Cosmetic Surgery & Aesthetic Treatment Advice

Guide To Mole Removal

2010-07-30T04:14:00.000-07:00

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.

What is Mesotherapy?

2010-07-29T02:20:00.000-07:00

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.

How Macrolane Really Works

2010-07-25T02:09:00.000-07:00

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.

Sclerotherapy Treatment Gaining in Popularity

2010-07-22T01:56:00.000-07:00

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.

The Benefits of Laser Hair Removal

2010-07-20T02:34:00.000-07:00

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.

Botox Users Still Rising

2010-07-15T02:26:00.000-07:00

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?

For The Perfect Bikini Body

2010-06-21T06:35:00.000-07:00

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.

Why choose semi-permanent make-up

2010-06-07T06:11:00.000-07:00

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.

Boost Your Confidence With Laser Hair Removal

2010-05-18T08:39:00.000-07:00

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!

Hair Transplants

2010-05-04T09:18:00.000-07:00

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.

What Cosmetic Clinics can do for you

2010-04-19T02:39:00.000-07:00

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.

Gordon Ramsay talks about his laser treatment

2010-03-15T07:44:00.000-07:00

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

Everything You Need to Know About Breastfeeding and Macrolane Breast Enhancement

2010-03-11T04:12:00.000-08:00

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.

How old do I have to be to have Botox?

2010-02-28T06:00:00.000-08:00

“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.

Vaser Hi Def Treatment comes to the East Midlands

2010-02-15T03:05:00.000-08:00

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

Who has the worst celebrity breasts?

2010-02-11T04:02:00.000-08:00

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.

Why do women have lip fillers?

2010-01-29T03:23:00.000-08:00

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.

Laser Hair Removal

2010-01-19T07:14:00.000-08:00

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

Why Choose Dermal Fillers?

2010-01-10T09:04:00.000-08:00

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.

Merry Christmas from Cosmetic Clinics

2009-12-24T03:11:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-22T03:04:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-20T04:24:00.000-08:00

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?

2009-12-15T08:52:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-05T02:11:00.000-08:00

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?

2009-12-02T05:28:00.000-08:00

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?

2009-11-23T03:05:00.000-08:00

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

2009-11-17T01:57:00.000-08:00

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!

2009-11-11T03:50:00.000-08:00

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?

2009-11-04T03:06:00.000-08:00

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

2009-10-29T07:22:00.000-07:00

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

2009-10-22T01:56:00.000-07:00

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

2009-10-19T09:01:00.000-07:00

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

2009-10-13T03:30:00.000-07:00

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

2009-10-05T02:00:00.000-07:00

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

2009-10-02T02:31:00.000-07:00

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

2009-09-28T02:05:00.000-07:00

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)

2009-09-22T01:43:00.000-07:00

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?

2009-09-14T07:46:00.000-07:00

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

2009-09-10T09:17:00.000-07:00

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

2009-09-03T07:18:00.000-07:00

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)

2009-08-24T06:35:00.000-07:00

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)

2009-08-17T06:18:00.000-07:00

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)

2009-08-10T03:09:00.000-07:00

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)

2009-08-03T07:23:00.000-07:00

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

2009-07-28T02:57:00.000-07:00

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

2009-07-14T08:37:00.000-07:00

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?

2009-07-08T07:59:00.000-07:00

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

Skin Tightening with Radiage - Common Questions

2009-07-02T04:21:00.000-07:00

Answers to common questions regarding the Radiage skin tightening treatment.

What is Radiage?
Radiage works by using radio frequency (RF) to generate heat, which is passed through the epidermis (outer layer of the skin) and into the dermis (deeper layer of the skin) to cause localised and controlled degrees of thermal or heat injury. The purpose is that the body follows its natural course after this and repairs itself thus forming new collagen. It is this new collagen that increases the appearance of the skin, making it appear tighter and smoother.

How long does the treatment take?
An average treatment time is 20-30 minutes, though this can depend on the area treated.

What results can I expect with Radiage?
Normally you can expect a 20-30% improvement in the skins’ tightness in the treated areas. These may seem small numbers but even this much difference provides impressive results.

On which body areas can Radiage be used?
Radiage can be used to improve the skin under the eyes, along with the cheeks, jowls and chin areas.

Is Radiage safe?
Radiage is safe; it complies with regulated standards.

Is there pain associated with Radiage treatment?
As Radiage heats the skin to achieve the desired results, it is best to apply a local anaesthetic cream to the treatable area about 1 hour before the procedure to prevent the burning sensation. However anaesthetic is optional and many people are not bothered by the heat sensation.

How long do the results last?
Radiage skin tightening treatment results typically last around 10 to 12 months. The reason is your skin will still age, however many patients go for a top up treatment at around the 12 month stage.

How long is the recovery time?
Radiage has no real recovery time to speak of; it is a walk-in and walk-out procedure. There is often some redness after for around an hour or so (no more than 24hours) but that is really all there is in terms of recovery.

How popular is Radiage?
Radiage is becoming one of the preferred treatments for skin tightening due to its simplicity, speed and results. Areas such as the beneath the eyes and the jowls seem to be the most popular.

In summary:
Radiage offers the benefit of tighter smoother skin, is a very quick and fairly pain free procedure, can be carried out in a lunch hour and has no down time. Other benefits of Radiage include that it can be combined with chemical face peels and/or microdermabrasion for even more improved results.

Roberta James - Lead Cosmetic Nurse at Selston Cosmetic Clinic

For more information on Radiage and it benefits visit Selston Cosmetic Clinic or check out which other clinic offer Radiage at www.cosmeticclinics.co.uk

Benefits of Differing Dermal Fillers

2009-06-25T07:07:00.000-07:00

There are a lot of dermal fillers on the market at the moment and we have decided we would compare some of the market leaders; or rather the differences in what they are composed of, rather than specifically choose products themselves (as many are fairly similar).

So what are the 2 differing types we are going to compare? Hyaluronic Acid and Polylactic Acid, the former being used in products such as Restylane and Juvederm the latter in Sculptra.

Hyaluronic Acid Gel is the main component in many dermal fillers and, just like Polylactic Acid, offers excellent results. It is an injectable gel that offers immediate results to the treated area. The gel lifts folds and wrinkles and is perfect for nasolabial (nose to mouth) folds, frown lines, fine lines and wrinkles, tear troughs, hands and the neck and cleavage areas. Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers are perfect for lips and lip lines as well.

As stated the results show immediately, and it offers a very natural looking results. It has very little if any side-effects associated with it but does have some minor after-effects such as minor redness, swelling and possible bruising. It normally requires one or two treatments to get the desired results, and they will normally last around 4 – 12 months depending which brand of filler is used. Fillers such as Restylane and Juvederm are proceeding in around to £200 to £1000 mark.

Sculptra uses the suspension of polylactic acid to achieve its results, this involves the acid being released in the desired are over time and in turn this causes the stimulation of new collagen. This means the effects are not immediate but instead they improve over several weeks. However as it stimulates new collagen formation in the skin it means it looks completely natural.

Like hyaluronic acid, polylactic acid suspension is perfect for all facial areas, hands, neck and cleavage areas, but it is not suited to lips or lip lines. However Dr Tanqueray of Mulberry House believes that Sculptra offers a more comprehensive approach as it allows him to look at the face as a whole and restore volume in a more general and balanced way, so it may not be as good for lips, but is arguably the better option otherwise.

Again there are little to no side-effect associated with this treatment and the side effects really only include possible bruising as a common factor. It normally requires 2-4 treatments for the best results and costs start at £400 and go up to around the £2000 mark. However this treatment tends to last 18 months to around 2 years, making it a much longer term solution.

Both of these dermal fillers can actually be used together to give outstanding results were needed and both are available from Mulberry House Clinic.

Radiage - Tighter Skin Without Surgery

2009-06-24T03:07:00.000-07:00

Selston Cosmetic Clinic introduced the Radiage skin tightening procedure to their comprehensive list of treatments a little over 12 months ago. Since then it has proved very popular and successful with outstanding results.

Radiage is one of the newest non-ablative cosmetic procedures for the rejuvenation of the skin. Radiage is the name of the treatments and the device used for the procedure as well.

So how does it work?

The Radiage heats and modifies the collagen in the skin and causes it to tighten and contract. The result is loose skin on the neck is lifted and wrinkles are almost entirely removed; the skin feels tighter and smoother than before.

Most patients see results immediately on the skin’s outer surface while the Radio Frequency (RF) energy slightly heats and modifies the soft tissues under the skin. The final results come from the collagen contracting and tightening thus smoothing the skin.

Radiage is a walk in/walk out procedure with virtually no down-time. Many people have this treatment in lunch breaks and head back to work after.

For the desired effects and looks a course of 6-8 treatments every 2 weeks is recommended.

It is important to not that Radiage does not work for everyone, and you will be advised on this by your cosmetic specialist. However Selston Cosmetic Clinic offer a free trial session of Radiage so you can see for yourself if there are benefits or not from this amazing procedure.

Roberta James is a lead Cosmetic Nurse at Selston Cosmetic Clinic in North Nottinghamshire. Roberts runs the department for Microdermabrasion, Skin Peels, Radiage, Laser Hair Removal and Laser Skin Rejuvenation.

Thread Lifts and How They Work

2009-06-16T01:56:00.000-07:00

Botox and dermal fillers are great, but they tend to lack that certain something when it comes to recreating youthful facial contours. These traditional “injectables” are great for dynamic or static facial lines but as cosmetic practitioners we are aware that they have little, if any, true lifting effect.

The demand for a procedure akin to something as minimally invasive as an Botox or dermal fillers, but at the same time providing a lift as good as full cosmetic surgery has led to the development of the “thread lift”. The thread lift procedure involves various cosmetic techniques that are aimed at lifting parts of the face and body using specially designed surgical threads (though normal surgical threads are perfectly acceptable). The thread lift procedure is slightly more invasive than an injectable, yet is much less dramatic compared to conventional surgical lifting; making it a good compromise between the extremes of these two techniques.

How does the thread lift work?

The threads are inserted into the superficial fat layer below the skin and above the facia. Once inserted, the threads are positioned and directed by the operator in order to achieve their maximum potential and this process differs in the two main techniques of free-floating and suspension type thread lifting.

Once under the skin the thread achieves two types of lift, mechanical and histological. The mechanical lift is noticeable immediately after insertion of the thread due to the barbs pulling the soft tissue to achieve lifting. The histological lift is due to the deposition of fibroblasts and new collagen being formed around the barbs. The visible effects appear over time, usually from two weeks after the insertion.

As with every cosmetic procedure, correct patient selection is one of the most important factors of its success, as despite the many advantages of the thread lift not every one is suitable for it.

Careful assessment of the patient is important as there are other factors that determine the success of the procedure. These factors are the amount of subcutaneous fat and the quality of the skin. For example a very thin patient will not be a suitable candidate as there is simply not enough subcutaneous fat for the threads to be inserted into. Skin quality is important because in thread lift there is no excision of skin, but we rely on the elastic properties of the skin to achieve retraction, which usually takes place from two weeks after the procedure. Therefore a patient with too much redundant skin and/or a high level of sun damage cannot receive thread lift treatment.

Compared to conventional surgery the possible complications involved in thread lifts are much fewer. This, along with the fact that thread lift procedures are reversible (more so in the early stages), makes it overall a much safer procedure. Possible complications have been noted as including haematoma, thread extrusion, visible threads, asymmetry, neuropraxia, paraesthesia and less satisfactory results and these all have to be mentioned to the patient before treatments begins. One of the most common reasons for unsatisfactory results is the excessive movement of the face in the early stages after the procedure has been performed. In order to avoid this, the administration of Botox treatments two weeks prior to a thread lift is advisable in the required areas.

To summarise, the thread lift procedures have a definite place in aesthetic surgery. For the right patient they can deliver results as good as conventional surgery but with minimal scarring and down time.

Thread Lifts are availble through Glancey Medical Associates based in London and Essex and headed by Dr Lucy Glancey.

Vibro Lipo - Another Amazing Liposuction Alternative

2009-06-15T04:01:00.000-07:00

Recently Dr Bassi of Selston Cosmetic Clinic, part of the Cosmetic Clinics Group, travelled to Belgium to witness and assess one of the latest Liposuction procedures – Vibro Liposculpture.

The Vibro Liposculpture system was demonstrated to Dr Bassi, and Selton Clinic’s lead Vaser Lipo technician Mags Whyler, by Dr Safar, an eminent liposuction surgeon in Brussels. Dr Safar has performed more than 5000 liposuction procedures and has been using the Vibro Lipo system for over 10 years.

Currently Vaser Lipo is one the optimal forms of non-invasive liposuction and provides fantastic results, proof in point is that Selston and many of the other Clinics in the Cosmetic Clinics Group utilise Vaser Lipo. However Vaser Lipo is best suited for small to medium volumes of fat removal. This means that those patients who need much larger amounts of fat removing cannot be realistically treated except by traditional liposuction, which is a much longer and more expensive treatment that required hospital time.

Vibro Lipo solves this problem is a big way. Whilst Dr Bassi and Mags were in Brussels they observed Dr Safar perform the Vibro Lipo procedure on a lady from Russia. The procedure was performed under local anaesthetic and the lady was aware and quite chatty (if you understand Russian that is). The end results were very impressive, with a staggering 3.5 litres of pure fat removed from the upper and lower abdomen and anterior flanks of the client.

Since then the Vibro Lipo system has been integrated and installed at Selston Cosmetic Clinic and Dr Bassi and the team hope to use this new technology to provide a much wider selection of treatments for their clients regardless of shape or size.

Dr S.R. Bassi is the leading cosmetic physician and Mags Whyler is the lead Vaser Lipo technician at a top cosmetic clinic in North Nottingham - Selston Cosmetic Clinic.

Macrolane Breast Shaping - Advanced Techniques

2009-05-28T07:38:00.000-07:00

Macrolane breast shaping injections are a fairly recent addition to the range of cosmetic procedures available in the UK, being introduced around 12 months ago. Due to this there are approxinmately 50 clinics that offer the Macrolane treatment, though the numbers are increasing.

Macrolane is a Non Animal Stabilized Hyaluronic Acid (or NASHA) based product manufactured by Q MED, a Swedish company. It takes principles form Q MED’s Restylane range of facial dermal fillers, especially their Sub Q line of fillers. The Restlyane family of cosmetic products is considered one of the market leaders for its results and it has been used to treat over 9 million patients to date.

Macrolane is a much simpler procedure than standard breast implants and is used to enhance cup size and shape the breasts for a more desired look. Unlike the typical implants you hear about, Macrolane only increases a cup size by 1 or 1½, but this is to ensure the optimal breast shaping is achieved.

Before the Macrolane procedure there are several factors the cosmetician will take into account such as what method or technique will be used for anaesthesia, the incision site, the canula track, how much of filler is required and where it will be placed in the breast to achieve the desired shape.

One hundred mls per breast was the standard amount of macrolane injected, though it is now fairly common practice to inject around 120mls per breast (sometimes more, up to around 140 - 150mls if required though this depends on the client’s pain threshold entirely). Anaesthetic is applied to the breast to alleviate any discomfort or pain; several cosmeticians are now using fine spinal needles which are considered a much more comfortable option when injecting anaesthetic.

The incision site that the Macrolane filler will be injected has become something of a controversial debate. Many cosmeticians are now beginning to inject Macrolane from above the breast as opposed to the more conventional method of injecting from under the breast. The reason injecting from the top is controversial is that each injections incision will leave a tiny scar, no big deal per se, but Macrolane normally requires a top up every 12 months or so, thus the procedure and in turn the injection will have to be repeated. These repeat injections can lead to a more noticeable scar over several injections, however if the injection is administered under the breast this is much less noticeable and hidden by the shadow of the breast.

The actual site of product placement is crucial to achieve the most optimal results. The Macrolane breast shaping injections need to be carefully placed in the retro-mammary space between the breast mammary gland and the pectoralis major muscle in the chest. The cosmetician must always ensure that the track of entry of the canula is sealed.

So over the past year or so the delivery of Macrolane breast shaping injections has developed as cosmeticians gain more experience with the product and procedure this in turn has led to more confidence in the product and procedure from clients considering this treatments.

Dr S.R. Bassi is the lead cosmetic physician at Selston Cosmetic Clinic, North Nottingham’s premier medical cosmetic and laser clinic. Visit our website or give us a call to find out more about Macrolane.

Microdermabrasion - Q & A

2009-05-06T03:43:00.000-07:00

Recently I was asked a few questions about the benefits and uses for medical microdermabrasion so I thought I’d post a few here for people to browse through and hopefully answer a few questions.

Q: What are the benefits and advantages of Microdermabrasion?
This is probably the most important question and one that requires answering before anything else. The benefits are what it can be used to treat, which includes acne scarring, stretch marks, age and sun spots, wrinkles and several other skin related issues.

The advantages of Microdermabrasion are that is has very little risk or side affects associated with it, that it takes only a short while for the procedure, normally around 20-30 minutes, it is one of the invasive cosmetic procedures available as it merely removes the top layer of dead skin and it can be used on many areas of the body, including the hands, face, neck, chest and back. Other advantages include the very minimal (if any) down time and that microdermabrasion requires no anaesthetic. It can also be used on all skin types and colours.

Q: Is microdermabrasion safe to use if I have Eczema?
No. We would never suggest microdermabrasion for people who suffer with eczema as it is invasive to the skin. This in turn can aggravate or worsen the condition and should be avoided. This is important to remember if you are thinking of using a home microdermabrasion kit.

Q: Can microdermabrasion be used on whiteheads (spots)?
A: Yes it is quite safe to use microdermabrasion to treat whiteheads. Microdermabrasion cleans deep into the pores of the skin and removes excess oil and dirt which clog these pores up. After treatment many whiteheads are removed and stubborn one that are not, are greatly reduced in visibility.

Q: Will microdermabrasion make my skin dry?
As a rule no, such an occurrence is extremely rare. If you do notice your skin becoming dry after treatment it is fine for you to simply use a variety of skin creams or lotions to rehydrate it.

Q: Can microdermabrasion be used to treat Rosacea?
Due to its nature, microdermabrasion is not a viable way to treat Rosacea, as a matter of fact using microdermabrasion will actually aggravate the condition making the symptoms worse. Again it is important to remember this when considering a home microdermabrasion kit – don’t!
There are other cosmetic procedures available to treat Rosacea, such as cosmetic laser surgery, but microdermabrasion is not one of them.

Q: Does Microdermabrasion help reduce signs of ageing such as age spots and wrinkles?
Microdermabrasion is very effective in making skin appear younger after treatment. First up it will leave a more rejuvenated and fresher layer of new skin once the old layer is stripped away. Secondly it even out the skin texture which mean the removal or reduction of superficial wrinkles. Finally it can minimise or even remove age spots when removing the dead skin layer.

Q: Will microdermabrasion make my skin look healthier?
Microdermabrasion stimulates skin cell renewal which is required to achieve good levels of density and elasticity in the skin. Along with this cell renewal, the vacuum function of the microdermabrasion tool sucks up dead skin, dirt and hardened oil on the skin which improves the skins texture and tone.

If you have any more questions regarding microdermabrasion or its benefits or issues that may be associated with it, please ask us and we will try to help as best we can.

Roberta James specialises and runs the Medical Microdermbrasion and Chemical Skin Peels department at the Selston Cosmetic Clinic in North Nottinghamshire.

Dermaroller Therapy - Skin Rejeneration

2009-05-01T04:07:00.000-07:00

Dermaroller Therapy is a new treatment to help rejuvenate the skin and help with the problem of ageing skin, sun damaged skin, acne scarring and stretch marks.

Dermaroller therapy utilises a technique called collagen induction therapy, or “skin needling”. What this involves is a specially designed medical device with multiple fine needle points is rolled across the skin. This causes miniscule pin pricks which the body in its wisdom sees as damage to the skin. It then goes about healing the injured area as it normally would any other wound.

The repair and regeneration process then begins as new collagen and elastin is produced and continues over the following few weeks, and over a course of treatments you will see much improved results.

What is surprising to most people is that the procedure is remarkably comfortable – it only requires a topical anaesthetic cream which is very effective to the depth required for this treatment. The experience will range from pleasant to only mildly uncomfortable; many patients have found it genuinely relaxing

The procedure itself takes around half an hour. Following the treatment the skin will appear red for a short while only, similar in appearance to moderate sunburn. Most of the redness settles rapidly over a couple of hours and is easily covered. The skin is usually completely recovered by the following day.

These results of this collagen induction therapy are equivalent to the results that can be obtained by aggressive laser treatments, but without the risks or downtime, and at a fraction of the cost. Dermaroller therapy is availble at Mulberry House cosmetic clinic.

Fresher Skin with Microdermabrasion

2009-04-29T07:20:00.000-07:00

Microdermabrasion is removal of the dead outermost layer of the skin (the stratum corneum) by passing a collection of fine medical grade crystals across the skin, which causes light abrasion.

Microdermabrasion is a safe and painless procedure that is used to remove sun damaged skin, remove or lessen scars or to treat acne. The treatment has a proven track record having been used to treat hundreds of thousands of patients over the past 10 years with fantastic results.

The two most common and recommended microdermabrasion procedures are:

Crystal microdermabrasion
Crystal microdermabrasion systems are the traditional treatment of choice and rely on tiny crystals that are blasted onto the skin to perform the exfoliating process.

Diamond microdermabrasion
Diamond microdermabrasion systems operate without the need for crystals. The exfoliation process occurs when a diamond tipped head makes contact with the skin and abrades against it.

Regardless of whether it is either the crystal or diamond microdermabrasion systems used, the dead skin cells are sucked away from the face.

The procedure itself typically takes around 20 minutes to complete and the results show through almost immediately. The procedure can take a little longer depending on the severity of the condition to treat and the requirements desired.

For the best results a course of treatments of microdermabrasion is normally recommended, though this will be discussed and advised at your first consultation.

Obagi Nu-Derm

2009-02-03T01:05:00.000-08:00

At Mulberry House Clinic, we have been offering the OBAGI Nu-Derm system for over 2 years now and we are extremely impressed with the results, along with our clients who are seeing the benefits for themselves. OBAGI Nu-Derm was first developed 20 years ago by Dr Zein Obagi, a dermatologist who practices in Beverley Hills.

We started off feeling a little reserved about recommending it too strongly but we now have a lot of experience with it in all skin types and take the view that it would almost be negligent of us not to make sure that you are aware of the benefits!

You should consider OBAGI if you would like:

- smoother, firmer skin
- healthier skin function
- brighter, fresher appearance
- significant reduction in pigmentation of virtually all types
- even skin colour
- improved fine lines and wrinkles
- improvement in acne or acne scarring
- reduced oiliness
- long term skin protection
- potential reduction in skin cancer risk
- improvement in skin quality and colour in the neck and décolleté regions .

These are big claims, but ones we are happy to make on the basis of the results we have seen (to hear what our client’s have to say click here). For even greater improvement in skin tightness, scarring or deep pigmentation there is the option of an OBAGI blue peel, but quite often the results with the skincare alone mean a peel is not necessary.

Improvement is usually noticeable within 2 weeks, with best results taking up to a few months.

Research has shown that Nu-Derm also improves the results of other cosmetic treatments - the degree of improvement and satisfaction with Botox, dermal fillers, laser treatments and Thermage were all greater in people who had been using OBAGI Nu-Derm.

If you are serious about improving and looking after your skin in the long term OBAGI will deliver.

Whether you are already using it or are new to the range Mulberry House Clinic is offering a £20 discount on purchase of a full pack of OBAGI Nu-Derm, Crx or Elastiderm Decolletage from now until the end of February. As prices will be increasing after this now is an excellent time to start your OBAGI programme.

Cosmetic Chart-Toppers and Big Movers For 2008

2009-01-23T03:22:00.000-08:00

With another year over, we though we'd have a look back at those cosmetic procedures and treatments that were the most popular during 2008.

No. 1: BOTOX (Botulinum toxin) maintains the top slot.

Botox is most commonly used as a treatment for frown lines on the forehead, though it is also an effective treatment for wrinkles, crow’s feet and neck bands as well. Botox is very popular with many celebrities.

No. 2: The Restylane family of treatments continues as market leader and our favoured choice of dermal filler.

Restylane is an injectable treatment that contains hyaluron gel. The treatment help restore volume to the skin, provide lift and smooth away and soften facial lines. He procedure involves I injecting the Restylane compound into the desired areas in the face.

No. 3: Laser Treatments – these still offer the best results for hair removal, thread-veins and sunspots.

There are many laser treatments available. They range from hair removal and skin rejuvenation to treating leg and facial veins, acne scarring and Rosacea

No. 4: Facial peels and microdermabrasion - wonderful ways of freshening and brightening the skin without any disruption.

Microdermabrasion is a popular cosmetic procedure used to treat conditions such as fine lines and wrinkles, age spots, blotchy skin and blemishes and acne scarring among other things.

Chemical Peels and facial peels are used to remove the outer layer of skin. This makes the skin fresher, removes some sunspots and rough scaly patches, and reduces freckles and irregular pigmentation. It also reduces fine wrinkles.

Big movers up the charts in 2008 have been Sculptra, and OBAGI Nu-Derm prescription skincare and we predict that these will see a continuing increase in popularity during 2009.

You can read our previous article on Sculptra here.

One to watch for 2009! – Vavelta is a new treatment for scarring and skin rejuvenation. We are focussing on its use in scarring and are already seeing good results.

For more information on any of these cosmetic treatments contact Mulberry House Clinic on 01604 702630 or visit www.lasertreatmentsnorthampton.co.uk

Mole Removal - Where to get Treatment

2009-01-20T07:41:00.000-08:00

Moles are pigmented spots on the skin containing the skin pigment melanin, they can be beneath the skin (sub dermal) or raised. There are many types of moles ranging from benign, to suspicious, to malignant lesions.

People mistakenly refer to many other lesions on the skin as to moles. These can be small cysts, fibromas, angiomas, age spots, cholesterol deposits and largeish warts. They can vary in colour from flesh coloured, yellow, red, blue or dark brown.

National campaigns are frequently run to make the public aware of skin cancer. Simple precautions are advised such as: to avoid prolonged sun exposure by using sun block regularly and to wear appropriate clothing.

You are advised to seek a medical opinion if your mole/skin lesion develops suspicious characteristics such as: increasing in size, become darker, itches, bleeds, develops irregular edges or becomes raised.

Thankfully most lesions that people present with are benign and amenable to quick mole removal.

Where should you seek treatment for mole removal?

The first port of call should be to your General Practitioner; large numbers of doctors perform minor surgery and will skillfully remove the lesion. If they think the lesion is suspicious they will refer you to the local dermatologist or suspicious mole clinic at the local hospital.

Recently some primary care trusts in the country have made a dictat; if mole removal is requested for cosmetic reasons, then this should not be made available on the NHS, the General Practitioner then has every right to decline treatment.

The option then left for mole removal for whatever reasons is to turn to your local cosmetic clinic.

Leading cosmetic clinics use a wide variety of techniques for mole removal; the most popular are Electrocautery, Laser and Radiofrequency. These will be briefly discussed.

Electrocautery involves as the name suggests cauterization using a probe which is heated by a D.C Electric current. The temperature of the probe is high and the resulting thermal damage to the sun can leave a scar. Never Electrocautery machines have variable power settings, so scans can be mitigated.

Radiofrequency uses radiosurgery probes which vapourise the moles, the advantage using this methos is that the resulted thermal damage to the skin is less leaving negligible scarring and instant results.

Lasers are excellent for removal curtain says lesions such as angionanas, giving excellent single treatment results and negligible scarring.

In conclusion; depending on the treatment methods despite the prices between cosmetic clinics can range from £75-£300/ treatment for a single mole lesion - so it is definitely with shopping around.

Article by Dr S R Bassi

Cosmetic Laser Treatments for Facial Veins and Rosacea

2008-11-26T01:58:00.000-08:00

What are facial veins?
These are small blood vessels that can appear just under the skin surface and be visible either as individual vessels or as a general redness. They do not perform any useful function but can be unsightly.

What causes them?
There are probably quite a number of things that contribute to their appearance – sun exposure, inflammation that may be caused by injury, acne or rosacea, and genetic factors all play a part, as can alcohol consumption.

What can I do about them?
In our opinion laser offers the most reliable and safe method of treatment. Usually people have tried various other treatments without success before they come to us at Mulberry House Clinic and are delighted with the results.
Many people use make-up or camouflage to mask them, although is obviously not an ideal solution.
There are many distributors of creams and potions that claim to offer simple solutions but without any firm scientific foundation.
At Mulberry House Clinic we offer a unique treatment that acts as an effective camouflage while still allowing the skin to breathe – what’s more the application is dry, waterproof, and provides factor 30 sun protection.

How does laser work?
This cosmetic laser treatment involves the laser (light) energy is delivered through a hand-held device with a cooling tip that protects your skin, and is absorbed by the pigment in your blood so that the unwanted vein collapses.

When will I see results?
The treated veins will either fade or completely disappear during the treatment. Some vessels may show temporary swelling that will subside after a few hours to a few days. The red appearance of the treated vessels may go immediately or gradually disappear as the healing process occurs over the next two weeks. It is common for some vessels to partially reappear during this time, and hence usually more than one laser treatment is required.

Most patients see improvement after the first treatment, but up to three treatments may be necessary to obtain the best results (around five may be required for rosacea).

How often can you have it done?
The usual comsetic laser treatment interval is two to four weeks.

Are there any side effects?
Immediately following the procedure you may experience some redness in the treated area. The redness usually dissipates after a few hours, but occasionally some puffiness may last for one to three days.

How long does it take?
Most laser treatments will take between 15-30 minutes depending on the size of the area to be treated. It is not usually necessary but topical anaesthetic may be applied before laser treatment.

Chemical Peels (You don't Have to Peel Like a Snake)

2008-11-24T03:34:00.000-08:00

Since the TV programme 10 Years Younger has featured chemical peels as part of aging treatments, we have experienced an increased demand for chemical peels. Did you know that you do not necessarily need to have the "shredding effect" on your face and be off work for one to two weeks as shown on the television?

There are many types of chemical peels including TCA peels, Obagi, Unideep, Phenol and Agera Rx.

Most chemical peels result in what I call "skin shredding" as it gives the appearance of a snake shredding its skin, this is acceptable if you want to stay in for 1-2 weeks, but for a working woman it just doesn’t seem probably. Agera Rx peels cause no shredding and deliver the same fabulous results.

Agera RX peels are non-irritating and pain free with no need for recovery time. Now for the science bit! These are unique treatments that significantly stimulate the fibroblasts deep within the skin to produce new collagen and elastin. After just one session, the skin will look clearer, smoother and brighter.

Agera Rx chemical peels are a course of 6 sessions, spaced 2-3 weeks apart and they become as cost effective as major shredding peels that have been seen on the TV show 10 Years Younger.

For maximum results a course of AGERA® RX skin peels can be combined with microdermabrasion (a skin-freshening technique that helps repair facial skin).

I believe an Agera Rx Peel is a clear winner, by allowing you to have a peel in the morning and being able to go to a ball in the evening, an option any person would love to have. Agera RX skin peels are definitely something to consider.

Roberta James specialises and runs the Medical Microdermbrasion and Chemical Skin Peels department at the Selston Cosmetic Clinic in North Nottinghamshire.

Vaser Lipo - Before and After

2008-10-29T05:48:00.000-07:00

The Vaser Lipo , a new and advanced form of liposuction, procedure over the past 12 months has become readily available in most leading clinics in the U.K. As with any technology and cosmetic procedure there is a learning curve, consolidation with experience and eventually consistent results. A few leading cosmetic centres, including a top North Nottingham Clinic - Selston Cosmetic Clinic, were the pioneers in bringing this technology to the U.K.

The Vaser Lipo procedure uses advanced ultrasound technology to emulsify the fat under local anaesthetic, this is subsequently aspirated, the results are instantaneous and there is subsequent further body contouring and skin tightening over the next 6 months.

Vaser Lipo is excellent for spot fat reduction, even for areas of the body where Smart Lipo gave minimal results or was unable to take on. Vaser Lipo provides body contouring for larger areas, which if one is being totally honest and truthful is beyond the scope of other forms of laser liposuction such as Advanced SmartLipo and XP Lipo Laser. If you desire Liposuction and Liposculpture of the abdomen, inner thigh, outer thigh, large flanks, male breasts then Vaser Lipo is the way to go.

Why not let the results speak for themselves as Selston Cosmetic Clinic have released their first two case studies of Vaser Lipo.

Dr. S.R. Bassi is the lead cosmetic physician at a top North Nottingham Clinic, Selston Cosmetic Clinic. See Vaser Lipo, before and after, and learn more about Vaser Lipo by visiting our website.

OBAGI Prescription Skincare at Mulberry House Clinic

2008-10-24T03:15:00.000-07:00

When you want to keep your skin looking and feeling good the first thing to consider should be effective skincare. OBAGI prescription-only skincare offers top class science-based medical treatment. Consider these improvements to your skin: smoother, more even colour, firmer, brighter, fewer blemishes.

Often people have used heavily advertised and expensively-packaged cosmetic treatments that fail to deliver any meaningful effects, and they understandably feel cynical, but it is now realistic to use effective prescription creams that offer short term treatment and long term maintenance for healthy functioning skin that is smooth, firm and even-coloured.

There are various choices within the OBAGI range that a physician can choose from and advise you what is suitable for your age and skin type:

OBAGI CR-X system is ideal for younger skin requiring more protection than active treatment.

OBAGI Nu-Derm is the flagship range that conditions the skin, making it firmer, smoother and more evenly pigmented. It is also useful prior to treatments with laser or facial peels.

OBAGI Clenziderm is a new range that offers superior and more rapid improvement in inflammatory acne spots.

OBAGI Blue Peel is an additional option where more correction is required, for example improvement in lines and wrinkles, skin tightening, or deeper pigmentation problems. This too can be tailored by the physician to the individual problem and skin type.

"We have been using and recommending OBAGI products in Mulberry House Clinic for 2 years now," says medical director Dr John Tanqueray, "and both we and our clients have been extremely impressed. There are no other skincare systems that I’ve seen give such improvement in a range of skin problems, especially acne and pigmentation problems such as melasma, which is notoriously difficult to treat effectively and safely by other means."

He continues, "Proof of the effects of OBAGI products comes not just from the science behind them, but in seeing how often just a few weeks after someone starts using OBAGI their mother, sister or daughter contacts us asking for the same skincare treatment!"

OBAGI prescription skincare is available through Mulberry House Clinic on 01604 702630 or at visit the Mulberry House website

Mole Removal - The Latest Techniques

2008-10-23T03:42:00.000-07:00

Like all cosmetic treatments, mole removal has benefitted from the introduction of new technology and the improvement of existing technology. Moles are by the lay person sometimes confused with small cysts, small papillomas, small angiomas, fibromas, largeish warts and cholesterol deposits. These lesions can vary in colour from being flesh coloured, yellow, blue or red.

In medical terms a mole is referred to as a naevus, it is a small dark spot with high levels of the skin pigment… melanin; it can be underneath the skin (subdermal) or a pigmented growth on the skin. Medically moles can be subdivided into many types; these classifications are beyond the scope of this article.

All the types of skin irregularities mentioned above are amenable to the modern methods of mole removal (as well as wart removal and skin tag removal). There are many reasons for mole removal, such as; they may simply cause irritation, by catching on a chain, bra-strap or shirt collar. They may be cosmetically distracting and be lowering one’s confidence. Lastly, they may be sinister or suspicious lesions, the mole may be increasing in size, become raised, have irregular edges, start to bleed and become increasingly pigmented.

Recently leading cosmetic clinics are employing computer scanning technology, which analyses the skin pigment, haemoglobin and collagen in the mole lesion and this can accurately assess as any medical expert the suspiciousness of the lesion.

The main cosmetic treatment techniques for mole removal are radiosurgery and electrocautery methods.

Radio surgery involves using radio waves which vaporise the mole, they cause less thermal damage to the skin, giving instant results, negligible scarring and with the use of local anaesthetic is a painless procedure. If required the mole can be excised and sent for analysis using this technology and the analysis is not compromised as the histology is not destroyed.

Electrocautery treatment is a common mole and wart removal method used by many cosmetic clinics, for mole removal, this treatment resulted in scarring, however the latest generation of electrocautery machines have variable power settings and with skilled usage of this accompanied by using ice packs post procedure to reduce thermal damage, excellent cosmetic results can be obtained. This mode of treatment is far more price competitive than radiofrequency.

Dr S.R. Bassi is the leading cosmetic physician at a top cosmetic clinic in North Nottingham - Selston Cosmetic Clinic.

Eyes By Thermage

2008-10-08T05:08:00.001-07:00

There is now an extension to the cosmetic treatments available with Thermage, the leading radiofrequency treatment for skin tightening. It is now possible to create a tightening effect for the eyelids and area immediately around the eyes. This area is otherwise a difficult area to treat, and no other radiofrequency treatment offers this facility.

“Eyes by Thermage is a one-off treatment with no downtime afterwards,” says Dr Tanqueray. “It offers something that no other treatment can do, and can give very pleasing results. The area around the eyes is often a problem area with thin and lax skin. There are few treatment options for this, and all other effective cosmetic treatments result in several days of redness afterwards and often requires multiple treatments.”

Thermage treatment involves the transmission of radiofrequency energy into the skin via a sophisticated patented handpiece. The effect is to deliver heat to the deeper tissues while protecting the skin surface. The heat results in collagen contraction within the skin so that often some improvement is seen immediately. The main effects occur over the following 2 – 6 months, so that there is a natural and gradual improvement. Benefits from treatment are likely to last for up to 2 years.

Thermage can be useful in any age group, but is particularly beneficial for men and women between the ages of 35 and 55.

For more information on Thermage or any other non-surgical cosmetic treatments contact Mulberry House Clinic on 01604 702630 or visit www.lasertreatmentsnorthampton.co.uk

Introducing VAVELTA® - Treatment for Acne Scarring and Other Scars

2008-09-24T07:12:00.000-07:00

Mulberry House Clinic has been chosen as one of a select group of treatment centres for VAVELTA®, a unique treatment for improving the structure, function and appearance of skin that has been damaged by scarring and the aging process.

Scarring occurs following injury to the skin following conditions such as acne, trauma or burns. The healing process produces new collagen, but scarring results when it is not laid down in exactly the same way as in the original skin.

VAVELTA® is a suspension of human dermal fibroblast cells which are injected into the skin to replace those lost through skin damage. A series of shallow injections are used to place the cells just under the uppermost layer of skin where they would normally be found.

The cells establish themselves and start to remodel the scarred tissue with new collagen so that improvement occurs over weeks or a few months with a very natural result. No other procedure is available that offers this approach of matching your own skin’s structure.

Dr John Tanqueray of Mulberry House Clinic comments: “Scarring has always been a challenging area to treat successfully. Initial results with Vavelta are extremely encouraging, and we are delighted that we can now offer our clients Vavelta alongside the other beauty treatment options we have. An added bonus is that Vavelta is a relatively straightforward treatment to have and unlike many other treatments after-effects are minimal.”

How can I find out more about VAVELTA®?

This procedure can only be performed by a specialist physician who is a member of the VAVELTA® Clinical Practice Group. To obtain more information please visit www.vavelta.com

VAVELTA® is just one of a wide range of non-surgical cosmetic treatments offered at Mulberry House Clinic by Dr John Tanqueray. Appointments for initial consultation are offered free of charge.

Call 01604 702630 for an appointment or visit www.lasertreatmentsnorthampton.co.uk for more information.

Triple Therapy Skin Rejuvenation

2008-09-23T06:15:00.000-07:00

Selston Cosmetic Clinic has developed a new kind of skin rejuvenation which we have dubbed triple Therapy. This involves a combination of laser skin rejuvenation, microdermabrasion and a new technique called skin needling.

Skin rejuvenation is now constantly in the media. The beauty magazines and newspaper supplements are filled with creams and serums claiming to reduce wrinkles and tighten the skin. These are all effective, though somewhat minimally!

There are many types of lasers available on the market performing laser skin rejuvenation, recently fractional laser skin rejuvenation (or Fraxel) has gained popularity, the laser removes surface of the skin in a grid like pattern. The downside is to get a really good result you have to suffer 3-4 days of a red face, the skin treatments are expensive, and working women might say “I haven’t got that much time to take off work!”

Triple therapy laser skin rejuvenation using our laser scope lasers, (which have no downtime, enabling you to also return to work the next day), combined with microdermadrasion and skin needling (or a home skin needling system which is just as effective), combining all the advantages of fractional laser treatment, by giving an even face complexion, tightening up the skin, reducing fine lines and wrinkles and plumping out the cheeks further than fraxel laser skin rejuvenation.

The other plus side is the combined cosmetic treatments work out at half the price of Fraxel laser treatments. This treatment from Selston Cosmetic Clinic is available to those in the Nottingham, Derby, Mansfield, Chesterfield and Shefiled areas (and those who are willing to travel).

Roberta James specialises and runs the Laser Skin Rejuvenation and Chemical Peels section at Selston Cosmetic Clinic in North Nottingham. Visit www.selstoncosmeticclinic.com and find out what fabulous things we can do for you.

Laser Hair Removal Explained

2008-09-22T09:19:00.000-07:00

One of the most common treatments in cosmetic clinics and certain beauty salons is laser hair removal. On reading the forums it is obvious the success of this form of treatment varies greatly.

How can this be?

The answers are complex- it maybe the laser system used, the systems can range from IPL, single wavelength or radio frequency systems.

Like mobile phones and television sets every year, new laser technology is evolving which purports to give an edge to its predecessors, with respect to laser hair removal.

The cost of these laser hair removal systems can vary from £10, 000- £50, 000! In my opinion as there has been no real head to head clinical trials between the systems, one must rely on the original gold standard the Lightsheer diode laser, which has stood the test of time, delivering speedy treatments and excellent results. Interestingly the Laserscope Lyra Laser system results are compatible to the Lightsheer system.

In summary, if the clinic has a decent laser system, and selects to treat clientelle with the appropriate type of hair and colour its technology can treat and use pre-treatment topical anaesthetic followed by ice packs to give post laser hair removal treatment pain relief. There is then no reason why exceptional results cannot be obtained with minimal discomfort.

Dr. S.R. Bassi is the lead cosmetic physician at a top Cosmetic clinic in North Nottingham. Visit our website www.selstoncosmeticlinic.com and learn more about laser hair removal.

Watch Out Smartlipo! Vaser Lipo has Arrived from the USA

2008-09-17T06:32:00.000-07:00

The pioneering new liposuction procedure, Vaser LipoSelection, has arrived from the USA. Over the next few months we will witness the frenzied excitement as this procedure is highlighted in the glossy beauty magazines and articles are published in the Sunday newspapers and their supplements.

The chat forums on Google will be ignited by people wishing to receive the treatment and those who have already received the treatment, the comments from the latter I am sure will be extremely positive, especially from the unfortunate ones who had poor results with Smartlipo and now have received Vaser Lipo from their clinics.

This new technology of walk-in walk-out liposuction will soon be rolled out by all leading cosmetic surgery clinics over the next few months. In the Midlands two or three clinics including Selston Cosmetic Clinic were one of the first to embrace Vaser Lipo, largely due to the necessity to be able to remove larger volumes of fat compared to the Smartlipo and the next generation of Smartlipo procedures mainly Smartlipo plus, advanced Smartlipo, advanced Laser Lipo and XP Lipo Laser. Needless to say this experience with this procedure has given them an edge over their competitors.

The Vaser Lipo procedures use ultrasound (similar to that used for cataract removal from the eye). This state of the art technology emulsifies and breaks down the fat whilst leaving the blood vessels, nerves and surrounding tissues intact. It is performed under tumescent local anaesthesia ...you are awake! A mixture of Saline/Lignocaine and adrenaline is filled into the area to be treated , this solution gives excellent pain relief, minimal blood loss and bruising by shrinking the blood vessels. It also allows the procedure to become a walk-in walk-out liposuction treatment. Finally the liquefied fat is aspirated gently at the end of the procedure.

It is generally accepted in the medical fraternity that no more that 2L of fat should be removed by a tumescent liposuction day case procedure, which Vaser Lipo comes under, this amount of fat removal is well within its capability!

With this procedure the leading cosmetic clinics and experienced cosmetic physicians now have the confidence to give guaranteed results A fantastic quantum leap in liposuction for the consumer.

Vaser Lipo is set to become the leader in walk-in walk-out liposuction in the UK over the next twelve months; it has already annihilated its competition in Singapore!

Dr. S.R Bassi is the lead cosmetic physician at the Medical Cosmetic and Laser Clinic, Selston Cosmetic Clinic in Nottingham. Find out more about Vaser Lipo and Advanced SmartLipo by visiting our website.

An Account of Laser Skin Treatment

2008-09-12T03:14:00.000-07:00

After my first BOTOX treatment I was 100 per cent confident in Dr Tanqueray, and the next thing we discussed was the effects of sun damage – in my case problems with freckles and little broken capillaries and redness. John suggested cosmetic laser treatment and he recommended a course of six of these skin treatments.

Gel was applied to my face and then a probe was slowly run all over my face backwards and forwards. It felt like mild pins and needles over the skin; it felt cool but scratchy.

Directly after treatment my cheeks were quite red, but John assured me it was only temporary and I could apply make-up straightaway. By the time I went to bed, about five hours later, the redness had completely gone.

After two or three treatments I have noticed the improvement in skin texture by the evenness of my complexion, the thread veins have gone and my cheeks don’t flush so readily. The colour is definitely corrected and I am often asked what foundation I use! Of course, I am happy to recommend Mulberry House Clinic.

by Lyn Keable

Cosmetic laser treatments and many other skin treatments are available through Mulberry House Clinic, Northamptonshire 01604 702630 or www.lasertreatmentsnorthampton.co.uk

An Account of BOTOX Treatment

2008-09-11T06:04:00.000-07:00

I am a beauty therapist and with a little knowledge of aesthetic treatments I decided to go to Mulberry House Clinic for some education. I saw Dr John Tanqueray and asked John to go through all of his treatments with me. He was happy to explain in detail, instilling confidence.

BOTOX was the first treatment on the list. The needle is so fine that it felt like tiny pin pricks. I was on the treatment couch for no more than five minutes when John said, “That’s it, you’re done!” There was no sensitivity and the only reaction was a few little spots which looked like tiny insect bites but they disappeared within an hour, i would neve have though Botox treatments were so quick!

I noticed the effect the next day. Already I could see a difference in the smoothness of the forehead. John had told me that the effects of the Botox treatment would take up to two weeks but within a week my forehead was totally without a single line and there were no crow’s feet around my eyes. My concern about ending up with a frozen look was unfounded as the muscle between the eyebrows still had free movement.

My clients and friends commented on how well I looked. They used the word “radiant” and asked whether I’d changed my make-up. I had to confess to my husband and he was amazed that I’d taken such a “risk” but was seriously impressed at the result! I was only too happy to tell them that I’d joined the Hollywood elite and there was nothing to fear from botox or other medical aesthetics, providing you go to a reputable company such as Mulberry House! I was relieved that it wasn’t so obvious that I’d had something done, but delighted that some people noticed I was looking so refreshed.

by Lyn Keable

Lyn had her Botox treatment at Mulberry House Clinic in Northamptonshire – 01604 761876 or visit www.lasertreatmentsnorthampton.co.uk

SmartLipo? You Should be Having Vaser Lipo!

2008-09-09T03:41:00.001-07:00

If you are thinking of having SmartLipo - don’t bother!

Firstly, you should be considering having one of the next generations of SmartLipo procedures: Advanced SmartLipo, Advanced Laser Lipo or Xtra Performance Lipo Laser.

These new procedures use lasers which deliver higher energies melting the body’s fat, followed by gentle aspiration of the liquefied fat. They are performed in a quicker time and have all the advantages that the original SmartLipo procedure had over traditional liposuction.

However the debate is not over - these procedures are only good for removal of smaller areas of fat; the size of a man’s fist, 500mls to be precise. The ideal patient should be slim and toned with localized areas of stubborn fat, with a Body Mass Index of roughly 25.

A large number of people normally do not fall in the patient selection criteria for the original SmartLipo procedure, but still somehow still ended up having the treatment; inevitably with poor results. You just have to ‘Google’ SmartLipo forums to read the pain, anger, agony and disappointment experienced within them.

Sadly with the obesity epidemic in the UK these people wanting lunch time lipo procedures and meeting the selection criteria are few and far between. However, there is now hope; Vaser LipoSelection has arrived in the UK from the USA.

This technology is similar to Advanced SmartLipo or XP Lipo Laser. It is performed under local anaesthetic and uses ultrasound energy to emulsify and breakdown the fat followed by gentle aspiration of the liquefied fat.

The Vaser Lipo procedure can remove small to large volumes of fat. It is generally accepted that under local anaesthetic and day case surgery no more than 2 litres of fat can be removed, this is well within, Vaser Lipo’s capability.

Leading clinics are already starting to offer Vaser Lipo treatment and it is set to become the gold standard in walk-in walk-out liposuction allowing us to remove larger volumes of fat compared with other technologies and treatments whilst giving us the ability to enhance and reshape your curves.

Dr S.R. Bassi is the lead cosmetic physician in North Nottingham’s premier medical cosmetic and laser clinic, Selston Cosmetic Clinic, part of the cosmetics clinic group.

Smartlipo vs Advanced Smartlipo - There is No Comparison

2008-09-03T07:49:00.000-07:00

New SmartLipo procedures have arrived in the UK namely Advanced SmartLipo and XP Lipo Laser. These advanced liposuction procedures are using laser technology which delivers higher energy followed by gentle aspiration at the end of the procedure.

They also have the same advantages like the original SmartLipo procedure over traditional liposuction, such as no hospital stay, no general anaesthetic, no major swelling or bruising, minimal pain along with significant skin tightening over 6 months, a walk in walk out procedure and return to work the next day if desired. The cost comparison also makes the procedures very attractive from £1800-2000 per area compared with £3200+ per area for traditional liposuction.

Needless to say there has been a boom in the amount of people undergoing these procedures; some people who have had failed results with the original SmartLipo procedures have been re-treated by their clinics with the newer procedure and this has led to happier outcomes for clients and their cosmetic/aesthetic physicians.

As more clinics offer Advanced SmartLipo and XP Lipo Laser. The pendulum has swung more forcefully towards the consumer, and rightly so. This mean cosmetic physicians are now offering guaranteed results.

At the pre-treatment consultation, most importantly your suitability for these procedures is assessed, your realistic expectations are discussed and eventual goals and outcomes to be achieved at around six months are evaluated.

If both sides are happy, a pre-treatment photograph is taken and the same photograph at 6 months. The photographs obviously should be taken with similar postures, lighting and background. Providing your Body Mass Index has not increased ( if you have put on weight you cannot blame the laser lipolysis for not working!) and if there is no difference between the pre-treatment and post treatment photographs, the clinic will repeat the procedure free of charge.

In conclusion, it appears the market is going to be cleaned up by these new procedures, but wait one moment and take this into account; a new and more revolutionary treatment is on the coat tails of these advanced liposuction procedures – Vaser Lipo! We’ll talk more about Vaser Lipo in an upcomping article, but if you want to have large amounts of fat deposits removed, you mayb be better of finding out more about Vaser Lipo.

Dr S.R Bassi is the lead cosmetic physician of North Nottingham’s Premier Medical Laser and Cosmetic Clinic, Selston Cosmetic Clinic, part of the Cosmetics Clinics group. Visit our website to find out more about Advanced Smartlipo and Vaser Lipo.

The Skin Peel Process with Agera RX Peels

2008-08-27T01:34:00.000-07:00

When you think of a face peel (or chemical peel), images of shedding skin, redness and irritation immediately spring to mind. Fortunately Selston Cosmetic Clinic offer the Agera RX Medical “no down time” skin peel that involves no recovery time and ensures you leave the clinic without looking like something out of a horror movie; Selston Cosmetic Clinic specialises in non-invasive treatments such as the “no down-time peel” and microdermabrasion, a deep mechanical exfoliation of the skin using crystals.

The Agera RX skin peel is used for various reasons such as general skin rejuvenation, blemishes, sun damage or ageing skin. For the best results, we recommend a combination course of 6 skin peels and 6 microdermabrasion sessions.

After completing a medical history form you have a 15-minute consultation where the cosmetic consultant explains thoroughly to you about the procedure It is important for the client to know that the difference with this treatment is that it does not involve chemicals or harsh acids. Unlike other chemical skin peels where you’re housebound for weeks; with Agera RX peels at Selston Cosmetic Clinic many customers are able to undergo lunchtime surgery.

The Agera RX peel works from deep down underneath the skin as opposed to taking off the top layer of skin. It uses nanotechnology, which penetrates through the water lipid barrier into the deeper layer of the skin, the dermis. The treatment begins with the therapist massaging an ultra mild cleanser into the face to clean the skin of any makeup and excess oils. Strong smelling peel prep was then used to again clean the skin of any excess oils and prepare it for the treatment. There is little discomfort, or more commonly no discomfort at all, and in fact it feels more like a normal facial. Two layers of peel are normally applied to the face. Here there may be slight itchiness and a feeling of the skin being lightly heated.

The skin peel is left on the skin for about 10 minutes, during which time a fan is blown onto the face and cold, wet towels are pressed heavily into the skin to activate the peel. Once the peel has been fully absorbed by the skin, the therapist applies a vitamin C serum to neutralise the peel, a recovery cream and a high factor sun cream.

After the treatment, you are advised not to wear any makeup for the following 24 hours.

Roberta James specialises and runs the medical microdermbrasion and chemical skin peels department at the Selston Cosmetic Clinic in North Nottingham. Visit www.selstoncosmeticclinic.com and find out what fabulous things we can do for you.

Advanced Smartlipo - What You Need to Know

2008-08-20T02:03:00.000-07:00

Liposuction in the United Kingdom is one of the top three cosmetic procedures performed (along with Botox and laser hair removal) and its popularity is increasing year on year. The Smartlipo procedure is a form of laser lipolysis and has been around for three years. It has distinct advantages over traditional liposuction; however the eventual results and client satisfaction fell short of the mark. This article will look at the science of laser lipolysis, its advantages as a liposuction procedure, the results obtained and the next generation of Smartlipo procedures.

Laser lipolysis is simply the term used to describe the process of a laser probe being introduced into the fatty tissue of the body, Laser energy is subsequently delivered, rupturing the fat cells and transforming them into an oily substance.

Over traditional liposuction, the Smartlipo procedure has minimal recovery time, is performed under local anaesthetic, and causes much less discomfort, less scarring and bruising. The low level laser energy also helps to stimulate collagen production in the skin resulting in skin tightening.

The results with Smartlipo are generally accepted as around 70% successful. The 30% unsuccessful group may have resulted from poor client selection such as a larger body mass Index (greater than 25) or attempting to tackle body areas containing larger than 500 mls of fat, which was deemed to be the maximum Smartlipo could remove.

This has led to the development of the next generation of Smartlipo procedures - Advanced Smartlipo. Aspiration or gentle suction of the oily substance has been added to the end of the procedure. Previously this was left inside the body, requiring it to be absorbed and eliminated in a natural manner. The initial Smartlipo laser had 6W of power; the newer machines have a power range of 10W to 18W, resulting in greater energy being delivered and larger amounts of fat cells ruptured in a shorter time.

In conclusion the next generation of Smartlipo procedures will deliver better results and higher client satisfaction whilst still having many advantages over traditional liposuction.

Dr. S.R. Bassi is the lead cosmetic physician of North Nottingham Premier Medical Laser and Cosmetic Clinic Selston Cosmetic Clinic, part of the Cosmetics Clinics Group. Visit our website or contact us to find out more about Smartlipo and Advanced Smartlipo.

Sculptra - A New Concept in Facial Contouring For a Younger-Looking You

2008-08-20T01:43:00.000-07:00

Sculptra is the latest facial rejuvenation treatment to restore facial shape and volume that is lost through natural aging, weight loss and sun damage. Sculptra is a cosmetic treatment that works with your body to stimulate the production of collagen to help you look younger in a natural gradual fashion. Results can last up to 3 years.

Dr Tanqueray of Mulberry House Clinic is an advanced Sculptra practitioner. He has been offering this treatment for a number of years and is delighted with the results. “Sculptra offers a completely new approach and allows me to look at the whole face rather than just concentrate on obvious problem areas. Sculptra restores the natural contours of the face, including the areas under the eyes, cheekbones, around the mouth and along the jawline.”

“Typically the first thing people notice is an improvement in their skin texture, with a firmer and more lustrous feel and look. With subsequent treatments more volume is created under the skin and this is when clients really see the difference.”

Mulberry House Clinic, established in 2002, is set in a Georgian house in its own grounds in the village of Hardingstone, just outside Northampton. Its peaceful and private setting and on site parking adds to a stress-free experience.

Treatments are carried out by Dr Tanqueray or Lorna Copeland, a highly-experienced aesthetic nurse who is also the UK trainer for the market-leading dermal filler company.

Dr Tanqueray adds: “With a wider than ever choice of cosmetic treatments available we can tailor skin treatments to suit the individual. Often we find that a suitable combination of treatments gives the best possible results.”

For more information or to book a free consultation please visit our website Mulberry House Clinic & Laser Centre or call us on 01604 702630.

Advanced Smartlipo - The New Boy on the Block

2008-08-19T07:44:00.000-07:00

Smartlipo, the popular laser lipolysis procedure has enjoyed spectacular success in the United Kingdom over the last two years. This may be credited to the excellent marketing of the procedure.

However, as results and client feedback have filtered through, it is clear all is not well with respect to client satisfaction and results. Smartlipo forums and recently an article by a journalist at the Times online expressed the dismay and dissatisfaction at the results.

This article will examine the next generation of Smartlipo liposuction procedures, known as Advanced Smartlipo.

The original Smartlipo procedure was performed by using a NdYag 1064Nm laser system with only 6W of power, the resultant liquefied fat was left to be absorbed and disposed of by the body’s natural processes.

The newer Advanced Smartlipo procedure uses a more powerful 1064m Nd Yag Laser delivering 10w to 18 w of power, this provides greater energy for rupturing the fat cells, and the procedure was refined by the addition of gentle suction and aspiration of the liquefied fat.

In conclusion, the Advanced Smartlipo procedure has resulted in delivering superior results, and higher doctor and client satisfaction.

Dr.S.R.Bassi is the lead cosmetic physician at the North Nottingham premier medical cosmetic and Laser Centre - Selston Cosmetic Clinic.

Find out more about laser lipolysis and the next generation Advanced Smartlipo at Selston Cosmetic Clinic or the Cosmetic Clinics Group.

Breakthrough Plasma Technology Delivers Dramatic Skin Regeneration

2008-08-19T07:16:00.000-07:00

Portrait is the first skin treatment to use plasma technology to stimulate a natural regenerative process of the skin.

Portrait has shown unparalleled improvement in wrinkling, skin laxity, skin texture, acne scarring, pore size and surface discolouration – all at the same time.

Now patients can benefit from reduced wrinkles, tighter skin and improved skin tone and texture, all at the same time with the Portrait® procedure.

Compared to other skin treatments that only improve skin at the surface, Portrait® works both at and below the surface. The results seen following treatment get better over time with clinical studies showing continuing improvement a year later. This is a unique and significant advantage that distinguishes it from all other skin treatments.

It reduces wrinkles and improves the overall health and appearance of the skin. Clinical study patients across the board have given their improved skin texture and tone very high ratings in post-treatment evaluations.

“Portrait® skin regeneration is a brand new technology with very unique capabilities,” explains Dr Tanqueray. “Other treatments like chemical peels, dermabrasion and laser work by taking things away from the skin surface, so they can only do so much. Portrait® works very effectively at the surface but it also activates and stimulates collagen growth deeper within the skin causing new, healthy skin to emerge naturally. It’s an entirely different mode of action and the results are exceptional.”

It is a simple procedure that takes 20- 30 minutes for a full face treatment. Backed by years of clinical research, it is safe and effective, giving patients the results they want with an optimized downtime relative to the desired outcome and without the risks associated with other skin regeneration treatments.