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Month: May 2015

Laser Skin Resurfacing

16th May 2015 | Laser Resurfacing

Recently we have seen an increase in the number of consultations in Clinetix for Laser Skin Resurfacing.  This is a treatment for facial photo ageing, which covers fine lines and wrinkles, age spots and pigmentation, skin laxity and acne scarring.  The goal of the treatment is to have a smoother, tighter and more even toned skin with a more youthful appearance.

Patients were often put off laser resurfacing due to the long recovery process and the risks associated but modern techniques and technologies have made laser resurfacing a safer procedure with a much shorter recovery period. Below we answer a few frequently asked questions by clients considering laser resurfacing at Clinetix.

What Laser Do You Use?

At Clinetix we use the CO2RE laser system from Syneron Candela, world leaders in laser platforms.  The device is probably the most technologically advanced medical CO2 laser in the world.  We can adjust almost every parameter of the laser distribution and energy in order to give a tailored result to each individual based on their skin’s requirements and on their recovery period requirements.  We can also combine laser resurfacing with LED Phototherapy (DermaluxLED) treatments for a faster recovery and a more effective treatment.

How Long Does It Take To Recover?

Because we can vary the energy levels of the laser, we can offer a range of treatments with different recovery times.  A light superficial resurfacing typically leaves you red for a couple of days only.  This treatment can be repeated several times with improvement in skin quality seen after each treatment.  Most patients opt for a medium depth treatment that usually requires about a week of recovery.  In this treatment the skin of the face tends to be red and sometimes moist for the first two or three days. After that you will see an improvement in redness that rapidly progresses.  over the next 4 days.  After a week most people are able to wear makeup and return to normal activities.

How Many Treatments Do I Need?

It depends on what your goal is and what depth of treatment you go for.  Superficial treatments will achieve a slight improvement each time and if a large improvement is required then several treatments may be recommended.  Deeper treatments have more drastic results and often only one or two treatments are required to achieve the desired result, even with marked photo aged skin!

How Long Do The Results Last For?

As we have resurfaced your skin, you have grown a fresh epidermis and your dermis has regrown fresh collagen, the results are essentially permanent.  The skin will continue to age naturally however and it is expected that you may wish another treatment in ten years or so.

Is The Treatment Painful?

Not at all.  A combination of topical anaesthetics (creams) and local anaesthetics (injections) can effectively numb the entire face.  The treatment can be performed under mild sedation if required however this is very rarely needed.  After the anaesthetic wears off most people find that they only require to take a simple painkiller such as paracetamol or brufen on the night of the treatment before going to bed.  No further pain relief is required.

Are There Alternatives To Laser Resurfacing?

Yes there are, Laser Resurfacing is not the only treatment for ageing and photo damaged skin.  If you are not sure if Laser resurfacing is the right treatment for you then you could consider chemical peels or micro needing as alternatives. At your consultation all the options will be discussed allowing you to make an informed decision about your skin health choices.

If you would like any more information about Laser Resurfacing, or would like to book a consultation to discuss your skin health, please contact us by telephone on 01412210229, or you can request a call back here.

Click here to find out more about Laser Resurfacing.

The Annual Scottish Aesthetic Conference

4th May 2015 | Conferences & Events

We have been organising the 4th Scottish Aesthetic Conference, being held at the Radisson Blu in Glasgow on the 8th and 9th of May this year.  This meeting is designed to bring aesthetic practitioners together from all across Scotland, the North of England and Northern Ireland to share their ideas and skills, to raise the standard of our practice.

This year is the first time we have run the conference over two days, with one day of master classes and workshops before the second day of lectures and demonstrations.

Conferences and meetings like these are particularly important for us for at the moment there is no specific training or education pathway for a doctor, dentist or nurse the gain competencies in their aesthetic practice.  Educational meetings can demonstrate areas in which a practitioner can learn further, as well as providing a means of training by observational practice.

Extreme Beauty Disasters

3rd May 2015 | Clinetix Products

Nichola from Inverness developed a tanning habit in her youth that got worse and worse so that by the time she was in her thirties the skin on her face had become thickened, pigmented and unsightly.   Nichola was becoming increasingly self aware of her skin.  Her self consciousness was having a significant impact on her quality of life.  In desperation she contacted Extreme Beauty Disasters who put her in touch with Dr Sam Bunting, a London dermatologist.  Dr Bunting put her in touch with us at Clinetix and we created a treatment plan of skin care and laser and light treatments to rejuvenate her skin.  Click here to read more about her story.

You can see her transformation on the TLC channel, 8pm this Thursday 8th May

What are Chemical Peels?

22nd May 2015 | Chemical Peels

Superficial and Very Superficial Peels

Superficial peels penetrate only the uppermost layers of the skin, causing a faster turnover of skin cells to improve the appearance of the skin. They are often described as lunch time peels or advanced facials because they usually cause no redness of the skin at all and feel just like getting a normal facial, with a bit of tingling! They can address pigmentation, fine lines, pores and comedonal acne depending on which type is used. They can also improve the appearance of fine acne scarring. A series of treatments is required, and the frequency depends on the peel type, typically intervals of two to four weeks are recommended and four to six peels may be required to achieve the desired result. We have a range of superficial skin peels at Clinetix including the signature facial and ZO Red Carpet peel, which are suitable for all skin types as a general rejuvenating treatment, or specific peels such as lactic, salicylic or glycolic for conditions such as acne, dryness or pigmentation.

Medium Peels

Medium peels affect a deeper layer of the epidermis than the superficial peel, and so cause some reddening of the skin with shedding or flaking over a few days to a week depending on the peel type. They address the same issues as the superficial peels, but to a greater extent. So they are better at addressing fine lines, pigmentation and have a greater effect on collagen synthesis, leading to a firmer more tones skin after treatment. Generally fewer treatments are required to reach the desired result, so if you are prepared to have a few days of flaking and shedding, and are looking for a faster result then medium peels would be an option for you. Clinetix offer Jessner’s Peels, TCA and combined medium depth peels. The choice depends on the desired outcome and your Doctor will be able to advice you as to which peels would be the best depending on your own personal situation.

Deep Peels

Deep peels effect the dermis, the layer of skin beneath the epidermis. They can have amazing results as they literally cause an almost complete regrowth of skin, however they have a much longer downtime and are painful if not performed under an anaesthetic. The most common deep peel used worldwide is a Phenol Peel. We do not perform this peel at Clinetix as we prefer to use Laser Resurfacing to acheive the same level of skin rejuvenation, however we can discuss the pro’s and con’s of all treatments with you and are happy to refer you on should you wish to consider a Phenol Peel.

I have dark skin. Is a chemical peel suitable for me?

Darker skin types are generally more prone to problems such as excess pigmentation following chemical peels, and for that reason medium and deep peels are not often performed. Superficial peels with mandelic acid however have been found to be very effective in improving skin quality and reducing pigmentation in darker skin types and this treatment is performed at Clinetix.

How can I get the best result from my chemical peel treatments?

It is always advised to prepare the skin before treatments and maintain a good skin care program after the treatments. You will be advised to use a high factor SPF for at least two weeks before treatment, as this will reduce the likelihood of pigmentation problems after the treatment. A cleanser and moisturiser with an alpha hydroxy acid is also usually prescribed, as regular use will smooth the skin and thin the upper dead layer allowing for a more even penetration of the peel solution. This results in a more uniform improvement in the skin after treatment. Retinol skin care products are often also prescribed for the same reason. If you suffer from pigmentation you would also benefit from a pre treatment skin lightening product such as hydroquinone or kojic acid. A complete skin care program will be discussed with you when you have a consultation for a chemical peel treatment at Clinetix.

Are there any risks involved in chemical peel treatments?

As with all medical procedures there is an element of risk. Generally the deeper the peel the greater the risks. Superficial peels are very safe and complications very rare, hence their popularity. The main risks of chemical peel treatments are redness, increased pigmentation, blistering, and extremely rarely infection and scarring. The risks are reduced when you follow a prescribed pre and post treatment skin care program and when you have your peel performed by an experienced practitioner.

 

If you have any questions about chemical peel treatments or would like to discuss your skin care concerns with a member of our team, please get in touch by telephone on 01412210229, or you can contact us through our contact page here.