Face Clinic London

Beauty Buy: Blemish + Age Cleansing Gel

Dr Nazim Mahmood — Sun, 12 May 2013 22:13:12 +0000

With summer on the horizon, there is no better time than now to use a really good facial cleanser to get your skin glowing for the glorious upcoming months.

The harsh cold winter often makes your skin dull and no-one wants to be looking tired and weary when they hit the beach!

Shine inside and out, just like the sun, by exfoliating your skin and decongesting those blocked up pores. That is why we have chosen the innovative Blemish + Age Cleansing Gel as our beauty buy.

What are the benefits?

This cleanser contains glycolic and salicylic acid which are great for reducing acne breakouts and brightening the skin. So if your skin is prone to blemishes and impurities when the temperatures rise, this is perfect to remove those excess oils.

Unclog your pores whilst diminishing surface indicators of age with precise cell-by-cell exfoliation. Suffer from fine lines, wrinkles, discolorations and rough texture? This facial cleanser is key to healthy-looking, radiant skin this summer.

If your skin is prone to acne this unique gel addresses those embarrassing flare-ups, as well as visible signs of aging. It couldn’t be simpler!

What is the science behind the magic?

Lipo Hydroxy Acid: LHA exfoliates the skin, decongests clogged pores, refines the skin’s surface, and has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory effects.
Glycolic acid: This Alpha Hydroxy acid (AHA) eliminates dead skin cell build-up and improves skin hydration.
Salicylic acid: This Beta Hydroxy acid refines the pores and helps reduce acne.

How much does it cost?

This product is not available on the high street but can be picked up at our Skincare Store at £33 for a 250ml bottle.

SkinCeuticals is a reputable manufacturer as they only use high quality ingredients and many of their products are backed by scientific evidence, so you can get peace of mind that it really does work.

There you have it- our best beauty buy of the month. Purchase it today and get fresh glowing skin just in time for summer. Have you used the Blemish + Age Cleansing Gel before? Let us know your thoughts by commenting below!

Don’t Sweat, Just Botox!

Claire Mason — Tue, 07 May 2013 08:00:21 +0000

The sun is shining, the pub is full and you are still wearing layers to hide your damp armpits and trying not to get to close to anyone – sound like you? Don’t panic! You are not alone and treatment is possible!

For most people, sweating occurs naturally after exercise or if you are particularly nervous (like a job interview!) but for some people, it’s a real issue. Sweating is the body’s natural cooling mechanism.

The problem occurs when the body produces more sweat than is necessary to cool the body, and this is known as Hyperhidrosis or excessive sweating. Excessive sweating is most common on the palms of the hands, the soles of the feet and the underarms; and affects men and women equally.

Excessive sweating is actually more common than you think and understandably sufferers often feel embarrassed to talk about it openly or seek help. They may instead take steps in their life to avoid situations where they might be likely to sweat – such as avoiding close contact, handshakes and physical exertion.

But what if you have to do those things on a daily basis? For example, a Dentist or a PE Teacher – they can’t avoid close contact or physical exertion – it’s their job! Imagine trying to avoid handshakes at work – or taking a change of clothing to work as you feel embarrassed to give a presentation due to wetness or staining of your clothes from excessive sweating.

Hyperhidrosis can therefore severely impact your everyday life and cause a huge amount of stress as you constantly worry and try to avoid situations where you may experience visible sweating. If you can relate to this, then no doubt it’s affecting your confidence, performance at work and your social life too, right?

So can you do anything about it? The answer is a resounding YES!

You can take control today and start living a normal active life without fear of those embarrassing damp patches re-appearing! Making a few of the following lifestyle changes may reduce the amount of sweat you produce:

Review your diet – certain foods are known to trigger Hyperhidrosis like all things spicy!
Use natural products and clothes, (such as cotton fibres), to prevent irritation and overheating and wear clothes that don’t cling to the areas that sweat the most
Use antiperspirants instead of deodorants. Deodorants simply mask smells whereas antiperspirants actively reduce the amount of sweat
Baby wipes are handy to keep in your bag for freshening up quickly and discreetly!
Socks and shoes should be changed at least once, if not twice a day
Use an absorbent foot powder everyday
Avoid footwear that do not allow the feet to “breathe”

These are just a few simple ways to help control sweating. However if you have tried all the above and are still suffering, help is at hand.

The first thing to try is a strong antiperspirant that contains aluminum chloride to block the sweat duct openings. These are available at a local pharmacy or via your GP: Dricolor is the most well known strong antiperspirant brand. However they only last 48 hours, and may cause stinging and itching and therefore may not be a suitable long term solution for some.

If you’ve tried aluminum chloride and it’s ineffective, or you want a more long term solution; then Botulinum toxin injections ((Botox®) should be considered. Botox injections are an effective treatment for reducing excessive sweating in areas such as the armpit and forehead.

Botox injections for excessive sweating are quick to perform; taking around 20 minutes, and involves tiny injections just under the skin. The injections are not very painful and they work by blocking the nerves in the skin that control the sweat glands.

The treatment will start to work in about 7 days after the injections and the effects last for around six months. You can expect around a 90% reduction in your sweating from the treatment.

So not only is the treatment is quick, effective and safe, it can also make a huge difference to the everyday lives and confidence levels of those who suffer with excessive sweating.

Face Clinic London offer Botox® for excessive sweating and have two clinics in London located in Soho Central London, Harley Street. Their treatments are performed by qualified doctors, to book a free consultation or find out more please visit their website,

Better Cosmetic Industry Regulation Recommended following Government Review

Dr Nazim Mahmood — Sun, 05 May 2013 20:43:00 +0000

A recent government review into the cosmetic industry has recommended tighter regulation of certain cosmetic treatments as published in a report by the Department of Health in April.

The review led by Sir Bruce Keogh, the Health Service’s Medical Director claims that procedures including laser hair removal, Botox and dermal fillers account for 90% of cosmetic procedures in the UK and that better regulation is needed.

The panel of experts have advised that skilled and responsible practitioners and providers offer cosmetic treatments.

They would also like to encourage the public to be better informed and empowered by ensuring they are offered accurate advice and accessible redress if problems arise following a cosmetic procedure.

The report also suggests that UK legislation should be introduced to make dermal fillers prescription only.

Dermal fillers were highlighted as an area of concern because at present, any person, without medical training can set up and give dermal filler injections.

They also highlighted the worrying the ease with which injectable filler products can be bought online and administered at home, as well as the lack of sufficient checks on the quality of certain new dermal fillers.

The committee want to ensure that all practitioners are properly trained and qualified and anyone performing dermal filler treatments, to be accountable to a professional regulator.

This could be provided via professional regulation that already exists for doctors, nurses and dentists in the form of the GMC, NMC and GDC respectively.

Here at Face Clinic London, we welcome the report’s findings and agree that only qualified and trained medical professionals should carry out injectable cosmetic treatments.

All injectable treatments at Face Clinic London are performed by qualified and trained GMC registered doctors. We use long established European and / or FDA approved dermal filler brands.

All patients having treatment with us should feel confident that their practitioner is trained, qualified and regulated and will carry out the procedure safely.

Most people would agree that better regulation is needed to protect the public however there may be some years yet before that protection arrives, as the recommendations need to be agreed by government and then implemented.

What do you think? We’d love to hear your thoughts.

Banish Uneven Skin Tone With Pigment Regulator

Dr Nazim Mahmood — Wed, 01 May 2013 16:05:08 +0000

Summer is here – almost, and it’s that time of year when the sun comes out and out come all the freckles, blotches and skin blemishes!

Visible dark spots or patches can be identified on the skin’s surface, leaving skin with an un-even appearance, with sun exposure from the sun’s rays being the main cause.

So if you’re fed up of using make up to hide those unwanted freckles, dark patches or unsightly blemishes and you want to banish uneven skin tone for good; it’s time to try our beauty buy of the month – Pigment Regulator!

So what is it?

Melanin is the skin’s natural pigment which gives us all our individual natural skin tone and colour, which can darken or tan when exposed to sunlight or sun beds.

Pigment Regulator works on reducing melanin in the skin. It is a highly effective approach to full facial skin lightening offering a safe alternative to more disruptive medical skin lightening treatments.

It is ideal for those with patchy and localised areas of excess skin pigmentation, melasma, (which is skin pigmentation caused by hormonal changes), sun burnt skin, freckles, age spots and acne related discolorations, providing a natural, radiant even skin tone!

Made by SkinCeuticals, a world renowned skincare company, specialising in science led anti-aging products. SkinCeuticals offer products that gently and safely address this common skin concern by helping to reduce the appearance of dark spots and protecting against the development of further pigmentation.

How does it work?

Pigment Regulator reduces melanin in the skin via a formulation of kojic acid and emblica with a highly efficient exfoliating blend. Here is more information about these ingredients:

Kojic acid is a tyrosinase inhibitor which reduces production of excess amounts of melanin and signs of redness, as well as having antibacterial and antifungal properties
Emblica is a melanosome transfer inhibitor which prevents excess melanin from reaching the skin’s surface – a plant extract containing antioxidant properties
Exfoliants to break up and reduce melanin clusters on the skin’s surface and provide a vibrant and even skin surface

What are the benefits?

It is safe and as effective than harsher skin lightening methods such as 4% Hydroquinone
May be used all over the face to reduce local and diffused excess hyperpigmentation
Provides a natural even skin tone unlike harsh bleaching agents
Reduces brown spots, freckles, dark patches, redness and blotchiness
Improves overall skin tone for a brighter, more radiant appearance
Prevents future discolourations
May be used on a daily basis long term without unhealthy side effects

How to you use it?

Apply to the face, neck and chest twice daily. For optimum results, use as part of a SkinCeuticals regime that includes a topical antioxidant and a broad-spectrum sunscreen.

Which other treatments can it be combined with?

Products which can be combined with pigment regulator to attain optimal results are antioxidants and sunscreens which together can effectively block UVA and UVB sun rays and prevent further new pigmentation occurring and stop existing pigmentation from becoming deeper.

Retinol is an effective corrective treatment which can be used at night to treat pigmentation in combination with Pigment Regulator.

Pigment Regulator can also be tried before other non-invasive rejuvenating procedures aimed at treating pigmentation such as laser, microdermabrasion and chemical peels.

So if you are tired of your skin complexion and are looking for an alternative treatment to even up your skin tone, then consider Pigment Regulator by Skinceuticals. Pigment Regulator is available in store at our Soho clinic or online via our skincare store.

7 Ways to Look Younger This Summer without Going under the Knife

Dr Nazim Mahmood — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 21:36:46 +0000

The sun is out and the birds are singing. It can only mean one thing; spring/summer has definitely arrived.

Everyone wants to look their best at this time of year; to have clear, glowing skin and healthy luscious locks. But did you know that you can look and feel younger this summer, without going under the knife?

Facelifts are so last year. Instead, people are choosing to fake it- the easy way. You can look fresh and firm, without plastic surgery, and here are our top tips:

1. Botox

You can stop the clock and wrestle with those wrinkles with Botox treatment. If you have suffered from excessive sun exposure in the past, you can develop frown wrinkles as well as crow’s feet.

Botox is quick and easy, extremely safe, and it can last from 3 to 4 months. So if you get it now, it will last you most of the summer!

2. Facial Exercises

As we age, our skin loses its elasticity and the muscles in our neck start to sag. Gravity unfortunately takes its toll and the end result is a ‘turkey neck’. This is the last thing you want when you swap those polo neck jumpers for fitted tees.

You can try some facial exercises to reduce the appearance, and you can also use neck creams and serums to firm the skin.

3. Quality Skincare

As summer approaches its essential to be using a high quality antioxidant serum such as Phloretin from SkinCeuticals, which has been shown to prevent damage caused by our busy urban lives including sun damage and environmental pollutants.

If you are planning a trip away in the sun, its imperative to protect your skin from the harmful effects of the sun, we have some of the best sunscreens available, that not only protect your skin from premature ageing but can also reduce your risk of skin cancer caused by UVA and UVB sun rays.

We recommend SkinCeuticals Sheer Mineral Sunscreen. All skincare products mentioned on this blog are available in store from our Soho clinic or online via our Skincare Store.

Also try the A.G.E Interrupter anti-aging cream. It contains 30% Proxylane which improves anchorage of the skin’s upper layers to increase elasticity and thickness. It also has 4% blueberry extract which acts as an antioxidant. Overall, it is formulated to improve the creping, thinning appearance of mature skin. Make sure you apply it in an upward motion.

4. Get a facial

Over the cold harsh winter, your skin can lose its sparkle and start to look dull. Now is the perfect time to get a facial.

You can use daily facial cleansers that are mild and gentle on your skin, but you should still use a thorough one and really exfoliate your skin at least once every 2 weeks.

Be careful though because you don’t want to strip the skin of its essentials lipids, anti-oxidants and water-binding substances by getting a facial that is too harsh.

5. Feed your face

There are a number of foods that you can eat this summer which can help you to look younger. There are various natural foods which can give you a natural glow and some of these include;

Eggs are rich in zinc which is important for healthy skin, as it controls oil production in the skin.
Strawberries are packed full of Vitamin C which keeps your skin smooth and rejuvenated, and wrinkle free. Other foods with vitamin C are broccoli and oranges.
Tomatoes are excellent at preventing fine lines and wrinkles because they contain lycopene, which can help to protect the skin from sun damage.

As well as eating healthily, make sure you drink plenty of water on a daily basis to prevent getting dehydrated.

6. Work the eyes

They say the eyes are the windows to your soul and they can show your true age. Brighten them up this summer and make them bag-free with the help of an eye serum. We recommend SkinCeuticals AOX eye gel proven to prevent the delicate eye area from both environmental and sun related ageing.

As well as preventing dark circles, rejuvenate your lashes and lift them up more to open up your eye shape. Try out cosmetic innovation Revitalash. The eyelash condition will give you longer, thicker and fuller eyelashes so you can flutter your lashes to your heart’s content.

Please note that you can only pick up Revitalash at our Soho clinic, so pop in and make your natural eyelashes look young and beautiful this season.

7. Semi-permanent makeup

Your makeup can do wonders to knock off the years. Use primers that tighten your skin, a good firming foundation, a great under-eye concealer, and chisel your cheekbones with some blusher.

Did you know that a well-shaped eyebrow can help to disguise sagging eyelids? Our semi-permanent eyebrow makeup is perfect to give you an attraction, youthful eyebrow every day this summer.

So there you have it- 6 ways to rejuvenate your complexion before you hit the beach! For a free consultation on any of the treatments mentioned above, please get in touch via our contact page.

Wedding Season Arrives: Would you consider Botox?

Dr Nazim Mahmood — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 21:03:13 +0000

Spring is in the air which can only mean one thing; the wedding season is just around the corner.

Many loved-up couples choose the gorgeous spring/summer time to tie the knot. Although the great British weather is extremely unpredictable, the chances are you might experience a sunnier, warmer day in contrast to October or November time.

Now every person wants to look their best for the big day. Some men and women spend hundreds of pounds in the run-up to their wedding on beauty products and skincare treatments.

But is it a crime to want to look beautiful and flawless? Of course not! As after all, everyone only plans on getting married once.

Getting a facial or a back massage is the perfect way to relax during the stressful few months before a wedding. All the planning can get extremely hectic, but you can soon unwind by going to a spa or getting your nails done.

And more and more brides and groom-to-be’s are turning to Botox to look their best. There is a lot of pressure to impress at a wedding; the pictures are going to stay with you for the rest of your life, so it is imperative that you feel confident in your skin.

Some photographers do not like to airbrush photos, to make them appear as natural as possible, which means you don’t quite get the immaculate look that you may want.

How long before your wedding should you wait before having Botox?

We recommend you to have the Botox injections at least one month before the big day. It is always important to do a test-run; even though Botox treatment is quick and safe, if you have never had it before it is understandable that you may feel a little nervous.

However, it can take about 7-14 days to see the full effects after the initial treatment which is why we advise you to have it done at least a month before.

Also, you should avoid alcohol, facial massages and extreme changes in temperature such as steam rooms and sauna’s for 24 to 48 hours after the procedure- so take this into account when arranging your hen or stag do.

Are there side effects?

Botox injections are relatively painless but you might find that you experience slight tenderness and mild pain during the injection. There may be some minor swelling immediately after the injection; however this normally settles after about 30 minutes.

You may also get some slight bruising the next day, which is relatively uncommon, and is why we recommend you to get it done in advance.

Which areas on the face can you have Botox?

Generally, Botox works well for the frown, forehead and eye wrinkles. During the big day, you will find yourself overwhelmed with emotions and this may be evident in your facial expressions.

If you have any unwanted horizontal lines across your forehead, or frown lines in the area between your eyebrows, or crow’s feet in the outer corner of the eyes and you want to get rid of them for your wedding, you can with the help of Botox.

Botox for excessive sweating before your wedding

Another treatment which is becoming popular to have before a wedding or other significant occasion is hyperhidrosis treatment, also known as excessive sweating treatment.

Some people are prone to excessive sweating in response to hot temperatures, stress or emotion which is more likely to be a problem on an important occasion such as your wedding.

Botox can be injected into areas prone to excessive sweating such as the underarm or the forehead and can reduce sweating by up to 90 to 100 per cent.

The treatment involves small injections of Botox, and takes about 15 minutes to complete. The treatment takes effect in about 5 to 7 days and the sweating can be stopped or significantly reduced for about 4 to 6 months.

So if you are engaged to marry and you are considering Botox, make sure you get it done at least one month before to ensure your muscles have time to respond, and the treatment to take full effect. You want to be able to true show your true emotions on your big day and not worry about anything else!

Find out more about the wrinkle treatment by clicking here, or sweating treatment here, and for a free consultation get in touch via our contact page.

How Long Do You Take Applying Makeup?

Dr Nazim Mahmood — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 21:56:42 +0000

Did you know that women in the UK spend over a year of their lives applying makeup?

We all know that it is hard work to look beautiful on a daily basis, but how much time do you devote to looking good?
A recent survey has revealed that women spend 474 days putting on makeup; that’s one year and three months of their lives putting cosmetics onto their face.

It translates to devoting three hours and 19 minutes every week standing in front of the mirror- and it is eye makeup that is consuming the most amount of our time. The average woman takes 17 minutes every night out to apply eye shadow, eyeliner, mascara and groom the eyebrows.

All in all, that’s a lot of time being wasted, especially when you don’t have to exhaust so much energy!
You can save time and money by using semi-permanent makeup. Nowadays, we live in such a fast-paced, hectic world that such time-saving treatments can really be a lifesaver.

Do you spend a lot of time adding depth and definition to your eyebrows?
Do you use many cosmetics to try and create luscious lips?
Do you spend hours every day creating a natural Smokey eye look?

The bad news is that’s a lot of time that could be better spent elsewhere. Like working or spending time with your little ones. The good news is that you can combat the demanding procedure with our innovative semi-permanent makeup treatments.

A massive 93% of the women surveyed said that they could never give up their makeup because it is a necessity on a night out; and half confessed that they need to wear it to work. However, you don’t have to exhaust so much time, and similarly, you don’t have to give it up completely.

We are all in a rush in the morning to get ready and it’s not a crime to want to look at your best. With our help, you can go to bed looking polished and wake up looking au natural. You don’t need to go a single day worrying about your makeup smudging at the gym or when swimming; and you don’t need to carry hoards of cosmetics around.

Interested in semi-permanent eyeliner and eyebrow makeup? Considering semi-permanent lip liner and lip makeup, or beauty spots?

Find out more about semi-permanent makeup here, or contact us for a free consultation. Our highly qualified makeup technician, Rachel Pittman, will be able to answer any of your queries!

3 Hottest Beauty Looks for Spring and Summer 2013

Dr Nazim Mahmood — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 23:03:49 +0000

Spring has officially sprung, although the weather outside may not be quite there yet. We will soon hear the birds tweeting and the sun shining. The team at Face Clinic London just love this time of year- you can soon hope to ditch the raincoats and denim jeans and swap them for floral blouses and pretty skirts.

All the designer catwalks for spring/summer have kicked off with a bang, featuring the latest upcoming trends that all fashionistas should follow. Do you want to get the hottest looks? Who can blame you!

This season the beauty world is full to the brim with must-have nails, luscious lips and smouldering eyes. There is no better time than now to get your legs out, display a youthful complexion and enjoy the glorious weather.

Here are the top 3 hottest looks:

It’s all about the eyes

Everyone from Versace to Gucci has showcased gorgeous smouldering smokey eyes on their runways. Fashion house Chanel even took the trend one step further, featuring silver glitter particles on all the model’s eyes.

This spring/summer 2013, be bold with your eyes to create feminine fluttery lashes. Have you tried our semi-permanent cosmetics? Our semi permanent eyeliner make-up is ideal if you struggle to apply eyeliner; and our Smokey Eye liner blend will give a soft, sultry and feathery finish to frame your lashes beautifully.

Rachel Pitman our semi permanent make up specialist can apply a seductive and smoky effect to give a sultry and feathery finish to frame your lashes beautifully. Here is an example of her work applying a smokey eyeliner effect in a real client.

Semi Permanent Smokey Eyeliner

But with all the attention focused on your eyes, don’t forget to make sure they look youthful and bag-free. There are some great eye serums in our Skincare store that work wonders to prevent and correct dark circles and eye puffiness.

You can also revitalise the look of your lashes with Revitalash, a cosmetic innovation. The Eyelash Conditioner will dramatically beautify your eyelashes giving you longer, thicker and fuller eyelashes.

Revitalash is the number one lash product in the States, simply because it is proven to work in giving fuller and longer eyelashes without the need to use damaging eyelash extensions. You can only pick up Revitalash at our Soho clinic, so pop in and make your natural eyelashes look beautiful this season.

Revitalash Advanced

Nail extravaganza

This season everyone is going wild for exotic, head-turning nails. The vast choice of polishes available to purchase is never-ending. The world is your oyster with leather-look nails from Nails Inc.; the liquid sand texture from OPI; and Ciaté’s Colourfoil nails.

Alternatively, the new limited-edition polishes from Illamasqua look like speckled bird’s eggs and are really quite pretty!

Luscious lips

This is one of the biggest trends for the season. Bold, matte lips. All the designers are going crazy for bright shades that give you an instant pop. If you want to jump on board the style wagon this spring/summer, luscious colourful lips with take your look to a whole new level.

Get in touch with us today by clicking here and ask us about our state-of-the-art Semi Permanent Lip Liner and Lip Make up!

Semi permanent lip make up can define the shape of your mouth, implanting a soft blend of pigment for that just kissed plumped up blush. This enhancement add lost pigment to your lips, but can also achieve an impression of improved lip volume.

Lip dermal fillers can also enhance the lips making them fuller, more shapely and with a defined border.

So these are the top 3 beauty trends for 2013. Make sure you take care of your skin this season and have a step by step cleansing regime to protect your skin from harmful sunrays.

Beauty Buy of the Month: Hydrating B5 Gel

Dr Nazim Mahmood — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 21:50:04 +0000

The weather just cannot make up its mind can it? One day spring has sprung and the sun is shining, and the next minute the UK is experiencing cold showers, gale force winds and even snow.

The changing climate can be really harmful on your face. It is extremely important at this time of year to protect your skin from damaging UVA and UVB rays, so daily antioxidant use is essential to protect your skin. After applying an antioxidant serum, you also need to use a great moisturiser to adequately hydrate your skin giving added protection from the cold weather, central heating, air conditioning as well as sun damage.

That is why we have chosen the innovative Hydrating B5 Gel as our best beauty buy of the month!

Hydrating B5 Gel

What are the benefits?

Replenishes the nutrients your skin needs to feel smooth and supple. Enriched with vitamin B5, it is proven to accelerate skin repair and has a skin regenerating effect.

Contains hyaluronic acid which is a natural protein made by our own bodies. It boosts the production of collagen and elastin, therefore increasing the repair of dead skin cells and delaying the formation of lines and wrinkles, leaving the skin appearing younger.

Hyaluronic acid can also hold and absorb large amounts of moisture. This means that not only does it protect the skin and give it a plump appearance, but it is also oil-free, so it won’t leave you feeling oily under the heat.

What is it suitable for?

Dehydration
Dry skin
Normal or combination skin

Which celebrities use it?

We’ll let you into a secret that none of the celebrities want you to know- some big stars use this product to stay fresh-faced and fabulous on the red carpet. The must-have gel can be found both in Kristen Stewart and Gwyneth Paltrow’s beauty bag.

How much does it cost?

SkinCeuticals is an extremely reputable manufacturer as they only use high quality ingredients. Many of their products are backed by scientific evidence, so you can be sure they have active ingredients that really work and are making a difference to your skin.

As they are a cut above regular cosmetic products, the SkinCeuticals brand is not available on the high street and regular department stores, and only available to purchase through approved medical spa’s including Face Clinic London and their online Skincare store at just £59 for a 30ml bottle which will last you for three months.

SkinCeuticals are used and recommended by dermatologists, plastic surgeons, select pharmacies, and medical spas all over the UK to correct the signs of aging and prevent future damage. Just try it for yourself to see why everyone is raving about the brand, you’ll never look back!

Why is it ideal?

It nourishes, protects and hydrates; maximising the benefits of a normal, daily moisturiser.

How do you use it?

Simply apply 2-3 drops on the face, neck and chest once or twice a day. Make sure you avoid your eyes. You can also apply it to other areas of the body that may be dehydrated. We highly recommended you to use it after applying a SkinCeuticals antioxidant serum and follow with a SkinCeuticals Sunscreen.

So there you have our beauty buy of the month. Click through to our store to purchase. Have you used Hydrating B5 Grl before? Let us know your thoughts!

Skin Tag and Wart Removal Service at Face Clinic London

Dr Nazim Mahmood — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 20:13:17 +0000

Face Clinic London are now offering skin tag and wart removal services at their Soho Clinic. Skin tags and warts are harmless fleshy lumps that can appear anywhere on the body especially in the neck, chest, face, hands and groin.

They can look unsightly, grow in size, cause irritation and sometimes snag against clothes and jewellery. They can be quickly and easily removed using liquid nitrogen freezing treatment which takes a few minutes. Liquid nitrogen has been used for many years to treat skin tags and warts and is safe and very effective.

At Face Clinic London we use Cryopen liquid nitrogen Cryotherapy treatment to remove skin tags. CryoPen is more accurate compared to traditional freezing treatments using a canister. It therefore causes less discomfort, allows deeper freezing and more effective results.

After the treatment the skin tags or warts will change colour and drop off after a few days and the skin will heal within a week. Occasionally a second freezing treatment is needed which is not charged for.

Skin tag and wart treatments at Face Clinic London are performed only by our doctors at our Soho Clinic in Central London. You should have a consultation with our doctor to assess the skin lesion before starting the treatment. The treatment takes only a few minutes and you are free to return to your normal activities as soon as you leave the clinic.

Find out more about Skin tag removal and wart removal including prices by visiting the relevant pages on our website. Appointments can be booked online, via email or by calling our Soho clinic on 08456044992 after 11am.

Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas from Face Clinic London

Dr Nazim Mahmood — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 00:11:36 +0000

As Valentine’s day approaches here are some last minute gift ideas from Face Clinic London. We offer high quality skincare products from brands such as SkinCeuticals, who offer premium skincare containing medical grade active ingredients, so you can be sure they are actually working. They have years of scientific data and reviews to back their claims. Here is a selection of three of our best selling products from SkinCeuticals which would make the perfect Valentines gift.

Antioxidant Serums

Antioxidant serums are the most important part of any daily skincare regime and are scientifically proven to work. They not only nourish the skin with high dose vitamins which protect against everyday environmental factors that harm the skin such as smoking and pollution they also protect the skin from the ageing effects of UVA and UVB sun damage.

Phloretin CF

Phloretin CF is the highest quality antioxidant serum available and has patent-pending technology, and includes a broad range antioxidants such as Phloretin, Vitamin C and Ferulic acid. It is used once a day after cleansing and before applying a moisturiser. A 30 ml bottle costs £150 and will last for three months. Buy online now.

AOX+ Eye Gel

AOX+ Eye Gel Is an antioxidant serum which is designed specifically for the delicate under eye area. The skin around the eye is thinner and therefore more prone to the premature ageing and requires a targeted preventative anti-ageing antioxidant eye preparation. AOX+ Eye gel also works to reduce the appearance of puffiness and combats signs of tiredness to restore a fresh and vibrant appearance around the eyes. It costs £70 for a 30ml bottle which will last for three months. Buy online now.

Hyaluronic Acid Moisturiser

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring protein made by our own bodies and is present in our skin. It binds with and boosts the production of collagen and elastin, thereby increasing the repair of dead skin cells and delaying the formation of lines and wrinkles.

Hydrating B5 Gel

Hydrating B5 Gel is a moisturiser which contains a high level of hyaluronic acid and harnesses its positive effects. It is also enriched with vitamin B5 which is known to help with tissue repair. This combination helps to bind moisture to the skin leaving it looking supple and smooth. The gel is free of oils, suitable for all skin types and is recommended for use as a moisturiser after applying an antioxidant serum. It costs £59 for a 30ml bottle. Buy online now.

All of these skincare products and many more are available to purchase online from our Skincare Store and can delivered to a specified address. They can also be purchased in store at our Soho Clinic.

Face Clinic London Gift Vouchers

Face Clinic gift vouchers are also available to purchase online. They’re valid for 12 months from the date of issue and can be redeemed against Botox, dermal filler, sweating treatments and chemical peels. Gift vouchers can be purchased from a value of £25 up to £300 – and will arrive at a nominated postal delivery address within 3-5 working days.

Cheek Fillers With Reduced Treatment Recovery Time

Dr Nazim Mahmood — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 11:00:33 +0000

Face Clinic London are launching a cheek dermal filler service using a new cannula technique which offers reduced downtime and faster recovery compared to standard injection based treatments.

Dermal fillers have been used for many years for facial aesthetic treatments to reduce the appearance of unwanted wrinkles, create facial contour and restore volume. Their main benefit is that they are made of Hyaluronic Acid which is a substance that naturally exists in the body and replaces the volume that is naturally lost through the ageing process.

Dermal fillers are more commonly being used to enhance the cheeks particularly for those people with flattened facial features and sunken cheeks as a result of natural ageing or rapid weight loss. The results of cheek fillers can last for 12 months are of particular use for those people who want to enhance their cheeks without taking on the risks associated with invasive plastic surgery, surgical facelift and permanent implants.

Traditional techniques which use a needle to inject the dermal filler come with increased rates of bruising and swelling, Face Clinic London are launching a cheek filler treatment which uses an advanced cannula technique which reduces the risk of bruising and swelling, diminishes overall downtime, and speeds up recovery from the procedure.

The benefits of this new technique lie in the fact that a cannula is used to inject the dermal filler instead of a needle. A cannula is a small blunt hollow tube which does not puncture the tissue like a sharp needle, but glides gently along the natural tissue connections. The blunt tip displaces blood vessels without injuring them thus reducing pain and swelling. There is only one injection point on each cheek, where the cannula is inserted, which results in a lot less pain compared to standard cheek filler procedures.

Dr Nazim Mahmood founder of Face Clinic London believes this technique has clear benefits compared to standard cheek filler injections. “The reduced trauma Cannula technology allows patients to resume their daily routine very quickly. No anaesthetic is needed before the procedure, a little numbing cream is applied and clients can resume their daily routines very quickly following the procedure”.

Botox and Depression: Can It Beat the Blues?

Louise Port — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 01:08:35 +0000

When most people think of Botox, the first thing that springs to mind is the cosmetic injection that smoothes away wrinkles and lines, and makes the face seem instantly younger-looking.

The medicinal uses for Botox are becoming better known too. It’s now been approved in more than 80 countries for over 20 conditions including migraines, hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) and various other medical conditions.

And now scientists believe it could also be used to treat depression – by physically stopping people frowning! A trial in the US has shown that Botox has relieved symptoms in more than a quarter of depressed patients.

Dr Eric Finzi of the Chevy Chase Cosmetic Centre has studied the influence that physical expressions have on our emotions. He believes that the mood of those with clinical depression can be improved by eradicating frown lines because frowning sends signals to the brain indicating the body is under stress.

Botox works by paralysing muscles to prevent them going into spasm or contracting regularly and it can therefore be used on the frown areas of a depressed patient’s face to physically stop a frown forming. So it’s not actually the Botox itself, but the effect which it has, which it’s claimed can lift a person’s mood.

Dr Finzi believes that by forcing someone to look constantly happy (by making their face form a deliberate smile and being physically unable to frown), they will actually FEEL happier.

This is because smiling releases endorphins, which make people feel happy, into the bloodstream … and it works, even if the smile is being faked! Negative facial expressions can make a person start to feel negative thoughts – force them to smile and they’ll start to feel happier.

In his most recent study, 27 per cent of those with severe depression reported that the illness had nearly completely gone. But after 8 months, when the effects of the Botox had worn off, many of them said their symptoms had come back.

Dr Finzi also believes in a ‘facial-feedback’ hypothesis – a feedback loop in which people frown back at someone who is depressed. But if a depressed person can’t frown because of Botox, then others won’t frown back at them, thereby breaking the loop and thereby reducing negative body signals which may help to elevate mood.

Of course, you don’t need to have Botox injections just to make you smile – we could all do with smiling a bit more! When we smile, our face becomes relaxed and we naturally feel happier.

As the saying goes, laugh and the world laughs with you. If you need some encouragement, here’s an interesting fact – laughing 100 times has the same effect on the body as being on a rowing machine for 10 minutes or riding a stationary bike for 15 minutes. So forget going to the gym, just have a good old chuckle instead!

Become A Guest Blogger For Face Clinic London

Dr Nazim Mahmood — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 00:36:08 +0000

Do you have an interesting story to tell relating to health or beauty- an experience to share about a recent cosmetic procedure or treatment you have had? Tell us about a new non surgical treatment that you have just tried and has really made a positive difference to your skin and body.

Are you passionate about a brand that has genuinely worked wonders for you and would like to let the blogosphere know? Or maybe you have just discovered a new skincare range, beauty tip or cosmetic regime that has made you look beautiful and feel great.

Do I need to be a professional blogger?

You don’t have to be a professional blogger or writer to submit a story to Face Clinic London – this could even be your first ever blog post! You just need to be passionate and have a knack for writing. We will publish the best stories on the Face Clinic London Blog.

What you get

Underneath your blog post we will publish a short bio about you (a few sentences), with a link to your own website, facebook or twitter profile. Great for getting your name out and your work noticed. So if you’d love to submit a post, please email us. Please read our submission guidelines below.

Submission guidelines

We only accept original work not published anywhere else either online or offline; please use citations where necessary. Your submission should be 500 words minimum. Including a picture with your article would really help, but make sure you send us evidence that you have permission to use the picture. We may not publish all posts submitted to us and those that are published may be edited by us.

Cosmetic and Beauty Trends To Look Out For In 2013

Louise Port — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 20:04:45 +0000

Unsurprisingly, the growth and popularity of cosmetic injectables, such as Botox, continued throughout 2012 and looks set to continue its upward trend well into 2013 and beyond.

At Face Clinic London we have seen a rise in the mainstream popularity of Botox in 2012, which has a lot to do with a change in social attitudes to the treatment. Having Botox is no longer thought of as something to hide, nor is it solely the preserve of the rich and famous as it once was. In fact, discussing where they’ve had their Botox done has replaced the similar conversations women used to have about their hair!

2012 was also the year we saw the rise in popularity of Boytox – with men becoming a more frequent sight in clinics offering Botox treatments – around 50 per cent of the clients at Face Clinic London are male. And because of the ever-evolving uses for Botox other than wrinkle treatments –such as for excessive sweating and newly approved migraine treatment- it is growing in popularity at close to 10% every year. There’s no doubt that 2013 will be no exception.

Looking at other trends for 2013, treatments for the eyes are set to become popular, always regarded as the ‘window to the soul’– more people will be seeking ‘eyejuvenation’ (cosmetic treatments for the eye area). This includes the aforementioned Botox treatments and dermal fillers, both of which help the eyes look less tired and bag-free! There are also some good quality eye serums on the market such as Skinceuticals AOX+ Eye Gel which works wonders for dark circles and tired looking eyes.

Looking at surgical procedures we think body contouring will feature highly in response to the growing worldwide obesity problem. The global body shaping and skin tightening market is projected to grow from approximately $400 million in 2011 to around $725 million in 2016.

Liposuction will still be 2013’s main fat reduction treatment but there will also be a big leap forward for semi-invasive alternatives such as freezing, ultrasound, and lasering. Around half of women say they would consider having fat pockets removed by a non-surgical procedure, according to a recent study by Syneron. Non-surgical procedures are currently growing at almost 10% a year and techniques are constantly developing, generating better results and lessening the recovering time.

Weight-loss surgery such as gastric-band are already popular, with the most in-demand procedures currently Abdominoplasty (also known as a ‘tummy tuck’), lower body lifts (to tighten loose, saggy skin in the buttocks, thighs and hips) and upper arm lifts (to remove what’s commonly known as ‘bingo wings’).

Will 2013 be the year of the implant? Maybe, but they’re not necessarily going to be for the breast! Because buttock implants are going to be the big thing of 2013. Buttock lifts and surgical and non-surgical buttock augmentations have already become trendy with international celebrities and this has created a real demand for these procedures. In fact, latest figures from the USA reveal that buttock implant surgery there rose a staggering 43% from 2010 to 2012.

Many of the top trends of the year, such as Botox injections and dermal fillers, are carried out at Face Clinic London – see our website for details.

Medical Uses for Botox – Not Just About A Pretty Face

Louise Port — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 23:05:07 +0000

We tend to think of Botox as that rather magical stuff which can make people look younger. When injected into the face, Botox can smooth away wrinkles and lines leaving the skin looking soft and youthful-looking, and so making men and women feel more confident and happy about their looks.

It’s been used as a non-surgical cosmetic treatment for more than 15 years and is the most popular we have on offer at Face Clinic London. And you might think that it would make the perfect Christmas present for someone.

Well, a Botox treatment from either our Soho or Harley Street clinic is likely to be welcomed by anyone who’s going to be indulging a little too much over Christmas – they could start the New Year with a Botox injection which would smooth away their frown lines, soften their forehead wrinkles and erase their crow’s feet after a whirlwind of festive excess! (vouchers for Botox treatments are available to purchase on-line).

But did you know that Botox (or botulinum toxin) has lots of other medicinal uses as well? It has been studied for more than 100 medical conditions in all, some of which are quite common and may affect you or someone you know.

It’s now been approved in more than 80 countries for over 20 medical conditions and has the most number of approved uses here in the UK. The Medicine Healthcare Product Regulatory Agency has licensed Botox not only for cosmetic purposes but also for preventing migraines, hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating), uncontrolled blinking, hemifacial spasm (a neurological condition in which blood vessels constrict a nerve causing muscle spasms), dystonia (muscle spasms), post-stroke muscle spasms and wrist and foot deformities in cerebral palsy.

Botox is also prescribed off-licence for incontinence caused by an over-active bladder. Over-activity leads to an inability to store urine but by injecting Botox directly into the bladder to relax it, patients get more muscle control and therefore less incontinence.

In America, Botox is also used to treat patients with neurological conditions like spinal cord injury and multiple sclerosis. We already treat one medical problem at Face Clinic on a regular basis – hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating).

Sweating is necessary to control body temperature during times of exercise and in warm surroundings and is a normal response to a rise in temperature or anxiety. But for about 1-2% of the population, their nervous system goes into over-drive and they sweat too much and at inappropriate times. This can make Christmas and New Year a nightmare – for example, they get embarrassed at parties when they sweat a lot in front of friends and/or colleagues.

Botox injections can be used as a very effective treatment for excessive sweating. Multiple small injections just under the skin are given (which are relatively painless and feel like a small sting) and the Botox works by blocking the nerves controlling the sweat glands. The treatment, which can be used both for underarm and forehead sweating, lasts for up to six months. (It can be used for the palms of the hands too).

Doctors also use Botox injections to prevent migraines or tension headaches (in adults). The headaches are caused – often by stress – when the muscles in the forehead contract. The Botox paralyses these muscles and stops them tightening and so triggering a headache. It’s also suggested that it interferes with the transmission of pain signals and about 80 per cent of patients say their headaches/migraines are less severe.

Muscle stiffness and neck pain can be treated with Botox injections as well. Again, this is due to the fact that Botox can prevent muscles from contracting. And it can also relieve constant eye-twitching or blepharospasm in the same way.

Straying further from the stereotype of facial wrinkles, and doctors have even used Botox as an alternative to surgery to treat anal fissures which have been caused by too much straining during bowel movements or as a result of childbirth. Once again, the Botox paralyses the muscle, allowing the fissure time to heal.

So Botox as a non-surgical cosmetic treatment is continuing to get more and more popular, and its uses in the medical field are also being developed constantly. Botox is going to fascinate, both from a vanity and a medical perspective, for a long time to come yet.

10 Perfect Gift Ideas from Face Clinic London

Louise Port — Fri, 23 Nov 2012 00:32:35 +0000

Are you stuck for great gift ideas? Well, you don’t have to worry about ending up with a lack of enthusiasm and simply buying a perfume or a tie and sock set, or rushing out to Oxford Street for some last-minute panic buying, because we’ve got some great news for you.

Here at Face Clinic London, we’ve got a whole range of unique, high quality and simply fabulous gifts for you to choose from. And you can rest assured that anyone who receives one of our gifts will crown you the Best Present Buyer of Christmas or Birthdays. Who could fail to be excited at finding something from us in their stocking?

We have an awesome line up of the ten best selling products from our Skincare Store that would each make the perfect Birthday or Christmas gift. How about one of our top-selling creams from SkinCeuticals? You can buy them direct from our on-line store, and we’ll deliver the items to the address you specify.

SkinCeuticals is a high quality brand that’s not available in any department stores – because they use medical grade active ingredients in their creams you can only buy them in medical spas such as Face Clinic London. SkinCeuticals mission is to improve skin health by providing quality serums and creams that are backed by scientific evidence, so you can be sure they have active ingredients that actually work.

They use pure, pharmaceutical grade ingredients with proven scientific results, and their ethos is about preventing serious conditions like skin cancer. Their skincare range is designed to protect the skin from environmental and sun damage, and correct previous skin damage which can show up as dull, tired skin, fine lines, pigmentation and blemishes.

Here is a selection of our ten best selling products that would each make the perfect Birthday, Christmas or Anniversary Gift.

Best Selling Antioxidant Serums:

Anitioxidant creams from SkinCeuticals are the first and best line of defence for your skin against aging, they’re scientifically proven to work and they should be included as an essential part of a daily skincare regime. Science has proven that exposure to the sun’s ultraviolent rays (UVA and UVB rays), smoke and air pollution lead to premature aging.

Antioxidants protect against harmful UVA and UVB rays and SkinCeuticals offers high quality products that are both easy to apply and easy to integrate into a current skincare regime. They should be used once a day, in the morning after cleansing and are applied before moisturising. There are four high quality antioxidants to choose from:

Phloretin CF

1. Phloretin CF holds patent-pending breakthrough technology combining the newly-discovered, broad-range antioxidants of phloretin, vitamin C and ferulic acid which conquer all sources of environmental skin damage. Once absorbed, it can’t be washed or rubbed off, making it excellent for use in conjunction with sunscreens. Suitable for oily, problematic and normal skin, a 30 ml bottle costs £150 and will last for three months.
Buy online now

CE Ferulic

2. CE Ferulic is a revolutionary antioxidant combination that delivers more than eight times natural protection against photo-aging by neutralising free radicals, building collagen and providing antioxidant protection and, once absorbed, it can’t be washed or rubbed off, making it excellent for use in conjunction with sunscreens. It also gives more youthful looking skin and gives better defence against environmental aging. Designed for mature, dry and dehydrated skin, a 30ml bottle costs £129 and will last for three months.
Buy online now

Serum 10

3. Serum 10 is a powerful antioxidant that reduces the appearances of fine lines and wrinkles, neutralises free radicals, provides photo-protection and stimulates collagen synthesis. Once absorbed, it can’t be washed or rubbed off and remains effective for a minimum of 72 hours. It is suitable for young, sensitive and acne prone skin. A 30ml bottle of the product costs £67 and will last for three months.
Buy online now

AOX+ Eye Gel

4. AOX+ Eye Gel is a breakthrough serum-in-a-gel which contains an antioxidant combination to protect the delicate eye area from oxidative stress, to revive under-eye skin and to reduce the appearance of puffiness. It also combats signs of fatigue to restore a fresh, vibrant appearance around the eyes. Suitable for all skin types, it costs £70 for a 30ml bottle which will last for three months.
Buy online now

Best Selling Moisturisers:

SkinCeuticals moisturisers are carefully formulated with ingredients that nourish, protect and exfoliate as well as hydrate and restore skin elasticity. They are high-quality products that work with their ingredients to provide optimal benefits to the skin and they’re designed to be used together as part of a daily skincare routine. Choose between the following four best selling moisturisers:

Hydrating B5 Gel

5. Hydrating B5 Gel is enriched with vitamin B5 and is known to help with tissue repair. It binds moisture to the skin with hyaluronic acid, a natural humectant, leaving it looking supple and smooth. Oil-free, it is recommended for use after antioxidant serums. It’s ideal for all skin types and costs £59 for a 30ml bottle.
Buy online now

Retexturing Activator

6. Retexturing Activator is a unique treatment combines a 25% concentration of Hydroxyethyl Urea/Aminosulfonic Acid and reinforces the skin’s barrier. It visibly diminishes surfaces lines and transforms the skin’s fabric into a smoother, softer texture. This product also provides a non-irritating, hydrating base and is suitable for dry, mature and skin suffering from premature aging. It costs £75 for a 30ml bottle.
Buy online now

AGE Interrupter

7. A.G.E Interrupter is a multi-faceted and uniquely-textured formulation is optimized to prevent and correct the most visible signs of aging in mature and prematurely aged skin, such as sagging, creping, thinning, and cracking, while minimising the associated discomfort and dryness. It enhances the natural moisture barrier and combats intrinsic aging caused by internal factors such as hormonal shifts and metabolic slowdown. A 50ml bottle the product costs £143.
Buy online now

Face Cream

8. Face cream is a light, rehabilitative cream provides powerful firming and replenishes moisture with emollients. It’s specifically formulated to combat collagen breakdown and moisture loss in mature skin. Suitable for dry, mature, sensitive and prematurely aging skin, this product stimulates collagen and hyaluronase production to firm skin. It costs £120 for a 50ml bottle.
Buy online now

Best Selling Cream for Pigmentation and Uneven Skin Tone:

Pigment Regulator

9. Pigment Regulator by SkinCeuticals is the perfect present if uneven skin tone or pigmentation is an issue. This formulation reduces brown spots, freckles, dark patches and blotchiness by combining precise concentrations of kojic acid and emblica, along with a highly efficient exfoliating blend, to systematically improve uneven skin tone and lighten the skin.

It inactivates tyrosinase to reduce excess melanin production and breaks up melanin clusters on the skin’s surface to diminish existing discoloration. It is an effective full-facial skin lightening serum achieving similar end results to disruptive medical skin lightening applications but without the down sides of harsh bleaching agents. Pigment Regulator can be used daily, year-round, long-term and without unhealthy side-effects and costs £79 for a 30ml bottle.
Buy online now

Best Serum to Treat Acne Blemishes:

Blemish and Age Defense

10. Blemish + Age Defense Serum is designed for the blemished acne prone adult. This has been created specifically for those with acne or blemish-prone skin and goes beyond efficiently treating imperfections to also address signs of aging – it treats fine lines, wrinkles and roughness, reduces excess sebum production and prevents hyper-pigmentation. The serum’s formula makes it ideal for layering with other products and for wearing under make-up. It should be worn morning and evening and a 30ml bottle costs £75.
Buy online now

Face Clinic London Gift Vouchers:

If you’re not entirely sure what that ‘something’ should be, though, don’t worry, because you can let the recipient choose exactly what they want by getting a Face Clinic gift voucher. They’re valid for 12 months from the date of issue and can be redeemed against all the treatments we offer. So they can be used for Botox treatments, dermal fillers, chemical peels, excessive sweating treatment and all of our high quality creams and serums purchased in store at our Soho Clinic.

Gift vouchers can be bought on-line and they start at £25 and go up to £300 – and will arrive at the nominated delivery address, by post, 3-5 working days after purchase.

Rising Trend in Male Beauty Treatments and Men’s Botox

Louise Port — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 16:48:50 +0000

Traditionally, men don’t like to talk about their ‘beauty regime’. Apparently though, this is all changing. Where once the make-up counters, beauty parlours and health spas were the sole domain of females, men are now just as likely to be buying beauty products and having facials, manicures and other cosmetic treatments. It’s no longer cool to whisk your new girlfriend off to Paris for the weekend – today’s man takes her to a health spa so they can spend time together and also be pampered.

Men are also becoming a more frequent sight in clinics offering more advanced cosmetic treatments, such as Botox injections. As a general rule Botox injections in men can be used to smooth their frown lines, soften their forehead wrinkles and erase their crow’s feet.

This rise in the popularity of Botox for men, has been a steady process over the past few years. In America in 2010 (the most up-to-date statistics available) 337,000 Botox injections were performed on men, an increase of almost 10 percent on the previous year, making Botox by far the most male popular non-surgical treatment, according to The American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

It’s not just Botox either – men can have deeper grooves or folds simply erased away with dermal filler injections. This treatment is commonly performed on the nose to mouth folds, deep frown lines, to enhance the cheeks and can even used to add definition back to lips.

So what’s made all these men suddenly want to muscle in on the action? Well, it’s thought to be down to a number of factors. The first one is that these treatments, in particular Botox and dermal fillers, are relatively easy to administer and the results can be seen quickly, especially with Botox where after one session, the treatment starts to work within a few days and can last for three months. This makes life easier for all men and guys are known for being big fans of low-maintenance grooming – it translates into convenience, comfort and the saving of time. What’s not to like?!!

Another factor is cost. If you really want to have quick results which are noticeable after a single treatment, Botox and dermal fillers can be a better spend then forking out money on a series of high-end creams and serums that may not have any effect on lines and wrinkles.

We also can’t ignore the increasing cultural pressure on men to look good from media and magazines – there are now so many health and lifestyle magazines on the market targeted at men all showing male models with toned bodies complete with obligatory six pack. And if they’re not being shamed into looking good by the sight of the Adonis on the front cover of GQ or Men’s Health, then they’re being forced into it by their partners.

The rise of the metrosexual male has led to clinics in Britain, and in London in particular, seeing a massive increase in men wanting non surgical cosmetic treatments. I spoke to Dr Nazim Mahmood from Face Clinic London, one of London’s leading cosmetic clinics based in Soho, and asked him about the increasing trend for male cosmetic treatments.

He said, “We have seen a large increase in the number of male clients through the door in recent years. Our most popular male treatments are Botox followed by dermal fillers and then underarm sweating treatment.”

I also asked Dr Mahmood how he has made his particular clinic appealing to men. He says, “At Face Clinic London, we strive to provide a neutral environment which is not overtly feminine and appeals to both women and men. This is reflected in the design and styling of our clinic, our website and the mix of staff.”

And he says that this has resulted in around half of those who attend Face Clinic London being men, way more than the average seen by most clinics. “About 50% of our clients are men, which is quite a high ratio for a cosmetic clinic.”

So is seems the rising trend in male beauty treatments is set to continue, driven by an increasing demand by men to look good and younger. Alongside this, clinics are responding to this demand and offering services and treatments tailored to the male market.

Intermittent Fasting Diet – An Intermittent Fad?

Louise Port — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 19:47:44 +0000

Somehow autumn is here, and with a new season, of course, comes a new ‘wonder’ diet called Intermittent Fasting. Intermittent Fasting is a pattern of eating which alternates between periods of fasting (consuming nothing but water) and non-fasting (normal-eating).

And it’s the latest diet which devotees claim is the best and the quickest way to shift the pounds and get that figure you’ve always wanted! But it seems these days that there’s a new, completely different, diet for every season.

And that feeling can’t be far out if you believe the recent findings of a survey by Warburtons (the bakers) which discovered that three quarters of British adults are trying a different diet every two months. However, there is growing evidence to suggest that Intermittent Fasting may not just help you drop a dress size or two, it may also have major health benefits and help you live longer.

You might be feeling a little dubious as to the health benefits gorging yourself on as much food as you like one day and then eating fewer calories than you’d find in a green salad the next. But researchers have found that those following an Intermittent Fasting diet can benefit from reduced blood pressure, lower blood sugar and better cardiovascular function. Recent scientific data from the University of California, Berkeley, also seems to show that this diet can reduce the risk of diseases such as cancer, diabetes and even Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.

Incredibly, these health benefits have actually been known about for some decades. In fact, the positive effects of Intermittent Fasting have actually been chronicled in a variety of animal and human studies going all the way back to 1946, when University of Chicago researchers first discovered that if rats were denied food every third day, their lifespan increased by 15-20 per cent.

There are quite a few variations of the Intermittent Fasting diet. One of the most common is the Alternate Day Diet where you eat normally on Day 1, then fast on Day 2 (drinking only water) and on Day 3 you once again eat normally. A book based on the Alternate Day Diet (and with that title) is now on Amazon’s list of best-selling diet books.

The ’5/2 diet’ is probably the most well-known and easiest-to-follow version of Intermittent Fasting. It involves eating normally for five days and then fasting on the other two days. Fasting means abstaining from food completely and hydrating only with water but many people who follow a version of Intermittent Fasting which involves fasting for more than one day at a time allow themselves a strictly controlled small number of calories on their ‘fasting’ days.

Intermittent Fasting has been around for a while but it has really taken off recently – it gained a lot of serious credibility after being featured in a BBC2 Horizon documentary last month. Health journalist Dr Michael Mosley spent a month following the 5/2 diet – eating normally for five day and then consuming just 600 calories on the other two. Not only did he lose a stone but he also reduced his body fat by 25 per cent, and improved both his blood sugar and cholesterol levels.

But as you are probably aware, Intermittent Fasting basically challenges everything nutritionists, dieticians, and every other expert has every said about healthy eating so it’s hardly surprisingly that not everyone thinks it’s a good, or safe, diet!

Many nutritionists in particular have voiced concern about the diet, especially if it’s being followed for any length of time. Their main criticism of the diet is that any weight loss it produced would not be sustainable. It’s also feared by some experts that following the diet long-term could trigger eating disorders, especially in vulnerable young woman.

So will Intermittent Fasting become a way of life for many people, or will it soon be confined to diet history, like the Atkins, Dukan, Grapefruit, Cabbage Soup and Baby Food diets?!! Only time will tell. But one thing is for sure – just a few months from now and we’ll be proclaiming it, “SO last season!”

Assisted Suicide And The Right To Die: Tony Nicklinson’s Legacy

Louise Port — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 21:01:33 +0000

The passing of Tony Nicklinson made the news headlines last week – he died at home, surrounded by his family, days after he had lost a High Court battle for the right to end his life. The 58 year from Wiltshire had ‘locked-in syndrome’ and could communicate only by blinking.

Mr Nicklinson was left paralysed from the neck down after suffering a stroke in 2005 and he had described his life as a “living nightmare’.

He wanted to allow doctors to end his life without fear of prosecution, and his case went further than any previous challenge to the assisted suicide and euthanasia law in England and Wales. Currently, if anyone had helped him to die, they could have been charged with murder.

Judges at the High Court said his case was “deeply moving” but that to allow his claim “would have consequences far beyond the present cases … and would (involve the court) making a major change in the law.” The subject of assisted suicide and euthanasia is hugely controversial but it’s also something we are hearing more about. The laws surrounding it seem to be a bit unclear however.

Mr Nicklinson’s legal bid differed from previous high profile “right-to-die cases” as his focused on what is known as assisted suicide. However because his paralysis was so severe, he would have had to have been killed by someone else – which is referred to as euthanasia.

Assisted suicide is something we have heard quite a bit of in recent years thanks to the Dignitas clinic in Switzerland. Swiss laws mean that assisted suicide is only illegal if it is motivated by self-interest. Up to March 2012, approximately 180 British citizens had travelled to Switzerland from the UK to die at one of Dignitas’s rented apartments in Zurich, usually by drinking a lethal overdose.

In assisted suicide, it’s the person who dies who takes the final action to end his or her life eg drinking a lethal drug although this action relies on the help of another.

In the case of euthanasia, however, another person performs the killing, usually because the person who wants to die is unable to perform the action themselves. This is what Tony Nicklinson wanted the courts to allow – in his case, because he was paralysed from the neck down, it was impossible for him to kill himself and so he needed another person to do it for him. This is what makes it so highly controversial.

Around the world, different countries have alternate views on assisted suicide. Most have defined laws prohibiting the act whilst others have no specific laws but a charge of ‘manslaughter’ can be brought against anyone assisting suicide. A small number, including Switzerland, have laws which allow certain methods of assisted suicide. Only one of the four groups involved will accept non-Swiss citizens, including the aforementioned Dignitas.

Voluntary euthanasia is outlawed virtually around the world although in the Netherlands, whilst it is a criminal offence, doctors are exempted from liability if they report their actions and show they’ve satisfied certain criteria.

In the UK, the law is very clear about euthanasia – it is illegal and has never been sanctioned under any conditions. The British Medical Association does not want the law to be changed saying it doesn’t believe it would be in society’s best interests for doctors to be legally able to end a patient’s life.

But Mr Nicklinson pushed the law further than ever before and a new bill on assisted dying looks likely to be introduced in parliament next year by Lord Falconer. So although he is no longer here to continue the fight himself, Tony Nicklinson’s legacy may well be a change in the law so that one day, others in his position, ‘living a nightmare’ as he described his life, will be able to make the decision when to end their own life.