March 2015 – London Premier Laser

4 Things You Should Think Twice About Before Using On Your Skin

We’ve all been through our fair share of skin products, trying everything from anti-ageing ‘miracle cures’ to serums with plant extracts that claim to be 98% natural. Some stand by a big price tag, believing that paying more guarantees more. And then some claim to make their skin baby soft with only what’s in their kitchen cupboards.

It’s easy to be overwhelmed by how many options there are out there, and a lot of us end up wasting a lot of time and money at beauty counters and getting results that are hardly noticeable.

Maybe it would be more beneficial for us to know what not to put on our skin?
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“Greatest Laser Treatment Today!”: Khloé Kardashian Raves About Skin Treatment on Instagram

Knowing that her sister Kim is a laser advocate, last month Khloé Kardashian went to a Beverly Hills clinic to have laser treatment on her face, before posting about it on her Instagram.

“Only negative is that my spray tan completely came off”, was Khloé’s only criticism, as she shared the results with her followers later that day. Some facial swelling is common after laser skin resurfacing and other laser treatments, and will go down within 48 hours.

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The Under Eye Area: Why the Most Sensitive Part Of Your Face Needs Special Attention

The phrase ‘the eyes are the window to the soul’ is very apt, as our eyes are key to all of our facial expressions and movement throughout our life. From frowning to smiling and everything in between. We know what someone’s thinking or feeling by looking at their eyes, and we can judge someone’s stress levels by how much they’re frowning at their computer screen.

Our skin gradually loses elasticity and natural collagen as we age, and our muscles move, and gravity doesn’t help our cause either. Collagen is a “structural support” in our skin, and it breaks down as we get older, so skin is less firm and plump, and begins to sag.

So far, so familiar. But the skin underneath our eyes is particularly sensitive, more so than many might realise. It’s much thinner than the rest of our skin and that’s why it’s so prone to dark circles, puffiness and wrinkles. If you’re really tired, it will be written all over your under eye area, and dark circles can appear to age even someone in their twenties.

Eye Puffiness

It’s an old cliche that putting cucumber slices on your eyes will reduce puffiness (cold tea bags are another commonly known remedy), and some claim that they work a treat, but before you reach for them eagerly, it’s worth bearing in mind that most eye care professionals and opticians don’t recommend it. Cucumbers and teabags can both be full of bacteria – something you definitely don’t want hanging around your eyes.

If you’ve tried these tricks before and they worked well though, don’t despair. It’s the coldness that did the job, so try a wash cloth soaked in cold water, a soothing, cooling eye cream, or a chilled eye mask instead. No bacteria, but nice and chilly.

Coldness makes our blood vessels constrict, “which reduces the flow of fluid into soft tissues”, the root cause of eye puffiness. Another great remedy is to drink lots of water and make sure you’re fully hydrated, so avoid coffee and sugary drinks – less water will be retained in the under eye area, bringing swelling down.

Dark circles and discolouration

There’s a long list of the potential causes of dark circles under the eyes, such as fatigue, allergies, stress, anaemia, drinking too much and even oversleeping. And as you get older, and you lose some of that all important collagen and firmness, dark circles become much more visible as the under-eye skin thins.

If your dark circles are being caused by fatigue, tackling your lack of sleep would be the best place to start, but if you’re sick and tired of reaching for excessive amounts of concealer every morning, a rejuvenating facial treatment could do the trick.

The Vitamin C Rejuvenation Facial contains Vitamin C, Alpha and Beta Hydroxy Acids and fruit enzymes, which speed up cellular turnover for lightening, tightening and brightening all skin types. Alpha hydroxy acids encourage firmness and the thickening of the skin, something the under eye area is often in desperate need of.

Wrinkles

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of creams and serums on the market that claim to reduce the signs and deepness of wrinkles. Nearly everyone who tries out these products out, however, will find that their pocket is what takes a hit, not the wrinkles.

Anti Wrinkle fillers are still renowned for reducing the signs of ageing, and almost every female celebrity, actress or performer will have considered them or had them at some point. Chemical messages from the nerve to the muscle are blocked by the injection, temporarily weakening it and making facial muscles appear smoother and lines softened. For before and after pictures, information about the procedure, and what to expect, book a free consultation today. We have 9 London clinics open 7 days a week for you.

Everything you wanted to know about stretch marks but were afraid to ask

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Many suffer from stretch marks, and it can often feel like they appear overnight. They’re most common after pregnancy, severe weight gain, and even puberty, when the body can develop and grow particularly rapidly. 8 out of 10 women will have stretch marks after a pregnancy, and girls are more likely to get them during puberty than boys, so it’s women who get the brunt of it.

Understandably, many want to make them fade as much as much as possible, as they appear very noticeable and scar-like, but on top of this they often itch too. Commonly appearing on the stomach, thighs, upper arms and breasts, it can be a very noticeable problem and numerous treatments have been developed to combat them.

Why do stretch marks occur?

Stretch marks occur when the skin stretches in a short period of time and the dermis (the middle layer of skin) breaks as a result. The skin is made to stretch and grow as it needs to, but rapid growth can tear fibres and it begins to show on the outer layer of skin.

Blood vessels are burst when the skin fibres break, which is why many people’s stretch marks appear to be purple or red in colour.

Why do stretch marks itch so much?

Stretch marks can itch because the skin itself is dry or has developed a rash simultaneously. When we cut ourselves and it begins to heal, the raised skin is often dry and itchy – you can apply the same principle to stretch marks. On a positive note, it means your skin is clearly in the process of healing itself. Healing wounds itch because “nerve fibres can be activated by chemicals secreted by the body”, and too much tissue grows around the healing wound and hardens, which also irritates the skin.

A cooling cream or moisturiser will ease any dry skin and could soothe the itch temporarily, but it’s a necessary part of the healing process and shouldn’t irritate for too long.

How can you get rid of them?

There are numerous creams and oils on the market for stretch marks, and also various home remedies such as castor oil, aloe vera and egg whites. These only treat the outer layer of skin however, and the tears that cause stretch marks occur in the middle layer.

Laser treatments encourage deeper exfoliation, encourages the skin to regrow and rejuvenate,

Kim Kardashian underwent laser treatment last month to treat stretch marks from her pregnancy, as reported in the Mail online.

Stretch marks are an inevitability for many, and an unfortunate side effect of pregnancy. You can treat them though, laser treatments for stretch marks can make them look noticeably faded with a full set of three sessions. The better you are at understanding the cause of your stretch marks, the more informed you’ll be when it comes to removing them.

kim kardashian having pregnancy stretch marks treated with laser

To find out how we can help you and your stretch marks book your free consultation today[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Can You Lose Weight Without Exercising and Dieting?

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Eat less move more. This has been a long held and assumed belief that the only way to shed pounds is to exercise and eat less – and so an industry worth millions has developed based on these two principles alone.

However, there are many frustrated dieters out there who, despite months and years of trying, aren’t much fitter or thinner than they were when they started.

It’s a cause of great frustration for so many, so maybe it’s time to look at how we’re eating and moving, rather than carrying on with the same old diet tips.

Some things you may not have considered will affect your weight loss journey dramatically and make a big difference:

Get enough sleep and avoid stress

We all want at least eight hours of sleep a night, but unfortunately this isn’t always achievable. If you’re tired and slow, you’re more likely to snack on high fat, sugar and calorie foods. Maintaining a healthy weight in the long run can’t be done when you’re exhausted all the time.

And when we’re stressed, and cortisol is released into our brain and body, it makes us very, very hungry, as it’s telling our body it needs more energy to cope with the situation. Ravenous hunger, the need for a quick meal and a busy working day doesn’t help us make good food choices either.

Pay attention to portions

We’re all guilty of ordering too many sides at a restaurant, or serving a double portion of pasta because it doesn’t look like that much. But studies have been done that demonstrate even the size of a plate can affect how much we spoon onto it, so our eyes are naturally greedier than our belly.

The mantra ‘eat little and often’ is repeated a lot, but there’s a great deal of truth in it. Eating small portions that are easier to digest regularly throughout the day will stop you from bingeing through sheer hunger and reaching for the nearest edible thing. It’ll keep you going for longer, and help you to stay in the gym longer. Five smaller, carefully chosen meals is much more favourable than three big meals that leave you stranded on the sofa because you’re so full.

Don’t equate calories burnt in the gym to calories eaten

It’s good to try and moderate the calories going in and out of our body, but many dieticians and personal trainers recommend seeing the bigger picture rather than looking at it on a case-by-case basis.

“Cardiovascular activity for a sustained period of time, such as a one-hour jog, can be of little benefit when it comes to body fat”, says David Fletcher, a personal trainer at Odyssey. It’s no good equating 30 minutes on a treadmill to a portion of chips, as though one cancels the other out. The more you do the same exercise, the more your body gets used to using calories efficiently when you do it, so repeating the same exercises might not get you were you want to be in terms of burning calories.

Some ‘quick fixes’ can work…

There’s been a lot of buzz surrounding ‘fat dissolving’ products recently. Fat dissolving injections do exactly what they say on the tin – a water solution is injected into the fat area, and this solution binds with the cell walls of the fatty tissue. As you urinate throughout the next few weeks, the fat leaves your body. Premier Laser’s fat dissolving injections are the only fat removal injection on the market and require no recovery time whatsoever.

Ideal for the stomach, thighs, chin and buttocks, this treatment can help you shed fat in areas that the gym hasn’t touched.

Starving yourself is not the way to do it

The word ‘detox’ is thrown around a lot, and it’s possible that at least one of your friends has heralded the success of their juice diet. In all likelihood though, she’s thinking about eating the table right now, because it’s not good to put your body through dramatic fasts, on the assumption that it needs to be ‘cleansed’, or that it’s the quickest way to shed pounds.

Sports dietician Jane Griffin warns that “long-term detox diets…should never be considered. The low intakes of vitamins and minerals can cause anything from reduced immunity to infections and excessive weight loss” which won’t help you reach your physical peak. If you feel faint, stop! Your body needs fuel.

Coolsculpting a proven way to get rid of stubborn fat

Despite your best efforts you may still have stubborn pockets of fat. Those hard to shift areas like love handles or chin fat or bingo wings can now be treated with Coolsculpting. It is proven to remove fat in hard to shift areas by up to 30%. Visit our Coolsculpting page to find out more or call us for a free consultation today.

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Do Skinny People Get Cellulite?

Cellulite treatments are one of the most popular skin treatments in the UK, as 95% of us have it. But what exactly is cellulite, other than dimpled fat that we all want to get rid of? Despite our eagerness to get rid of it, not many of us know what it really is or what causes it. Cellulite is most common in women, and can be influenced by genetics, hormonal changes, a poor diet and inactivity, and it doesn’t matter if you’re overweight or not. Yes, ‘skinny’ people can have cellulite too.
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Getting Rid of Acne Scarring: What Are Your Options?

Acne is the UK’s most common skin condition, and involves spots and cysts developing on the face, and sometimes back and chest. Acne is often attributed to increased levels of testosterone when it occurs in the teenage years, but it can also run in families, and women in particular often experience it when they experience hormonal changes during their period or during pregnancy.

There are many treatments for acne, and this has in itself become a major industry, as the condition is so common and problematic for sufferers. There are face washes, medication, creams and emollients that are often advised and prescribed. Trying to remove blackheads or spots manually causes scarring, but the skin being broken and damaged is often enough to cause scarring.

Scarring occurs when spots or cysts swell and break the follicle wall, damaging tissue and leaving skin discoloured and broken. Unfortunately, for many, it’s unavoidable as acne is particularly rough with our skin. But all hope is not lost, you can treat acne scars and make the healing process easier if you understand your skin a little bit better, and know what will make those scars go away.

Dermal fillers

Many acne scars resemble ‘craters’, as not enough tissue has been produced to replaced to heal the wound, so dermal fillers can raise the surface of “depressed areas”. Dermal fillers are often used to make wrinkles appear less prominent and deep, but it can work wonders for acne scars too. It’s a non-invasive treatment as well, so you can do it in your lunch hour.

Punch excisions

This might sound nasty, but it’s only slightly more invasive than dermal fillers, and it works very well with deeper scars, such as ‘ice pick scars’. The area will be numbed, and the dermatologist will cut out the scar, before closing it again with a small stitch, which is removed in under a week.

There are punch techniques for all kinds of acne scars, some involving samples of skin from other parts of the body ‘plugging’ the wound.

Steroid injections

Steroid injections are suitable for thick scars that are raised above the surface of the skin – steroids can make them flatter and less obvious. It’s a quick and fairly painless procedure, and any lesions will heal after a couple of weeks.

Laser treatment

Laser treatment can be especially effective for both those still suffering from acne, and those who have treated the condition successfully, but are left with scars.

If you’re still suffering, an anti-acne facial will help to reduce oiliness – the main cause of acne – and give you smoother, fresher skin. Many find that acne treatments are especially harsh, but this is a gentle procedure, suitable for all skin types.

As the oiliness is reduced, breakouts become less frequent and severe, and the old, damaged layer of skin peels away.

Another way to rid yourself of troublesome and often painful breakouts, and the scars which have been left behind, is a microdermabrasion treatment.

A specially selected serum, which complements your skin type, is used with pneumatic pressure and penetrates deep into the skin. This pushes new cells to the surface of the skin. The top layer of dead skin is exfoliated, collagen is rebuilt and rejuvenated, and acne scars appear faint over time.

Don’t feel defeated if you’re suffering from acne scars, there are plenty of cosmetic options, which can give you smooth, replenished and glowing skin.

What’s the Most Harmful Thing You Can Do To Your Skin? Continue Smoking.

Along with too much sun exposure, a lack of sleep, and stress, smoking is one of the worst things you can do if you want youthful, healthy skin.

The British Heart Foundation are using No Smoking Day to encourage people to make today the day they decide to quit for good, and there are so many potential benefits to your health and appearance it’s a no-brainer.

Dr Douglas Model coined the term ‘smokers face’ in 1985, to refer to the complexion people often develop as a result of smoking. He claimed to be able to identify a smoker of ten years or more by their face alone, as the signs were so distinctive.

Everyone is familiar with the risks of lung cancer, stroke and heart disease, as well as many other lung conditions such as emphysema, and how closely linked they are to smoking. However, the toxins and chemicals ingested have much wider implications.

Cigarette smoke slows down the skin’s ability to regenerate, it starves cells of oxygen, and reduces blood supply to the skin too – all very damaging to the body’s largest organ.

Ruins your skin tone

Because smoking deprives every inch of your body of oxygen, skin becomes more pale, dull and discoloured. Skin will also be dehydrated, so will suffer from dryness and look noticeably lifeless. That youthful, dewy complexion that has become so popular is virtually impossible to achieve if you’re a smoker.

Makes wrinkles much worse

Smoking also narrows the blood vessels, which in turn damages collagen and elastin, which are naturally found in the skin, causing deep and irreversible wrinkles. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, wrinkles have been seen at a microscopic level in smokers as young as 20, showing how early this damage begins to occur.

Makes skin sag

The destruction of elastin and collagen doesn’t just affect the face, it makes skin weaker in other parts of the body too, such as the arms and breasts, and it begins to sag more quickly than it would naturally.

For many, loose skin around the arms is one of the worst things about getting older, and impossible to reverse without surgery, and smoking is going to accelerate the whole process.

Causes psoriasis and other severe skin conditions

For those who suffer from it, psoriasis is a very uncomfortable and unsightly problem. Most common on the joints, hands, feet and back, psoriasis involves itchy patches of white, red or silver tinged, inflamed skin. Smokers are actually twice as likely to develop psoriasis, with women facing a greater risk than men.

Palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP) is a skin condition that often appears alongside psoriasis and predominantly affects the hands and feet, and is particularly severe. According to studies conducted into tobacco and its effects on the skin, 95% of PPP sufferers are smokers.

A lot of damage caused by smoking is irreversible, but it can be improved by treatments that target the outer layer of the skin, where damage is the most prominent. Anti-ageing facials and laser treatments such as IPL skin rejuvenation can improve damaged skin with intense light pulses.

For more information about the British Heart Foundation’s No Smoking Day, and to find out how you can help yourself or loved ones to quit smoking,

Never Suffer From Ingrown Hairs Again!

For those who suffer with them, ingrown hairs can be an uncomfortable, unsightly nightmare. Ingrown hairs occur when a normal hair, growing from any area of the body that’s commonly shaved, such as legs, armpits or the pubic area, curls back around and grows back into the skin.

This produces red spots, which can become infected and sore, and not only are they itchy, they’re unattractive too.

Often common in people with curly, coarse or wiry hair, the cause tends to be an accumulation of dead skin cells blocking the follicle, and corrupting the angle at which hair grows. Shaved hairs are coarser and sharper too, so much more likely to re-enter the skin. As a result, many choose to prevent ingrown hairs long term by using laser hair removal and ditching the razor.

So what can you do if you’re plagued by ingrown hairs? Follow these steps and you’ll never look back.

1. Exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate!

Because the most common cause of ingrown hairs is a build up of skin particles blocking hair growth, the most effective way of preventing them is to exfoliate the skin properly. Remove those dead skin cells and you’ll tackle the root of the problem quickly.

2. Bring the hairs out with a hot compress

It’s no good preventing ingrown hairs if you’ve got a few causing problems already. To rid yourself of existing ingrown hairs, you need to bring them to the surface of the skin, and the best method is using a hot compress. Use a washcloth and press it against the affected area, and continue for a few minutes. The hair will start to surface, and then you can remove it with tweezers.

3. Be careful with your tweezers

Tweezers are precise and incredibly useful, but there’s a particular method required. Some ingrown hairs already break the surface of the skin, but make sure there’s enough to get hold of, the tweezers are sterilized before you go near broken skin with them, and don’t try to dig for it. Infection is a common problem with ingrown hairs and tweezers can make matters worse when used improperly.

4. Apply some aloe vera

If your skin is already irritated, red and itchy, some aloe vera gel applied twice a day can work wonders. Aloe vera’s properties are particularly good for burns and skin problems, and some even claim that it’s preventative.

5. Medicate it!

Some common medications are also particularly effective. Aspirin contains salicylic acid, which helps to exfoliate the skin, but, of course, it’s no good taking it orally. Crush a few tablets, combine with oil and apply to the areas that are affected. If you do this regularly, it can treat the problem pretty effectively.

On top of this, acne medication such as benzoyl peroxide can alleviate infected areas, as they’re much the same as spots. They’ll take the swelling down and make them much less painful too. Benzoyl peroxide is available as a cream or gel from chemists, but, as the name suggests, it has bleaching properties so be careful of your clothes, and try not to use it too often, as it’s usually very concentrated.

6. And finally…egg membrane?

This one’s a bit of an odd one, but for people really suffering from ingrown hairs, it can’t hurt to try. The inside of an egg shell has a smooth membrane on it that can be peeled off, and not only has it been found to help cuts heal, and bring out blackheads, it can also bring ingrown hairs with it when applied to the skin and left to dry.

Month: March 2015