Author: Premier Laser

The Importance of SPF

You’re walking out the door. You do that mental check you do every time. Do you have your keys, your phone, your wallet or purse? You might check for your Travel card, a snack, or for your compact – the things that get you about your day. These are the basics, but especially during the summer months there’s something you might forget: sunscreen. Why is it so important, and why should you prefer a higher SPF?

The Benefits and Risks of Sun Exposure

Sunscreen blocks harmful ultraviolet rays that come from sunlight. This doesn’t mean sunlight is harmful – we get that question sometimes. Sunlight is actually terrific for your body. It helps you produce Vitamin D, which is crucial for almost every facet of your health. It also has a profound psychological effect, and can help your mood and sleep patterns.

However, there are UV rays in sunlight that its important to protect your body from. These UV rays are a factor in types of cancer. This is where sunscreen comes in. SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. Not only can it block harmful UV rays, it can also prevent you from getting sunburn. SPF ranges from as little as 2 to as much as 70. What does this mean?

How to Estimate SPF Need

If you burn in the sun after 10 minutes unprotected, an SPF of 15 may suit you for about 150 minutes (2 hours, 30 minutes). It doesn’t hurt to over-estimate your need. There’s no harm in using sunscreen with a higher SPF than you might need. If you expect to be outside for several hours at a time this summer, apply sunscreen to any areas that will see significant sunlight. An SPF 50 is generally regarded as a good, all-around solution for a day out in the sun. Sunscreen can wash off in a pool, so re-apply when you get out – especially if you plan to tan. You can go with something lower if you’re only outside for a half hour at a time or so.

UV rays are still harmful during the winter, we just don’t typically spend as much time outside during the colder months. In fact, bright snow can reflect UV rays and amplify your exposure to them. For this reason, if you’re outside for a long time during the winter it’s important to use sunscreen with a high SPF.

To find out more about the different SPFs we stock at, including our best seller Derma Revive SPF 50, pop into your local Premier Laser & Skin!

My Transgender Journey – Laser Hair Removal

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We are delighted to have been featured in Transliving Magazine as a key part in the lovely Alana’s transition story. Transgender Laser Hair Removal has been life changing for Alana, a key step in her journey to becoming her true self.

“I had been really dysphoric about my facial hair for the longest time,  and as I have just started transitioning recently it is one of the things that need to be taken care of as soon as possible. When I heard about Premier Laser & Skin Clinic and their affordable services, I decided it was the perfect time to give it a go. I visited the clinic in Soho for the first time and was greeted with welcoming smiles.”

Alana then continues the feature with her review of Laser Hair Removal for the face, the results she has achieved so far and how she found working with the specialist team at Premier Laser & Skin Soho.

“(My practitioner) talked to me throughout the whole treatment telling me where she was going with the laser device, which helped to make me feel less anxious. I felt a fair bit of pain on my chin and upper lip area as that’s where my hair is most stubborn. Other than that the pain was minimal. It took less than two weeks to notice differences in hair growth on my face.”

“Based on my experiences so far I would very much recommend this clinic to friends because of the effectiveness of the services, their efficiency in delivering their services, and the affordable interest free finance plans! I went in hoping to find a solution regarding the mental discomfort I was going through with respect to my facial hair and general self expression, and I can say that the team at Premier Laser & Skin clinic resolved that issue for me. Thank you very much!”

Click here for more information on our Laser Hair Removal specialist services for Transgender, or contact us to book a free, no obligation consultation and patch test.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Lipotripsy for Cellulite

Lipotripsy is a non-invasive treatment that can tone skin and eliminate cellulite. It’s been clinically proved to reduce the marbling pattern that cellulite gives skin. Problem areas can be identified where skin appears to have texture that’s similar to a ripe fruit peel, such as an orange or grapefruit. Lipotripsy is the technique that’s best suited to improve these areas and smooth them.

How Lipotripsy Works

Lipotripsy works by producing radial waves with a probe placed on the surface of your skin. These are waves that emanate from the point of application through the skin. They assist the lymphatic system by flushing fat into it. Your body’s lymphatic system is a network of tissues and organs that rid the body of toxins and wastes. For instance, it absorbs fatty acids and fats from the digestive system, and then transports them. As radial waves are produced, they also stimulate collagen, which can help to tighten skin.

What a Session is Like

A lipotripsy session might feel like an in-depth massage where the probe is applied to skin. It’s painless and usually feels pleasant, like a vigorous massage. Your muscles may feel more relaxed afterward. The desired effect can’t be achieved in a single session, and requires a course of treatment for best results. We usually recommend up to 10 sessions for optimum results depending on the individual. Your expert practitioner will be able to recommend the right amount of treatments for you during your free consultation.

Lipotripsy is a safe, non-invasive, and proved approach to re-toning body areas where cellulite has become apparent. The most popular areas to treat include the thighs, arms, buttocks and stomach.

Fillers for Contouring

Who doesn’t want to turn back the hands of time? To lift sagging jaw lines, plump sunken cheeks, erase wrinkles, creases and fine lines, add volume to the lips? The problem is that, traditionally, the only viable solution was surgery. With advanced technology and techniques, though, that is all changing. Dermal Fillers can create contouring magic.

Anti-Ageing Injectables: They’ve Come a Long Way, Baby!

In the earlier days of injectables, the immediate results were… well, shall we say, noticeable? As in, you certainly noticed the lack of facial movements and “frozen” type appearance. Luckily, though, today’s most advanced treatments work to contour and lift your features to deliver subtle, natural and superb results.

What can you expect from dermafillers?

  • Softening of deep facial creases and wrinkles.
  • Plumbing of the cheeks.
  • Definition of the lips and mouth area.
  • Enhancing of shallow contours.
  • A youthful, revitalised appearance.

The Power of Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid is one of the buzziest trends in the skin care world – and for good reason. “Trends” is misleading though: hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring humectant (i.e. a substance that helps the skin retain moisture). A critical ingredient in our fillers, hyaluronic acid keeps the plump, supple, firm and younger looking.

Babies have high levels of this element, which is why they have “baby soft” skin. As we age, particularly after 40, our levels decrease. An injection of this youthful humectant – which is suitable and safe for all skin types – is just what you need to erase visible signs of ageing.

Dermal Fillers allow you to achieve results and then get back to your day with no fuss, no muss – and wonderful results! Schedule your consult to find out more.

The Benefits of Having Full Body Laser Hair Removal

[This blog has been updated please click to read here – full body laser hair removal]

Who’s ready to ditch lengthy, tedious grooming routines? To sleep in an extra five or ten minutes in the morning? To say “goodbye” to pain and hassle – and “hello” to gorgeous results? We thought so! So how can you do all of this? Full body laser hair removal.

Many people consider laser hair removal for certain parts of the body, such as the upper lip or jawline. But this technique can be used safely and effectively wherever you need it. From shoulders and chest to legs and arms, you can get the smooth skin you desire. Laser hair removal for the fully body is a game-changer! You can:

Ready to reap the benefits of full body laser hair removal? Schedule your consultation today.

Get Summer Ready: Removing Stretch Marks

Stretch marks are simply streaks or stripes on the skin, caused by rapid expansion of the tissue. Pregnancy, hormones, puberty, weight gain… they can all cause these marks. For many people, they are just a fact of life. But does that mean you have to resign yourself to living with them – or even covering up when you are headed to the beach or slipping into your favourite warm weather clothing?

No!

Using today’s most advanced technology, you can get summer-ready. Say “goodbye” to winter – and to stretch marks.

We recommend the following treatments:

ULTRAcel Microneedling

This treatment combines three powerful techniques in one to accomplish a variety of favourable results: lift, tighten, promote collagen production and restructure existing collagen with minimal downtime. No scalpel, no lengthy recovery – just healthy-looking, rejuvenated skin. Your stretch marks don’t stand a chance against ULTRAcel.

You will start to see results immediately, and these will become more apparent over the weeks following treatment. One to three treatments is often recommended.

Now, the big question: does ULTRAcel Microneedling hurt? You may feel slight discomfort. Our trained, experienced practitioners can apply a numbing cream to alleviate this sensation.

Dermapen

The pen is mightier than the scalpel. Dermapen is a cutting edge (no pun intended!) treatment that improves upon previous gen microneedling technology. Stretch Marks are often similar to scar tissue with a thicker texture. Regular microneedle approaches can cause the needles to bend, making the treatment ineffectual and painful.

Dermapen uses a series of needles to penetrate the skin at a vertical angle. This technique is faster, more precise, less uncomfortable and more effective on stretch marks and scarred skin.

ULTRAcel and Dermapen may be the stretch mark answer for which you have been searching. Schedule a consultation so we can answer any questions and determine which option is best for you.

Dare to bare this summer!

 

Tattoo Removal: Can It Be Used On All Tattoos?

Whether it is a meaningful design that speaks to you, a memorial to a loved one or, let’s face it, a rather regrettable doodle you got as soon as you turned of age, many of us have tattoos. And many love and cherish them as works of art. But what you want to remove this vestige of your past and move on with clear skin?

One in Five

According to estimates, one in five people in the UK have at least one tattoo; among younger individuals, that climbs to one in three. And how many regret getting some ink? That’s a harder figure to track down, but it’s a fair few!

Traditional tattoo removal methods worked (at least with varying results) on black ink. Great – if you happen to have a black tattoo. Today’s designs, however, come in a wide spectrum of hues and tones. This is why we offer a more complete option.

A Better Solution

As one of the few skin clinics in London to offer tattoo removal utilising a powerful FDA-approved laser, our trained staff can help you achieve the results you want. We use RevLite SI and Spectra, the most advanced solutions available. With this, we can successfully target tattoos, whether they are black or multi-coloured. Even those pesky, persistent greens and blues can be removed with this technology.

Tattoo inks contain metals, which permeate the skin and immune system, to become permanent fixtures on the skin. To “erase” them, you need a narrow frequency, extremely hot, exceptionally fast lasers. The heat and speed attack the ink particles and break them apart.

When this happens, the ink particles are small enough to be carried to the liver by your white blood cells – your immunity army. From there, the particles are safely transported out of the body via your natural systems.

Interested in starting fresh? Schedule a consult to enquire about laser tattoo removal.

 

 

Epilation vs Laser Hair Removal

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Epilation and laser hair removal are two popular procedures for unwanted and excessive hair, but which is right for you?

Unwanted hair is a concern lots of us face, however, there are lots of solutions including:

laser model

WHAT IS EPILATION?

Epilation involves removing hair using an epilator. This device has rotating discs or mechanical tweezers that grip hairs and remove them by the root. It helps slow regrowth. You can enjoy a smoother appearance for longer than other methods, such as shaving.

It’s also faster than tweezing each hair one by one. Epilation is basically tweezing – just amplified!

DOES EPILATION WORK?

Does it work and is it effective?.

Well, it works as well as tweezing. It removes the hair from the dermis which is below the surface of the skin. Unlike shaving, which cuts the hair above the surface or epidermis, you will not have to use the epilator as often as you will shaving.

IS EPILATION PAINFUL?

Keep this one word in mind: Pain !

Discomfort can cross well into pain territory when you remove hair on sensitive areas, such as your bikini line, armpits, arms, etc. Imagine how can painful it can be to remove one stray hair sometimes, – now multiply this by a hundred times!.

You will get used to the pain, like you do with waxing. Some people tolerate pain better then others but it is not the gentlest method of hair removal out there.

Plus you will have to repeat the procedure when the hair eventually grows back.

TIP : If you are considering using an epilator,  exfoliate beforehand to remove dead skin – and don’t forget to moisturise after!.

laser hair removal

Is Epilation safe?

Apart from the discomfort, epilation as a form of hair removal is very safe.

You may be at risk from in-grown hairs leading to infections if you use the epilator in the opposite direction of the hair growth. This will cut the hair at the skin leve, not the root, leaving the possibility of ingrown hairs.

Epilation Aftercare

Ensure you take good care of your skin afterwards with a good moisturiser. Also wear a good SPF to protect your skin. Make sure to clean the epilator well to remove any bacteria. Any irritation should clear up within a few hours.

Is epilation better then laser hair removal?

Laser hair removal uses an ultra-concentrated intense laser to target individual hair follicles.

The heat generated by the laser destroys the follicle.

This technique prevents regrowth and results in a permanent reduction of unwanted hair. So unlike epilating where you may need to treat the area every four weeks, after your laser hair treatment is over, you can experience up to 90% reduction in hair growth permanently.

laser hair remvoal v epilation

Can laser be used by everyone?

Because the laser works by damaging the pigment in the hair, it is not as suitable for those with red or grey hair.

While older methods were most effective on those with fair skin and dark hair, we use today’s latest technology to ensure positive results on a much wider range of darker skin tones and hair colours. Epilation can be used on all skin types and tones. Epilation would be a better option if you have red, grey or very fair hair.

Is laser more painful then epilating?

Now, what about pain?

Our practitioners are fully trained and experienced; 90 percent of our clients report that their treatment is pain-free.

Some feel a prickling or tingling feeling that is quite tolerable. Clients compare the sensation of laser hair removal as the same as having an elastic band flicked against your skin. It is not as painful as waxing or epilating so laser wins in the pain stakes.

Numbing creams can also be used and the latest lasers blow a cooling jet of air over the area the laser is treating to reduce any discomfort.

Cost of Laser v Eipilation.

You can purchase epilators from £30 up to £150. You can also buy devices that work under water so you can use them in the bath or shower. Laser is a lot more expensive. A full body course can cost hundreds of pounds.

If you are happy to save money and use an epilator every month for the rest of your life and you can manage the pain then epilating is a good option. It is also a good option if you are unable to be treated by laser.

Laser is more expensive and less painful with long lasting results. Many look at laser as a one off investment that saves them hours over the course of their life time by not having to constantly worry and spend time removing hair.

We hope this has helped you if your are looking at your options regarding your own hair removal journey

Have more questions? Contact us for a consultation; we’re happy to explain more about laser hair removal – and the results you can expect.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Anti-Wrinkle Injections Do More Than Combat Wrinkles!

Anti-ageing injectables combat the signs of ageing – obviously! But they can do far more than fight lines and wrinkles. What else can you use these injectables for? Let’s see!

A few applications for anti-wrinkle injections:

Hyperhidrosis: It’s a big name for a big problem: excessive sweating. It can cause a great deal of embarrassment, as it focuses on the hands and underarms. So, for example, you’re meeting someone new, at a job interview or greeting a client – and they get a clammy palm for their trouble. Or you start to soak through your shirts, typically at the most inconvenient times!

Hyperhidrosis is particularly troublesome because it mostly occurs in people who are otherwise completely healthy. They can’t pinpoint a cause, and some sweat continually. Besides investing in antiperspirant, hand towels and heavy duty laundry detergent, what can you do? You guessed it: anti-wrinkle injections.

These work to block chemical signals from nerves that get the sweat flowing. Because the sweat glands aren’t receiving the signals, sweating – and embarrassment – is reduced. 

Gummy Smile: Gummy smiles are those with  “excessive gingival displays.” In other words, when you smile, a portion of your gums show. This is usually caused by a high lip line. That is, your upper lip moves up higher when you smile than other people.

Anti-ageing injections relax the muscles in the upper lip, preventing them from moving up as high. Thus, less of your gum tissue shows when you unleash that gorgeous smile.

Asymmetrical Eyebrows: It may seem like a minor issue, but when you look in the mirror, something might seem off. If one eyebrow is higher than the other, you can use anti-wrinkle injections to help even them out.

Ask us about the many applications of anti-wrinkle injectables. You might be surprised that they’re the solution for which you’ve been searching.

 

Why Do I Have Dark Spots?

Dark spots on the skin can be a significant source of concern.  Are they signs of skin damage? Or is it simply more the appearance of them that you aren’t so keen on. Let’s answer your questions and fill you in on how you can treat them.

Hyperpigmentation

Melasma and age (or liver) spots are both forms of hyperpigmentation. They are caused by exposure to UV rays, environmental stressors and inflammation or by changes in estrogen levels. What happens is that the skin cells start to produce more pigment (melanin) to protect themselves.

This uneven pigmentation shows up as dark spots. If your skin is lighter, they will appear as freckles or sun spots. If your skin is darker, spots will look patchy or like shadows.

Hyperpigmentation in the form of melasma or age spots is not dangerous to your health. Though, exposure to sun does put you at risk for skin cancer. What you really want to watch for in terms of your physical health is moles or spots that change in colour, size or texture, new or unusual growths, white waxy lumps or brown scaly patches.

Hyperpigmentation Treatment Options

If dark spots are a source of concern, you can explore the following treatments:

Cosmelan: When people struggle with dark spots, they turn to Cosmelan; it is one of the most effective treatments as yet. The topical solution targets cells that involve pigmentation, preventing melanin production and lightening spots.

Laser for Pigmentation: Targeted wavelengths of light are introduced to the affected area. It is absorbed by the spot-creating pigment, causing it to shatter. Your lymphatic system safely flushes it out of your body. And spots safely disappear.

Anti-Pigmentation Peel: This chemical peel provides deep exfoliation. It encourages damaged skin to shed and speeds up your natural rejuvenation process.

Our trained practitioners can help you determine which method is best for your skin. Come in for a consult and say hello to even, beautiful skin.