Clinicguru

The Beauty Of Supplements

2013-11-04T09:10:00.000-08:00

There is growing evidence that feeding the skin from within can dramatically improve it's appearance. There has been a debate amongst healthcare professionals for years about the merits of supplementing our diets, and most people will have their own view on whether supplements are right for them.

Now, though, we have more evidence available that supplementing our diets with a high-grade neutraceutical will and does deliver results.

I mentioned the phrase high grade, and this is key, as all supplements are not the same, and can vary enormously in their purity and effectiveness.

We specialise in skin treatments at Waters Edge Clinic, and one issue that we focus on is skin health. We know without a doubt that Environ Skincare delivers dramatic results for our clients, however, it isn't capable of answering the whole question surrounding anti-ageing and skin correction, so we need to look at supplementing our skincare to produce optimum results.

This is where the Advanced Nutrition Programme neutraceutical supplements play a part, to reach the layer of skin that plays the most important role in how your skin will look. This layer of skin is not affected by any products that you apply topically (on to your skin), yet it defines your skin health, you might even say your 'skin age'. If it's deprived of nutrients at this level, it sets the seal on how your skin will eventually look on the surface.

So, if we're convinced that supplementing is a good idea, how do we know what to take, and which brands? Cheap high street brands are not of the same calibre as the Advanced Nutrition Programme supplements - you get what you pay for - so if you've paid only pennies for a nutritional supplement, it's very unlikely to make any difference to your skin's appearance.

Eating a balanced diet is certainly a good start to optimum skin health, but even then we will struggle to deliver the required nutrients to the skin for two reasons; the skin is one of the last organs of the body to receive nutrients, and secondly, our food is not as nutrient-rich, due to intensive farming methods that leech nutrients out of the soil, and transportation and storage methods.

The Advanced Nutrition Programme supplements are targeted, high quality supplements that have undergone rigorous testing to ensure purity and effectiveness. The range encompasses supplements that are targeted at specific needs, such as acne, ageing and dehydration.

If you're just starting to consider supplementing your diet to improve your skin, and not sure what to take, the Advanced Nutrition Programme Skin Omegas are a good place to start. They provide the skin with a boost of hydration and radiance, and contain Omega's 3 and 6.

www.watersedgeclinic.co.uk

The Bruce Keogh Report

2013-04-26T06:28:00.000-07:00

New proposals to regulate cosmetic procedures were widely reported in the papers this week, with the Daily Mail reporting the need to "rein in cosmetic surgery cowboys", and The Daily Telegraph warning that anti-wrinkle treatments are "a crisis waiting to happen".

The stories are based on an independent review of regulations governing the UK cosmetic industry, which is worth an estimated £3.6 billion. The review was chaired by the NHS medical director, Professor Sir Bruce Keogh, who said anyone having cosmetic procedures should be better protected than at present. People carrying out cosmetic procedures should be trained to a high standard, Professor Keogh said.

The review particularly highlights concerns about non-surgical cosmetic procedures, such as:
dermal fillers (injections of an acid to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and scars)
Botox (injections of a toxin used to smooth the skin)
chemical peel (where chemicals are used to remove dead skin)
laser hair removal

Under current regulations, all of these procedures can legally be performed by anyone, whatever their level of medical training. This is in spite of the fact that, if performed incorrectly, these procedures can result in a range of complications such as burning, scarring, infection and even blindness.
The review proposes that much tighter and rigorous regulation is required for these types of non-surgical cosmetic procedures to ensure their safety.

The report points out that cosmetic interventions are a “booming business”. Cosmetic interventions include both surgical interventions such as face-lifts, tummy tucks and breast implants, and non-surgical procedures such as Botox, dermal fillers and the use of laser or intense pulsed light (IPL).

What did the cosmetic interventions review find?
The review committee gathered evidence from those working in the cosmetic procedures sector, the public, academics and international policymakers.
Their review report says that cosmetic interventions have become “normalised”, with men as well as women increasingly likely to consider them. It says advances in technology mean there is a growing range of – mainly non-surgical – interventions available.
The report also found that the industry is highly fragmented, with a range of different interest groups, product manufacturers and practitioners. It makes the case that the rapid growth of the sector means that quality control is hard to police. The existing laws have been developed in piecemeal fashion rather than systematically, the report says, with previous attempts at self-regulation by the industry deemed to have largely failed. As a result, someone having a non-surgical cosmetic procedure “has no more protection and redress than someone buying a ballpoint pen or a toothbrush”, the report points out.
The review found that dermal fillers are a particular cause for concern because anyone can set themselves up as a practitioner, with no requirement for knowledge, training or previous experience. There are insufficient checks in place on the quality of the products used during the procedure, the report says, pointing out that “most dermal fillers have no more controls than a bottle of floor cleaner”.
The report also found a need for greater protection for vulnerable people – particularly girls and younger women. It quotes a Guide Association survey that suggested younger people “see cosmetic procedures as a commodity – something they might ‘get done’”, this is attributed, in part, to the influence of “celebrities”.
The report also points out that:
Cosmetic surgery is not defined as a surgical speciality with a common qualification or an organisation responsible for setting standards.
There are no restrictions on who can carry out non-surgical procedures.
Only some of the products implanted or injected into the body are regulated as medical devices.
There is little reliable data to help people consider the risks and effectiveness of different cosmetic treatments, and consent procedures are poor.
People are often offered time-limited discounts for surgery – for example, they are given a discount if they sign a binding contract at the end of a first consultation.
What recommendations have the review group made?
The review committee’s report concludes that there are three key areas in which change is needed:
high quality care
an informed and empowered public
access to ‘redress’ in case things go wrong
High quality care
The report outlines the need for safer products, more highly skilled practitioners and more responsible providers. It calls for:
EU regulations on medical devices to be extended to cover all cosmetic implants including dermal fillers, and new UK laws to make this happen sooner
dermal fillers to be classified as prescription-only
the Royal College of Surgeons to set standards for cosmetic surgery practice and training and to issue formal certification of competence
all those performing cosmetic procedures to be registered
qualifications to be developed for providers of non-surgical procedures
surgical providers to provide patients and their GPs with proper records – and individual outcomes for surgeons to be made available on the NHS Choices website
a breast implant registry to be set up within 12 months and extended to other cosmetic devices as soon as possible, to provide better monitoring of outcomes and device safety
An informed and empowered public
The report highlights the need for people to be given accurate advice and for vulnerable people to be protected, specifically calling for:
the Royal College of Surgeons to develop a patient consent procedure for cosmetic operations that consists of several stages
the college to develop “evidence-based” patient information on cosmetic procedures, with input from patient organisations – and for these to be made available on the NHS Choices website
providers of non-surgical procedures to hold a record of their patients’ consent
existing advertising recommendations and restrictions to be updated and better enforced
financial inducements and time-limited deals promoting cosmetic interventions to be banned
Accessible resolution and redress
The report wants clear ways for people to be able to take action if anything goes wrong with their cosmetic intervention, calling for:
the role of the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (the current role of which is to investigate patient complaints within the NHS) to be extended to cover the whole private healthcare sector including cosmetic procedures of all kinds
all individuals performing cosmetic procedures to be required to have adequate professional indemnity cover
surgeons working in this country, but who are insured abroad, to have indemnity insurance that is “commensurate with similar UK policies”
insurance products to be developed to cover the failure of products and certain complications of surgery
If you are considering a surgical procedure, such as breast implants, your GP is often the best person to contact first. As Professor Simon Kay, consultant plastic surgeon and member of the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS) explains, “your GP knows the local situation, such as who is a well-established surgeon”.
Make sure you get as much information as you can about the surgery, its potential risks, its perceived benefits and any other relevant information before consenting to surgery. Read more about choosing a cosmetic surgeon.
If you are considering a non-surgical cosmetic procedure, it is important to realise that some people offering these types of treatment may not be medically qualified. The Treatments You Can Trust (TYCT) register can tell you about the qualifications of the provider.

Links To The Headlines
'Cosmetic crisis' waiting to happen. BBC News, April 24 2013
Q&A: Cosmetic review. BBC News, April 24 2013
Cosmetic surgery crackdown is needed, says NHS medical director. The Guardian, April 24 2013
Anti-wrinkle treatments are a 'crisis waiting to happen', review finds. The Daily Telegraph, April 24 2013
Calls for tighter regulation for cosmetic surgery. ITV News, April 24 2013

www.watersedgeclinic.co.uk www.facebook.com/WatersEdgeAestheticClinic

Our Aesthetic Practitioner, Dr Lise Baekgaard, is a member of the IHAS Treatments You Can Trust Register

2013-04-12T05:34:00.000-07:00

Environ Focus Hydrating Serum

Why is Hyaluronic Acid good for skin?

Hyaluronic acid plays a critical role in the production of collagen, the most abundant protein in the body. Collagen’s main function is to sustain tendons, skin and cartilage. It provides integrity, firmness and elasticity to their structures. Maximizing collagen levels will keep skin supple. Because of this, maintaining body levels of hyaluronic acid is not only desirable for keeping moisture levels up, but also to keep collagen synthesis up, helping to provide an anti-aging effect on skin, as it remains supple and resistant to wrinkles and fine lines.

Where and how is it used?

It comes in several different forms, but the quickest way to make a difference to the skin on the face and neck is to apply it directly. It can be used as a home treatment - it's absorbed more readily when it's applied as a serum - and in-salon treatments that use technology to infuse a high-grade Hyaluronic Acid Serum, such as ENVIRON'S Ionzyme Focus Hydrating Serum.

What are the benefits?

Hyaluronic Acid holds up to 1000 times it's weight in water, resulting in super-hydrated skin, a visible reduction in lines and wrinkles, and a smoother, firmer complexion.

Is it safe?

As Hyaluronic Acid is naturally present in the human body, it is readily accepted and metabolised in the skin, to produce the anti-ageing and collagen-boosting benefits that give our skins radiance and a youthful glow.

Using a Hyaluronic Acid Serum at home.....

Applying the serum to the face and neck in conjunction with your normal moisturiser will produce the best results. Results from using a Hyaluronic Serum can be significantly boosted by using a cosmetic dermal roller such as the Environ Cosmetic Focus CIT roller. The roller produces thousands of tiny holes in the stratum corneum (top layer of the skin) to allow deeper penetration of the serum and moisturising products.

In-salon treatments.....

Hyaluronic Acid Serum facials in salon allow the therapist to use technology such as ultrasound to infuse the serum deeply into the skin, where it will be active for much longer, and have a more direct effect on the skin cells and hydration levels. This facial can be applied in a short series of treatments, to produce long-lasting hydration and tightening of the skin - ideal for weddings and special occasions when you need to look your best.

FOCUS HYDRATING FACIAL SPECIAL!

£20 off Hydrating Facials until the end of April - only £45!

Environ Cosmetic Dermal Roller

Contact Waters Edge Clinic for more details

www.watersedgeclinic.co.uk

Smooth Affair Skin Primer

2013-04-09T08:13:00.000-07:00

Is it worth using a skin primer?

We've all read or heard about skin primers, and there seem to be many different types out there, so how do you choose one? Do you really need one? What do skin primers do?

Let's start with the last question first! What do skin primers do?

There may be a lucky few of you who have flawless skin, without imperfections. If that's you, that's great, and you probably don't need a primer. For the rest of us, however, a flawless complexion isn't something we can achieve without a little help.

Skin primers are designed to 'perfect' or 'smooth' the skin's appearance, and are generally used under make up so that it sits more evenly on the skin, and doesn't highlight any flaws. Even those of us with a good complexion can benefit from using a quality skin primer, as they contain ingredients that will help to condition and hydrate the skin, making for an even better appearance.

The right skin primer will not only help to smooth skin and hide flaws, but will nourish and condition too. We love Jane Iredale's Smooth Affair - here's why.......

Skin feels nourished and looks smoother. Makeup goes on more easily and lasts longer. The light, fresh fragrance is uplifting.

Grapefruit Extract promotes luminosity and skin radiance.

Apple Extract is a skin-smoothing antioxidant that helps maintain skin’s youthful elasticity.

Green and White Tea Leaf Extracts and Royal Jelly are anti-aging and anti-inflammatory.

Aloe Leaf Juice soothes and calms the skin.

Algae Extract is anti-aging, firms the skin and prevents moisture loss.

Olive Leaf Extract promotes epidermal cell renewal.

Honeysuckle Extract helps to purify the skin.

Non-comedogenic, hypoallergenic, sensitivity tested, clinically tested, dermatologist tested.

What could be better? A special discount price? We've got that too!

From now until the end of April, there's over £5 off Smooth Affair Skin Primer!

Normal Price: £30.95 Discounted Price: £25

www.watersedgeclinic.co.uk

Spring Clean Your Skin!

2013-04-07T05:57:00.000-07:00

HOW'S YOUR SKIN LOOKING?

Does your skin need a spring clean? Now that we are moving into the warmer weather, dare you bare - or are you still covering up that dull, winter complexion?

We have a unique facial that will bring your skin back to life!

We start by removing the dull, dry and lacklustre skin that's been making you look tired and washed-out by first applying a micro dermabrasion treatment using a diamond-tip wand to gently but thoroughly exfoliate your skin.

Blocked pores, blackheads, milia (white spots) scars from old spots and oily-prone skin can't hide from this treatment, and even after just one session, your skin will be glowing with new radiance and vitality.

But this is just phase one! Phase two of this spring clean skin treatment involves a relaxing infusion of active Vitamin Serums, designed to get deep down into the layers of your skin, and repair damage, stimulate collagen production, and deeply hydrate skin that's been over-exposed to central heating and cold and wintry winds.

You will leave looking radiant, refreshed, and ready to face the warmer months with a fresh new complexion that you won't want to hide!

For best results, a course of 6 facials is recommended to reveal fresher and younger-looking skin. Just as well that we have a fantastic 3 - for - 2 offer on these amazing facials that really produce results from day one!

Offer closes on 30th April 2013

www.watersedgeclinic.co.uk

Microneedling - A Viable Alternative To Surgery

2013-03-23T09:19:00.000-07:00

Medical needling - Collagen Stimulation Therapy

Medical skin needling is now an established clinical procedure with proven results and skin improvements that are well known and undisputed. Peer reviewed studies and clinical reviews have established this as an effective treatment with an excellent safety profile. It's suitability for all skin types has made it a key treatment for acne scarring, sun damaged and ageing skin, fine lines, wrinkles and stretch marks.

This non-invasive treatment, sometimes referred to as dermal rolling, for the face and body, is racing ahead of more invasive, surgical procedures such as laser resurfacing of the skin, as it produces the same dramatic results without the risks and downtime.

This treatment involves the use of a medical needling device. It is a small medical rolling instrument containing tiny needles, which creates thousands of microscopic channels in the lower levels of the skin as the needles are rolled over the treated area.

The body responds to Collagen Stimulation Therapy in the same way it would react to injury. The small amount of bleeding caused during treatment releases powerful growth factors, which are a part of a natural healing response, resulting in increased collagen and elastin production.

This painless and revolutionary procedure was pioneered by eminent plastic surgeon Dr Des Fernandes, founder of Environ Skincare, in 1997. It is largely due to his research and input that we now have this amazing treatment available.

Dr Fernandes' philosophy is one of causing dramatic improvements in the skin, whilst at the same time taking care not to compromise skin health, or cause lasting damage such as scarring, as a result of this procedure.

55 year old patient before and after microneedling - 3 months after one treatment

We can treat the following with CST

Softening of fine lines and wrinkles
Restoring skin tightness and smoothness
Acne scarring
Hypo/hyper pigmented scars
Stretch marks
Dilated blood vessels

Advantages of CST
Does not damage the skin
No discomfort after treatment
Short healing phase
Safe on all skin types - even darker skins
Does not cause sun sensitivity
All areas of the body can be treated

Results develop over time and improvements can still be seen 12 months after procedure

www.watersedgeclinic.co.uk www.iiaa.eu

2013-03-21T01:21:00.000-07:00

Nine out of ten clients who come to us for an initial consultation on anti-ageing treatments will put concerns over crows feet and eye bags at the top of their list.

We tend to tailor an eye treatment according to skin condition, age of client and lifestyle.

If the client is a smoker, we recommend an eye gel that packs a punch to fight the effects of smoking, and our product of choice here is Environ's C Quence eye gel. It contains active anti-ageing properties and a vitamin complex to bring tone back to the skin, and minimise lines and wrinkles.

ENVIRON C QUENCE PRODUCT RANGE

Our top in-salon treatment for eye problems is our Express Eye Lift, which combines micro dermabrasion, micro current for lifting and tightening, and an infusion of Environ Professional Active Vitamin serum combined with Environ hydrating serum. Result - enhanced and lifted eye area, with an immediate visible reduction in crow's feet and dark circles.

It takes about 35 minutes, and clients always leave feeling and looking fresher, with a twinkle in their eye!

EXPRESS EYE LIFT TREATMENT

www.watersedgeclinic.co.uk

Are You In Hormone Hell? Try This....

2013-03-17T10:13:00.000-07:00

Being fifty-something has it's advantages; the satisfaction of watching your children, now adults, come into their own in terms of career, happy relationships and parenthood - and a chance to put all you've learned over the years into a project that has been a long-held dream - in my case, developing a thriving business in the health and beauty sector, and helping my clients to fulfil their skin health and weight management goals.

There isn't much for me to complain about then is there? Well, I didn't think so myself until about a year or so ago, when the downside of fifty-something hit me with a full-on post-menopausal side-swipe.

I had been secretly congratulating myself on reaching this stage of my life with relatively few problems, putting this down to having been a very active fitness teacher for over 20 years, in addition to keeping up with my own personal fitness and healthy eating regime. I had been having the odd hot flash, nothing significant, and adjusted my diet, which seemed to help - temporarily.

Then, seemingly out of nowhere, I was experiencing full-on night sweats (or more accurately, early-morning 4am sweats) which were so bad that I would have to leave my bed and vacate to the spare bedroom, throwing off my sodden nightwear as I went. To make matters worse, I would wake up the next morning feeling so tired that it was an effort to walk, let alone work out! I literally felt as though I was wading through ten feet of water just to move forward.

I had to face reality, and started to consider my options. I knew that I didn't want to take HRT drugs. I had heard so many of my clients describe how they struggled both with and without HRT to bring their symptoms under control, and the risks associated with taking HRT drugs didn't appeal, however small they might be.

After a little bit of research on line, and reading the Ten Secrets To Healthy Ageing by Patrick Holford, I had learned that a bio identical progesterone replacement was a viable alternative, and works well in most cases. www.patrickholford.com

We seem to lay a lot of our health problems at the door marked 'hormones', but a little bit of delving persuaded me that in fact there is a delicate balancing act that needs to be achieved if we hope to enjoy good hormone health. I discovered that in fact post-menopause, oestrogen can become dominant as progesterone levels fall off. There is much more to be read about this at www.wellsprings-health.com

Wellsprings have developed a bio identical progesterone cream, which is applied to the skin, where it is absorbed into the sub-cutaneous fat cells (just under the surface of the skin) where it is stored until the body needs it. I have been using this product for just over 6 weeks, and guess what? Within 2 weeks, the night sweats stopped happening every night - down to about 2 per week - and now they have stopped completely.

But that's not all, folks! The abdominal fat that had been steadily accumulating and refusing to budge despite dietary and exercise efforts is now also disappearing, noticeably so, as a couple of my clients have commented that I appear to have lost weight. I have recommended Serenity to 5 of my clients, who all report positive results from using it.

An even bigger plus for me, is that I have renewed energy levels, and am back to working out regularly and keeping up again with my Jillian Michaels dvd's - not bad for a 57 year old - she's pretty full-on!

If you're suffering with post-menopausal symptoms and having a miserable time, give some thought to this product; it's worked for me, maybe it will for you too.

Permanent Fat Loss Without Surgery! Does It Work?

2013-03-15T04:55:00.000-07:00

Permanent fat and cellulite removal without surgery sounds a bit too good to be true - but it does work!

Here are some questions that our clients typically ask about our treatment:

What Is It?

It's an ultrasound body sculpting treatment that instantly breaks down fat and cellulite safely without invasive techniques such as surgery

How Does It Work?

It works on the principle of Cavitation. It's a natural phenomenon, based on low-frequency ultrasound. The ultrasound field creates bubbles in the liquid surrounding fat cells. These bubbles gradually increase in size during the treatment, until they reach a stage where they implode. This implosion of the bubbles causes a pressure wave around the fat cell, causing vibrations. These vibrations, along with the gentle heat emitted by the ultrasound applicator, cause the membranes to collapse, allowing the stored fat to escape into the fluid surrounding the disrupted fat cells.

So What Happens To The Released Fat?

After the fat cells have been penetrated and broken apart, the fat molecules stored inside the cells can escape into the fluid surrounding the fat cells as described.

A Little Bit Of Science...... The fat molecules are then subjected to a metabolic and enzymatic breakdown process. The metabolization of the released fat causes it to break down further - basically we end up with two components of fat that the body can then dispose of easily - glycerol and free fatty acids. These two components are disposed of via the circulatory system and the liver respectively.

BOTTOM LINE (no pun intended!) is an instant, permanent breakdown and disposal of fat from the offending area. Results are long-term and continue to improve with each treatment.

Is It Safe Or Will There Be Side Effects?

The treatment is clinically proven to be safe, as it is targeted only at the fat cells. The surrounding tissues such as muscle, blood vessels, nerves and bone remain undisturbed. There can be slight side effects such as redness of the treated area, which calms down quickly, feeling thirsty - a good thing, as we advise clients to drink plenty of water to aid the fat elimination process. Otherwise, no other problems; no down-time, no painful recovery, as in the case of surgical liposuction.

How Much Can I Expect To Lose?

As we said, the results are immediate and long-lasting. We've experienced anywhere between 2-10 cm loss after one treatment, with increasing results in the treatments following. Of course they vary from person to person, and it's not just about the amount of fat that is eliminated, but the change in body shape that follows!

Our clients have all experienced an improvement in shape, smoothness and firmness following a course of treatments.

How Do I Get Started?

We recommend a full consultation with our practitioner first, which is free. This gives you an understanding of how the treatment will work for you, and allows us to assess your personal treatment needs.

Now Is Good! We have a 25% discount offer running until 31st March, so it's a great time to get in shape. Get in touch today!

www.watersedgeclinic.co.uk

what do your scales say? Time to act?

Spring Clean Your Skin!

2013-03-13T01:38:00.000-07:00

Micro dermabrasion is the perfect way to freshen skin and is the treatment of choice for many TV personalities and A List celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow and Madonna. It can help to repair damage caused by sun and the effects of ageing. This ‘miracle’ treatment is effective in reducing fine lines, “crows feet,” age spots and acne scars.

The process stimulates the production of new skin cells and collagen revealing fresher, softer skin with a more even texture to the surface.

Micro dermabrasion is one of the fastest growing trends for skin refreshing and renewal. And because there's no down-time or recovery required, it's a 'fast track' way to get your skin looking polished and radiant.

Our preferred method is to use a diamond tipped wand. A hand piece is used to gently “polish” the skin to give a younger fresher surface. Typically treatments take 20 minutes; we tend to combine it with a facial routine to give a more tailored treatment. Just one treatment is a great way to give your skin a lift for a special occasion. Increased benefits can be seen by having a course of treatments, the ideal is to have one session per week for 10 weeks and then ongoing monthly treatments as maintenance,

Micro dermabrasion reduces inflammation and stimulates circulation, it can be used to treat:

• Fine lines
• Enlarged pores
• Acne scars
• Sun damaged skin
• Scar tissue
• Dry skin
• Age spots on hands and face
• Gives the skin an overall fresher appearance
• Stretch marks
• Ingrown hairs
• Blackheads, congested skin and milia.

After dermabrasion the skin is typically slightly red, but this should fade quickly, with little or no downtime.

*Spring Clean Offer! Buy one Microdermabrasion treatment, get one half price!

Offer expires 30th April 2013

www.watersedgeclinic.co.uk

Lock In The Moisture

2013-03-07T12:22:00.000-08:00

Often, no matter how much moisturiser you apply, or how much water you drink, your skin can still be dry.

Omega 3 and 6 essential fatty acids are are vital to the integrity of skin cell membranes and prevent water loss. The body can't make these, so without sufficient good fats in our diet, the cell membranes break down, causing cells to dry out, flatten, and flake at the surface.

To ensure you are getting enough omega fatty acids, eat nuts, seeds and oily fish such as salmon and mackerel, and take one or two combined omega 3 and 6 capsules every day. If you're still suffering with dry skin, try tripling the dose for two weeks.

Contact Waters Edge Clinic for information on our Skin Omega supplements.

www.watersedgeclinic.co.uk

Visia Skin Analysis Event

2013-02-27T08:50:00.000-08:00

Forthcoming Events

March 26^th 1pm – 8pm

Visia Skin Analysis Event

If you have had a skin analysis with us in the past, you will know that it’s a very interesting and informative view of your skin, and how it’s performing at the unseen but very important levels – it’s where your new skin cells are manufactured - and we can see the general health and condition of your skin too, using the Visia machine. Having a scan with the Visia helps us to see how well the Environ skincare products are working for you, and gives us an opportunity to change the levels of Vitamin A that you are currently using if necessary.

We are now taking bookings for this event, so please contact the clinic to reserve your preferred time. The scan and analysis takes around 45 minutes, and as always is free to our clients. Charges at dermatologists for this service are around £125, so we hope you’ll see that it’s a worthwhile service and take advantage! Places are limited to 8 people, so we will accept bookings on a first-come basis.

There will be a free sample goodie-bag and discount vouchers for you on the day too!

Visia Skin Scanning System

Mother’s Day Special Promotion

If you would like to treat your Mum or someone close, or indeed you are a Mum in need of some relaxation and pampering, then our Mother’s Day special is for you! During the month of March you can book an Environ Advanced Vitamin Facial and get a second facial at half price. This facial uses the freshest vitamin cocktail, and gently infuses it into the skin using ultrasound, where it penetrates to the deepest levels of your skin to nourish, hydrate and stimulate better collagen production. It’s a very relaxing 1.5 hours of ‘me - time’ that has a lasting effect.

Keep Up With What’s Happening At Waters Edge Clinic

In addition to sending out our bi-monthly newsletter, we often post ‘flash’ or short-run offers on our Facebook page. To connect to our page go to www.facebook.com/WatersEdgeAestheticClinic and ‘like’ our page to be kept in the loop about offers, events and news.

You can also visit our website and connect to our blog from the homepage (it’s the orange coloured ‘B’ button at the bottom of the page) Our blog also details the latest offers and events.

iiaa Steals The Show at ExCel Professional Beauty

2013-02-25T11:10:00.002-08:00

Had a busy day at the Professional Beauty show today at London's ExCel.

It was great to catch up with important people like David Alpert, Lindsey Stewart, Holly, Lorraine and a host of other lovely people at the iiaa stand, which was looking fabulous.

I also got to meet Lorraine Perretta, Nutritional expert and exponent of the Advanced Nutrition Programme - ANP - supplement range. Such knowledge and sheer enthusiasm for the products - Lorraine Peretta, you rock!!

It's so great to see how far the iiaa brand has come since the introduction of the first Environ Skincare range to the UK back in the 'Nineties. Whilst visiting the stand I caught a little bit of the presentation that was happening, and heard the story of how Environ was first developed by South African plastic surgeon Dr Des Fernandes - and one little story that I hadn't heard before was how Des actually started to manufacture the very first Environ products in his own kitchen!

Amazing where the courage of your own convictions can lead you! Inspiring stuff!

Find Out More.....

Whilst we're on the subject of inspiration, we have our next Skin Analysis Event happening on March 26th. The Visia skin analysis is a great way to learn about how your skin is performing, and what you can do to improve it. Details to follow in the next few days!

Jane Iredale - The Skincare Make-Up

2013-02-23T08:05:00.003-08:00

At Waters Edge Clinic we're into skin, and helping to make it look the best it can be by using proven skincare products like Environ Skincare.
Now, to complete the look and produce a flawless finish, we are thrilled to introduce Jane Iredale Mineral Cosmetics to our clinic.

Jane Iredale, the founder of Jane Iredale cosmetics, believes in two fundamental things; one, that the most beautiful cosmetic you can ever wear is a healthy skin and second, but equally as important, is that what you put on your skin should never harm it, and therefore all Jane Iredale Mineral products do not contain talc, chemical dyes or synthetic preservatives such as parabens and formaldehyde.
www.watersedgeclinic.co.uk
So how is Jane Iredale different from other mineral make-up?

* Four-in-one - the micronized mineral bases are 4 products in 1; foundation, powder, concealer and sunscreen, and will disguise almost any skin discolouration.

*Formulated with titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, the minerals give instant, broad-spectrum, cemical-free sun protection. They also have a very water resistant rating.

*Fast, weightless coverage - there are no fillers such as talc to dilute the effectiveness of the pigment. One quick application of the minerals will provide all-day covearge that requires mimium touch-ups and resists fading and creasing.

*Non-comedogenic and oil-free - the skin can breathe and function normally, avoiding breakouts

*Coverage - because the minerals are concentrated pigment, they give complete coverage and can be used effectively to camouflage large and small skin flaws

*Adhere - the minerals stay put on the skin until they are removed with any cleanser

*Anti-inflammatory - the titanium dioxide and zinc oxide in the bases have anti-inflammatory properties, and are especially helpful for acne and rosacea-prone skins

*Inert - the minerals are inert and cannot support bacteria

*Quality - state-of-the-art cosmeceutical ingredients are used to ensure the finest performance in texture

Relief For Acne Sufferers

2013-02-23T07:56:00.001-08:00

No one can really agree on whether a person's diet can cause acne, but now there is increasing evidence that foods containing dairy or those with a high glycaemic index could be to blame.

Many of our clients have an ongoing battle with acne. It can be very distressing for the person suffering with unsightly breakouts and redness, not to mention the scarring that can be left behind. A team of dermatologists and dieticians in America recently re-evaluated studies looking at acne going back to the 1960s to see if they could draw any conclusions from all the individual research.

They found that foods with a high GI and frequent dairy consumption were commonly found to be a linking factor between people's diets and acne. However they did note that they didn't think that they caused acne, but made an existing condition worse.

Controversially, previous studies have suggested it's not actually the foods that you would think causes spots, such as pizza, crisps, chocolate, or take aways, but instead whole and skimmed cow's milk.

It is thought the androgen hormones (including testosterone) in dairy products are the culprits of acne breakouts, as they cause the skin to become more oily.

Many doctors are wary of conclusions around diet and acne because it is difficult to take into account all the other influencing factors in a person's life.

So what to do?

Doctors recommend keeping a food diary and writing down what you eat and noting how your skin reacts. If you notice a pattern between when you eat certain things and your acne getting worse, eliminate them from your diet.

Supplements can also help....

The right kind of dietary supplements have been shown to help calm the symptoms and reduce the causes of breakouts and acne in general. Skin Accumax is an effective supplement from Advanced Nutrition Programme. It's been carefully developed and researched, and is proven to have a beneficial effect for acne sufferers.

We have tried this supplement out successfully with one of our patients at Waters Edge Clinic, who is due to get married in March. Her biggest fear was that she would experience breakouts around the time of her wedding, spoiling her day. Despite the excitement and sometimes stressful moments of her wedding preparations, she has not suffered any breakouts, and is looking quite radiant, just as a bride should!

The unique formulation of Skin Accumax lies in the combination of Vitamins A, C and E for promoting a healthy skin, along with a phytonutrient compound found in broccoli.

The formulation in Skin Accumax has no wheat or gluten containing ingredients, yeast, dairy products, artificial flavourings or colouring. It hasn't been tested on animals and is suitable for vegetarians and vegans.

Sources: www.skinaccumax.com www.totallynourish.com www.iiaa.eu

Mothers of The Bride Unite!

2012-06-28T03:37:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, 27 June 2012

Mothers of The Bride Unite!

Here's an interesting thought; according to a recent article I read in a Sunday Supplement, Mothers of The Bride, or MoBs, are a species to be feared, and perhaps even loathed!

At this point it's worth pointing out that the author putting this idea forward is in fact male!

The article examines the rise in MoBs and MoGs (Mothers of Grooms) having pre-wedding tweaks and even surgery in an attempt to 'roll back the years' and look their best on the wedding photo's. Nothing wrong with wanting to look your best, you might think, and, as a prospective MoB myself in about 2 month's time, I have been taking full advantage of all the treatments available in my practice, without resorting to surgery.

However, the writer goes on to suggest that we are in fact in competition with our daughters, and could even be a let-down on the big day, spoiling the wedding photographs by looking less than perfect. I almost choked on my coffee, dear reader, as I read this drivel!

But wait! It gets better (or worse) - no pun intended here! The author 'blames' the Carole Middleton effect as one of the driving factors for MoBs rushing to get themselves tweaked, hoisted up, and otherwise primped for their daughter's big day. Now, I don't know Mrs Middleton, and therefore cannot comment on whether she indulged in any pre-wedding tweaking at the hands of her local friendly Botox clinic, but if she did, so what? She certainly isn't my role model, and everything I do towards looking good on my daughter's big day is designed to enhance, rather than steal the show.

I am certainly not in competition with my daughter, or my ex-husband's wife, as our intrepid author suggests, and although I intend to look as good as I can, it's her day, and my role, as her Mother, is one of support, love, and freshening up her make up if needed.

MoBs are an important part of their daughter's wedding day, and any bride at the altar would feel reassured when glancing behind them that their Mother was there, smiling, happy, and not the least bit worried about whether their Botox tweaks will make them look like a Chinese relative rather than the Mother they know and love!

To all MoBs and MoGs everywhere, I say, look your best on your child's big day, enhance your appearance if you want to, and don't feel you have to resort to surgery to achieve it; good make up and a few revitalising facials work wonders, just don't leave it until the last minute - 6-8 weeks before should do the trick nicely, leaving you looking fresh and glowing - and no scars!

To find out more about getting your skin looking great for the big day, visit our website.

www.watersedgeclinic.co.uk

Dr Des Fernandes Inspires

2012-04-24T07:11:00.000-07:00

Clinicguru was pleased and excited to be attending a 'Skin Needling Masterclass' delivered by Dr Des Fernandes at the London School of Medicine yesterday.

It's been a while since I spoke to the great man himself, in fact since 1998, when I was originally trained by him in the Environ Skincare concept. It was quite timely therefore to be entering the building prior to the seminar at exactly the same time as Dr Des, and to be greeted warmly and acknowledged by him.

The masterclass itself didn't disappoint; Des is such an enthusiast, and fearless in his practice and belief in the idea that we can make serious improvements to skin appearance without surgical intervention.

Always ahead of his time, Des was promoting the benefits of Vitamin therapy for skin, in particular vitamins A, C and E, long before the mainstream caught up with him. Environ Skincare products are now widely used throughout the world, and endorsed by medical experts and celebrities alike.

Dr Des was asked many questions during the masterclass, and was able to correct some misleading information that has emerged recently from other skincare companies offering a similar treatment to CST (Medical Skin Needling)

The 'mythbusting' surrounded comments from competitors that the skin doesn't need to bleed in order to produce the desired results for the client. The fact is, no bleeding = no growth factors.
The length of the needles used in this procedure need to be a minimum of 1mm, in order to penetrate the papillary dermis. Only by penetrating the papillary dermis will we induce the collagen stimulation. 0.5mm needles are therefore ineffective in achieving the desired effect.

What are growth factors? They are released as a result of the skin needling process. There are 4 main growth factors which are active on the application of blood-induced medical skin needling:

TGF -a leading to a thicker, healthier epidermis
TGF - b3 for scarless healing and regeneration of the skin
PDGF & CTAP-III for increased collagen production

The most important growth factor is thought to be TGF-Beta-3 which seems responsible for scarless healing and regeneration.

What does this mean for clients undergoing medical skin needling using Dr Des's method?
Research at Hanover Medical School by Professor Matthius Aust in association with Dr Fernandes's research and methods, showed that natural growth factors in skin are stimulated by 2 main things:

Topical application of Vitamin A

Medical Skin Needling

These findings are documented in papers released by Dr Aust and Dr Fernandez

The final conclusions are that the 0.5mm needles have no influence on growth factors as they do not induce bleeding, and that when topical Vitamin A (used in Environ Skincare) is applied for a time prior to needling with 1mm neeedles, and afterwards, the thickness of the epidermis increases by 658% after 4 treatments. No surgery, no scars, just firmer, smoother skin.

Medical skin needling or CST can be used successfully on scars and stretch marks, with visible results after 3 treatments.

The 'science bit' mentioned above is crucial in ensuring that if you undergo CST medical skin needling, you do 3 things:

Ensure your practitoner uses a needling device which has needles of 1mm in length

They are fully trained (ask to see evidence of proper training and Insurance)

Look for an Environ practitioner, who can advise on your particular skin concerns and produce a treatment regime that will lead to results
www.watersedgeclinic.co.uk www.environ.co.za www.iiaa.eu

Visia Skin Analysis Event

2012-04-18T09:28:00.000-07:00

The ever-popular Visia skin analysis service is coming to Waters Edge Clinic on 10th May.

Have you ever wondered how your skin compares to others of your own age, or how you might look in a few year's time without some serious intervention? Well, now's your chance to find out exactly what condition your skin is in by coming along to our skin analysis event for a FREE assessment.

A skin analyst from anti-ageing skincare brand Environ will be on hand to provide free 45 minute consultations. The skin analyst will be using the powerful Visia imaging technology to capture information and assess common problem areas, such as sun damage, brown pigmentation marks, capillary damage, wrinkles, scars and imperfections.

The machine's camera provides a series of images which reveal the extent of each problem, and attributes a 'score'. Clients pay a return visit 3 months after, when improvements are noted by comparing a new set of images with the originals.

The aim of the analysis event is to give people a chance to see how their skin is working in-depth, and to receive expert advice on which of the Environ active skincare products they need to use in order to correct problems and improve their overall skin appearance.

There are many empty promises in the beauty world, with certain brands making claims for their products which don't deliver. By using this sophisticated analysis system we can now prove to clients that using Environ products and following our advice makes a measurable and visible difference.

Find out more about Environ Skincare at www.watersedgeclinic.co.uk or www.iiaa.eu

What's a Cosmeceutical (and will it make my skin look better?)

2012-03-01T06:49:00.000-08:00

Within the past few days it's come to our notice that anti-ageing and skin perfecting products have been a talking point in the media. An article appeared in a Sunday supplement about scientific approaches to skincare, and the topic featured in a recent Radio 4 Woman's Hour debate.

It seems that there is a rising tide of awareness about 'high-tech' skincare, and equally, some confusion about which products contain the best anti-ageing components, and whether they deliver all that they promise.

The Woman's Hour debate featured a banned L'Oreal advertisement featuring Rachel Weisz. It was successfully argued that the ad was misleading due to the fact that Miss Weisz's image had been 'enhanced' or airbrushed to depict the level of skin smoothing effects that the product was supposed to deliver. This was challenged by L'Oreal, saying that they had all the scientific evidence to back up their claims; and indeed any skincare manufacturer making these types of claims now has to provide substantial clinical proof of it's product's effectiveness.

We must make clear here that the banning of the advertisement wasn't about the effectiveness of the product, but refers to the enhancing of the pictures to sell it.

L'Oreal and many other companies invest huge sums of money in research and development of new products - reputedly, L'Oreal invests around £545m a year in scientists working in research centres around the world.

As a practitioner, the recurring comment that I hear from clients is that before they started to use Environ Skincare, they were completely baffled by the amount of products on offer, and what they were supposed to be using for their particular skin concerns. This is completely understandable; just walk into any beauty department in a store, and you are faced with endless choices, all claiming to be the best, most effective product available for turning back the clock.

If you're looking for serious results from your skincare products, then you need to be looking for a cosmeceutical product. These types of products are far more active than products you can buy 'off the shelf' and are only available through qualified and trained practitioners.

A cosmeceutical product such as Environ will have a positive effect on your skin. The main active ingredients in Environ skincare are vitamins - A, E and C.

A is your skin's best friend! Why? It's easily metabolised by your skin, and it's anti-oxidant properties neutralise harmful free radicals that can cause tissue and cellular damage. The damage to tissues and cells leads to skin breakdown and premature ageing. It's also proven to reverse damage already caused to skin cells.

A Cosmeceutical product will make your skin look younger because it's a scientifically proven formulation, such as Environ, but its not available 'off the shelf', and you need advice on how to build up the levels of vitamins that you are applying to your skin.

Want better, younger looking skin? Then find a qualified skin practitoner, get some advice, and start using a product that will give you seriously good results!

www.weddingpicsandbeautytips.blogspot.com

www.watersedgeclinic.co.uk

Environ - The Beauty Editor's Choice

2012-01-24T03:48:00.000-08:00

How you age is all about your genes and lifestyle, but Good Housekeeping Beauty Directors Eve Cameron and Suzanne Duckett believe there are products, tips and treatments that can give your looks a lift and re-set your beauty clock fast!

Suzanne suggests Environ's Focus Frown Treatment. She says "I'm a fan of facials for instant wrinkle busting. Environ's Focus Frown treatment smoothes and softens lines and reduces muscle tension, wiping out even a fairly deep frown line"

When beauty guru's such as Suzanne and Eve are singing the praises of Environ treatments, you know it's worth a try!

The Focus Frown Treatment offers a safe and effective alternative to injectable muscle relaxants and line fillers. It works, it's painless, and there's no swelling!

Waters Edge Clinic offers free consultations on all Environ skincare products and treatments, so you can be sure that you get the right solution for your skin and anti-ageing concerns.

Visit www.watersedgeclinic.co.uk for more information on Environ Skincare and Environ Treatments

.....And we're back!

2012-01-21T10:18:00.000-08:00

Yes, we're back, and what a way to return.....our first Visia skin analysis clinic of 2012 took place on 17th January, and we were pleased to welcome back our clients for their follow-up facial scans.

You know how we say 'Dramatic Results Without Surgery?' well, the improvements that were noted in everyone's skin were indeed nothing short of dramatic!

After just 3 months of using Environ Skincare products, the second image scans showed fantastic improvements in skin conditions such as pigmentation, dehydration, ageing and acne scarring. There were lots of happy (not to mention glowing) faces!

If proof was ever needed that Environ Skincare has the ability to truly make a difference to skin health and appearance, this was it! Being able to look at what is happening in the deeper layers of the skin is a great advantage, not least because we can head off potential problems by prescribing the right course of action to both correct skin problems and improve skin appearance.

Let's not forget that what is happening at the 'unseen' levels in the skin will, in time, be very visible on the surface.

Some of our clients who came for their first scans 3 months ago were very much thinking and saying that it was probably 'too late' for them to rescue their skin - how good it was to be able to show them that not only had we begun to rescue their skins, but in fact there had been definate improvements.

The lesson? It's never too late - at least not when you have a product like Environ !

Satsumas and taking the pith

2011-12-14T02:46:00.000-08:00

We've just had a little nugget of nutritional information passed on to us by the iiaa the Institute for Anti Ageing, and we thought we'd share it with you.

Satsumas and clementines are traditionally eaten in abundance at Christmas time. Do you painstakingly strip off every trace of those little white fibre veins from your fruit? Or do you simply peel and eat the lot?

Exciting nutritional benefits are to be found in the bits of fruits and veg that we often discard. Hesperidin is a bioflavonoid found in citrus fruits, most highly concentrated in the white pith.

According to nutritionist Patrick Holford, bioflavonoids like hesperidin strengthen capillaries, stabilise vitamin C and have potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Boost your intake with our Advanced Nutrition Programme Skin Collagen Support supplement (110mg of hesperidin per 2 capsules)

And next time you peel your fruit, enjoy the white stuff too!

For more information on the Advanced Nutrition Programme, vistit our website

www.watersedgeclinic.co.uk

Fast Fixes For Busy Girlies

2011-12-09T04:57:00.000-08:00

It's getting to that time of year where we are preparing for the Christmas festivities, and all that shopping, planning, cooking and cleaning can play havoc with a girl's nails!

Here at Waters Edge Clinic we know that spare time can be in short supply as we get closer to the 'Big Day', and finding the time to sit and wait for your nails to dry after a manicure is definately not on the priority list!

So why not try Shellac, the manicure that gives a high gloss shine for 14 days or more, with no danger of chipping or splitting nails? Even better, your nails are dry instantly, so you're ready to go immediately your manicure is completed - and you won't have to worry about smudging either, as the high gloss finish seals and protects your nails.

It's another thing on your list that you can tick as 'done' and forget for 2 weeks during the festive period, and no matter how hard you party, your nails will always look immaculate! We have a special discount on Shellac manicures throughout December, so it's an even better treat!

Talking of needing quick fixes to get you looking good for the party season, how about a treatment for perking up your eyes that takes about 35 minutes, and is guaranteed to give tired eyes a 'lift'?

Our Express Eye Lift does just that! Using gentle microcurrent lifting techniques, we'll have those dark circles, puffy eyes and fine lines sorted in no time!

See our website, www.watersedgeclinic.co.uk for full details of these fast fixes, guaranteed to leave you looking sparkling with minimum time and effort this Christmas!www.watersedgeclinic.co.uk

Forget The Dukan - here's the Kandu diet!

2011-11-27T11:31:00.000-08:00

So here's an idea; swap the Dukan diet for the Kandu diet. Heres how it goes:
I Kandu a Saturday night curry (home cooked by Chef D with only healthy ingredients ;)and I Kandu a Sunday morning croissant. The secret? Eat a small portion and work out like a maniac!
That's all there is to the Kandu diet!

The Westbourne Clinic

2011-11-22T08:43:00.000-08:00

Just a reminder that we are providing IPL hair removal treatments and Celluwell Sonic permanent fat and cellulite reduction treatments at The Westbourne Clinic.

This is a lovely clinic, run by a lovely young lady, Laura Cox. We're very happy to be working with her.

The Westbourne Clinic is located at:

22a East Street, Westbourne, Hampshire, PO10 8SJ Tel 01243 373710

www.westbourneclinic.co.uk