a wide range of treatments that all aim to reduce the signs of ageing. The signs of ageing can include:

Fine Lines and Wrinkles, Loss of volume, Dull Skin, Sun Damage/Age spots and Drooping

Wrinkle Relaxing Injections
Wrinkle relaxing injections are the most popular non-invasive treatment in the UK. The injections are the most effective rejuvenating treatment for reducing the appearance of deep lines and wrinkles. They can target areas such as the forehead, frown lines and around the eyes.

Dermal Fillers
Dermal Fillers are also popular non-invasive treatments that work by restoring volume to hollowed areas to contour your face and to tackle fine lines and wrinkles. The treatment is particularly effective when used to increase volume in the lips and cheeks but is also popular for use in the tear trough area under the eye, around the mouth and your jawline and chin.

Dermal fillers can also be used to achieve the 8 Point Lift which is known as the ‘non-surgical facelift’.

Chemical Skin Peel
Chemical Peels are great for targeting specific skin issues, from fine lines to sun damage and uneven pigmentation to moderate acne scars there is pretty much a peel for all skin types. Although not all of our peels give you that instant change that Wrinkle Relaxing Injections or Dermal Fillers can achieve, you will be treating the skin as a whole to firstly target any issues and then with regular maintenance restore a healthier natural glow.

Thread Lift
A thread lift is another great alternative to a surgical facelift. The treatment gently lifts and repositions tissues that have previously dropped due to gravity. Hollow cheeks will appear fuller and any drooping or sagging of the skin will appear instead lifted and wrinkles smoother. The sutures used in the treatment are completely bio-degradable, meaning they will not need to be removed.

There are plenty more non-surgical procedures including IPL Photo rejuvenation, Laser Skin Resurfacing, Thermage and Microdermabrasion that are also all great at rejuvenating your skin.

With our extensive list of specialist treatments, it is important that you understand each one before deciding, which is why if you are considering any of treatments you should book in for a free consultation to first discuss your skin concerns so we are able to create a treatment plan tailored specifically to you.

We have clinics in; London Harley Street,  Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester, Leeds, Buckinghamshire, Northampton and Glasgow

Meet our new nurse practitioners

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We have two new faces at our Leeds and Manchester clinics and we can’t wait to introduce you!

Set within a city deep in history and culture, The Private Clinic of Manchester is located just a 10 minute walk (if that!) from Deansgate Train Station. Walking through the doors, you will be greeted by our friendly team who are there to assist and advise you on our range of treatments available.

However, if you just head north east from Manchester you will come to Leeds, reported as being one of the fastest-growing cities in the UK, it was the perfect location for another clinic in the northern region.

Joining us in both the Manchester and Leeds clinics are Jane Parry and Dawn Lisa who are both Aesthetic Nurse Injectors and we are so happy to have them on board.

Jane Parry
Jane Parry is a Nurse Practitioner with over ten years’ experience in providing advanced facial aesthetics.

Dawn Lisa
Dawn Lisa is an Aesthetics Nurse Practitioner with a passion for advanced facial aesthetics, specialising in anti-wrinkle injections and dermal fillers.

So what are our new nurse practitioners able to offer you?

Anti-Wrinkle Injections
Wrinkle injections are an effective way of rejuvenating the skin and reducing the appearance of deep lines and wrinkles. The treatment works by relaxing the facial muscles to reduce expression lines leaving you with a more youthful, glowing appearance.

Dermal Fillers
Dermal Fillers are used to restore volume back into areas that lack shape and definition. This can be in a number of different areas including;

  • Cheeks
  • Naso-labial folds (nose-to-mouth lines)
  • Marionette lines (lines from the corner of your mouth to your chin)
  • Corners of the mouth that can sometimes make you look unhappy
  • Smoker’s lines (the vertical lines above the lip that appear when you pout)
  • The lip itself (either the body of the lip for fullness or the border for definition)
  • The nose (to reshape and straighten)
  • Tear troughs (the lines under your eyes that make you look tired)

The most popular use for Dermal Fillers is to create plumper looking lips. Volume is often lost from the lips due to ageing but for some you may just have natural thin lips. Dermal filler can be injected into the lips to restore volume but it can also be injected around the edges to define the lip border enhancing the shape of the lips.

Here are some before and after photos of Anti-Wrinkle Injections and Dermal Fillers;

To book a consultation with our new members of staff call 0370 218 6135 and let us know who you would like to see and where.

The Private Clinic
The Private Clinic, tried and tested, fully approved medical products, produced by worldwide, renowned manufacturers. All of our injectable treatments are carried out by cosmetic doctors or nurse prescribers, who have undergone extensive additional training to qualify in prescribing and performing Wrinkle Injections and Dermal Fillers.

By coming to us for your injectable treatments, you can look forward to excellent results, knowing that you’re in the safest hands out there.

Skincare in your twenties

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It’s never too early to start looking after your skin. And, while you might not feel ready to start thinking about getting older, your twenties are actually the best point to start taking skincare seriously.

It can be a difficult time for some of us; caught halfway between skin that’s starting to show signs of soft wrinkles and dullness, and the ever-pertinent cysts and redness of acne. However, it is also the opportune period to take back control of your epidermis, with early investment bringing not only immediate effects but fantastic long-term results too.

Adult acne treatment

Just when you thought you were past the oily T-zone and random spots that adolescent kindly gifted you (where did they all come from?!), you’re suddenly faced with more spots; perhaps more aggressive and perhaps even more annoying.

Adult acne is a problem for roughly one in 10 of us over the age of 25 (many of whom never suffered as a teenager), and 80% of those burdened with it are female. This is because hormones are a huge trigger for the condition, which begins with tiny glands in our skin becoming blocked and contaminated. Surges in hormones can cause our skin to produce too much of its natural lubricator, sebum, which mixes with dead skin cells causing the blockage. Normally harmless bacteria that lives on our skin then turns these blocked pores into the spots and redness we associate with acne.

Fortunately treatment for the condition nowadays is relatively easy, pain-free and quick. You need to invest in a good skincare regime for a start – including (shock horror)a moisturiser! While it might seem odd to hydrate already oily skin, dryness is the biggest trigger in the production of excess sebum and starving it of moisture is normally counter-productive, forcing it to produce more.

If you’re suffering in spite of a thorough cleansing and moisturising regime, there are treatment methods to get rid of the condition for good. One of the most innovative and effective is a non-invasive laser method called N-Lite.

Before and after acne treatment at The Private Clinic.

The treatment, which is usually performed in courses of three, works by destroying the spot-causing bacteria  – meaning your skin is left clear with less chance of blemishes in the future. Each session normally lasts around 30 minutes and the full results normally last at least 10 months, after which you may require top-up treatments to keep your results.

Find out more about acne treatments.

Glycolic peels

During our twenties, and particularly from around 25 onward, skin can start to lose its glow and become duller. This is because new collagen production decreases at the same time that collagen reserves start to deplete.

Light glycolic peels are one of the best treatments for those who experience an early loss of glow, as well as those battling acne, blocked pores, and even early signs of ageing. They work like an intensive exfoliating process, removing dead skin cells and dirt from the surface of the skin to reveal new, healthy layers of skin underneath. Peels will normally take less than 30 minutes to perform, with no downtime needed afterwards. Depending on your skin and the type of peel you have, you may experience some (literal) skin peeling in the days that follow, though your therapist will always advise on the likelihood of this occurring and how to control it.

Find out more about chemical peels. 

But how about preventing collagen production slowing down altogether? Well, that leads us neatly on to our next point…

SPF…every day!

How the sun sees you

It’s not quite summer…it’s the UK…it’s raining. While slapping on some high factor sunscreen might be the furthest thing from your mind as you wrap your coat around you and brace the high winds, it’s actually most dermatologists’ number one essential when it comes to looking after your skin – regardless of your age.

Not only does it protect against the nasty side of the sun (preventing everything from skin cancer to sun spots), it’s actually one of the most effective anti-ageing tools you can think of. The sun can form oxidants on the skin that damage and break down collagen fibers. A good sunscreen can help prevent this and actually slow down ageing on our skin. We recommend applying around 20 minutes before you go outside and topping up throughout the day.

A number of our clinics stock high-level, dermatologist approved sunscreens. Find your nearest.

Non-invasive treatments

Non-invasive rejuvenation treatments like wrinkle injections and fillers are something a lot of us start to consider as we notice signs of wear on the face. At The Private Clinic, we can’t say when the best time for you to look at these methods is as it’s always an entirely individual consideration however, if you’re unsure, we’d advise meeting with one of our team to discuss and take a look at your options.

Before and after fillers used to add volume and shape to the lips.

There’s a multitude of other non-invasive treatments also available for various skin complaints, designed to help with everything from dullness in the skin, to signs of damage and scarring.

IPL photorejuvenation is an extremely popular laser treatment for many of our patients in their twenties. It smooths out uneven tone and texture, and is commonly used to treat sun damage and irregularities, as well as conditions like Rosacea. Find out more about IPL.

Summary

Your biggest focus on skincare during your twenties should be prevention and preparation. Everyone’s skin is different so therefore your concerns won’t be exactly the same as somebody else; some of us still find our biggest battle to be the signs of acne, while others might be battling fine lines or damaged skin – then there’s the lucky few who are gifted with flawless skin. Whatever, your focus, always work with the right professionals and invest in a proper at-home skincare regime (including SPF) to help treat any complains now, and prevent problems later.

For a full list of skin rejuvenation treatments, visit our website. 

Or to find out more about the skin treatments we have available, please call 03339209135 or use our online contact form to request a call back.

We have skin clinics located across the UK in London Harley Street, Birmingham, Bristol, Buckinghamshire, Leeds, Manchester and Northampton.

How to get rid of wrinkles and signs of ageing

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While adverts might have us believe that a single, bargain-priced lotion is all we need to transform our face from someone whose years are catching up with them to Hollywood starlet, it’s unfortunately very rarely the case.

crop head

Wrinkles and sagging skin appear for different reasons on all of us and treating different areas requires varying approaches and specialist techniques. Non-invasive and surgical solutions should always be used for different means, but which is the best way to target specific problem areas on the face? We explore.

Forehead

Non-invasive: Wrinkle-reducing injectables are a common method to address lines on the forehead – particularly those in between the brow (frown lines). The method literally blocks impulses from nerves to facial muscles, thus preventing wrinkle-causing contractions, leading many cosmetic doctors to recommend the treatment (occasionally combined with fillers) as the best way forward to address the problem.

Surgical: For those with more serious signs of ageing on their forehead, a Browlift (or forehead lift) may be suggested. This is normally reserved for those who have very deep wrinkles across the forehead because of drooping eyebrows, meaning injections alone isn’t always suitable. Surgery involves raising the forehead and brows meaning the forehead no longer needs to be lifted to see comfortably and wrinkles are no longer formed.

Eyes

Non-invasive: Fine lines around the eyes can make us look tired and aged, even if we’re feeling our best. Crow’s Feet in particular are a curse for many of us, often developing in our mid-twenties and worsening as time goes on. For these types of lines, wrinkle-relaxing injections (like Botox etc.) are actually normally the best way forward.  This is because it targets the orbital muscle tension that causes the wrinkles in the area by paralysing it preventing the creases of skin.

Surgical: While non-invasive injectables can often be the best way forward for fine lines and wrinkles, they can never battle sagging or under eye bags. In this circumstance the only real way forward is a procedure called Blepharoplasty – in which fatty deposits and excess skin are removed from around the eye to create a more youthful appearance. The treatment, which normally takes as little as 30 minutes, is often cited as one of the easiest and most straightforward plastic surgeries by a lot of practitioners, despite giving extremely noticeable results.

Anti Wrinkle Injections for crows feet, lines around the eyes
Anti Wrinkle Injections for crows feet

Cheeks, Chin and lower face:

Non-invasive: Advances in treatment mean there are now a multitude of non-surgical face lifting treatments available. Silhouette Soft® is an extremely popular choice to help raise sagging facial features, without the use of any incisions or sedation. It involves the insertion of anchoring sutures under the skin using a fine needle and takes as little as 30 minutes under local anaesthetic, with no hospital stay afterwards. Likewise Fat Transfer to the Face is an innovative way to increase volume in thinning areas. The treatment uses fat extracted from other areas of the body (for example the thighs or stomach) through minimally-invasive liposuction to naturally rejuvenate the face, meaning no synthetic materials and significantly less downtime than some other treatments.

Surgical: Non-surgical face lifts are not the same as a surgical Facelift and won’t produce the same results. If your signs of sagging are more serious and you’re looking for a more permanent solution, a Rhytidoplasty (the medical term for a Facelift) may be recommended by an experienced plastic surgeon. The surgery is certainly not ‘one-size-fits-all’ and has varying forms to target different areas to different extents – this means the clinic you choose to work with is vital in getting the best results.

Summary

If a non-invasive option is the best way forward for you, it’s important to remember that the vast majority are temporary and will need to be either done again or combined with another treatment to give you a permanent result. The only way to know which way is best to tackle your signs of ageing is to work with someone who views you as an individual and uses incredibly well-developed medical knowledge to formulate your own treatment plan.

We only work with the most well-trained and dedicated staff; from our doctors and surgeons, to nurses and therapists – our team are there to work with you and help you achieve the results you desire through the best means for you. Whatever the end result, your starting point should always be the best team with your best interests at heart.

Aesthetic Doctors

Aesthetic Nurses

We have skin rejuvenation and injectable clinics across the UK including, London Harley Street, Birmingham, Bristol, Buckinghamshire,  Leeds, Manchester and Northampton.

To book a consultation to find out more about the treatments we offer, please call 0333 920 2471 or use our online contact form to get booked in at a clinic local to you.

Medical uses for cosmetic treatments

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Most people today are pretty clued up on what different cosmetic procedures can achieve aesthetically, but did you know some of the most well known procedures are actually used for other medical purposes too? We explain a few of the most well-known treatments and their purposes beyond simply helping us to look good.

Liposuction

Well known for its use on frustrating body fat, liposuction actually has some very important medical purposes too. Lymphoedema is a little known chronic condition which causes random parts of the body to retain fluid and swell after damage to the lymphatic system (a complex body component whereby excess fluid and waste products are transported around the body). A specialist form of liposuction MicroLipo is used as part of control of the condition alongside MLD massage and compression garments. Although the condition can never be cured as such it can make a huge difference, with results from MicroLipo lasting up to 15 years in many cases. Similar to Lymphoedema in its appearance, Lipoedema is another chronic condition in which the body stores excess fat in symmetrical areas around the body (usually the legs). MicroLipo is also used in this circumstance to control the condition and rid of the disproportionate fat cells.

A lymphoedema patient before and after treatment at The Private Clinic.
A lymphoedema patient before and after treatment at The Private Clinic.

Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty is arguably one of the better known cosmetic surgeries. It has helped thousands of people feel more confident about the shape or size of their nose, but did you know it can also be used to help snoring?

A deviated septum (an uneven cartilage partition between the right and left nostrils) in the nose can cause everything from  headaches to nosebleeds. One of its most common side effects is loud nasal sounds during the night (or, in less polite terms, snoring).  To correct the area, a minor form of rhinoplasty called a septo-rhinoplasty is performed, which helps correct the problem and ease any snoring.

Botox

The world’s best known wrinkle injection has a surprising amount of uses that go far beyond its cosmetic appeal. Botox, which celebrated its 25th birthday this year, works by blocking signals released by nerve cells from reaching muscles, which essentially leaves the muscles without an instruction  to contract. This is how it stops wrinkles around the face, but the same very principle has led it to become a proven medical treatment for many conditions from migraines to urinary incontinence, and muscle spasms to nerve problems. At The Private Clinic, one of the most popular medical conditions we use Botox for is hyperhyrosis – otherwise known as excessive sweating.The botilinum toxin blocks the nerve action of  problem sweat glands which means less sweat is produced in the area, with results lasting on average 6-12 months before a top up is needed.

excessive-sweating-why-do-we-sweat

Just because a treatment falls under the cosmetic category doesn’t mean it’s purely aesthetic. Many of our patients opt for treatments for different reasons – from medical, to helping them rediscover lost confidence. With over 30 years of medical experience behind us we understand the personal reasons behind every treatment, and make sure we always give you an experience that’s unique to you. The driving force behind every treatment we provide is your satisfaction – whatever that might mean to you.

We have clinics in Birmingham, Bristol, Glasgow, Leeds, London City, London Harley Street and Manchester, with consultation rooms across the country and a specialist vein clinic in Weybridge. 

The difference between wrinkle injections and fillers

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The fountain of youth: a mythical spring with an ability to gift bathers with beauty of the past and the vitality of a younger self. Over the years there have been a fair few quests to find it, one of the earliest being Herodotus way back in 5th century BC. Two thousand years later and any serious attempts to find the illusive miracle have ceased, but our thirst for eternal youth certainly hasn’t.

In 2013 BAAPS reported a 17% rise in cosmetic operations, with anti-ageing facelifts and browlifts making a prominent appearance in the top 10 most popular. Not taken into consideration in the statistics, however, are the non-surgical procedures which make up a large portion of the anti-ageing market. As a result the true extent of our fight against the years is still a little shady, though if popular media and news are anything to go by then the prominence of treatments like wrinkle injections and fillers seems more apparent than ever.

The two methods of tackling ageing skin can often be confused. They both target stubborn signs of facial ageing and sound somewhat similar, but they are actually very different treatments that can complement one another in erasing some of time’s most frustrating marks.

Wrinkle injections target the cause of skin creases, and work by blocking nerve action from the muscles that have created the wrinkles. With nerve action ceased, the muscles are relaxed and lines formed by them appear lessened, whilst new wrinkles are prevented. The treatment is thus particularly popular for creases caused by expression lines in common areas like the forehead and around the eyes. Initial results can be seen within a week and tend to last between 3-6 months, though studies indicate that the treatment has a cumulative effect meaning you’ll need less frequent injections as time goes on.

Before and after photos of Wrinkle Injections from Allergen.
Before and after photos of Wrinkle Injections from Allergan.

Dermal fillers use Hyaluronic Acid to reduce wrinkles and add volume to the cheeks and lips. While wrinkle injections relax the muscles that cause creases, fillers are injected directly into wrinkles and add volume to them to lessen their appearance. Depending on which filler you have and where, treatments will normally last between 4-13 months and results can be seen instantly.

Dermal Filler Case Studies at The Private Clinic

While the methods of achieving their goal may be different, both treatments can be highly effective for tackling wrinkles and lines. It is important to remember, however, that neither is currently well regulated in the UK making the risk of unqualified and unsafe practitioners a serious one. The popularity of fillers and wrinkle injections can make them seem like small treatments that aren’t all that dangerous, but you should be as discerning with both as you would be with an invasive procedure. There can be huge consequences when either is performed by an unqualified practitioner as products can often be of a lesser quality or even administered incorrectly. Always consult with a trained medical professional who has your best interests in mind and research any practitioner before you allow them to conduct any treatment. Any experienced doctor or nurse will be able to advise you on which method for wrinkle reduction is best for you, and will also keep your safety in mind.

The Private Clinic

With over 35 years of Harley Street medical experience, The Private Clinic works with only the most experienced and well trained aesthetic professionals. We use the highest quality products in all our treatments. Our fully qualified doctors and nurses have extensive knowledge in the art of anti-ageing techniques and will work with you to find the best treatment for your needs.

Aesthetic Doctors

Aesthetic Nurses

We have skin rejuvenation and injectable clinics across the UK including, London Harley Street, Birmingham, Bristol, Buckinghamshire,  Leeds, Manchester and Northampton.

To book a consultation to find out more about the treatments we offer, please call 0333 920 2471 or use our online contact form to get booked in at a clinic local to you.