wrinkles

Skincare in your forties

July 3, 2015 by dina.elbarbary Leave a Comment

40 is the new 30 – there’s absolutely no disputing that. However, while we might feel as youthful as ever inside, our forties can be the time when our skin catches up with earlier years and begins to show signs of wear and tear.

The majority of those who visit The Private Clinic in their forties for skincare advice are primarily looking for ways to reverse initial signs of ageing, and rejuvenate skin back to a natural dewy glow. Key to both these principles is understanding why, exactly, your skin has undergone changes and the best treatment method to address any problems. Here’s our guide…

Wrinkles and lines

Fine lines and gentle creases can begin to form into full-blown wrinkles during our forties. It’s often the time that females begin to approach the menopause, meaning hormones are ravaged and the way our skin looks after itself changes. Collagen and elastin (the two key principles to our skin repairing itself) stop being produced as readily, while at the same time accumulated cell damage slows down the rate at which skin renews and repairs itself, leading to more damage and little natural rejuvenation.

Before and after image of wrinkle injections.

The good news, however, is that there are a multitude of treatments available to tackle the problem, depending on the severity of your case and the results you’re looking to achieve. Non-surgical face lift treatments like Silhouette Soft or the 8-Point Lift are particularity popular choices for many in their forties; the methods help to ease sagging and lines on the skin without the invasion needed for more severe wrinkles. Many, meanwhile, find wrinkle reducing injections (like Botox), dermal fillers and peels are all that are needed for specific lines and problem areas. Key to working out the best method is always choosing the right clinic or practitioner who can be honest and make sure they only go ahead with something if it’s right. Surgical treatments like a face lift or blepharoplasty are sometimes more suitable for those looking for larger changes, but it always comes down to individual needs. It’s all about speaking to a professional and knowing where your skin currently stands.

Dark spots and discolourisation

Remember that day twenty years ago when you lay in the sun without sun cream? Your skin does. Very often signs of discoloration or pigmentation on the skin can be directly linked back to earlier damage, regardless of whether there was any visible change at the time.

The way the skin protects itself from sun damage is through creating pigmentation so your first stop to preventing any further damage should always be plenty of high-level sun screen. We call it the wonder cream in that it not only prevents against nasty illness like skin cancer, but also keeps most of the key signs of ageing at bay.

In terms of treatment for damage that has already shown itself, one of our favourites is a non-invasive laser method called IPL Photorejuvenation. The treatment uses a system of pulsed lasers to penetrate the skin and diffuse redness, discolouration and visible damage.

Another useful treatment for pigmentation issues is a TCA peel, which intensely exfoliates the skin to remove surface blemishes. However, whether it’s the right course for your needs will always depend on your requirements.

Dry Skin

As our hormones decrease, so too does our skin’s production of its natural lubricator – sebum. This oily substance is responsible for keeping our skin supple and soft so, as it disappears, the face can appear somewhat lack lustre without that certain radiance and glow we had in younger years.

Key to restoring moisture is a good skincare regime, consisting of at-home products and regular boosters. There are a range of cosmeceutical skincare brands providing facials and non-invasive treatments and we’re huge fans of targeted skincare refreshers from brands like QMS Medicosmetics, Jan Marini, Antonia Burrell and Skinceuticals to name just a few. While cheaper products in stores can claim to have the right ingredients to restore your skin, very often the formulas, amounts or application is insuffient to make any real difference to your skin. That’s why we’d always advise meeting with someone trained in various skincare brands and types before splurging – advice could, ultimately, save you a lot of time and money!

Summary

Your forties are a time to look gorgeous and enjoy yourself. Whether it’s the first signs of ageing or more deep-rooted wrinkles and lines that are bothering you, there are a multitude or treatments and precautions that can be taken to help your skin look and feel its best, many of which are non-invasive and produce fantastic results. Remember – you’re an individual and your skin is too. Treatment needs to be specific to your needs and, regardless of what your issues are, specialists are able to assist you at every stage.

For advice on specific treatments and care book a consultation or visit our skincare pages.

Skincare in your thirties

June 10, 2015 by dina.elbarbary Leave a Comment

Aristotle once said “The body is at its best between the ages of thirty and thirty-five.” We see no reason why that mantra can’t extend to your skin…and why it has to stop at 35.

After we hit our mid-twenties, the skin’s production of collagen starts to slow down at the same time as our reserves of the protein start to deplete. This means our skin starts to show signs of wear and tear…or what we otherwise know to be ageing.

However, by battling early signs face on and addressing any issues when they first start to appear, annoyances are not just rid of for the immediate time-being but also prevented in the future. Key concerns should be targeting initial signs of damage before they become too large an issue, and investing in good products and treatments to help prevent any more signs appearing.

Here’s some of the most common complaints and how to get rid of them:

Dull skin

Years of working hard (and partying harder) start to catch up with the skin in your thirties. You might notice that a late night can no longer be washed away with a cold splash of water on the face and its signs will linger for far longer than the tiredness does. Your first port of call is to glug back the recommended two litres of water a day, exercise, and get all your recommended vitamins and minerals to help keep everything glowing from the inside out.

However, if the body isn’t responding as you’d like, chemical peels could be a worthy consideration. They work by intensely exfoliating the skin, using chemical products to remove dead skin cells. There are two main types of peels, depending on the condition of your skin; superficial peels which remove the outer layer of cells and medium (also known as TCA) peels which penetrate further into the skin. Superficial peels are often used for fine lines, sun damage and general signs of dullness, while TCA peels normally target deeper wrinkles, acne scars, and more severe skin tone irregularities.

To find out more about chemical skin peels click here.

Fine Lines and Wrinkles

Because collagen and elastin production in your skin has slowed down, you’ll often start to notice fine lines and wrinkles appearing around the eyes, mouth and brow during your thirties, and sometimes before. As a result it’s a popular time for many to begin considering non-invasive anti-ageing options like wrinkle injections or fillers.

Wrinkle reducing injections, like Botox, can be used at various points on the face. They work by blocking a nerve’s impluse to facial muscles, reducing the contractions that cause wrinkles and lines. Dermal filler treatments, meanwhile, are used to add volume to areas that are lacking in it, making them particularly popular for plumping lines as well as the lips and cheeks.

Find out more about wrinkle relaxing injections or dermal fillers.

If you’re not keen on needles, there are some clever little products that can provide temporary help. One of our London City retail store’s most popular is a serum called notox, which creates an extremely fine seal across the face to rid of fine lines for up to 12 hours.

Before and after one application of notox serum.

Skin Tone and Sun Damage

While your reckless youth might be a long-distant (and somewhat hazy) memory, there’s one part of your body that will never forget it…your skin. While SPF often becomes part of our daily routine as we get older (either through moisturisers, make up or full-on sun cream) the complacency of younger years can still make itself known later down the line – often as we hit 30. Sun damage that occurred years ago can create the appearance of uneven tone, freckles and odd marks of pigmentation.

Pregnancy, too, can leave the skin uneven, with many women suffering from a form of melasma (commonly referred to as chloasma) for up to 5 years after giving birth due to influxes in hormones. It is characterised by usually symmetrical light to dark brown or greyish pigmentation over the cheeks, forehead, upper lip, nose and chin.

To treat melasma, we often recommend either a suitable chemical peel, or an innovative treatment called Pixel Laser. The non-invasive laser method removes the epidermis and upper dermis to encourage the growth of new, healthy skin tissue through a concentrated, high-energy beam of light.

Meanwhile, for general pigmentation issues or areas of sun damage, one of our most effective treatments is an innovative laser method called IPL Photorejuvenation which uses a pioneering system of pulsed light and lasers that to penetrate the skin and improve tone.

Get information on IPL Rejuvenation or Laser Skin Resurfacing

IPL Treatment for Sun damage pigmentation

Laser Skin Resurfacing for sun damage pigmentation

The best anti-ageing tool?

Want to know dermatologists’ top tip for preventing ageing? A good sunscreen! Not only will it protect your skin against skin cancer and damage, it will help slow down the destruction of collagen fibers by blocking the formation of oxidants on the skin. Make sure you opt for a broad spectrum product which guards against both UVA and UVB rays, and we’d recommend at least SPF 15 .

Ultrasun is just one of the skincare options available at several of our clinics.

Find your nearest clinic to find out about the sun care options available.

Summary

There are a multitude of problems that can begin to make themselves known in the decade between your twenties and forties but, like Artistotle, we believe there’s no better time to look utterly wonderful. Investing in your every day skincare regime can restore your glow and guard yourself against future damage, while light peels and laser treatments can help reverse any signs of current wear. If you feel you’re starting to lose control of your skin, your thirties are the perfect time to get back in the driving seat.

To find out more about our skin rejuvenating treatments available at The Private Clinic, please call 0333 920 2471 , or use our online contact form.

Skincare in your twenties

May 27, 2015 by dina.elbarbary Leave a Comment

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.

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!

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.

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.

What does Blepharoplasty do?

February 24, 2015 by dina.elbarbary Leave a Comment

It’s often cited as one of the quickest and easiest plastic surgeries, with relatively small downtime and noticeable results. But what, exactly, does Blepharoplasty do?

Blepharoplasty Plastic Surgery upper and lower eyelids

Our eyes are one of the first areas to show visible signs of ageing and the effects can sometimes feel impossible to prevent; at less than 1mm, skin around the area is the thinnest on the body and signs of tiredness or dehydration often rear their ugly head on even the youngest of us.

To make matters worse skin around the eye thins even more as we age, meaning fine lines become more pronounced and the most minor of issues can feel extremely noticeable. Perhaps it’s no surprise then that Blepharoplasty was the second most popular cosmetic surgery treatment last year, with a total of 7,752 procedures performed in the UK alone.

The treatment, although surgical, takes little as 30 minutes and has extremely high safety records. The exact version of the treatment you need will vary, however, depending on what exactly you’re looking to achieve from it…

Hooded eyelids

Those who have heavy drooping on their upper eyelids are best suited for an Upper Blepharoplasty. Having hooded eyelids is not just an aesthetic issue; lots of patients come to us complaining of issues with vision or heaviness in the area that can make them feel tired, regardless of whether they are young or old.

Treatment on the upper eyelids is normally the most simple of any blepharoplasty procedure – taking around 30-60 minutes for the majority of cases. Likewise upper eyelid revision is usually performed under local anaesthetic, allowing patients to return home on the same day as their treatment (after adequate resting time, of course), while recovery is normally relatively speedy with full results on show within a couple of months.

Under eye bags

Under eye bags: something a lot of us have to battle with (particularly as we age) and something that’s extremely difficult to conceal. A Lower Blepharoplasty is usually the best way to address the issue, removing fatty deposits and excess skin from the area to reawaken the eye and leave the area refreshed.

More complicated than treatment for the upper lids (but still a fairly simple plastic surgery), lower blepharoplasty will normally take around 1-2 hours and is often performed under general anaesthetic, meaning you may have to stay in a hospital overnight after your procedure.

While the treatment is extremely effective in removing bags in the area, it’s important to remember it cannot remove discolouration; consultations with skin experts are the best way to ascertain what will and, as always, we firmly recommend against going with any clinic that doesn’t give you adequate consultation or consideration time.

Puffy eyelids

Depending on where the puffiness around your lids is, you may require either one of the above – or a combination of the two. A Combined Blepharoplasty will always be tailored to your needs so will vary massively from patient to patient, but is often be performed under general anaesthetic due to its more complicated nature meaning, again, the prospect of an overnight stay in hospital.

Sutures are often used to close blepharoplasty incisions, and these will normally be removed after 4-5 days regardless of the area it is performed in. Healing, however, is a completely individual process – work with your clinic to understand the best way forward for you.

Wrinkles

While Blepharoplasty can help ease heaviness in the eyes and get rid of excess skin, it isn’t always the best treatment for wrinkles around the eyes. Issues like crow’s feet are normally better solved through the use of non-invasive treatments like wrinkle injections or a resurfacing skin peel or treatment. This is why proper consultation with your practitioner is absolutely vital – only they can advise on the best way forward.

The Private Clinic

With over 30 years of Harley Street excellence and a team of the UK’s leading plastic surgeons behind us, we know you’re not simply a number. Your needs aren’t the same as anybody else’s and, even if undergoing the same procedure, your treatment should never feel the same as anybody else’s. We believe in working with you so you’re fully aware of why we choose a treatment, and what results you can expect to achieve.

Remember – Blepharoplasty is still a surgical procedure and should never be something you rush in to. A good surgeon should be able to assess you thoroughly and tell you whether the treatment is the best (or the only) way to combat whatever you’re looking to achieve. You and your safety are always the most important part of any treatment; remember that, and you should be able to achieve your expectations with sensitivity and care. www.theprivateclinic.co.uk

The difference between wrinkle injections and fillers

July 24, 2014 by dina.elbarbary Leave a Comment

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 5^th 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.

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

Dr Hanson MBBS MSc MBCAM. GMC Number: 6136433
Dr Rosa Santa Cruz MD, PhD. GMC Number: 7441197
Dr Richard Brighton-Knight MBChB. GMC Number: 4196903

Aesthetic Nurses

Mel Recchia RGN
Dawn Lisa, RGN, RN(Child), SCPHN, PG Dip, BSc (Hons)
Ruth Atkins RGN
Lesley Dean RGN
Marie Narsoomamode RGN, BSc. NMC Reference No: 92A1045E
Ann Hampson RGN
Helen Leach RGN

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.

Treatment Guide: Facial Wrinkles and Lines

November 21, 2013 by dina.elbarbary Leave a Comment

There are plenty of facial rejuvenation treatments out there but which ones are the best for lines and wrinkles? Many facial skin treatments can improve the appearance of the face, reducing lines and wrinkles even if they are not primarily designed to target them so please get to know all our treatments to see if you would benefit from a more versatile treatment.

Here at The Private Clinic we welcome patients who may not know exactly what treatment they would like, hoping that we can advise them on the range of treatments available and their suitability to each one. Those kinds of patients have definitely come to right place. We wanted to make it clearer to patients what treatments are available for facial rejuvenation, particularly wrinkles and lines, so below is a treatment guide:

1. Botox

Wrinkle injections, like Botox, are the most popular non-surgical cosmetic procedure every year with many thousands regularly having this effective wrinkle treatment. Botox helps to smooth out the face and prevent further wrinkling. It has been around for many years and as long as it is administered by a qualified and experienced medical professional it should be completely safe.

2. Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers are also hugely popular as people look to plump up and contour the face to a greater extent than Botox can. Dermal fillers can lift the face and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles with natural-looking results. Ensure you choose an experienced and qualified professional to achieve great, long-lasting results.

3. Chemical Peels

Chemical peels work by carefully taking off the top layers of the skin and promoting the growth of new skin cells, taking away damaged, wrinkled skin. They come in many strengths and uses for the skin, including salicylic and TCA peels. Make sure you get to know your options and the likely results. Stronger peels will require considerably more downtime than lighter peels but the results are going to be more noticeable. Specialised skin care products offer an even lighter option, which are available at The Private Clinic from our expert team.

4. Laser Therapy

There are a range of laser therapies available that can target lines and wrinkles. Get enough information to know why certain laser treatments are better suited for treating lines and wrinkles compared to others. Lasers can be increased or decreased in wavelength (essentially strength) to suit different patient needs, particularly when it comes to skin colour as darker skin types require less intense treatments to protect their skin. The Private Clinic offer Pixel Laser therapy and Pearl Laser Therapy for facial rejuvenation.

5. IPL (Intense Pulse Light) Therapy

IPL is a non-laser light-based treatment that directs focused light on the skin to take away damaged skin and improve the quality of skin. It is popular because it has a wide number of uses, including treating lines and wrinkles, and there is less downtime associated with it compared to laser treatments.

6. Thermage

Thermage is an effective facial rejuvenation treatment that uses radiofrequency to improve the skin and tighten it, resulting in considerably visibly-improved skin. It is a treatment popular with celebrities, including Oprah Winfrey and Gwyneth Paltrow.

7. Titan

Titan is an infrared treatment that stimulates the production of collagen and tightens the skin, resulting in reduced appearance of lines and wrinkles. Results are long-lasting and downtime is minimal.

8. Microdermabrasion and Dermaroller Treatments

These treatments offer quick results if you aren’t looking for the kind of results you can expect from a laser treatment, for example. They are effective mini-rejuvenation treatments that can be easily performed in your lunch break or just after work with no downtime to perk your face up and keep those lines and wrinkles in check.

The Private Clinic

The Private Clinic of Harley Street has locations in London, Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds and Glasgow with a large number of consultation rooms across other parts of the UK we visit regularly to advise you on our treatments and how we can help you.

The Private Clinic has been around for over 30 years, offering the latest and most advanced cosmetic treatments. We specialise in minimally invasive cosmetic and medical procedures with as little downtime as possible. Find out more about our facial rejuvenation treatments here: https://www.theprivateclinic.co.uk/

wrinkles

Skincare in your forties

Wrinkles and lines

Dark spots and discolourisation

Dry Skin

Summary