Merry Christmas from Cosmetic Clinics

We wish you a merry Christmas
We wish you a merry Christmas
We wish you a merry Christmas
... and a happy new year!

Merry Christmas to all our readers, we hope you have a wonderful Christmas and a happy and exciting new year.

This is our last blog for 2009 but look out for our new and exciting posts in 2010! We'll be bringing you the latest cosmetic treatment news and treatments as well as fantastic offers.

Take care in this cold and icy weather and we'll be back soon.

A Question about Hair Transplant Surgery

We recieved a question regarding hair transplant surgery that a gentleman had undergone at a clinic unrelated to the Cosmetic Clinics Group. He was feeling unimpressed with the results and asked our advice on the matter and other hair restoration and hair transplant alternatives.

The Question

“I have had a 2300 graft strip surgery 3 months ago to the front and temple region. I am not happy with the density and also the direction of the hair. I have heard that with the specialised implanter used in H+ technique, you can achieve better density and also better direction than traditional strip procedures.

My question is can the density and direction be improved and if yes, how soon can this be done after my first surgery?”

Our Answer

“Thanks for your question. Before I start answering, I would like to reassure you that 3m is still very early days to determine the success or failure of your strip surgery. I do not belong to the school of thought that FUE hair transplant surgery is better than strip surgery. My belief is that both surgeries should complement each other.

Moving on, yes we use a specialised implanter pen that helps in achieving better control over the angle and direction, whilst protecting the vital structures of the graft.

With regards to density, a couple of factors influence the density. Logic says that to achieve the desired coverage a surgeon should aim to achieve 50% of the density of the donor area. Any density beyond that would not provide any additional benefits.

So the answer to your question is that we can achieve the desired density in one procedure with the H+ technique.

With regards to answering your second question, I always advise my patients to wait at least 6 months before contemplating the second procedure.

The reasoning behind this is that you have to wait this long at least before you could assess the success of the first surgery and hence you can plan your second surgery better, without disturbing the healing process.”

For more information on FUE hair transplants, hair transpant surgery and hair restoration, visit the Cosmetic Clinics website.

Miracle Anti Ageing Pills? We're Not So Sure

This article was spotted at the Daily Mail Online and we thought it was worth mentioning.

It concerns a new pill on the market in Europe (though not Britain) called Inneov Fermete that claims it can restore, to degrees, the elasticity of the skin. Now many would say that we here at the Cosmetic Clinics Group are biased, as this would be competition for many of our anti-ageing treatments, but we cannot help but be somewhat sceptical.

The magic pill that solves all is not a new invention, there have been pills for so many things over the years. The problem is most of them just don't work, or work to a degree but only in conjunction with other things, such as diet pills that only work with a calories controlled diet and exercise. Well forgive us for saying but if you took the pills away from that equation, you'd have the same results too.

We aren't saying this flat out doesn't work, it's too early and the information is too little for us to comment on that, but reading below it says that the magic ingredient is something found in tomatoes. Now if that is the case why not just eat more tomatoes? They certainly aren't £25 for a ten day supply.

Also if you add it up it will cost someone in the region of nearly £1000 over a year for these pills. You would be better off trying an actually proven anti-ageing cosmetic treatment for that kind of money, as a matter of fact you could probably get several.

For now we will just stay sceptical, and see if we have to eat our words or not, only time will tell. You can read the full article below.

“A treatment has arrived that claims the way to look more youthful on the outside is to start with the inside.

Inneov Fermete is a little red pill that when taken daily supposedly provides the necessary nutrients to prevent wrinkles.

It contains a compound found in tomatoes which, it is claimed, protects old skin cells and promotes the growth of new ones.

The pills have been tested on two groups of women - 90 postmenopausal women aged 51 to 69 and 70 others with an average age of 45. Some were given the pill and others received a placebo.

Those given the anti-wrinkle product were found after six months of use to have skin elasticity that was 8.7 per cent better than those who had taken the dummy pill. Inneov Fermete has been developed by cosmetics firm L'Oreal in conjunction with the food multinational NestlÈ, and claims to combine nutritional and dermatological science.

It is among an emerging class of so-called cosmeceuticals - beauty treatments that claim to work from inside the body rather than being applied to the hair or skin.
Because Inneov Fermete is taken daily as a sugar-coated pill, its makers hope that it will be viewed as a lifestyle product, like a vitamin supplement, rather than as a medicine.

It is on sale in parts of Europe and South America and a launch is planned in the UK, although a date has not yet been confirmed.

But with a price tag of £25 for a ten- day supply, it is likely to be beyond the budget of most Britons, particularly as the manufacturers say it will take around three months for any effect to be noticed.

Patricia Manissier, of Inneov, said: 'We have done a lot of research which shows this product works and now we're looking for ways of improving it.

'We know that good nutrition can prevent the skin from ageing and that there are clear links between certain nutrients and skin health.' The three main ingredients are all antioxidants, which are believed to protect tissue against damage.

Lycopene, the red carotine pigment found in tomatoes, has been modified to be easily absorbed by human cells, and combined with vitamin C and isoflavones, which are extracted from soya beans.”

Source: Daily Mail Online

How would you like a skin treatment for free?

We are looking for a guinea pig...

Don’t worry, it’s not as bad as it sounds, we are not endorsing testing on animals! In fact, Mulberry House has been fortunate enough to be asked to evaluate a new product that is taking the dermatological world by storm. We’re currently keeping the precise details under wraps, but if this product is as good as initial reports claim, this could be a breakthrough for those suffering from skin pigmentation conditions.

At Mulberry House, we currently offer a selection of possible treatment for skin pigmentation conditions. The new treatment involves one simple application to skin suffering with pigmentation problems. Studies have shown this product to be fourteen times more effective than the current treatment, hydroquinone.

Skin pigmentation problems can sometimes be caused by sun damage, so prevention is obviously better than the cure! Make sure you always apply an SPF 15 at least when you go out into the sun and try to stay out of the brightest and harsh sunshine of the day – between 11am and 3pm.
If you think that this treatment sounds like something you might benefit from and you are happy to have your before and after treatment photos used for demonstration purposes, please contact Dr Tanqueray by email – info@mulberryhouseclinic.co.uk

If the treatment becomes more widely available, we will of course let you be the first to know!

Mulberry House discount offer

Christmas is now a week away so at Mulberry House, a member of the Cosmetic Clinics Group, we thought we would cheer up our readers who may find Christmas somewhat stressful with an early gift.

In the interests of being environmentally friendly and saving paper, your gift is electronic! We are offering all our clients a 10% discount on any one cosmetic treatment taken during January 2010.

Often, those who decide to give their appearance a boost will decide to do it in January, so here is just a little gift from us to you to thank you for your interest in Cosmetic Clinics in 2009. All you need to do to take advantage of the offer is quote the Christmas Newsletter. It couldn’t be easier!

If you have a friend who might like to try a treatment for the first time, please do feel free to send one using the link at the bottom of the page and show them all the things we have to offer.

Mulberry House is part of the Cosmetic Clinics group, we will keep you up to date over 2010 with offers from ourselves and other clinics. Merry Christmas!

Botox for Feet?

Below is an article, originally posted at the Telegraph Online that outlines a new trend in Botox injections for your feet.

We thought we’d comment a little on the story ourselves. There are several ways of looking at this treatment, and at Botox in general.

Botox is used to great effect for cosmetic and aesthetic purposes, such as the removal of wrinkles on the forehead, around the eyes and neck areas. It has been used (and abused) by celebrities for decades, and when done correctly is a great way of achieving a more youthful appearance.
Botox isn’t just used for visual reasons though, and has medical applications such as the treatment of migraines and the treatment of excess sweating.

The treatment mentioned below falls somewhere in between. The article seems to point out that it is only useful for party goers who don’t want sore or tired feet, and it can be used for this, there is no doubt about it. However the same relief it can give to feet in heels can also work for feet that get sore and tired in general, so the medical applications are there as well.

The best thing to do is always talk with a professional before attempting any kind of treatment, especially Botox, and they can help you decide if it is something you really need or not. However getting Botox injections just for some heels may possibly be a little bit of an overkill, but only the ladies will really understand if it truly is or not.

Below is the full article: Source - Telegraph Online

Female City executives are turning to Botox injections in the soles of their feet to help them cope with the exhausting drinks party season over the next few weeks.

According to the Harley Medical Group, one of Britain's largest cosmetic surgery chains, women in London are injecting Botox into their feet to alleviate the pain associated with wearing high heels.

Instead of buying a gel-filled pad to put inside their shoes, they are preferring to use collagen to plump out the balls of their feet. The Harley Medical Group calls the new technique "foot fillers".
The company said that it was common in the run up to Christmas to see a rush of bookings for Botox. However, facial injections used to be the only area clients requested, until last year when one or two asked to have their painful feet sorted out.

Dr Nick Milojevic, the main doctor to supply the injections, said: ‘This year we have received increased enquiries for foot fillers. We do say to patients that the results are not long lasting because of the high impact on this area of the body so that they should think twice before spending the money. Facial dermal fillers last for three months and Botox lasts up to six months, but on the foot area fillers will often only provide cushioning for around two to three months.’

Who are The Wimpole Aesthetics Centre?

Dr Joshua Berkowitz opened the Wimpole Aesthetics Centre way back on 2005, on Wimpole Street in Central London. During the time the clinic and he were taking those first steps, he had only one member of staff supporting him.

In only two years these numbers had swelled to four skilled aestheticians to support him, who brought a wide range of skills and knowledge with them. Along with this was the fact that Dr Berkowitz ensured the clinic utilised the most up to date technology and equipment to provide the best possible results for his patients, and to keep them at the cutting edge of their range of cosmetic procedures and anti-ageing treatments.

Today, Dr Berkowitz attributes the success of the Wimpole Aesthetics Centre to this collection of skills, knowledge and technology along with the passion his dedicate team have for their work and the extra special care that each individual patient receives. Patient privacy, dignity and confidentiality are always respected. Each individual will always be welcome and valued as our patient and treated accordingly with courtesy and consideration.

The philosophy followed at the Wimpole Aesthetics Centre is that each patient receives safe, proven and high quality therapies that are tailored to meet the individual’s requirements and aspirations. We aim to be innovative and to only use fully-tested, non-surgical rejuvenation and anti-aging treatments to achieve excellent results for each patient.

Wimpole Aesthetics Centre also believes in ensuring the patients are aware of the limitations of any procedures, along with the benefits, we use and that not every procedure may be utilised by everyone. In this regard we make sure patients are fully aware of what procedures and treatments are right for them, will provide the best benefits and what results can be expected during consultations before any course of treatment is decide upon. This realistic, frank and honest assessments of patients conditions and what can be expected from any procedure, and if these fit with the client’s expectations so any unnecessary disappointment is avoided.

At the Wimpole Aesthetic Centre we are realise and are aware that patients vary greatly and may require several different rejuvenation therapies and aesthetic treatments to achieve the goals they desire, to this end we are able to offer a wide range of treatments; performed by various members of our aesthetic team. Generally, the same therapist will perform a course of treatments in order to have continuity and help build up trust and respect between the therapist and patient.

All our therapists are fully trained to use our equipment and products and we ensure our range of technical skills is kept up to date. In support of our own personal knowledge and skill base, our therapists and aestheticians regularly attends lectures and conferences to further increase our knowledge. It is through this continually updating of our skills that we can confidently offer out treatments and the superior results that come with them.

Some of the treatments available from the Wimpole Aesthetics Centre include:

- Vaser Lipo (State of art non-surgical Liposuction)
- Smart Lipo (For the removal of smaller deposits of fat)
- Thermage (Skin Tightening)
- Laser Hair Removal
- Microdermabrasion
- Chemical Peels
- Botox Treatments
- Sculptra
- Dermal Fillers
- Leg Vein Treatments
- Vela Smooth (Cellulite Treatment)

This are just a few of the anti-ageing and cosmetic procedures we can provide.

Our fees are competitive and we will always give a clear indication of the cost of any treatment,or course of treatments and in some cases we are able to offer payment plans.
We hope this gives you some insight into the Wimpole Aesthetics Centre and will be providing more information on our treatments and staff members soon.

The Wimpole Aesthetics Centre, part of the Cosmetic Clinics Groups, is based in Central London at the following address:

48 Wimpole Street
London
W1G 8SF

Telephone: 0207 224 2247
Fax: 0207 935 2845
Email: drberkowitz@cosmeticclinics.co.uk
Website: www.wimpoleaesthetics.co.uk or www.cosmeticclinics.co.uk

Radiesse Dermal Filler - Full Facial Volumisation

Over the last few years my experience with using Radiesse has brought dramatic results to clients.

This dermal filler is very versatile and with the recent innovation of mixing Lignocaine anaesthetic with the product, has resulted in making the treatment a more comfortable experience.

I have been using it very successfully as an alternate to Sculptra; the advantage of Radiesse is that it gives instant results, as opposed to having to wait for 6 months plus for Sculptra to work.

Full facial volumisation is for clients who have lost volume in their cheeks, mid-face, have deep grooves in their nose/mouth and deep marionette lines (lines between lips/chin). Correction has to be made to all these areas using Radiesse dermal filler.

Our clients range for this treatment is around the 50+ range because of the ageing process or some of younger age who have lost a large amount of weight which is particularly showing on their face.

They usually have had no cosmetic intervention and suddenly realize after reading magazine articles, watching TV shows or researching the internet that something can be done to melt the years away.

In my experience around 6 syringes of 1.5cc Radiesse are required for full facial volumisation.
At Selston Cosmetic Clinic, full facial volumisation is competitively priced at £1500 for SIX 1.5cc syringes of Radiesse. Our normal price for a 1.5 cc Radiesse syringe is £300.

CLIENT 1

Before



After - two months later after SIX 1.3cc Radiesse syringes

• Age 67
• She had deep grooves nose/mouth and mouth to chin and general face sag.
• She had previously tried sculptura1 year ago …Which had given disappointing results

As you would agree, a nice result; also notice the confidence returning to the client in the after picture. How can you tell? Just look at the colour of her clothes

CLIENT 2

Before - Mid 2007



After - October 2009, she had 8cc 1.3cc syringes of Radiesse initially with maintenance treatments.

• Age late 50s
• She had marked volume loss of the entire face
• She required correction to all areas

As you would agree - again a nice result needless to say she feels a confident new woman, just look at the hairstyle change!

by Dr S R Bassi

Dr S.R. Bassi is the lead cosmetic physician in North Nottingham's premier medical cosmetic and laser clinic, Selston Cosmetic Clinic. Dr Bassi is also a national trainer to doctors and nurses in the use of Radiesse dermal fillers.

Cosmetic surgery as a Christmas present – Christmas gift ideas!

It doesn’t matter how old a woman becomes, if she is unhappy with her appearance she will feel just as awkward and insecure as she did as a teenager. There is only so much that make up and stylish, well-fitting clothes can do for a woman who is concerned about her appearance, particularly when she is nowhere near ready to consider having a face lift.

Women concerned about their wrinkles can contemplate Botox; a woman who hates her acne scars could think about having a chemical peel, a woman who is self-conscious about her cellulite could have mesotherapy. The list of non-surgical treatments on offer has grown at an incredible rate as science has progressed extraordinarily quickly in this area of expertise. Yet, in spite of all these treatments being readily available, women are still not taking advantage of the science available to them. Why might this be?

Typically, women will put the needs of their families well before their own. The kids always need something, new shoes, money for school trips and the list goes on ad infinitum. Many mothers neglect themselves to the point that they do not recognise the women they have become... and they don’t like it.

When a woman will not take the steps to improve her appearance and her confidence, it affects the rest of the family. I have heard stories of women who will not go swimming with their children or avoid school sports days purely because they do not feel confident enough in their own skin to be seen by the world. This lack of self-confidence is crippling to not only mother, but also the children who pick up on these insecurities. It doesn't have to be this way. Partners can also suffer in that they miss the lovely and vivacious woman they fell in love with, somehow, she became self-conscious and unhappy.

This is why the answer to this problem is to be comfortable with the idea of buying cosmetic treatments as a Christmas gift. With Christmas fast-approaching, we have received an unprecedented amount of enquiries regarding gift vouchers for non-surgical cosmetic treatments.

Of course, do try and discretely check that the special woman in your life would be pleased with such a gift, some women may see such a gift as an insult even if it is made with the sweetest possible intentions!

Who are Mulberry House Clinic and Laser Centre?

About Mulberry House Clinic:

Mulberry House Clinic and Laser Centre is a very successful cosmetic treatment centre run by husband and wife team Dr John and Elizabeth Tanqueray. The clinic was established at the start of 2003, initially offering a limited range of treatments. However, over the years, John and Elizabeth have developed the widest range of non-surgical treatment options in the region.

The clinic is based in a Georgian House in the village of Hardingstone, just outside Northampton. We are just 5 minutes from junction 15 of the M1 motorway, and parking is available in the grounds of the house.

We are proud that we have a loyal client base as this is a strong indicator of how pleased our clients are with the service we provide. Many of our new clients have been referred by personal recommendation.

We base our treatments on medical principles to ensure that clients are fully informed of the range of options available to them. We are very honest and make sure visitors to Mulberry House Clinic are fully aware of any potential side-effects or problems. We operate in a highly ethical way, and will not recommend any treatment unless we feel it is the most appropriate option for you. We are unique in that we are prepared to recommend medical colleagues elsewhere if we believe that there could be a more appropriate treatment for you that we do not offer ourselves.

We offer treatments that can improve your life. Many people go through life unhappy with how they look but they are unaware that a small cosmetic treatment can drastically enhance their self-confidence as well as appearance.

Treatments can be used to:

- Improve lines, wrinkles and skin texture
- Restore lost volume under the skin
- Reduce pigmentation and redness
- Tighten the skin
- Reduce localised fat and cellulite
- Reduce acne outbreaks and improve acne scarring.

Treatments we offer include:

- Muscle-relaxing injections
- Dermal fillers such as Restylane and Juvederm
- Sculptra
- Facial peels
- Microdermabrasion
- Laser Hair Removal
- Rosacea treatment
- Acne treatment
- Treatment for facial threadveins and redness
- Treatment for pigmentation
- Prescription skincare
- Sclerotherapy for leg veins
- Thermage
- Thermacell
- Plasma Skin Regeneration - Portrait
- Localised fat reduction
- Improvement in skin for the hands/neck and décolleté

Dr Tanqueray offers a consultation with no obligation. We are very happy for you to take time to consider what, if any, treatment you would like, and guarantee that you will not experience any “hard-sell” approach. We are medical professionals, not sales people.

About John & Elizabeth Tanqueray:

Dr John Tanqueray qualified in medicine at Cambridge University in 1984. After his junior hospital posts he entered General Practice.

He works 3 days a week at Mulberry House Clinic and is a General Practitioner on the other 2 days per week.

He is a member of the British Association of Cosmetic Doctors (BACD) and the British Medical Laser Association.

He is registered with the General Medical Council (number 3010756)

Elizabeth Tanqueray qualified as a Registered General Nurse from University College Hospital in London in 1981, and has hospital experience as Sister in charge of Coronary Care and Intensive Care Units.

She works in the Research Department at Northampton General Hospital, and the rest of the time at Mulberry House Clinic.

To more information on our treatments or to book a consultation at Mulberry House contact us on 0844 880 7728 or visit www.cosmeticclinics.co.uk or www.lasertreatmentsnorthampton.co.uk

Cellulite – From a Patient’s Perspective

I can remember having cellulite from when I was a teenager. It seemed as though from the moment I hit puberty I had been cursed with this disgusting dimply skin all over my bottom and thighs. At a time when I should have been enjoying my teenage years, having fun at the beach or the swimming pool in brightly coloured bikinis, I was sat on the sidelines. A girl has got to keep a smile on her face so I just pretended I couldn’t swim and wore sarongs to cover my thighs.

As I got older, I became interested in boys and relationships. As I was shy about my body, I was shy around boys and I would never let anyone see me naked. I felt painfully self-conscious about stripping off and I always made sure that I was either in bed before my partner or that the lights were off before I changed and quickly slid into bed. When I got married, I didn’t need to lose anymore weight as I was a super-slim size 10 but I was still blighted by horrific cellulite. Even after we married, my husband had never seen me naked in normal light but I would wear sheer nighties that covered my bottom and light candles to make my appearance softer. I literally know every trick in the book to cover my thighs and hide them from view.

When I hit my early thirties, my husband became frustrated with my lack of self-confidence. I wouldn’t go swimming with our young son and beach holidays were entirely out of the question. He had NEVER seen my bottom in normal light and my self-esteem was at rock bottom. That’s when he offered to pay for a course of cellulite treatment for my birthday - on the proviso that I changed my lifestyle to complement the treatment. That meant I had to cut down of caffeinated drinks, begin body brushing and drink more water. Combined with the mesotherapy, my cellulite all but disappeared and I was thrilled. I went swimming with my son for the very first time. I felt like the yummiest mummy in the leisure centre!

After years of enduring low self-esteem, I can’t for the life of me imagine why every woman isn’t having these injections. It only takes 10 minutes to complete one session and depending on how bad the cellulite is, you’ll need at least one session of injections per week for 4-8 weeks.

Nottingham Comes to London with Vaser Lipo

Due to increasing demand and enquiries asking us if we provide a Vaser Lipo service in London and in response we are excited to say that Selston Cosmetic Clinic will soon be operating out of our satellite clinic in Central London!

We hope to provide a weekend service on Saturdays and Sundays once a month for our clients who find a trip all the way up to Nottingham just a tad too far!

We still hope to keep the prices competitive compared to London clinics, therefore providing a convenient, accessible location and the services of our much sought after aesthetic physician Dr Bassi.

Stay tuned

Mags

Lead Vaser Lipo Technician

Selston Cosmetic Clinic

Mesotherapy for Rejuvenation of Hands and Décolleté

The number of clients having medical cosmetic treatments is increasing each year. Much of this is due to more affordable procedures as well as increased awareness and knowledge. Not only is demand for the more well known treatments such as Botox and dermal fillers increasing, but there is considerable demand in the number of clients requesting treatments to rejuvenate the hands and the décolleté.

These areas are often neglected and whilst most women are now very aware of the risks of sun damage to their faces, they often neglect their hands, neck and chest. Many of our clients complain that their faces look great, but their age is given away by their hands, neck and chests.

Dr Lucy Glancey recalls one of her patients proudly showing her new 4 carat diamond ring, a present for her 60th birthday and she commented that life wasn’t fair! “How so?” I asked, “Well just as you are able to afford a huge diamond ring your hands look so aged that you are embarrassed to show them off.”

“These types of comments have prompted cosmetic Doctors to look at rejuvenation procedures available and develop new techniques” says Dr Glancey. “First and foremost we ensure that our patients protect these areas from the sun by using a good sun protection of at least an SPF of 30. Most of us are so careful about putting sun block on our faces, but how many remember the neck and décolleté? While driving in the car on a sunny day our hands are exposed to the sun light and if unprotected can become pigmented. While in our twenties and early thirties we get a nice even chocolate tan which looks attractive, later on in life our sun damaged melanocytres tend to produce patchy pigment which results in ‘sun spots’. The natural ageing process also causes our hands to lose fat and again this can give a very aged look. The décolleté can be easily damaged by spraying perfume on the neck and chest area and then exposing it to the sunlight. This causes a photosensitive response and increases the ageing process. As we sleep the décolleté can become ‘squashed’ and particularly in larger breasted ladies. This produces the lines and wrinkles running up from the breast as well as creepy looking skin. The hands, neck and décolleté are areas of the body that ladies like to be able to show off and therefore they are looking for effective anti ageing treatments.”

There are various procedures for hand rejuvenation and one of the more drastic ways is to remove the veins on the back of the hands. Because of the loss of fat the veins become more prominent so rather than this drastic approach it is better to replace this lost volume. “Another reason why we do not like to remove the veins” says Dr Glancey “is because the veins can be life savers and should you collapse on the street you may need the intravenous access”.

One way of replacing the volume in the hands is by redistributing the patients’ own fat. Autologous fat transfer can be performed with a device called Lipivage. A small amount of fat is harvested from areas such as the inner thighs, tummy or knees. The fat is then ‘washed’ and then immediately injected back into the treatment area. The patients are required to wear bandages for a few days after the procedure and there may be some bruising. However, once this has all settled the hands look beautifully plump and rejuvenated.

A disadvantage of this technique as with any procedure involving the patients own fat is that the body may metabolise it quickly and therefore we cannot predict how long the effects will last. An alternative to using fat is to replace the volume using synthetic soft tissue filler. A technique known as Mesotherapy which involves multiple injections used to plump up the hands and décolleté with a product that re-hydrates and replaces hyaluronic acid. A new product called Restylane Vital® can be used in both the hands and the décolleté area over three sessions. Dr Glancey comments “we are getting really nice results which can last from 6 months to a year.”

Restylane Vital® a crystal clear gel which is injected into the dermis to moisturise the patients own skin from within. The active ingredient, hyaluronic acid, is found naturally in the body, but its production decreases with time. Restylane Vital® stimulates skin cell activity to increase the production of collagen and elastin, so hands and the décolleté looks plump and youthful.

Another procedure that can be very effective on these areas is Intense Pulsed Light. This treatment modality not only rejuvenates the skin, but eliminates any pigment such as age spots and broken capillaries. “A typical condition that patients complain about on their neck and décolleté” says Dr Glancey “is telangiectasia and poiklioderma. This condition is characterised by matted broken capillaries either side of the neck and across the chest. Intense Pulsed Light will target the dilated capillaries as well as any sun spots. Another great advantage of using IPL is that is stimulates collagen production and when combined with Mesotherapy the results are fantastic.”

If you require further information about Mesotherapy or have any other questions please visit www.cosmeticclinics.co.uk

Meso-Botox

Mesotherapy is a technique designed to introduce a small amount of active ingredient/product into the superficial layers of the skin (mesoderm) in order to achieve a protector aim depending on the type of product used.

Mesotherapy is used in various areas of medicine for example rheumatology and also in support medicine; it is used for pain relief and cosmetic medicine for rejuvenation purposes.

It is particularly good to rejuvenate the superficial layers of the skin and target fine lines and wrinkles that are usually seen on the surface as a criss-cross pattern which is very difficult to treat via other means.

It can be used to treat such lines on the face, not only on the face but also décolleté, neck and hands, which are very popular areas.

Depending on the active ingredient used for the purpose there are different goals that can be achieved with mesotherapy. For example, their products are aimed at treating alopecia, and there are other products that contain small amounts of non-cross linked hylauronic acid which is very pure and by injecting this into the skin it plumps up the fine lines and just gives a very hydrating effect on the skin without making it look lumpy.

Also products like polilatic acid can be injected to achieve some skin tightening and salmon calcutoning can be injected to give the skin a nice healthy glow because this product has a vasial dilatory property.

Recently, a new technique was developed by which a very small amount of Botulinum toxin or Botox is diluted into a larger amount of skin hydrating agents like vitamins and minerals and injected into the skin in a mesotheraputic fashion in order to achieve filler effect of reducing fine lines and wrinkles which are due to attachment of small muscle fibres to the skin that pull the skin and create both lines which cannot really be treated by any other means. By adding vitamins and minerals to the skin that achieves re-hydration and the total effect is smoother and plumper skin without the very fine criss cross pattern of lines that can be seen especially if using a magnifying mirror and that worries a lot of women when they look at the mirror and again the decollette is a very specific area which very rarely responds to anything else rather than mesotherapy.

Considering the small amounts of Botox that I have given via this technique it does not by any means achieve any so called frozen look and only effects those very superficial muscles that sometimes pull on the skin creating very fine lines sometimes even puckering effect on the skin. The patient is able to fully move all muscles and there is no changes in expression. If they want to treat things like frown lines or crows feet properly then they should have a proper Botox treatment which involves much higher doses and it is a completely different type of treatment form meso-botox.

Usually the treatment will involve a course of six every 2-4 weeks depending on the problem and then again maintenance every 6-12 months depending on the problem and the amount of sun damage that the patient incurs in the interim period.

Dark Circles Causes & Treatments (Part 4) - Pigmentation & Vascular Symptoms

Continuing from our previous article we will discuss the colour changes that can be responsible for dark circles and ways to combat them.

Pigmentation
Some people with dark skins ( Fitzpatrick types 4 to 6 ) inherit a genetic tendency for darker pigmentation around the eyes. This of course becomes obvious from a very early age even in childhood.

Treatment
The famous ‘touch éclat’ is the make up of choice for many women as it creates a light reflection which counteracts the dark shadow along with camouflage make-up.

Some lasers can be very effective in particular the Ruby laser. Laser skin pigmentation treatment is particularly effective on Asian and Middle Eastern patients with dark brown circles due to excess pigment.

Skin bleaching agents such as Hydroquinone, retinoic acid, azelaic acid, alfa–hydroxy acids, kojic acid and trichloroacetic acid can be used to lighten the skin. Some of these preparations can be very strong and may provoke skin reactions. They should be used under doctor’s supervision only and can only be obtained on prescription. Decades ago the accepted treatment for bleaching skin lesions included products containing mercury salts. Their use is now prohibited because of their high toxicity. Hydrogen peroxide can also bleach melanin by oxidizing it, but because it can cause skin irritations it is mainly used for bleaching hair.

Vascular
The skin of the lower eyelid is the thinnest in the face so it is not surprising that it can show the underlying blood vessels which could sometimes appear as a blue/ purple tinge. This is especially obvious in pale skinned individuals (Fitzpatrick skin types 1 and 2) but other skin types can also be affected. Another factor that determines the appearance is the density and the extent to which the blood vessels are dilated. The more closely packed and the more dilated the blood vessels are the redder the skin looks. The amount of oxygen in the blood is also important. High levels of oxygen in the blood makes the skin bright red while a low level of oxygen gives the skin a bluish colouration.

Treatment
Cosmetic laser surgery. Lasers are used to help improve this condition and the pulsed dye lasers are especially effective. Bruising may result therefore the patient may have one to two weeks down time. If the vessels are very large they can be surgically removed.

In conclusion dark circles having once been considered untreatable can now be dramatically improved by advancements in aesthetic techniques. The good news is that in most patients this can be achieved without surgery.

by Lucy Glancey

If you have any further enquiries about dark circles or it's treatments including dermal fillers, cosmetic laser surgery, botox or any other treatments visit www.cosmeticclinics.co.uk.

Dark Circles Causes & Treatments (Part 3) - Wrinkles & Eye Bags

Continuing from our previous article we will discuss the texture changes that can be responsible for dark circles and ways to combat them.

Eye Bags
Eye-bags are due to herniation (protrusion ) of fat in the lower eyelid which in some cases can be hereditary and can be visible from a very early age. Usually it is a result of the normal aging process when the skin looses its elasticity and allows the fat to protrude and become more visible. There are two types of eye bags, true eye bags which are due to genuine fat protrusion and pseudo eye bags which are caused by severe eye hollowing creating an impression of a “bulge”. Quite often there are both types present in the same individual to varying degrees.

Treatment
This will be dependent on the type of eye bag. True eye bags require surgery (lower blepharoplasty) while pseudo bags will require a dermal filler as described above. When there is a combination of both types, surgery will be required, followed by dermal fillers once the healing process is completed.

Wrinkles
Fine wrinkles under the eyes create a different texture and when excessive can give the appearance of dark circles. This condition is age related and the process is greatly accelerated when there is a degree of sun damage. The lower eyelid skin is very thin and therefore this is an area where wrinkles to appear first. In some individuals this can be exaggerated by the lack of natural bony structure therefore people with higher cheek bones have less wrinkles under the eyes.

Treatment
Wrinkles can be difficult to cover with make up as it tends to settle in the wrinkles making them more obvious. Prevention of sun damage is important especially in the delicate skin around the eyes, so the use of sun block is even more important than eye creams. There are certain eye creams that contain sufficient amounts of active ingredients (e.g. Retinoids) and are effective in preventing, and even reversing sun damage and consequently wrinkles. The most potent creams are available only on doctor’s prescription. Wearing good sunglasses in the sun can also be a good preventative measure.

In a younger patient (35 -40 yrs) a low dose of Botulinum Toxin type A (Botox or Dysport) can be effective, however this can result in discreet widening of the eye which may change the eye shape. It is important that the Botox procedure is performed by a well trained practitioner as an incorrect placement of this product in the lower eye lid can result in severe consequences leading to ulceration of the eye.

Chemical peels and laser resurfacing can work but are associated with higher risks of delayed healing, hyper and hypo pigmentation. The downtime for these procedures can be lengthy and can be a traumatic experience for the patient. Intense pulse light (IPL) can be used in the form of photorejuvenation ( photofacial) but requires several sessions and the results can often be modest.

Over the next few weeks we will outline the differing reasons or causes for dark cirles under the eyes and what treatments are avialble to combat them, so keep an eye out for Part 4!

by Lucy Glancey

For more information on dark circles and treatments including dermal fillers, Botox and chemical peels visit www.cosmeticclinics.co.uk

Dark Circles Causes & Treatments (Part 2) - Hollow Eyes

Continuing from our previous article we will discuss the texture changes that can be responsible for dark circles and ways to combat them.

Hollow Eyes
Hollowing under the eyes creates the so called exposed ‘tear trophs’ or ‘tear ducts’ which is a groove running from the inside corner of the eye to the lower part of the eyelid and quite often into the cheek.

This is usually related to the normal ageing process. We loose approximately 5 ml of fat from our face every year and this fat loss is what is to blame for the appearance of deep folds and sagging in the skin as well as hollowing of the cheeks and eyes.

The human face can be likened to a balloon which is well inflated when we are young and our faces are full of “puppy fat” and gradually deflates with age as we loose fat. This process can be greatly accelerated by a rapid weight loss following yo-yo dieting. The skin is often unable to adapt to the rapid change of volume and sags as opposed to recoiling back into the new shape and can lead to premature ageing and increased wrinkles. In younger individuals and also in males, where the skin is thicker and more elastic yo-yo dieting is less risky. However women over 30 yrs should be careful and plan any weight loss over a longer period of time in order to avoid this problem.

Hollow eyes can also be hereditary in which case they are apparent from a very early age (usually 20 -25 yrs). We ask patients to bring photographs of themselves when they were younger and also pictures of their parents. This is useful to determine hereditary factors.

One important cause of premature eye hollowing is following surgery to the lower eye lid (lower blepharoplasty). When the problem is lower eyelid bags many patients resort to surgery which can be effective way of removing the bags. ‘Eye-bags’ are due to protruding fat and therefore removing some fat usually brings an immediate good result. However in the long term this lack of fat together with the natural ageing process can speed up the appearance of hollowing around the eye. There are many techniques for operating on the lower eyelid and some of the older methods involved removing too much fat. Modern techniques used in today’s surgery are more sparing towards the eyelid fat and involve repositioning of the fat rather than removal.

Treatment
The best treatment for correcting hollow eyes is by using a non-permanent dermal filler. My choice when it comes to dermal fillers is stabilised hyaluronic acid. The advantage of using this type product is that the effects can be fully reversed even earlier than the natural absorption of the product, which can be reassuring to the patient.

The dermal filler is placed deep over the bone in order to fill in the groove. The procedure is almost painless and rarely requires an anaesthetic. The success rate is very high ( 80 -90%) and the results can last for over a year. It can however be a dangerous procedure in un-experienced practitioner as it can quickly turn the hollow eyes into baggy eyes if the product is placed incorrectly i.e. too superficial. For this reason always seek out an experianced cosmetician and go ensure you are completely happy with everything discussed with you. If you have any questions, you should always ask them.

Over the next few weeks we will outline the differing reasons or causes for dark cirles under the eyes and what treatments are avialble to combat them, so keep an eye out for Part 3!

by Lucy Glancey

For more information on dark circles, treatments and dermal fillers, visit www.cosmeticclinics.co.uk

Dark Circles Causes & Treatments (Part 1)

Dark circles under the eyes together with cellulite are probably the most commonly talked about aesthetic imperfection. This is partly due to the fact that there is very little one can do to completely eliminate either of them. For both conditions a variety of over the counter creams are sold that promise the world but deliver less than modest results, as many of us who have tried them can confirm. However in the treatment of dark circles new advances in cosmetic medicine, such as laser surgery and dermal fillers, the condition can be improved up to 80 – 90 % (depending on the reason for the dark circles) which is good news for those who have been long suffering.

What are dark circles?
This is the appearance of different colour, texture or a mixture of both on the lower eyelid area. It is far more difficult to treat the so called complex circles where there is a combination of colour difference and textural changes. In our clinic we use grading system for patients with dark circles. There are 4 grades;

Grade 1 – these are very mild and only visible without any make up. They disappear totally when make up or concealer is applied.

Grade 2 – these are visible even with make-up but of moderate severity. A good way to demonstrate grades 1 and 2 better and especially for the purposes of medical photographs is to ask the patient to put their chin down and look up to the ceiling without moving their head. This is important when we take before and after pictures in order to clearly demonstrate the results of the treatment

Grade 3 – these are severe and give the impression of baggy eyes (the so called false or pseudo – eye bags)

Grade 4 – these are the complex dark circles where there is a combination of not only texture but a colour change as well. They require more treatment sessions compared to the other grades.

Over the next few weeks we will outline the differing reasons or causes for dark cirles under the eyes and wat treatments are avialble to combat them, so keep an eye out for Part 2!

by Lucy Glancey

For more information on dark circles, treatments and dermal fillers, visit www.cosmeticclinics.co.uk

Juverderm Ultra - The Painless Dermal Filler?

Summer’s over (I’m not sure how many people in Britain can remember what summer is!), autumn is coming – what is there to look forward to? Well at Mulberry House Clinic we have some news to brighten you up, especially if you’ve been wanting to have dermal filler treatment but are afraid it will be painful.

If you think the idea of having dermal filler treatment, even in the lip, without any anaesthetic is unimaginable then we have found the treatment for you!

A dermal filler is now available that contains local anaesthetic, and the effects on comfort are dramatic.

I was asked to used Juvederm Ultra about a year ago before it was launched to give my own and clients’ feedback to the company. Initial impressions were good, but at that stage I wanted to be sure that there were going to be no unexpected side-effects or problems, and that the longevity of treatment would be good. It has now had time to prove itself and I am recommending it more and more to my clients. Juvederm Ultra has recently been given FDA-approval in America for duration of effect of up to 12 months.

Compared to other dermal fillers the experience is much more comfortable and initial swelling and redness is considerably less – the effects are also even smoother, and feel natural almost straightaway.

We now have a good number of clients who have had Juvederm Ultra, and they’ve been delighted with the results and amazed by how comfortable it is.

We know that there are people who have been reluctant to have dermal filler treatment, especially around the mouth, because it can be painful, but we can now reassure you that this really doesn’t need to be a concern any more - if you are sceptical or particularly sensitive there is still no problem with having anaesthetic cream on first for optimum comfort.

Dr John Tanqueray - Mulberry House Clinic

For more information on Juvederm Ultra and other dermal fillers visit www.cosmeticclinics.com and find your nearest cosmetic specialists.

Laser Hair Removal

The basic methodology behind laser hair removal is that the lights seek out the melanin in the follicle of the hair itself, and then permanently removes the hair. The ideal candidates for laser hair removal will have light skin and dark hair. Common sites to have laser hair removal include, but are not limited to, the following areas: upper lip, chin, shoulders, back, abdomen, pubic area, chest, arms, legs and thighs.

The benefits of laser hair removal are numerous. Instead of the inconvenience of resorting to the temporary means of shaving, or resorting to more painful electrolysis, you can go a mere 5-7 times for Laser treatment and find yourself hair free in a relatively short time. Most dermatologists that offer laser hair removal space out the treatments between 3-12 weeks. This largely depends on your own reactions to the treatment, your skin type, how much hair you are removing, and the removal site.

There are a few other factors to hair removal to consider as well. For example, a person getting their back or legs done would have to go through less sessions than one getting any area on the face treated. Proper research of your dermatologist of choice, as well as the treatment in general is important. Like any other sort of treatments, there are risks. These can range from mild reactions like acne or small white spots on the skin to minimal or heavy swelling.

Most do not experience such adverse reactions, but you should always report any issues you might end up having. All in all, laser hair removal is a fairly painless procedure that leaves you with smooth hairless, bump free skin. All this at a good price, with the advantage of not having to keep a supply of razors and other costly supplies leaves little to no doubt as to the proper choice.

The Benefits of Botox

Originally developed by scientists to treat muscle spasms in the eye region, the Clostridium Botulinum bacterium we know today as Botox is one of the most highly desired anti-aging treatments available on the market today.

Thanks in part to Hollywood; the supply and demand has risen so wildly that Botox is quickly becoming an affordable luxury, even for middle class mums and dads who secretly crave that "ten-year younger" look. Below, you'll read about several sensational benefits of getting a Botox treatment.

1. Anti-Aging - Without a doubt, this is the most popular reason that Botox injections are administered by trained medical professionals every single day. The ability to walk into a clinic and receive a treatment that reduces those highly noticeable wrinkle regions such as crow’s feet, frown lines and brow lines, is nothing short of a modern day fashion miracle. How would you like to walk into a room and drop jaws because you look like you're 10 years younger? That's quite a common reaction that many Botox recipients receive, and with today's more lenient societal acceptance of cosmetic enhancements, one no longer has to keep it a secret.

2. Migraine Killer - Statistics say that over 6 million people in the UK are affected by the dreaded migraine headache. Thanks to recent breakthroughs with the help of modern day medical science, it's been discovered that Botox treatments won't only give you the ability to look twenty years younger, but it can also be used to treat and lessen migraines. For those with especially debilitating migraine issues, this is phenomenal news.

3. Prostate Shrinker - Another absolutely amazing discovery (and also a reason to bring your hubby to the doc's office) is that Botox, when injected into the male prostate gland, can actually give relief to those with enlarged prostates. The effect lasts up to a year, and the main reason it works is simple - it shrinks the gland, which in turn reduces the annoying and painful effects of an enlarged prostate such as frequent urination and urinary tract infections.

4. Excess sweating – Also known as Hyperhidrosis, this form of excess sweating can be generalized or localised to specific parts of the body. Hands, feet, armpits and the groin are among the typical regions of perspiration due to the relatively high concentration of sweat glands; however, any part of the body may be affected. Botox injections can be used to effectively reduce this sweating even where traditional toiletries such as anti-perspirants and talc have failed.

All in all, Botox, while having some potential for minor side effects, is a rock star substance that seems to be solving new problems every day. It is always advised to check with a qualified cosmetic doctor first, but if you're ready to treat yourself, both materialistically and medically, then Botox just may be the magic shot you need.

Hair Restoration with Follicular Unit Extraction (Part 4)

With traditional Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) grafting, the hairs are pulled out (like a banana being pulled out of its skin from one end) and the grafts may be stripped of their outer root sheath (ORS). If that happens, the hairs may lose the dermal papillae and possibly the bulb as well. The good news is that the growth elements of the mature terminal hair shaft are multifocal (have more than one site controlling the growth) so hair bulbs and dermal papillae cells that may be damaged may still produce full terminal hair, albeit less thick.

The two strongest growth areas of the mature terminal hair include (a) the dermal papillae and (b) the area near the insertion of the tiny muscle attached to the hair in the vicinity of the sebaceous gland. Any damage to the growing hair will produce a weaker and thinner hair. The research to show the damage to a follicular unit stripped of its dermal papillae and its ORS has not been well documented, but the conclusions drawn here are logically based upon the science of hair growth as we know it.

In a landmark study on hair transplant surgery, Dr. Kim, a noted Korean researcher, demonstrated that attempts to cut one hair into two parts to grow more than one hair from parts of a single hair, failed to grow more than one hair. When the (a) transected lower half of the hair was placed in a patient, it often grew a finer, weaker hair and (b) transected upper half of hair was placed in a patient, no hair grew.

Potential issues of using FUE for hair restoration.

• Loss of hairs inside the grafts from amputation/transection of the hairs; i.e. some of the amputated hairs die.

• Stripping of the critical growth centres of the hairs within the graft during the extraction process.

• Loss of the hair bulb or dermal papillae (the dermal papillae, which is located at the very bottom of the hair bulb, is responsible for hair re-growth after hair cycling from the telogen phase into the anagen phase).

• Buried grafts (grafts that are pushed below the skin becoming foreign bodies with potential cyst formation or even abscesses producing possible infections) thus wasting valuable hair resources.

• Necrosis (gangrene) of the donor area in large FUE sessions has been recently reported at the September 2008 ISHRS meeting in Montreal. It is not clear why this has occurred, since so little information on this potential complication has been presented.

For more information on FUE and hair transplant surgery visit www.cosmeticclinics.co.uk to find your nearest hair restoration specialist.

by Dr S R Bassi

Hair Restoration with Follicular Unit Extraction (Part 3)

The best follicular unit extractions (FUE) come when the entire follicular unit, the bulb with the dermal papillae and the capsule are removed intact and there is no amputation/transection of hairs within the graft.

In theory, the more the follicular unit is stripped of its surrounding tissue, the lower the growth potential. If the outer root sheath (ORS) is not violated and some fat remains below the bulb, one can assume that the follicular unit was removed without damage. If the lower ends of the hairs of the excised follicular unit contain a glistening covering and the bulb is intact, then it can be assumed that the follicular unit came out wholly intact. If the outer root sheath is violated and stripped from its covering, one should expect some negative impact on the growth. This could result in a thinner, less robust hair from one or more of the hair follicles within the extracted follicular unit. In summary, the best preserved follicular unit is one where the ORS is intact, the hairs are covered with a glistening covering, there is fat at the bottom of the bulb where the dermal papilla is located, and there is no amputation/transection of the hairs within the graft.

The follicular unit is surrounded by a capsule that isolates the hairs from the surrounding dermis and fat. This capsule is called the outer root sheath (ORS) and extends to the surface of the skin to produce the pore the hair exists from. When we extract a follicular unit from the scalp using the strip harvesting method, for example, this outer root sheath is included in the graft. All of the vital structures of the follicular unit lie encased in this ORS.

At the bottom of the bulb of the hair, lies a structure called the dermal papillae (DP). The hair bulb looks like a catcher's mitt from the bottom, and the DP is the ball inside the mitt. The DP contains the master switch that controls the hair growth genetically. Cells inside the DP express the genetics that initiates the hair growth process and is integrally involved in the various stages of the hair cycle. In the photo below (at right), we see two hairs, one fully developed (terminal) hair and one small hair that is growing out of its telogen (resting) phase into its anagen (growth) phase, evolving into a mature terminal hair.

Note that the telogen hair produces a finer hair while the hair is growing. This hair will get thicker as the hair matures into its 'terminal' status. The bulb at the bottom of the telogen hair stands out prominently as it does in the mature terminal hair but the DP cannot be seen without special stains or equipment.

More information on FUE will follow in further articles, alternately visit www.cosmeticclinics.co.uk to find your nearest hair restoration specialist.

by Dr S R Bassi

Hair Restoration with Follicular Unit Extraction (Part 2)

There are several advantages of FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction). With moderately sized procedures, it leaves virtually imperceptible punctuate scars in the donor area once healed. During the post operative period, there are only a few limitations placed upon the patient for the first week or so. Patients rarely report any donor area pain from the excision area. The donor area can be washed as vigorously as necessary to obtain a clean wound. Hair grows out from the donor area fairly quickly so by one week after an FUE procedure most donor wounds will be covered by a short beard-like growth of the hair making the donor excisions nearly undetectable.

The FUE hair transplant surgery technique is difficult and tedious to perform on the part of the physician and staff. FUE is not for everyone and it takes a skilled, trained doctor to differentiate who is a candidate for this hair transplant procedure and who is not. Over the years, more and more doctors began offering the procedure, but few have shown real expertise in this field. At the onset, patient successes were few and many were highly suspect. Widespread failures of FUE were not uncommon. As difficult as it was for the doctor to master the FUE surgery, it was equally difficult for the patient to comprehend what FUE procedures could and could not accomplish.

FUE is a minimally invasive, precise, technically demanding hair transplant surgery procedure that is influenced by the technical skills of the doctors, and is hindered by the absence of uniform surgical tools. Transection rates should be tracked and you should ask to see that documentation at the end of your procedure. Finally, to be sure you procedure will go as planned; the doctor's technique must be replicable from one patient to another.

More information on FUE will follow in further articles, alternately visit www.cosmeticclinics.co.uk to find your nearest hair restoration specialist.

by Dr S R Bassi

Hair Restoration with Follicular Unit Extraction (Part 1)

Hair restoration has come a long way since the days of hair plugs and gruesome scalp reductions. Nowadays using follicular unit extraction and follicular unit transplantation very natural results can be achieved with minimal scarring at the donor site.

What is Follicular Unit Extraction?

Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) is a technique, in which hair is transplanted from the permanent zone in the back of the scalp into areas affected by genetic balding, using only the naturally occurring, individual follicular units.

The removal of Follicular Units from the back of the scalp without damaging them, involves considerable skill on the part of the surgeon. This technique, called Single Strip Harvesting, is an essential component of follicular unit transplantation as it not only preserves the follicular units, but it prevents damage (transection) to the individual hair follicles. The Follicular Unit Extraction, allows the surgeon to remove individual follicular units without a linear donor incision.

Another essential component of Follicular Unit Transplantation is Stereo-Microscopic Dissection. In this technique, all of the follicular units are removed from the donor tissue under microscopic control to avoid damage. Complete stereo-microscopic dissection has been shown to produce an increased yield of both the absolute number of follicular units, as well as the total amount of hair, (upwards of 25%). (This procedure differs from mini-micrografting in which the grafts are cut with minimal or no magnification.)

A major advantage of follicular unit extraction, (besides preserving follicular units and maximizing growth) is the ability to use small recipient sites. Grafts comprised of individual follicular units are small because Follicular Units are themselves small, but also because the surrounding non-hair bearing tissue is removed under the microscope and doesn't need to be transplanted. Follicular unit grafts can be inserted into tiny needle-sized sites in the recipient area, which heal in just a few days without leaving any marks.

When performed by a skilled surgical team, Follicular Unit Extraction can provide totally natural looking hair transplants that make the full use of the patient's donor supply to give the best possible cosmetic results in the fewest possible sessions.

More information on FUE will follow in further articles, alternately visit www.cosmeticclinics.co.uk to find your nearest hair restoration specialist.

By Dr S R Bassi

Cosmetic Clinics Provide A Vaser Lipo Master-Class

In late July, there was something of a Vaser Lipo master class held at Selston Cosmetic Clinic in Nottinghamshire.

Hosted by Selston's resident cosmetic doctor, Dr Sashi Bassi, the master class was attended by several other members of the Cosmetic Clinics Group, all experts in Vaser Lipo techniques and national trainers for Vaser Lipo in the UK.

Along with Dr Bassi the attendees included Dr Kam Singh of Beau Aesthetica Spa & Clinic (Leicester), Dr Joshua Berkowitz of The Wimpole Aesthetics Centre (London) and Dr Bhavesh Bodalia of The Gables Medicentre (Coventry). Each doctor has many years of experience in cosmetic and aesthetic procedures and treatments and were the first to use Vaser as a new method of liposuction.

Having such a gathering of expertise was quite a boon and this combined knowledge was to be utilised on 3 different patients’ inner thigh and knee areas. Obviously each patient was unique and the doctors debated their preferred approaches and techniques to the areas undergoing the Vaser Lipo procedure. It is interesting to see the little differences each doctor has to the same fundamental procedure, and the combination of these led to achieve very satisfying and impressive results for each of the patients involved.

Of course the patients were not the only beneficiaries to the mater class, as each doctor gleaned a few differing styles, techniques and insights into each others years of training and expertise, which in turn added to their own repertoire and skill set.

Vaser Lipo, one of the most advanced and beneficial forms of liposuction, is available from several of the clinics in the Cosmetic Clinics Group. For a full list, visit www.cosmeticclinics.co.uk and use the handed treatment & clinic locator to find your nearest clinic offering Vaser Lipo.

Sun Damage Skin - Laser Skin Pigmentation Treatment

Having enjoyed the sunshine during the summer months, many people will now be seeing the after effects it has on their complexion, especially in regards to uneven skin pigmentation. Yes the sun has its benefits, it can be great for getting rid of acne spot for example, but it has a lot of downsides especially the aggravation of brown pigmentation in the face and body.

The reason for this is that the pigment producing cells (Melanocytes) are stimulated very easily by UV light, something the sun has an awful lot of. Once this stimulation occurs, melanin is over-produced and forms in an uneven pattern of patchy pigmentation on the skin. The best prevention for this is a simple one, sun block! Of course this is prevention and won’t help if you’ve already made that mistake of going out unprotected.

Now not all skin pigmentation is caused by sun damage, such as Melasma, which is hormonal, Chloasma, which occurs during pregnancy and Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH), which is caused after some kind of damage or trauma to the skin followed by exposure to the sun. However for now we will talk about sun damage pigmentation and how it can be treated.

This is a very common occurrence in lighter skin types. It appears as freckles or brown spots of pigment, often known as sun spots or liver spots, on the back of hands, face, neck and decollete.

This type of pigmentation has no pattern or symmetry to it; in fact, it follows a pattern dictated by the side most exposed to the sun which in the UK is the right-hand side. A study conducted on American truck drivers found their most sun damaged side was the left side, in particular the face and arm, as a result of driving with their arm resting on the open window of the truck door.

This form of skin pigmentation responds well to chemical peels but it also responds well to laser therapy.

This laser skin pigmentation treatment utilises Intense Pulse Light (IPL). IPL is a well known method of hair removal and very popular in many beauty salons and cosmetic clinics. When the hair is removed, the IPL is attracted by the dark colour of the hair bulb; following the same logic, the light is attracted by all red and browns on the face or body provided there is a good enough contrast between these colour and the background skin tone.

The problem with people who want this treatment to remove the irregular pigmentation is that they are often sun worshippers, those who spend all their time in the sun getting a tan without the right protection. Now these people can be treated, but treatment cannot occur until their tan has completely faded, or else the laser cannot pick up the contrasting colours of the skin and the pigmentation.

With the right assessment of the particular type of pigmentation and the right treatment applied, very rewarding results can be achieved. There are many reputable clinics that offer laser skin pigmentation treatment such as Laser Doc clinic located in Nottingham, who can advise you on your skin pigmentation condition and how to best treat it.

Laser Hair Removal - How Good Is It?

This month's focus is on Permanent Hair Reduction, or as it is more commonly know; laser hair removal.

The use of lasers has proven over many years to be without a doubt the best form of long lasting hair removal; we will go in to detail as to why later. Laser hair removal is most commonly used on the upper lip and chin area, the underarm and the bikini zone. However it is just as effective on the arms, legs and back areas. Obviously laser hair removal isn’t just for ladies either, and many guys have the procedure to be rid of excessive hair or unsightly body hair.

Now for the more technical part!

The principle of treatment is that light energy (Laser) is directed at the hair follicle. The wavelength of light energy is absorbed by the melanin pigment in the hair as it sits in the hair follicle, and this absorption results in a short heating effect that damages the cells lining the follicle and which are responsible for hair growth.

As it is the melanin pigment that is affected by the heat energy then melanin needs to be present and unfortunately this is only the case in dark hair (brown or black) thus it will not be effective on blond, grey, red or light hair. Many people believe that skin colour is a factor however this is not true; laser hair removal is safe to use for any skin type.

Now that covers the “why?” but what else makes it the best treatment? Well the other bonus is that unlike electrolysis for example, there is no scarring or sigh that the treatment has occurred, apart from some redness for a few hours.

“Wait a minute! Redness? So it hurts?”

Well to say it is painless would be untrue, but it is not painful per se either. It falls somewhere between, but an anaesthetic cream is used to ease the feeling on more sensitive areas along with the laser tip being cooled to make the experience more comfortable. The sensation is described as a slight stinging sensation by many people, and it’s probably about right; compared to electrolysis it is much more pleasant.

For best effects normally about 6 treatments are required, though good results can come after only 4. It is worth noting that on the face up to 8 treatments are sometimes necessary (due to hormonal reasons).

The benefits are normally visible after 2 or 3 treatments, and they continue up to the last. It also means that shaving, waxing and hair removal creams are no longer required and can give a huge confidence boost to people who have suffered with unnatural or excessive hair growth.

There are many clinics that can offer laser hair removal, but make sure you use a reputable clinic with an experienced cosmetic doctor.

All of the clinics in the Cosmetic Clinics Group provide laser hair removal and are all ran by experienced and fully trained professionals, plus you can use the website to find you nearest clinic and many of the clinics offer special deals such as Mulberry House in Northampton who offer a sixth treatment for free! If you pay for five laser hair removal treatments in advance, now that’s a bargain!.

For more information on laser hair removal or to book an appointment consultation or treatment for visit the Cosmetic Clinics Groups’ website at www.cosmeticclinics.co.uk