'First Time' aesthetic treatments

An effective skincare regime is important for maintaining healthy, beautiful looking skin, but there might come a time when you want to do a bit more to turn back the clock.

Thanks to a wide range of minimally invasive aesthetic procedures, we can now diminish the signs of ageing effectively and achieve natural appearing results non-surgically. However, it might seem daunting to choose the right type of treatment for your ‘first time’. Well, my first advice would be to go for a temporary treatment.

Two of the most popular minimally invasive treatments are dermal fillers and volumisers and wrinkle relaxing injections with botulinum toxin(known commonly as 'botox')

Hyaluronic acid is an example of an excellent temporary filler for so-called ‘static lines’ such as the nose-to-mouth lines. Fillers/volumisers can also be used to improve a gradually ‘deflating’ facial contour with a gentle cheek or lip plumping treatment for example.

For ‘dynamic lines’ caused by repeated facial expression movement ,such as frown lines between the eyebrows, the muscle relaxing botulinum toxin remains my all-time favorite.

Overall, I recommend a step-wise approach with phasing of treatments, so that changes will be gradual and you will continue to feel your own self, while optimal correction is achieved over time. Compare it to joining the gym – you wouldn’t expect to be all ‘sorted’ after a single session, would you?

New regulations for injectable cosmetic treatments.

You may have recently heard in the press that the regulations surrounding injectable cosmetic treatments have changed quite dramatically in the last couple of weeks, and this may have led to considerable uncertainty and possibly worry for anybody having such treatments

 Following some revelations on a Panorama programme about doctors who are prescribing Botox for administration by non –prescribing  nurses and,worryingly, even medically unqualified beauty therapists, the practice of so-called “remote prescribing” has been banned by the General Medical Council (GMC), and one doctor has already been suspended for this practice.

What remote prescribing means is that the doctor is prescribing treatment for a patient who he/she has not personally assessed face to face, and it is then administered by a non-medical aesthetician .This is a practice that has gone on for some time both in large chain clinics and also a lot of small nurse-run salons, but it is only now that the GMC have taken action to stop it.

The rules are now clear. Doctors, dentists or qualified nurse prescribers can only prescribe Botox after a face-to-face consultation.

I would like to reassure you that as far as my practice is concerned nothing has been affected. As a practicing dentist and medical prescriber I will continue to individually assess, prescribe and administer all injectable treatments as appropriate, following the highest standards possible so that your ongoing satisfaction and safety are ensured.

THIS MONTH'S ANTI-AGEING TIP

Anti-ageing Vitamin C

The sun. We all love it, when it manages to make an appearance, but it is the main external factor that causes ageing in all of us.

We automatically think of a sunblock as our main defence, but we also need to consider the free radical damage that causes the signs of ageing. What is a free radical ? I hear you ask.

When we run a machine, like a car, it burns fuel by combining the fuel with oxygen in the engine. Our car moves along the road on the released energy. However, the car also gives off exhaust fumes as a by-product. Something similar to this happens in the cells in our bodies. When our bodies combine oxygen with glucose(the fuel)in our cells we make energy, but we also make free radicals, our body's version of exhaust fumes. These are damaging to all the cells in our bodies.

 Vitamin C is one of the best anti-ageing chemicals available.Topical application of Vitamin C protects against photo ageing, acting as a powerful anti-oxidant that counteracts free radical damage, mopping them up like a mini Pac man.

Vitamin C soaks into the skin after it is applied and cannot be washed off. Once it is in the skin it helps protect from the sun’s damage. Unlike most sunscreens, topical Vitamin C is thought to provide wavelength independent UV protection. This is more effective because there are many wavelengths in the ultraviolet spectrum and most sun blocks only cover a few of them, leaving our skin vulnerable to the others. Even better, Vitamin C can help prevent sun damage without blocking the absorption of Vitamin D, an important vitamin manufactured in the skin during sun exposure.

Topical Vitamin C can help repair skin that is already damaged by the sun by replacing the Vitamin C that has been lost and boosting healing with its anti-inflammatory effect. Topical application has also been shown to help restore collagen and elastin, causing the skin to look and feel firmer.

It is for these reasons that I always recommend a daily combination of physical sunblock, along with topical application of Vitimin C serum, to give total protection from photo ageing.

Obagi Professional C serum is a highly effective product that penetrates to where it is needed. Just apply a few drops every day and you will soon notice an improvement in your skin.

 Obagi 10% Professional C serum available at Dentelle  £55.00

Lustre Light treatment for acne. Wecome to a new confident you.

Lustre Pure- Light treatment for Acne

I have just spent the weekend at FACE (Facial Aesthetics Conference and Exhibition) held at the Royal College of Physicians in London. One of the new treatments which caught my eye was the Lustre Pure, a home treatment therapy for problem skin.

What is acne?

Acne is the most common skin condition and can affect 80% of people at some point in their life. It is caused by the body’s immune system creating an inflammatory response to bacteria called P.acnes which lives in the skin.http://www.dentelle.co.uk/cosmeceutical-skincare.html P acnes grow in sebaceous glands which produces oil called sebum. Many acne treatments help clear acne by cleaning the skin and clearing the excess sebum, so reducing the growth of the bacteria. Other treatments, such as antibiotics, help to kill the bacteria, but these can have unwanted side effects and the bacteria may become resistant over time.

How Lustre works

Many acne sufferers find that their skin improves and spots seem to disappear when they have been out in the sunshine. However, we all know that sunlight contains dangerous UVA and UVB rays which cause skin ageing and can cause cancer. Scientists have found that visible blue light at a wavelength of 420nm does not damage the skin but is very effective in killing P acnes. Blue light has been used by dermatologists for many years to treat acne.

How does blue light kill acne bacteria

The bacteria that cause acne produce a chemical called porphyrin. When blue light at 420nm is applied to it this porphyrin becomes activated and this has been clinically shown to destroy the bacteria.

Lustre Light Technology

Lustre Pure Light is an at home treatment device available through skin clinics. It harnesses the safe, natural blue light of the visible spectrum to eliminate the spot-causing bacteria while being kind to the skin. It is a small, rechargeable device with slim flexible heads which can target problem areas. The device is portable and treatment is delivered when it is worn, so you can get on and do the things you need to do. This treatment is designed to work alongside existing acne therapies to help achieve the best results. It is recommended for use every day for 8 hours per week.

Take a look at what Dr Chris Steele on This Morning has to say about it

http://www.lustrepurelight.com/lustre-in-action/in-the-news/lustre-pure-light-features-on-this-morning

If you are interested in this treatment please contact us at Dentelle to find out more.

AN OLD ANTI-AGEING METHOD RE-INVENTED

Skin needling, otherwise known as micro-needling is a form of  natural collagen induction that is used facially to smooth wrinkles and improve depressed acne scarring . It can also reduce the appearance of stretch marks and scarring on the body.

This is not a new anti-ageing method . In the late 80's skin specialists had already published research on results of needling on scars and stretchmarks. Dermatologists also noticed that areas of depigmented skin tended to repigment during the process through transplantation of melanocyte cells from the normal pigmented areas to the lighter areas.

It is one of the easiest and most effective skin treatments available today and can safely be performed on all skin types, without any risk of post inflammatory hyperpigmentation which can be associated with other procedures , ie laser treatment and deep chemical peeels.

Skin ageing and wrinkles occur due to the continued breakdown of collagen and elastin at a faster rate than it is produced after the age of 25 years.By increasing these key ingredients the skin can gradually become more rejuvenated.

Microscopic punctures caused by the medical roller stimulate collagen production in the papillary dermis layer by triggering the fibroblasts in a cascade wound healing process..Each successive treatment will lead to further collagen production that will progressively fill in depressed scars and deep lines, and make the skin appear firmer. The infilling process can continue for up to 12 months following treatment.

Needling can be safely combined with botox and dermal fillers for even greater results. A combination of needling with hyaluronic acid injections can tighten up the skin while additional volumising fillers can lead to an overall 'facelift' effect by further sculpting and lifting the facial tissues.  Such appropriately performed skin needling may postpone a face-lift for a decade.

Is Botox safe?

This is a question concerning potential clients who would like to consider having anti-wrinkle injections but who are put off by popular misconceptions of ‘botox’ treatments. Numerous examples of celebrities with frozen faces don’t help to give it good press.

Since its first medicinal use in 1980 in America to treat misaligned eyes and uncontrollable eye ticks, botulinum toxin, commonly known as ‘Botox’, has grown into a multimillion pound industry. In fact, despite the recession, market analysts Mintel report the global market for cosmetic procedures has grown by 17 per cent in the last two years and is now worth £2.3 billion. Non-surgical procedures — the most common of which is Botox by far — account for 74 per cent of this in the UK.  
What is Botox?

Botulinum toxin is a purified protein manufactured under stringent control processes in pharmaceutical laboratories. It works by stopping the release of a chemical neurotransmitter so that nerve signals do not reach muscles and the effected muscles no longer contract. When injected into the face, reduced creasing of the skin allows the natural repair mechanisms of the dermis to fill in the wrinkle. This is why it works best on expression lines (dynamic wrinkles) rather than wrinkles unaffected by facial expression (static wrinkles).The latter are better addressed with dermal fillers.

Is Botox a poison?

Yes, it is. Originally produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, botulinum toxin is one of the most powerful neurotoxins known. In the 1800s it caused many deaths by botulism (generalized muscle paralysis), usually after eating poorly prepared meat. When used medically, however, it is produced in a laboratory in purified form and given in minuscule quantities, so that there are no dangerous side effects.

Is Botox safe?

The drug has now been used in medicine for over 30 years. There are approximately 1800 published studies about it, making it one of the best-researched medicines ever. Dosages used to treat children with cerebral palsy may range from 100 to 400 units, whilst typical dosage for cosmetic use is 50-125 units. Botox is used in these small quantities to treat very specific areas of the face. It will not travel into your blood system in any way and effect other parts of your body.

What are the side effects?

There will be a temporary tiny pink mark and a little swelling at each injection site, which usually lasts for a matter of minutes. Occasionally a bruise may occur, as in any type of injection. You can reduce the risk of bruising by avoiding aspirin or ibuprofen-type drugs in the week prior to treatment. Rare side effects can include a headache. Laziness of an eyelid or mild double vision may occur due to technical error by a less experienced aesthetician. Fortunately these effects are temporary and reported to last one to two weeks.

How long does it last?

Botulinum toxin will reduce facial lines and wrinkles for approximately three to four months, so most people have treatment three or four times a year. The results of treatment are not immediately apparent, taking about two days to appear and a week or two to reach maximal effect. Repeated treatments will, after about 2 years, have a longer lasting effect, meaning that twice yearly injections will be sufficient.

What about migraines and excess sweating?

Botox is also very effective in reducing excessive sweating and has been approved for the treatment of migraine in the UK.

Will it produce a blank, expressionless face?

Only if used inappropriately ..and certainly not in my clinic! Unfortunately, many practitioners think that because reduced muscle activity reduces wrinkles, the more the face is paralysed the better. However, it is possible to subtly reduce wrinkles whilst still maintaining effective facial expressions and a very natural appearance.

SUN PROTECTION-The most important anti-ageing treatment of all.

According to a British Association of Dermatologists survey carried out in recent years, many Britons are unaware that sun protection can keep the skin looking younger, believing instead that applying a daily moisturizer, eating a healthy diet, drinking plenty of water and having facial treatments will suffice.

In fact, such measures will have nowhere near the anti-ageing impact of sun protection. Not only does exposure to UV increase a person's risk of skin cancer, it also affects the elastin in the skin, which leads to wrinkles and sun-induced skin ageing such as roughness, increased thickness and blotchy pigmentation. So, even though you might feel instantly better with that tan, years later you will live to regret it! In reality, each tan is giving your skin irreversible sun damage which will become very evident not far down life’s winding road!

Even though we may live in rainy, cloudy old England it is still essential to protect your skin from damaging UVA rays every single day. UVA rays are constantly present, no matter the season or the weather. If you think you can't get sun damage on a cloudy day, tell that to the UVA rays! They are so powerful that they also penetrate some clothing and even glass. When was the last time you applied sunscreen before getting behind the wheel?

These photos say it all! This lady sat in the same position at work in front of a window to her left for 15 years Look at the difference between the appearance of her skin on the two sides of her face. The left certainly has aged far more and even has a precancerous lesion.

UVA rays used to be considered relatively safe, in terms of the sun's rays, and that's why tanning beds, which use UVA rays, took center stage. We now know that using tanning beds before the age of 30 can actually increase your risk of skin cancer by 75%!

UVB Rays are the rays you can blame when you get sunburn. Unlike UVA rays, these rays aren't always the same strength year round - They're more prevalent in the summer months, however they are able to reflect off water or snow, so it's always important to protect yourself all year round. UVB rays are responsible for causing most skin cancers. While large doses of UVA rays can contribute to cancer, it's the UVB rays that are commonly to blame.
All sunscreens protect against UVB rays, but it wasn't until recent years that sunscreen started including UVA protection, and in fact, not all sunscreens do. Look for one that specifically says UVA/UVB or "broad spectrum coverage" on the bottle.

Our Environ range of skin care includes a highly effective sunscreen endorsed by the Cancer Association of South Africa. It is suitable for any age, even babies, and contains a reflective agent(titanium dioxide), UVA and UVB absorbent filters(Ethyl MethoXycinnamates and Butyl Dibenzoylmethane)as well as antioxidants Vitamin C , Vitamin E and Beta Carotene, to give a three armed attack against the damaging rays and free radicals. It should be applied every morning for anti-ageing protection after moisturising. If you want a tan…fake it!

Skin health

The importance of Vitamin A

Vitamin A is the central driving factor in the development of normal, healthy human tissue including all parts of the skin, literally from conception to death. If vitamin A was to disappear from earth tomorrow for some mysterious reason, no more humans would be born in the normal, recognizable form any more. We are human because of vitamin A.

Vitamin A is essential to assist the basal cell layer cells to specialise into the various functional epidermal cells above it. This process happens approximately once per month to five weeks. Without vitamin A this would not happen effectively, and healthy, functioning layers would not form.
Skin becomes thin because of a general lack of vitamin A, sun damage, loss of sex hormones, general ageing and excess exposure to cortisone(stress). If the skin is not assisted by proper nutrition of all elements which contribute to healthy cell behaviour, the end result will be malnutrition. Just as humans become very thin when they are starving and undernourished, so too does the skin, when it lacks essential vitamins and nutrients.

Environ eye gel is reviewed

Environ AVST Eye Gel

http://www.dentelle.co.uk/elegance.html
On days – even weeks – when sleep is in short supply, it’s an achievement to simply get through the day ….. On these days, you need all the help you can get and this no-nonsense product should fit the bill. Clean, crisp packaging with a large dollop of science thrown in for good measure. The gel is cooling and gentle, though it felt as is it was getting to work immediately and did help soften those lines after a few days.

The full review is at http://yummymummybeauty.com/?page_id=3509

Skin analysis event

Environ Advanced Skin Analysis

Have you ever wondered how your skin compares to others of your own age?
Or how you might look in a few years’ time, without some serious intervention?

... A high tech skin analysis technique by Environ is coming to Dentelle at Elegance Nails and Beauty for a series one day events, which will reveal all that’s good and bad about your skin.

A skin analyst from anti-ageing skincare brand Environ is hosting the special events and will be on hand to provide free* 45 minute consultations (limited to eight per event). She uses powerful Visia imaging technology to capture information and assess common problem areas, such as sun damage, brown pigmentation blemishes, capillary damage, wrinkles, scars or imperfections and congested pores. This equipment is so advanced that plastic surgeons and dermatologists use it worldwide.

She will be identifying goals for treatments and offering solutions to overcome niggling complexion concerns and take years off your appearance, without the need to go under the knife. The skin advisor recommends products for use at home, salon treatments as well as dietary and lifestyle advice, which are aimed at giving the individual clearer, more radiant, even toned, smoother and less lined skin.

The machine’s camera provides a series of images which reveal the extent of each problem and attributes a score. Clients pay a return visit to the salon after three months, when improvements are graded by comparing a new set of visuals with the originals.

“There are too many empty promises in the beauty world,” says Environ Founder Dr Des Fernandes. “By using this sophisticated system we can now prove to our clients that using active skincare products and following our advice makes a measurable and visible difference. We can even artificially ‘age’ your skin to show how you could look in five years without proper skincare.”

*Although the Environ skin analysis is free, there is a £20 booking fee, which is redeemable against Environ products purchased on the day.

For more information about the Environ's Skin Analysis Events please contact Clare at clare@dentelle.co.uk

Next event is scheduled for 20th February 2012..only a few places remaining!