Friday 30 July 2010

Guide To Mole Removal

Although some moles are regarded as a sign of beauty, for many people their moles can cause them great distress due to the risk of becoming malignant (cancerous) or simply because of their unsightly nature. Leading dermatologist expert Jonathan Bowling has recently expressed his concerns about the increasing risks of melanoma, especially amongst the 15 to 34 age range. Have a read of our guide to Mole removal to learn about how to identify and check your moles and the best treatments available.

Identifying your moles
The first step is to learn how to identify your moles. Unlike other skin pigmentations they are usually a dark brown or even yellow or blue in colour. They are most commonly found on the arms, neck and face and can be either flat or raised. Be careful not to get them confused with the many other skin pigmentations that can be found on the skin such as freckles, angiomas or seborrhoeic kerastoses.

How to Check Your Moles
Many people opt for mole removal because of the risk of the mole becoming malignant (cancerous). The most important thing to do if you are worried about your moles is to become familiar with them. If the appearance or feel of your mole changes, then this could indicate that your mole could be a risk to your health. It is very important to be aware of the risks of melanoma as the number of diagnoses is increasing more than any other form of cancer. If you do notice a change, then consult your GP or a dermatologist to get your moles checked out.

Treatments for Mole Removal
Radio Surgical Mole Removal is a preferred method as it is a safe and highly effective treatment. The procedure involves emitting beams onto the skin that penetrate the mole, removing it from the skins surface. The healing time for this treatment is very rapid and the scarring is virtually non-existant. Laser Mole Removal is a popular treatment that involves using resurfacing lasers. The results are very good and leave hardly any signs of scarring or marks.

An alternative to laser resurfacing or removal is the surgical option of Excision Mole Removal. This method allows the whole mole to be removed and sent to a laboratory and diagnosed as to whether it is malignant. A local anaesthetic is used during the procedure as a small amount of skin surrounding the mole is removed and the wound is then stitched up.

Another technique known as Cryotherapy mole removal, also commonly used for removing warts, involves freezing the mole by applying liquid nitrogen directly on to the mole to destroy the cell tissue.

The End Results
After receiving a treatment there will generally be some small scarring, which is much less prominent than the original mole. The latest treatments ensure that the procedures are very safe and virtually pain free leaving happy patients satisfied with results of their treatment.

Thursday 29 July 2010

What is Mesotherapy?

Every woman wants to keep their body looking sexy and slim for as long as they can until recently they have resorted to liposuction, face lifts and body sculpting to get the job done. Many of these procedures are fairly invasive and most people do not want signs that they have had any treatment done; therefore some women have resorted to getting spot treatments or spot sculpting known as mesotherapy. The procedure has become very popular among celebrities and the elite and it seems to have minimal side effects compared to other fat reducing procedures.

Mesotherapy is the technical name for fat spot treatment or body sculpting. This is a procedure that has been around since the early 1950’s, however, it has just recently emerged on the scene in the UK and now in the states. This is a technique that claims to decrease fat and cellulite by injecting a cocktail of vitamins, minerals and a chemical substance into the fat layers of the body. It is used a lot in areas like the buttocks, thigh and neck. The benefits of the treatment are that it removes wrinkles, scars and decreases cellulite.

The procedure consists of a needle that is filled with the cocktail and it is then injected into the layer of fat under the skin. The patient is of course anesthetized slightly in that particular area. The injection then breaks down the fat cells and the waste that is produced from this is eliminated through the bowels and the kidney. Several treatments are required to get the desired effect and the patient must wait a week or two between sessions. The total number of treatments could be as many as ten in order to get the desired look.

Sunday 25 July 2010

How Macrolane Really Works

You may be considering Macrolane as an alternative to surgery to enhance your body's silhouette. The process is less invasive and doesn't carry with it the risks associated with surgery under general anesthesia. As well, it can result in a more natural-looking result than saline or silicone implants.

Macrolane is a thick, clear gel made of hyaluronic acid, a substance which occurs naturally in the body. Unlike implants which are permanent, unless surgically extracted, Macrolane is not. Like Restylane and Juvederm for filling facial wrinkles, Macrolane is temporary. It is metabolized by the body gradually within a year or so. Repeat procedures or top-ups are required to maintain the desired appearance, at 12 to 18 month intervals.

The whole procedure should take about 30 to 60 minutes. It is performed on an outpatient basis with no hospital stay required. The injection site is numbed with a local anesthetic. A small incision is made in the area into which the Macrolane will be injected. The thick, dense gel is slowly injected into the area. Some stinging from the anesthetic, or a pulling or tugging sensation as the gel is placed, is normal. After the procedure you may feel some tightening of the skin as it stretches to make room for the gel. Redness, swelling or bruising at the injection site, are not uncommon. You should be able to return to normal activity almost immediately with the exception of strenuous exercise or sports.

The best use for Macrolane is to enhance nature, not replace it. For example, application of Macrolane to the breasts gives a fuller, rounder appearance than before the procedure. Sagging and unevenness are reduced. One half to one full cup size increase is achievable. Macrolane can also be used for a buttocks lift, to achieve the youthful roundness that age and gravity take away. Smoothing out the baggy appearance left by liposuction is another practical application.

If you do your homework, you’ll find that scientific testing has shown Macrolane to be safe. If you are considering surgical implants, before you decide, consider Macrolane to see if you can achieve the same results with less cost, physical discomfort and personal downtime. As with any medical procedure, being fully informed will help you know what to expect and how to get the best results from your Macrolane treatment.

Thursday 22 July 2010

Sclerotherapy Treatment Gaining in Popularity

Sclerotherapy – the word might not look familiar yet, but watch this space. Just as Botox has swept into the popular consciousness of the western world, so this treatment will in the years to come. Even in the past year the number of people subscribing to the treatment has sky rocketed. So what is it? Sclerotherapy is the injection of a solution into the veins themselves using very fine needles, which damages the veins and causes the body’s immune system to treat them as damaged tissue. This, in turn, causes them to be absorbed back into the body over the course of the following weeks and to disappear completely.

So why has it experienced such a rise in popularity? After years of subjection to horror stories about cosmetic surgery and the notoriously high costs involved, it looks like; for the most part at least, large swathes of the population are snubbing such procedures. In their place the people are demanding alternative, less costly beauty therapies, and innovative specialist surgeons (in this case vascular surgeons) and scientists are only too happy to oblige; Sclerotherapy is just one treatment that has benefitted from such a swing in public perception.

Of course, there are other factors involved. Despite the recent recession, in the long term wages in the western world continue to rise while the cost of such treatments continue to fall, so people can afford to spend the money – treatments don’t break the bank, they don’t come with the possible horrific side-effects that surgery can bring and they provide simple, elegant solutions to long-term beauty conundrums.

Also, Sclerotherapy particularly is a very quick procedure, which may be why it has recently been termed the ‘lunchtime legs’ technique, as increasingly professional women have been found to be making use of their lunch hour by popping in to the local clinic for the 15 minute procedure.

Whatever the reason for the Sclerotherapy treatment’s sudden rise in popularity, keep an eye out for it, because it’s here to stay.

Tuesday 20 July 2010

The Benefits of Laser Hair Removal

There are so many cosmetic products and treatments out there at the moment – so how do you figure out which ones are right for you? Well, there is no easy answer and thorough research is often your best bet. So read on while we guide you through the benefits of laser hair removal.

First of all, why have it done? Well, you can shave, wax and apply creams and lotions, however, these are all short term solutions and over time the cost builds up. Laser hair removal will cost a little more, but the results will last a lifetime. Furthermore, if you are one of the many, many people out there for whom hair removal is a constant battle, you will appreciate the benefits of not having to deal with bumpy, sensitive skin and shaving rashes.

So, you can do it out of convenience (and let’s not take that word lightly, as itchy, raw skin every other day is definitely a big inconvenience). Are there any other conditions under which you might plump for laser hair removal? Well, how about to improve your confidence? Whether male or female there are always areas we wish could be free of hair, and sometimes constant removal and re-growth can damage your self-esteem, especially if the hair is particularly obvious. Laser hair removal avoids all that, so you can save time and increase in confidence!

Furthermore, anyone who has had to go through the pain of waxing only to have to go through the same torment a matter of weeks later will know the dread that comes along with it. While initial results may be satisfying, it can never provide the long-term benefits of a virtually pain-free laser hair removal treatment! Patients do report a slight discomfort just under the skin, but certainly nothing as agonising as waxing, and it is a discomfort that can be easily treated with analgesic creams or gels.

So, for those problem areas (commonly the face, back, underarms, bikini line, chest and neck), how effective is it? Well, man or woman, no matter the skin or hair type, patients across the board report a 60-90% reduction in hair in the treated areas, with any hair that does grow back coming through much lighter and much finer.

There is of course a higher cost associated with laser hair removal, however you should consider this an investment, as you won’t have to shell out constantly for razors, shave gel or waxing strips. Cost depends on a number of variables, from the area to be treated to the number of treatments necessary, to the individual practitioner and even your location, but if any of the arguments above struck a chord with you, then we think you’ll find it a cost worth paying.

Thursday 15 July 2010

Botox Users Still Rising

Botox is one of those strange phenomenon – a brand that 95% of people will be familiar with, but one which very few of us would ever come into contact with. Well, maybe in the past, but right now Botox is more popular and more affordable than ever, meaning that large cross-sections of the population are deciding to give themselves the Botox treatment.

Although it has only really worked its way into the popular consciousness within the last few years, Botox is certainly not a new drug. Initially it was introduced in the US in 1989 to treat involuntary twitches around the eyes (known as ‘spastic eyelid syndrome’) but quickly its potential became clear, and by 2002 it received approval for use as an anti-wrinkle treatment. Before long it was getting further approval left, right and centre to be used for other cosmetic purposes. Quick, safe and clean, the treatment has found a wide variety of uses since its introduction for wrinkles, including widening of the eyes, ‘ski-slope’ nose, the perfect smile, perky breasts and refined cleavage.

Even more recently doctors and scientists have begun to see an even greater legacy for this multi-purpose drug as its uses once again range beyond that which was originally envisaged. First used to treat twitchy eyes, then exploited for its beauty benefits, now we are beginning to see that Botox may not yet even be close to reaching its true potential. Approved for treatments of conditions such as migraines and hyperhidrosis (whereby a person’s sweat glands go into overdrive, so that a person may be forced to change clothes several times a day), this drug seems to be finding new and wonderful uses year on year. Who knows what other uses might be found for it?

Monday 21 June 2010

For The Perfect Bikini Body

This year is going very fast, it's summer already! It's the time of year when people are preparing to look their very best on their holiday whether they are slimming down with liposuction, recapturing their youthful looks with Botox or ridding their body of excess hair with laser hair removal treatments.

At Cosmetic Clinics, we think that it is best to eat well, drink plenty of water, exercise and stay out of the sun before contemplating cosmetic surgery. By obeying these basic beauty principles, major surgery is unneccessary for most and smaller treatments such as Botox and laser treatments can keep everyone looking their best without spending thousands of pounds

However, even if you do everything else right, you may not be entirely satisfied with your body.

Those summer holiday photographs are the ones that will either make people proud of their bodies or sink into a depression - pictures to be used as inspiration to diet!

Make your bikini body the best it can be, contact Cosmetic Clinics to discuss how we can help you create the bikini body of your life.

Monday 7 June 2010

Why choose semi-permanent make-up

Semi-permanent make-up is becoming more and more popular among women who have busy work and social schedules.
This is a fairly new procedure which can show wonders for women wanting to save time in their beauty routines. There are 5 proven benefits for choosing to try semi-permanent make up:

  • Blemish camouflage: Permanent or semi-permanent make-up is the solution to hide all imperfection that you may have. From lips to eyebrows, the area can be tattooed with skin coloured pigments to hide the appearance of scarring to reduce visibility.
  • Time Saving: Running late for work with no time to apply basic make up? Here is the solution with the semi-permanent make-up. You can get straight out of bed and still look fabulous.
  • Youthful looks: With time passing, many facial features can change shape, such as eyebrows, lips, and eyelashes. This can be sorted with the lips looking fuller as well as the eyebrows thanks to the tattoo method used by our qualified and experienced staff.
  • Applied in a perfect way: If your hands are a little shaky and your make up makes you look like Coco the Clown then Cosmetic Clinics can help. Semi-permanent make up can help make you feel more confident and looking beautiful without the hassle.
  • No more make-up runs: You have an important meeting, it is raining and no umbrella! In a normal situation, this could be a disaster but thanks to semi permanent make-up, you don’t have to look like Cruella de Ville! Now you can free to live as you want - go and dance in the rain as you please!

Contact Cosmetic Clinics today to discuss semi-permanent make up.

Tuesday 18 May 2010

Boost Your Confidence With Laser Hair Removal

Last week, the cosmetic surgery world saw the man who received the world’s first full face transplant enjoy his first shave.

Spanish surgeons transferred facial skin from a donor who had the same skin tone, weight, height and age as the patient who is in his 30’s. Part of the face transplant included a new beard for the man who was shot in the face by accident and has not eaten a proper meal for the last five years.

After a 24 hour operation, the patient, who has not been named due to the complexity of Spanish law, had a new nose, tear ducts, cheekbones and a jaw. Doctors expect the patient to make a good recovery and if all continues to go well, anticipate the man returning to work in as little as five months.

Dr Joan Pere Barret who has been involved with the extraordinary case told the world’s media about the patient’s ordeal, saying: “Many people with facial disfigurement feel very isolated, as in this case. He only went out when no one could see him, where there were not that many people around”

The patient involved in this situation was extremely unlucky regarding the severity of his injuries. However, on a smaller day-to-day scale, many people across the world feel isolated due to cosmetic problems they feel are disfiguring.

For example, due to a hormonal imbalance, women may experience excess hair across their face, necks, chests and legs. They may not be aware that with a few short treatments, laser hair removal could be the answer to their prayers.

According to society, women aren’t meant to be hairy but many hundreds of thousands of women put up with excess hair in visible places and this, understandably, saps their confidence.

A condition does not have to be as serious as the poor gentleman mentioned at the start of this blog post to render someone depressed and unhappy with their appearance. When there are so many non-surgical cosmetic treatments that have been developed, why allow your life to be put on hold when treatments are so successful for a huge proportion of patients?”

Whether you're feeling like you need to refresh your face with Botox or could do with some Vaser Lipo to help you shed the final few lbs after years of dieting, contact Cosmetic Clinics to discuss the new you!

Tuesday 4 May 2010

Hair Transplants

Dr Christian Jessen the presenter of the hit Channel 4 show Embarrassing Bodies has admitted to an embarrassing secret of his own.

Dr Jessen admitted this week that he was unhappy with his hair line for years but it wasn’t until he met a patient on the Embarrassing Bodies programme who had undergone a hair transplant that he realised it was time to do something about the hair line he hated. Dr Jessen said,

“I thought to myself: ‘Why am I always telling people how to change things about their bodies that they dislike if I can’t do the same thing for myself?’”

Speaking about the treatment, Dr Jessen who is 33 years old said it was not a painful procedure but admitted it was uncomfortable. After taking a strip of hair from the back of the scalp, hairs are divided into individual bits and then planted into the hair line like seedlings. This can be a lengthy operation and requires an extraordinary amount of skill from the doctor carrying out the treatment.

Thrilled with the results of his treatment, Dr Jessen stepped back in to the limelight to let other men know that this is an option for them too if they are not satisfied with their hairline.
If you think that your confidence might benefit from a hair transplant, contact Cosmetic Clinics for a no-obligation chat about the procedure.

Monday 19 April 2010

What Cosmetic Clinics can do for you

Having an international client base, it is always nice to see how people have got on after 6 months of treatment. Vaser lipo is one of our most popular treatments as it achieves what surgery can't - ridding your body of the last stubborn pockets of fat.

How does it work?
This is a relatively painless liposuction/liposelection treatment. Bruising is minimal and recovery is much faster compared to surgical procedures. Put simply, the vaser targets fat cells and breaks them down. The fat is then removed with a small vacuum.

...and the results?

One of our clients from Dubai flew in and had various treatments and she has now emailed her results approx 6-8 months after treatment. I thought I would like to share these with you.

Before



After


I think you will agree she looks absolutely fabulous.

Mags
Lead Vaser Technician at Selston Cosmetic Clinic (Nottinghamshire, East Midlands)

Original article here.

Monday 15 March 2010

Gordon Ramsay talks about his laser treatment

Gordon Ramsay looks very different these days thanks to non-surgical cosmetic treatments. With deep furrows in his forehead and chin, women across the country found his powerful temper in the kitchen more attractive than his face. Now, Gordon looks like a new man and it is all down to less than 10 minutes of laser surgery.

Speaking to the Daily Mail yesterday, Gordon said: 'You've seen the articles: craggy face, map of Wales, ugly, deflated rugby ball. There's only so much s*** you want to take. I woke up in the morning and Matilda [his daughter] was trying to squeeze pound coins in there.'

To the untrained eye, it would appear as though Gordon has had Botox, but in fact, he has had laser treatment on his face. Speaking about his treatment, Gordon Ramsey said that the laser treatment had taken four minutes on each side of his face and most people didn’t even notice to begin with!

However, looking at the before and after pictures of the fiery chef, the improvement in his skin is remarkable and Gordon is certainly a posterboy for the difference laser surgery can make to your appearance. Although, Gordon seems to have completely ruled out more treatment for the meantime, responding in typical Ramsay eloquence: “Of course I’m not going to have any more f***ing work done!”




BEFORE LASER TREATMENT AFTER LASER TREATMENT

Thursday 11 March 2010

Everything You Need to Know About Breastfeeding and Macrolane Breast Enhancement

Surveys report that a large percentage of women would consider having a cosmetic enhancement procedure if they were unhappy with their appearance. Fortunately, women who would like to change their appearance by smoothing out wrinkles with Botox or by disposing of their excess hair using lasers can now do so quite easily. However, many of these women do not recognise their bodies or their face anymore due to age or childbirth and there are few people who would criticise a woman for wishing to reclaim her body.

But what happens to the women who have a cosmetic treatment to find themselves pregnant again soon after?

If you have had Macrolane injections instead of a full surgical enlargement, there is little to worry about.
Surgical implants can affect a woman's ability to breastfeed in the future so if at the time of the surgery you think you may have children in the future and may want to breastfeed, this should be discussed at length with your surgeon at the time. This is because implants can be inserted via the nipple, although it is more common for a surgeon to cut under the breast tissue so that saline implants are under the pectoral muscle. A less invasive way of enlarging your bust is to have the aforementioned Macrolane injections.

What is Macrolane?
Macrolane is a non-surgical body shaping treatment that is most popularly used for breast enhancement through a series of injections. The substance that is injected is a clear, crystal gel that is specially formulated for its intended purpose meaning that the Macrolane will not migrate or interfere with mammogram results. Macrolane is a perfectly safe treatment as it consists of hyaluronic acid - a substance that occurs naturally in the body anyway. Due to the nature of this treatment, the effects are only temporary as the Macrolane slowly absorbs itself into the body with no harmful effects.

What effect can Macrolane help me achieve?
Macrolane can help women boost their assets by up to 1 and a half cup sizes if they are looking for more subtle results than a surgical breast enhancement can give. Other benefits to this body contouring treatment might be a fullness restored to the breast after breastfeeding.

For the best results, Macrolane is injected on top of the breasts, behind the breast tissue and underneath the breast to 'perk' them up and add fullness. After Macrolane, your breasts should feel firm and full. Once the swelling has gone down after the treatment, the breasts should feel natural to the touch.

Is Macrolane right for me after breastfeeding?
No respectable surgeon will give you Macrolane injections if you are breast feeding as the breast tissue is tender and will change over the period of a few months meaning the treatment's success is compromised. However, if you had Macrolane injections just before you became pregnant; the Macrolane in your breast will not harm your baby nor should you experience any pain during breastfeeding as a result of having the Macrolane injections.

If your child is no longer breastfeeding, you may feel your breasts are no longer as full as they were and you may be disappointed with their appearance. So how soon can you have Macrolane after breastfeeding has ceased? As with everything, common sense should be applied. Dr Bassi from The Cosmetic Clinics group suggests that the best time to have Macrolane injections is about three months after a mother has finished breast feeding. This is to be sure that breast tissue has returned to normal and ensures that an accurate assessment can be made of the patient's suitability for the treatment.

Who should not have Macrolane Injections
Obviously, as previously mentioned, mothers who are breastfeeding or recently finished should wait for a few months before embarking upon the breast enhancement treatment. However, for the best results, your skin should still be quite firm and supple. The outcome of injecting Macrolane into saggy skin will not be favourable. Dr Bassi from Cosmetic Clinics likened the effect to a 'cricket ball in a sock'. Hardly glamorous imagery! This is why younger women with 'good' skin will see better results than older ladies who may be better suited to a surgical augmentation.

Macrolane lasts for 12-14 months, and after a positive experience with Macrolane, many women are happy to return to their doctor for top up injections. However, over a period of time this can become very costly and women who are pleased with the results of Macrolane often opt for surgical breast augmentation as it requires less maintenance in the long run in spite of the initial cost, risks and pain. In the mean time, women who are not sure if permanent surgery would yield the desired results can test out the waters with Macrolane.

Cosmetic Clinics is made up of a group of highly qualified and experienced doctors who specialise in non-surgical cosmetic procedures in the UK. To discuss Macrolane and your eligibility, contact us via our website.

Sunday 28 February 2010

How old do I have to be to have Botox?

“I’m 24 and I’m considering having Botox. I already have crow’s feet beginning to develop around my eyes and I am concerned that in 10 years time, I’ll look like I’m fifty! Am I too young for Botox or is there another treatment that will help me look my age?”

Botulinum Toxin Type A is the chemical that is known as Botox. Typically, younger people are discouraged from having Botox injections. Too often, young celebrities like Heidi Montag, Katie Price and the Minogue sisters embark upon Botox injections from an early age. They end up looking ‘stretched’ and generally quite strange after years of unnecessary treatment.

Doctors who administer Botox injections upon patients who don’t need them are more likely to be the unscrupulous type who may not be as careful as the more experienced professional. Too much Botox can temporarily paralyse. At Cosmetic Clinics, we do not always treat patients on their request – if we don’t think you need a particular treatment, we will tell you so and advise of any alternatives that may help you achieve the desired effect.

If you are young, it is doubtful you actually NEED Botox. You would be advised to have a healthy skincare routine for a number of years before considering Botox. Drink plenty of water, stay moisturised and wear a SPF 15 cream on your face as a minimum requirement. Don’t smoke and eat a balanced diet with plenty of vitamins and protein.

However, some young people find that after losing weight, their face has lost a healthy, plump look. Skin may be ever so slightly looser and the patient may appear gaunt and unhealthy. In this case, we would suggest the patient consider dermal fillers to plump out their face to restore vitality.

Monday 15 February 2010

Vaser Hi Def Treatment comes to the East Midlands

Dr Bassi, lead physician for the UK-wide Cosmetic Clinics group has announced today that he is now the only doctor based outside of London qualified to carry out Vaser Hi Def treatments.

Only five doctors in the UK are currently qualified to carry out the treatment, however, Dr Bassi is the only doctor based outside of London who is qualified to carry out Vaser Hi Def.

Vaser Hi-Def is the latest development in Vaser fat removal treatment. If you have worked hard at the gym for rock hard abs but can’t shift the top layer of fat hiding your muscles, this is the solution you are looking for.


Perfect for the abdomen, buttocks and pectoral areas, Vaser Hi-Def is an advanced Vaser treatment that selectively removes small deposits of fat.

This cosmetic procedure should be seen as a sculpting procedure rather than a weight loss method. It was developed to create and enhance athletic appearances in people who are of a ‘normal’ weight or build. Vaser Hi-Def is intended for people who have a good degree of muscle tone already, the pictures showing patients before and after treatment speak for themselves.

Dr Bassi has been an aesthetic doctor for over 10 years. During this time, he has completed specialist courses in Europe, the US and the UK. He is constantly expanding upon his knowledge and experience so he can provide the latest cutting edge treatments.

For a consultation, visit http://www.cosmeticclinics.co.uk or call 0844 880 7729

Thursday 11 February 2010

Who has the worst celebrity breasts?

Katie Price’s breasts have officially been voted the worst celebrity breasts in a survey conducted by The Good Surgeon Guide.

The former page 3 model who has become a tabloid favourite and reality TV star has won the dubious accolade after respondents to The Good Surgeon Guide’s poll revealed that her generously enhanced bosoms were ‘tacky’ and ‘unattractive’. Other celebrities who were unfortunately to make the “worst boob” list included Alicia Douvall, Amy Winehouse, Tori Spelling and Jennifer Ellison.

Christiana Clogg, founder of the Good Surgeon Guide said that these days, when it comes to breast enhancement, less is definitely more. Patients are more likely to opt for tear drop shape implants similar to Victoria Beckham as the natural look is most certainly back in vogue. Ms Clogg commented, “It would appear that women are more in favour of the natural look nowadays and feel it says something about their personality as well as their look.”

If you are looking to emulate the breasts of the celebrities who were voted as having the best breasts in the business, such as Cheryl Cole, Kelly Brook and Danni Minogue, then you should consider macrolane injections to give a subtle boost and enhance the natural shape of your breast.

Macrolane is a non-surgical way of shaping and enhancing smaller breasts. A clear crystal gel is injected into the breast with the treatment taking around 45 minutes in total and performed as a walk in, walk out procedure. The injections are administered whilst you are under a local anaesthetic and unlike surgical breast enhancements, there is no scarring and no time off work required. Because the substance that is injected is made from hyaluronic acid, an acid that is already present in your body, it is highly unlikely that your body will reject it. Macrolane was specially developed for its purpose which means that it doesn’t ‘migrate’ or interfere with the breast tissue or mammograms.


If you are considering non-surgical breast enhancement, contact Cosmetic Clinics to find out where your nearest clinic is.

Friday 29 January 2010

Why do women have lip fillers?

Lip fillers are growing in popularity because women are looking for ways to cheat time and stay looking vital and youthful without having to resort to drastic and dangerous surgeries.

“Do whatever makes you happy.”

That is the mantra of the liberal, life-loving. However, when you see yet another celebrity (this time, Cheryl Cole) denying they have had a cosmetic procedure in spite of appearing to have seriously inflated boobs*/lips*/bottom*. *delete as applicable. It really does make one wonder if all the effort was necessary or even really wanted. We all know that cosmetic surgery rumours heighten a celeb’s profile, think about what it has done for Victoria Beckham!

Cheryl Cole is 26 years old and clearly doesn’t need any anti-aging treatments like Botox or Restylane lip fillers. Typically, plump and full lips are a sign of youth which is why women have their lips done in the first place. They are losing collagen as a direct result of aging and their lips are starting to thin a bit. Lips are so sensuous; you eat, speak and kiss with them so theoretically, the bigger the better right? Well, no actually. The birth of lip fillers was accompanied with the insult ‘trout pout’ for when lip surgery/fillers goes very, very wrong (think Lesley Ash, Jocelyn Wildenstein or Pete Burns)

Badly done lips stick out like a sore thumb. After all, who wants to look like they have two thick slugs stuck on their face masquerading as lips? Fuller lips do make a woman look younger, but it takes a talented doctor to know how much filler will make a woman be transformed from drab to fab with just a few Restylane injections.

At Cosmetic Clinics, we aren’t ‘scalpel jockeys’, we are professionals who take pride in our work so if we don’t think a treatment is right for you, we will tell you so.

Tuesday 19 January 2010

Laser Hair Removal

For some, hair removal is a costly, painful and inconvenient necessity. Could this be down to a cultural dislike of female body hair? I think this is entirely possible because whenever you see a picture of a woman showing off body hair, for most, the instant reaction is to screw up your face in disgust and say, “urgh!” It really is the last taboo when it comes to the female body and I do not see this one disappearing soon.

Julia Roberts bravely (?) flashed her hairy armpit to the word at the Notting Hill premier in 1999 and most recently, actress Mo’Nique made the world gasp at her hairy legs. She won a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress but this did not stop Mo’Nique raising her dress to show off a seriously unkempt pair of legs. Goodness knows why she did this because I thought she looked amazing… up until that point.

I know I don’t feel my best if my legs aren’t smooth. There is no respite even when you wear trousers, as the hairs seem to rub mercilessly and almost create static! Again, if you want to wear knee-length boots, this can be uncomfortable even with two days of leg hair growth.

Yet losing the body hair is also a problem. Shaving can cause nasty nicks and waxing hurts no matter what anyone tells you! Last year I had my bikini line waxed, but the finer hairs that were apparently hiding beneath the more visible thicker hairs were left behind and I had a very red and blotchy bikini area, which I had to continue plucking at home. Very unattractive! The masochistic waxing lady didn’t even shape the remaining hair. I left the waxing studio feeling sore and worry for myself. I could use a depilatory cream but they usually smell pretty nasty and they are messy to use and take too long if you’re in a hurry to get to work.

There is electrolysis as a more permanent option but it is very costly and can be very painful. As with everything, there are risks e.g. infection or the treatment may not work. In the wrong hands, electrolysis can cause permanent skin damage. This is why I opted for laser hair removal for my armpits. It got to the stage where I was shaving my armpits every day because I couldn’t bear the tiniest bit of stubble.

So how does it work?
Laser hair removal works by laser energy being turned to heat energy when absorbed by the hair follicle, this causes thermal damage to the follicle without any damage to the surrounding skin, thus ceasing growth in the treated follicle. It is not 100% permanent, but the more treatments you have, the longer the effects should last.

It was the perfect option and I am so glad that I had it done, look at the pictures! I will be going in to have treatment on my legs next. Thank you Cosmetic Clinics!

Women's Body Hair - by louisa hastings

Sunday 10 January 2010

Why Choose Dermal Fillers?

For a variety of reasons, maybe weight loss or age, a person may find that their face is beginning to look drawn and gaunt. Young skin looks plump and taut thanks to collagen, but as we age, the collagen in our skin slowly decreases. Fortunately, there are lots of non-surgical methods that can be used so that a patient can regain their former youthful looks.

The obvious answer to filling lines and wrinkles is to have Botox. Whilst this is a fantastic method for smoothing lines and wrinkles, not everybody is comfortable with the idea of having Botox injected into their face as an over-zealous practitioner could wipe out a patient’s ability to move their face.

The best non-surgical alternative to Botox is dermal fillers. This is a very useful method of smoothing lines and wrinkles and does not paralyse a person’s face into an expressionless mask. Dermal fillers can also fill out a person’s face to replace fat and plump out areas that have come to look somewhat gaunt e.g. cheeks. A patient can have fillers as a means to fill acne scars or change the shape of their chin or the tip of their nose.

If you are wondering why dermal fillers have become so popular, I can explain why: The effects of dermal fillers are immediate - so you do not have to wait for weeks until the swelling has gone down to see how the procedure has turned out. However, patients may experience very slight bleeding where the needle enters the skin. This is completely normal and is no cause for concern. There may be slight swelling or redness in the treated area although this will go down very quickly.

Typically injected into the lower two halves of the face (Botox is better for use on the forehead), the effects of dermal fillers are softer than other treatments and are often preferred to invasive, painful and expensive surgery which carries the inherent risks of infection and use of general anaesthetics. Compared to a surgical facelift, there is no contest between this and dermal fillers on the subject of cost. It is also very apt to mention that with dermal fillers there is no extensive aftercare and time off work required.

Most of today’s dermal fillers contain hyaluronic acid – this is a compound naturally found in the skin and is critical to the structural integrity of the dermal collagen matrix. What consumers will find is that there are several types of filler such as Radiesse which is more suitable for filling acne scars and treating lines around the nose and mouth. Typically lasting 16-24 months, patients looking for a dermal filler more suitable for filling out cheeks may consider Belotero. It pays to do your research!

Treatment
Patients may be given a local anaesthetic or a topical anaesthetic cream to numb the treated area to avoid discomfort. The treatment typically lasts between 30 and 60 minutes. There is no cutting of the skin and few risks although this should always be discussed at length with the professional involved in the procedure.

When looking for someone to provide dermal fillers, be aware that doctors, nurses and dermatologists can administer the treatment. When looking for a professional to provide dermal fillers check they are qualified to do so. All of the doctors affiliated with Cosmetic Clinics will be more than happy to reassure you by showing their credentials.