Last week Dr Simon Ravichandran demonstrated a gummy smile reduction treatment with anti-wrinkle injections at 3.30 on our Facebook live feed. Unfortunately we had a few technical problems with the internet dropping out and our treatment camera not recording. However the video is still available to watch on our Facebook live feed – just click here!
Gummy smile is a condition caused by over-activity of the central lip elevators. What this means is that when someone smiles the middle of the lip pulls upwards excessively. This exposes the gums in the central portion of the smile, hence “gummy-smile”.
Previously clients looking to reduce their gummy smiles would be directed towards surgery. However, we have a much safer option in the use of anti-wrinkle injections when used in experts hands. Small doses of anti-wrinkle injections are applied into the lip elevator muscle to relax the muscle. In the Facebook live feed you can see that we injected Laura with 2 units of Belotero into each side of the lip elevator muscle. Anti-wrinkle injections need two weeks to take full effect. If we find that a gummy smile is still apparent at her two week review we can inject another small dose of anti-wrinkle injections.
Keep an eye out on our social media channels to see an after photo of Laura’s gummy smile reduction.
Top Treatments To Treat Acne Scarring
25th November 2016 | Skin Health
Acne scarring is a common concern for many of our clients at Clinetix. Acne scars can affect not only your skins texture and appearance but also your confidence!
But did you know that there are actually different types of acne scars?
Boxcar Scars
Boxcar acne scars are broad depressions which have steep and defined edges. These scars often resemble chicken pox scars and mirror the print left on the skin from pushing a finger nail into it.
Rolling Scars
Rolling scars are similar to boxcar scars however they are broad depressions with shallow indentations in the skin. They are rounded with sloping edges and often have a rough texture. Rolling scars can give the surface of your skin a bumpy and uneven appearance. Rolling scars are the result of damage caused underneath the skin.
Ice Pick Scars
Ice pick scars are very narrow and deep scars which give the appearance of an empty pore on the skin. These scars often make the skin look like it has been punctured. Unfortunately these scars often catch the majority of light and therefore are the most obvious and difficult to cover up.
It’s great to understand the difference, but I know what you’re thinking, what can I do to improve the appearance of my acne scars?
There are a large number of treatments we can perform to improve the appearance of acne scars. The treatment chosen would be dependent on the severity of your acne scars so we would suggest coming in for a quick chat to discuss what would be the best option for you.
Chemical Peels
Many people are often scared when they hear the words ‘chemical peel’ but there is nothing to be afraid of! Chemicals peels remove dead cells on the surface of the skin to reveal healthy, smoother skin.
At Clinetix we perform two main types of skin peels – superficial peels for mild acne scars and hyper-pigmentation and medium peels for deeper acne scars and uneven skin tone.
Superficial peels do not require much downtime as they will likely only cause a little bit of dryness on the skin. It is unlikely to have any significant redness or skin peeling with a superficial peel. To improve the appearance of moderate acne scars you may require around 6 superficial peels between two to four weeks apart. After this course of peels you may require a maintenance peel every few months. Clients often find superficial peels give a tingly or hot sensation but this quickly subsides.
Medium peels will achieve faster results with less treatments however they do require a longer downtime and preparation prior to the peel. Medium peels will initially result in a flushed appearance and skin peeling that typically begins around three days after the peel. Your skin will continue to peel for around an additional 6 or 7 days. To reach your desired outcome you may need between 1-3 medium peels. Medium peels may give your skin a tingly sensation and may feel quite hot. At Clinetix we give you a cooling fan to ensure that you are comfortable throughout the entire treatment.
Microneedling (Dermaroller)
Microneedling is a skin rejuvenation technique that utilises the skins own ability to regenerate and heal itself naturally and safely. The treatment will result in smoother, brighter, healthier and younger looking skin. Microneedling is great if you have hyperpigmentation, acne scars and even some burn scars. It is suitable for all skin types and there is often little to downtime.
Microneedling uses a roller with a number of micro-skin needles passed across the skin causing small micro punctures. After the first day you will notice your skin will look a little plumper and firmer. The rejuvenation process underneath your skin will continue for a further 6 weeks. Throughout this time you will notice a the skin has began to tighten and skin tone and texture has gradually improved. Most importantly acne scars will appear smaller and shallower.
Typically most clients will require between 3 and 6 treatments dependent on the severity of your acne scars and skin texture.
Laser Skin Resurfacing
For more severe and deep acne scars we would recommend Laser Skin Resurfacing. We use fractional laser technology to even out the skin surface and in turn increase the formation of new collagen. This new collagen can help to fill in your acne scars. CO2RE laser resurfacing works by targetting a proportions of the skin and allowing it to regenerate a new and healthier skin.
Dependent on the depth of the treatment there can be fairly signifcant downtime following laser skin resurfacing. After a light treatment your face is likely to be red for a few days and typically for about a week with a deep treatment. In the days that follow you will notice that your skin is smoother, tighter and more even. As laser skin resurfacing creates new collagen results will continue to develop over the weeks and months after the initial treatment.
Dependent on the severity of your acne scars you may require multiple treatments. Results from laser skin resurfacing are essentially permanent. Basically we can rejuvenate your skin to an extent but it will still continue to age as normal!
Microdermabrasion
Medical microdermabrasion is a great technique to rejuvenate your skin. We use microcrystals over the surface of your skin to remove a layer of dead and damaged cells. Microdermabrasion is ideal for clients with rolling acne scars and other shallow scars. The removal of dead and damaged cells through exfoliation will leave your skin feeling fresher and softer. With microdermabrasion there is little downtime as the skin will temporarily be flushed but will fully recover within 24 hours.
As microdermabrasion provides subtle changes you will require multiple treatments to see significant results.
If you have any other questions about treatments to treat acne scars please contact us on info@clinetix.co.uk. If you would like for us to design a personalised treatment plan to treat your acne scars then book a complimentary consultation by clicking on the links below.
My Face My Body Awards 2016
18th November 2016 | Awards
Last weekend we travelled to London for the 2016 My Face My Body Awards where we were finalists in 3 separate awards categories. The awards ceremony took place in the extravagant London Hilton on Park Lane.
The Clinetix girls started the day with some shopping along Oxford street followed by lunch and cocktails in the gorgeous Grill on the Market before heading back to the hotel to get all dressed up for the awards ceremony! Back at the hotel we were upgraded to the extravagant Clarence suite on the 27th Floor with amazing views of the London skyline! Perfect to look out over with a glass of prosecco before the ceremony.
The elaborate event started with an aerial dancer, followed by a three course meal and a fire dancer. Then came the part we had all been waiting for… the awards announcements! We waited patiently as they announced the winners of each award (as of course the clinic awards came at the end). We are so proud to announce that Clinetix received the highly commended award for Best Clinic Team UK! We were against some strong competition from all around the United Kingdom so we are so pleased to have excelled in this category. Again we cannot thank all of our loyal friends and clients for supporting Clinetix and helping us achieve this award.
Up next we have the national Aesthetic Awards where we have been nominated for Best Clinic Scotland and Dr Simon Ravichandran is a finalist for Aesthetic Medical Practitioner of the Year! We are looking forward to these prestigious awards at the elegant Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel in London on Saturday the 3rd December. We are also pleased to announce that we are finalists for Best Cosmetic Clinic at the Scottish Hair and Beauty Awards taking place in the gorgeous Crowne Plaza hotel in Glasgow on the 4th December.
We are so thankful to all of our friends and loyal clients for supporting Clinetix over the years and we can’t wait to let you all know how we get on. Keep your fingers crossed and wish us good luck.
Aesthetic Medical Training at Clinetix
9th November 2016 | Dermal Fillers
This weekend we ran another of our small group bespoke aesthetic medical training sessions. As someone who has been through the training processes involved in becoming a doctor, and then the training involved in specialisation, Dr Simon Ravichandran has some clear ideas on the methodology required to achieve optimum training outcomes.
The goal of any training is to give the delegate the skills and knowledge to modify or improve their practice, and to give them the inspiration and direction to develop further learning pathways for themselves. Quite often aesthetic medical training courses are conducted as “pathways of entry” into the field. Equipping delegates with the bare minimum required to commence a practice in aesthetic medicine. Thus courses are often overly subscribed, with large numbers of delegates attending to see a days worth of lectures and demonstrations in order to collect a certificate that can be used as a “passport” to practice.
The difference with Clinetix training courses is that Dr’s Simon and Emma Ravichandran are passionate about their speciality, passionate about their patients, and passionate about their teaching. Our goal is not to produce “competent” practitioners, but to produce inquisitive and inspired practitioners who have the ability to go forward and continue to develop in their chosen field.
In order to get the best out of training, delegates require to be able to closely observe treatments, and to perform treatments under close observation and supervision. For this to work well the ratio of instructors to delegates has to be low, ideally less than 3 delegates per instructor.
Last weekend we ran a bespoke training course for two delegates, a Doctor and a Dentist who were both actively practising aesthetic medicine. The aim was to lift the level from basic line filling and wrinkle chasing to an appreciation of the ageing processes of the face, and the techniques we can use to personalise the treatments to the individual face, rather than provide a list of treatments from a menu.
It was a great couple of days covering the use of toxins for the muscles in the lower face and neck, and dermal fillers in the mid face, temples and perioral area. Also the use of new techniques such as using a cannula to treat a lip instead of making a series of injection with needle with the risk of bruising and swelling.
One of the delegates commented on the lip treatment “Well there’s no going back now I’ve seen that!”
Clinetix Training Academy runs a series of courses in aesthetic medicine from foundation courses to introduce people to the speciality through to masterclass courses to demonstrate the latest and most advanced techniques and technologies. If you are interested in learning more about aesthetic medical training at Clinetix you can e-mail us at courses@clinetix.co.uk
Multi-Modal Treatment Planning For Natural Looking Aesthetic Rejuvenation (Or how we get it right! )
2nd November 2016 | Thread Lifts
Anti-wrinkle injections weakens muscles, we know that. But ageing is multifactorial, not just a product of muscle over activity. To create natural looking aesthetic rejuvenation it stands to reason that we need more than just anti-wrinkle injections to keep us looking younger. Obvious isn’t it! Yet we still find that anti-wrinkle injections is the worlds number one requested cosmetic treatment.
Here’s a picture of me taken recently, you can ignore the beard, that’s gone now 🙂
Anti-Wrinkle Injections can relax the lines and wrinkles on my forehead, if I had any there. It can also smooth lines and wrinkles around my eyes and between my eyebrows, likewise if there were any there. However, it’s not going to help overall with making me look and feel a bit younger. In fact, if I had nothing but anti-wrinkle injections for the next ten years I’d start to look decidedly odd! With a smooth and wrinkle free upper third of my face but quite an aged appearance to everything else.
What I am seeing when I look at this image is the deeper shadow developing at the side of my nose, the hollowing at the cheek at the side of my mouth, the wrinkling of the skin underneath my eye and the flattening of my cheek underneath the eye. If I was being super critical I’d probably also mention some very early volume loss just above my eyebrow that will probably develop over time and make my eyes look a bit more skeletal. For the sake of a complete picture I can also see a receded hairline and marked thinning of the hair on the top of my head. That’s what more than ten years in Aesthetic Medicine will do to you!
The answer is clearly not just anti-wrinkle injections.
Let’s think about a real person now, a typical prospective aesthetic patient who presents to a clinic just like Clinetix wanting to look and feel refreshed and rejuvenated. Lets assume it’s a female patient right in the middle of the age range of people who attend my clinic about 45. When she sits down in front of me and tells me she feels her appearance makes her look and feel tired or depressed I don’t reach immediately for the wrinkle syringe, I reach for the mirror and ask her to point to what is causing her concern.
These days it’s getting less likely for the fingers to be pointing at the crows feet, or the frown lines. Instead they generally go to the middle and lower parts of the face first, indicating sagging skin, jowl formation, downturned mouths with thin lips and changes in skin quality like roughness, pigmentation or large pores. We consider these features as part of a holistic rejuvenation process in order to create better results for our patients.
Creating Natural Looking Aesthetic Rejuvenation with a Multi-Modal Treatment Plan
As ageing is multifactorial we approach rejuvenation with a multi-modal treatment plan. This means we can use a wide variety of treatments to address individual aspects of ageing together to create a synergistic and harmonious natural looking rejuvenation.
The Volumetric Approach To Facial Rejuvenation
I like to visualise the ageing face from the bottom up. Think of an old house that’s sitting on dodgy foundations. The roof is falling apart and the window frames are all broken. I can fix those things easily but the house will still be sinking on it’s foundations. Therefore there’s not a huge amount of point other than for the temporary cosmetic fix. For a long term fix you need to start with the foundations to build a house that will last.
The foundation of the face is the bones of the skull and the dense layers of fat that sit above. As we age we get specific changes in the shape of the skeleton, areas that flatten and regress. We also get reduction in the amount of dense fat that overlies it. Most of my consultations begin with an assessment of the foundations of the face and a plan to replace that lost volume. The volumetric approach to facial rejuvenation. With a detailed understanding of the anatomical changes of the skeleton with ageing, and the availability of safe injectable implants (dermal fillers) we create a plan to inject in specific areas to restore a natural shape to the deep face.
This will build up a strong support upon which the upper layers of the face can be more naturally restructured. The amount of dermal filler required to achieve such a correction varies with age of the patient. However it is usually fairly predictable using the formula 1cc per decade of life plus 1cc. This means that someone in their mid forties will usually require 5 syringes, someone in their mid fifties may require 6 and someone in their mid thirties may require 4. We place the dermal filler in the areas of the face to give maximum support as required for the patient. Typically these areas are the cheeks, the temples, the side of the nose and the jawline.
Lifting Jowls and Sagging Skin
The next area of concern is the more superficial fat layers of the face, these can be smoothed with softer, less lifting dermal fillers to correct irregularities and improve contour. But when sagging of the skin and early jowl formation become a concern then we often need to think in terms of re suspending the user layers. The traditional approach to achieve this is the surgical facelift. However, the advent of safe and effective thread lifting techniques now gives us a non-surgical alternative.
Threads are introduced through small holes made with a needle at the side of the face and placed into the upper layers of the faced. Using a thread called a PDO Cog, we can place a fan of threads that can be gently pulled. This creates a lift and repositions the upper layers of the face. This technique is very effective at lifting the upper fat layers of the face. Which in turn has an effect on the appearance of nasolabial lines, marionette lines and jowls.
Rejuvenating the Appearance of the Skin
Once we have revolumised and lifted the face the final thing to consider is the skin. There are many many different ways to rejuvenate the appearance of the skin and the decision will depend on the desired result, the budget and the desires of the patient to have a quick result with one or two treatments, or a more gradual process with several skin treatments over a period of time. With our non-surgical rejuvenation packages we offer CO2 Laser resurfacing or Chemical Peels to get rapid and dramatic results. We also have a range of specially designed combination skin treatments that treat multiple layers of the skin using different techniques at the same time for improved results with no downtime.
Laser Resurfacing
Laser resurfacing or Fractional Ablative resurfacing uses a high powered laser to cause controlled damage to the skin at a specific depth. The skin responds by creating more healthy collagen and more ground substance in the dermis. This results in firmer and more resilient skin. The epidermis is also resurfaced providing a fresher and more lustrous skin with less blemishes, pigmentation and surface irregularities. The recovery period following a laser treatment is about a week. Initially your skin will be red and it is likely to take some time to heal afterwards.
Chemical Peels
For Chemical peels there are many many options but for a rapid result we recommend a medium depth TCA peel. This is a solution that is applied skin and allowed to soak through the deeper layers of your skin. The TCA causes a controlled damage to the dermis at a specific layer. The skin above this layer then peels off over the course of a week as healthier fresher skin grows underneath.
To summarise, a complete facial rejuvenation treatment plan should consider all the signs of ageing. It should also be able to address each one separately in order to achieve a natural aesthetic result.
Our goal is to make our patients feel better about the way they look. In turn make them feel more confident about themselves as a whole! The goal is never to make someone look like they have had a treatment. After a treatment people should be complimenting you about your appearance, but they won’t know what has changed. As I often say to my patients, if anyone asks you who your Doctor is, come and tell me because it means I’ve done something wrong. If they ask you if you’ve been on holiday or changed you hair then we’ve got it right!
If you’d like to have a chat with Dr Simon or Dr Emma Ravichandran about a personalised treatment plan, get in touch here or give us a ring on 0141 221 0229 for our West End clinic or 01698 854 221 for our Bothwell clinic.
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over-activity of the central lip elevators. What this means is that when someone smiles the middle of the lip pulls upwards excessively. This exposes the gums in the central portion of the smile, hence “gummy-smile”.
