FACIAL REJUVENATION

Everyone knows that regular exercise and a balanced diet are two important ways to help stay healthy, feel well and look good. But nothing can stop time passing and, whether we like it or not, we all grow older and it shows in our faces. Frown lines and wrinkles are a normal part of the ageing process, but they can make you look more tired, angry or older than you really are.

Wrinkles and facial lines result from aging, muscle activity (and over-activity) and your genetic predisposition. In addition, excessive sun exposure, alcohol consumption, emotional and hormonal influences and smoking can also increase the likelihood of wrinkles. Whilst you may be able to reduce or control some of the factors, you cannot influence all factors and that's why we all develop some wrinkles when we age.

The structure of the skin changes with time and it becomes less elastic and flexible. There are fewer fat cells in the glands, lower layers (the dermis) of the skin and it becomes more transparent whilst the oil and sweat glands, which help keep skin supple, become less active. Muscles in the face also begin to sag and the skin becomes creased and folded. Older skin is drier and it renews itself less quickly than younger skin. All these factors affect how facial skin looks.

Ageing is a natural process and many people want to feel good for their age with a natural look and seek out ways to help them achieve that.

This practice can offer professional consultations and treatments to reduce the appearance of facial lines and wrinkles. Our practitioner has knowledge of head and neck anatomy and physiology together with training in the use of cosmetic treatments, such as dermal fillers, restylane, chemical peels and botox, which can subtly enhance your appearance and make you look younger.

If you are interested in talking about skin treatments, please book a consultation appointment. Several staff members at the practice have had treatments and will be happy to talk with you or answer any questions.

WRINKLE REDUCTION WITH BOTOX

What is botulinum toxin?

Botulinum is a substance that is produced by bacteria; it is then highly refined, purified, diluted & used in therapeutic doses. Botulinum is administered by injecting it into a specific facial muscle where it acts as a muscle relaxant.

Who would benefit from this treatment?

Anyone can benefit from botulinum toxin, both men and women. Botulinum is most effective in improving lines or wrinkles due to facial expressions; for example, worry lines or frown lines on the forehead and between the eyebrows. This is because these lines are usually caused by overactive muscles and the treatment stops these muscles from contracting and causing the wrinkles

You should not have treatment with botulinum if you are pregnant, breast feeding, have a neurological disease or a known hypersensitivity to it.

How long does the treatment take?

In most cases the treatment will take between 10 and 20 minutes. Effects will begin to appear very quickly within 48 to 72 hours, although, the full extent of the treatment may not be visible for up to 10 days. Approximately two weeks after the first treatment, the effects will be reviewed with your practitioner and any further treatments or top-ups can be discussed.

Is the treatment uncomfortable?

Very tiny needles are used and only small amounts are administered. As a result any discomfort is usually only minimal and short-lived, that why there is no need for local anesthesia.

Are there any adverse effects?

In a small number of cases there may be some localized bruising, slight swelling, or redness at the site of the injection. This usually disappears very quickly and can respond to the application of a cool pack to the area. A temporary drooping eyelid has also occurred in some patients. See the manufacturers information for rare side effects.

Botulinum has been used in thousands of patients over the last fifteen years. It is made in a highly controlled laboratory environment, highly purified, and administered in tiny quantities. It has an excellent safety profile.

As soon as your treatment is over you can resume normal daily activities.

Do the effects of this treatment look artificial?

No, unlike some surgical facelifts, this kind of treatment is very specific and only works on those muscles that are involved in producing the facial lines that you want to reduce. Other facial muscles are unaffected and this means that your usual facial expressions remain the same.

How long will the treatment last?

Initially the improvement that you receive from this treatment will last from 3 to 4 months. You will notice a gradual fading of the effect and at this stage you can return for another treatment if you want to. With repeated treatments, the effect will last longer.

Superficial Chemical Peels

Glycolic Acid Peels can bring great benefits to the skin and have been used successfully on many thousands of people. The below is as an information guide and introduction on what to expect from a peel and how the process works.

The Alpha Hydroxy acid ÒGlycolic PeelÓ is derived from sugar cane and has the smallest molecular structure of the AHA family and therefore can penetrate into the skin much more effectively than other Alpha Hydroxy Acids. It is not absorbed into the body and will not cause any systemic side effects like chemicals used in other peels.

A gentle glycolic acid peels can be performed with varying percentages of glycolic acid. Glycolic acid loosens the Òglue-likeÓ attachments or cellular cement that is characteristic of many skin conditions such as ages, acne, skin discolouration and coarse texture. After just a few weeks your skin looks brighter, clearer and dry skin becomes hydrated and smooth.

Glycolic acid helps reduce cell Òbuild upÓ at the lower levels of the skin. This facial procedure will resurface the skin giving dramatically softer, smoother texture, reducing fine lines and wrinkles and reducing scarring.

A course of six peels is recommended for optimum results over a six to twelve week period. However, you should seek advice from your practitioner as results and variation of treatment is personal to each individual.

The depth of the resurfacing facial peel is controlled by three factors;

The concentration of the solution
The length of time it is applied
Preparation of the skin

It is therefore important to appreciate that all individuals who wish to undergo glycolic peels must first be on a home care programme, using glycolic acid based products for at least two weeks prior to the first peel and also during the course of the peels to achieve the best result from the treatment.

The home care programme

Your skin care practitioner will place you on a home care programme for at least 2-3 weeks prior to your first glycolic acid peel. This is very important as no peel can be performed without your skin being prepared.

The Home Care Programme consists of a selection of products which will introduce your skin to glycolic acid (obviously at much lower percentages than the peels) and will be most important as part of the overall glycolic peel procedure. A sun block factor 30 is always included in the home care programme.

Benefits of a Glycolic peel

Assists to resolve photo-damaged skin (sun damage), acne and scar reduction, premature ageing, and hyperpigmentation.
Significantly decreases the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, stimulates collagen and elastin.
Accelerates the results that can be achieved with glycolic home care products.
Produces dramatic changes with virtually no erythema or recovery period.
Make-up can be applied immediately and normal activities can resume after treatment.

The Glycolic Peel Procedure

The skin is cleaned with an appropriate cleaning solution.
No jewellery should be worn around the neck/ears on day of peel. Glycolic acid home care products should cease the day prior to and after the peel.
On application of the glycolic acid peel you may experience a mild stringing sensation, which normally disappears within one minute. The acid peel is left in place for a period of time that will be assessed by your practitioner. This is also dependent on how your skin has reacted to the home care programme and to the amount of peels you have experienced.
The face may become pink after the solution is applied. There may also be a faint whitish discolouration in some areas. Some individuals may experience more stinging than others-this is normal and will resolve once the peel is washed off. In some instances you may experience some flaking of the skin after your peel-this is normal.
No sunbathing or use of a sun bed is recommended for the week after your peel.

Conditions that will mean you cannot have the treatment:

If you have been treated for acne during the past year and have been prescribed Accutane, please note as follows: Accutane should be discontinued for approximately six months to one year before glycolic acid peels can be administered and only with your physicians approved.
If you are pregnant or suffering from any medical condition, please consult your GP before undergoing peels.

Restylane

Dermal fillers are popular treatments for wrinkles and facial lines. A dermal filler treatment helps to Ôfill out' and smooth away fine lines.

Dermal fillers are best used to:

Dermal fillers are also effective for increasing fullness to narrow lips,

Dermal Fillers – for signs of ageing

Restylane

As we age, our skin loses elasticity and supporting collagen from beneath the surface. Dermal fillers like Restylane and Juvederm can plump out lines and rejuvenate our faces beautifully.

I use non-permanent gel fillers like Restylane, Perlane, Juvederm and Laresse. They are Hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers. HA is a natural polysaccharide that exists in all-living organisms. The HA in dermal fillers is produced biosynthetically through bacterial fermentation, so it is biocompatible and there is no risk of transmitting disease. The gel is able to integrate with the adjacent tissue, allowing passage of oxygen and nutrients. Restylane is characterized by the fact that its HA molecules are cross linked, which makes it long lasting – but not permanent. Exactly how long a treatment lasts is quite individual: it depends on your age, skin type and muscle activity as well as the injection technique. The HA gel particles are absorbed slowly and water takes place. When totally absorbed, the gel disappears unnoticed from the body.

How long does it last?

Clinical trials indicate that Restylane is effective for 9 months to a year for the treatment of wrinkles and for around six months for lip augmentation. It lasts less time in areas subject to muscle movement.

Which areas does it treat best?

This substance is a cosmetic polyfilla and has a range of uses, including lip sculpture, filling lines and folds. It is used to particularly good effect in the nasiolabial lines. These run from nose to corners of the mouth and are often the first signs of ageing. It is also good in smile lines, frown lines and crows-feet, although it is often advisable to combine dermal filler with the use of BOTOX in these areas of very active expression. Restylane can be used to augment lips and fill out some scars.

Treatment times average 45 minutes and the results are instantaneous. We use a combination of numbing cream and local anesthetic injections to make the procedure as comfortable as possible. The product is injected in small amounts to give natural volume and smooth wrinkles.

Are there any adverse effects?

Smile Dental Practice

The home care programme

Benefits of a Glycolic peel

The Glycolic Peel Procedure