5 posts tagged “chemical peels”

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 or www.glanceymedical.co.uk

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

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.

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 Clinic website

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.