Tag Archives: advanced aesthetics

Winter Skincare Tips

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There is so much to love about winter! Cosy knitwear, crisp mornings, hot chocolates and open fires, however, the joys of winter often aren’t so great for our skin. Find below our top tips for looking after you skin this festive period.

Your skincare routine

As with any time of year, a good skincare regime is critical. During the winter months, you don’t need to completely change your whole routine, just making a few simple switches can make all the difference. Winters cooler weather mixed with temperature changes – cold outside, and hot and dry inside can be very harsh on the skin. This can cause dryness, tightness, flaking and discomfort. This leaves skin calling out for more comforting and richer textures. You may want to swap a few of your usual formulas for something a bit more hydrating and nourishing in the colder months. Winter skin just needs that little extra TLC!

Fluctuating temperatures

Fluctuating temperatures and the cold, dry air in winter can cause significant water loss from the skin, this can cause redness and rosacea flare ups. One of our hero products is AlumierMD’s Ultimate Boost serum. This hydrating, skin strengthening serum restores your skins hydrolipid moisture barrier, deeply hydrates and boosts the skins structure and resilience.

Year-round sun protection

Don’t skip the SPF!!! Adequate sun protection is just as important in the winter months. The damaging UV rays that cause DNA damage and premature skin ageing such as wrinkles and age spots are ever present during the winter, even if it looks dark and cloudy outside! We recommend a stand alone SPF of at least 30, every day of the year, even throughout winter.

Hydration

Keep a hydrating lip balm to hand. The skin on our lips doesn’t produce oils in the same way as the skin on our face. This means they are much more susceptible to getting dry, sore and chapped. We recommend gently exfoliating the lips regularly to slough away any dry, flaky skin and then applying a hydrating lip product throughout the day.

Skip the active ingredients

Skip the actives! We all know how incredible pharmaceutical grade active ingredients like retinol and exfoliating acids are for keeping our skin looking brighter, smoother and more youthful, however, if you skin is already feeling compromised, these could exacerbate skin reactions. Listen to your skin! Hold off using them, use reduced strengths, or reduce frequency if your skin is very dry, chapped or sore.

Wash your hands

Look after your hands too! Washing hands regularly is especially important over the winter months to reduce transmission of all those nasty winter bugs and viruses. Always keep a rich and nourishing hand cream in your bag and apply regularly between washing to avoid dry, chapped and sore hands.

Nutritious foods and drinks

Eat well and stay hydrated. We all love indulging and treating ourselves over the festive period, however keeping your diet and water intake in check can reap huge rewards when it comes to your skin. Staying hydrated by drinking water is probably one of the best diet related changes you can make for your skin. Your nutritional intake also plays a role. Try to limited processed, sugary foods and ensure that you are nourishing your body with whole foods that are rich in vitamins, minerals and fatty acids.

Book an in-clinic skin treatment

Book a facial. You and your skin deserve to be treated as well this festive season! Treat yourself to some self care and give your skin some much needed care and attention by booking in for a facial, your skin will really thank you for it!

 

If you would like to find out more about any treatments we offer, please call us on 01296 614 441, and book a Free Consultation.

Embrace Your Age Gracefully

In the UK, the pursuit of ageless beauty is a timeless endeavour. Wrinkles may be a natural part of life, but with the right knowledge, prevention, and treatment options like dermal fillers, you can embrace your age gracefully and confidently. At Karma Clinic, we’re here to guide you on this journey to radiant, youthful skin. Don’t wait; take the first step towards a more youthful you by booking a consultation with our skilled aesthetics nurses today.

Now that you’ve gained insights into the world of anti-wrinkle treatments, it’s time to take action. Start with a consultation at Karma Clinic, where our experienced aesthetics nurses will assess your needs and develop a personalised treatment plan. Take the first step toward timeless beauty today and book your consultation with us.

Fat Dissolving Injections: How do they work and are they safe?

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Fat dissolving injections have grown hugely in popularity in recent years as a safe and effective method of reducing stubborn pockets of fat. Fat dissolving injections are perfect for those that may be finding it hard to reduce these stubborn fat pockets through traditional methods such as diet and exercise, providing an non-surgical alternative to invasive liposuction…. but how do they work, and are they safe?

How do Fat Dissolving Injections work?

Fat dissolving injections contain the active ingredient called Deoxycholate acid, this is a bile acid that naturally occurs within our bodies. Injecting this substance directly into the fat cells dissolves the fat cells membrane, which then causes complete breakdown of the fat cell. The fatty acids from the cells are then released into the body and then brake down and are excreted through our usual metabolic processes.

What can I expect from my Fat Dissolving Injection treatment?

The first step would be to book in for a free consultation with our Aesthetic Nurse Prescriber. The nurse will examine the areas that you wish to be treated, and will be able to give an idea of cost and expected treatment outcomes specific to you.

Generally, a course of treatment is recommended, however the number of treatments and treatment frequency will depend on the size of the fat pocket, and your desired outcome. The nurse will ensure that you are a good candidate for treatment by running through your medical history with you, and asking questions about your general health. If you are a good candidate for treatment, and decide that you would like to proceed with treatment, you will then be re-booked for treatment at a time that is convenient for you.

On the day of treatment, your nurse will mark out the areas to be treated to ensure effective and even distribution of product. The fat dissolving solution is then mixed with a local anaesthetic to ensure the treatment is as comfortable as possible. The time taken to inject could be anywhere from 5-45 minutes depending on the area/s being treated. After treatment, the treated area may be bruised, and there may also be some swelling after treatment.

The timeline to see visible treatment results can vary depending on the area treated as well as the individual’s metabolism. Many people begin to see changes around 3-4 weeks after treatment, with final results usually visible after 6-8 weeks.

If you remain a healthy weight after your course of treatments, the results are permanent. We recommend that you continue to live a healthy lifestyle to maintain your results.

Are Fat Dissolving Injection safe?

As with any medical procedure, there are potential risks with treatment. This is usually limited to the potential for mild and tolerable side effects such as some bruising and swelling. Your nurse will discuss your medical history and general health in depth prior to treatment to ensure that you are a good candidate for treatment, this minimises this risk of adverse effects. If fat dissolving injections are administered incorrectly, or in unsafe volumes, there is a small risk of damage to the skin and surrounding structures. For this reason, we would recommend booking in with an experienced and trustworthy provider only, that is using a product that is CE approved, this means that it meets the required safety standards for use. At The Karma Clinic we use Aqualyx. This product has been used in over 50 countries across the globe, with over 2 million procedures safely carried out.

If you would like to find out more about this treatment, please call us on 01296 614 441, and book a Free Consultation with our Aesthetic Nurse Prescriber. 

Embrace Your Age Gracefully

In the UK, the pursuit of ageless beauty is a timeless endeavour. Wrinkles may be a natural part of life, but with the right knowledge, prevention, and treatment options like dermal fillers, you can embrace your age gracefully and confidently. At Karma Clinic, we’re here to guide you on this journey to radiant, youthful skin. Don’t wait; take the first step towards a more youthful you by booking a consultation with our skilled aesthetics nurses today.

Now that you’ve gained insights into the world of anti-wrinkle treatments, it’s time to take action. Start with a consultation at Karma Clinic, where our experienced aesthetics nurses will assess your needs and develop a personalised treatment plan. Take the first step toward timeless beauty today and book your consultation with us.

Dermal Fillers: Fact vs Myth

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Myth #1: All dermal filler brands are the same.

Fact
All dermal filler brands are not created equal. The core component of dermal filler is hyaluronic acid; a natural, water loving molecule that we all naturally have within our skin. However, they differ vastly in terms of longevity, texture and formulation.

Some brands invest heavily to ensure their formulations are biologically more accepted by the body, and are able to adapt to facial movement, thereby reducing the risk of potential side effects, and giving much more natural results.

It is important to ensure the filler being injected is from a reputable brand that is either FDA approved or CE marked. This signifies that the dermal filler complies with the rigorous health, safety and environmental protection standards set by regulatory bodies.

It is also worth noting that the dermal filler is obtained from a reputable source. There are many counterfeit goods on the market. All dermal fillers should be obtained from a reputable pharmacy. Don’t be afraid to ask your practitioner what dermal filler they are using, how they source it, and if it meets the criteria listed above.

Myth #2: Anyone can administer dermal fillers.

Fact
There are many ‘lay people’ who have started offering dermal fillers and other aesthetic procedures in recent years. Unfortunately, the industry is still largely unregulated. This is something we are hoping will see change in the coming years. However, at present this leaves customers understandably feeling confused as to who to choose as a trustworthy and reputable practitioner.

The truth is, it takes an experienced injector to give optimum treatment results, whilst also maintaining patient safety. Aesthetic nurses are regulated healthcare professionals, who must revalidate every 3 years to evidence that they have met the required number of practice hours, and have sought continued professional education and learning within their field of practice. They also must adhere to a strict professional code of conduct, which further helps you to feel confident and safe in their care.

Myth #3: Dermal fillers will make me look fake, overdone or unnatural.

Fact
You may have been put off dermal fillers having seen images or articles in the media of celebrities or others in the spotlight looking ‘fake’, overfilled and unnatural.

Dermal filler doesn’t need to look this way! The very best dermal filler work should be natural and undetectable to others. Many of our clients tell us that their friends or family might comment that they are looking well, refreshed, less tired, as if they have just come back from a relaxing holiday!

An experienced practitioner will have the skill and expertise required to place the dermal filler strategically to provide optimum treatment results, whilst still preserving a natural, enhanced appearance. Find a practitioner that will discuss and advise on which treatment/product placement is right for you, to help you achieve your treatment goals, whilst still maintaining a natural appearance.

Myth #4: Dermal fillers can replace a surgical facelift.

Fact
We offer a complete ‘non-surgical facelift’ option using only dermal fillers (and some wrinkle relaxing if desired), however dermal fillers cannot completely replace a traditional surgical facelift.

There are occasional incidences where the skin is just far too lax, and surgical intervention is required. There are however many ‘pros’ in considering dermal filler over surgical intervention in the first instance. It is much less invasive, and therefore carries considerably less risk. It is also completely reversible, so should you decide that you do not like the outcome, the dermal filler can be dissolved. Should you be unhappy with surgical treatment results, this would require revision surgery which again carries further risk.

You may be surprised just how much difference dermal fillers can make, even in those with moderate to severe skin laxity. It is always worth booking in for a consultation to seek some personalised, honest advice as to the best treatment options for you. We will always be honest in discussing expected treatment outcomes, and advise accordingly.

Myth #5: Fillers are made of toxic unsafe ingredients and are permanent and irreversible.

Fact
Long gone are the days of permanent or unsafe dermal filler products containing silicone and other unsafe materials.

Dermal fillers are now almost exclusively made out of pure hyaluronic acid. The beauty of this, is that it is highly biocompatible, meaning your body recognises it as we all have hyaluronic acid naturally occurring within our skin.

It is also completely reversible by using an enzyme that breaks down hyaluronic acid should you not like the result, or wish to dissolve them for any reason. We often find that knowing this helps to reassure clients that may feel anxious or nervous about taking that first step in trying some dermal filler treatment.

Myth #6: Dermal Fillers are very painful.

Fact
Our aim is to try and make the treatment as comfortable as possible for you. There are of course some areas which are slightly more uncomfortable than others, but we do all we can to promote a positive, relaxed and comfortable experience.

We do this by providing a calm environment, that is not rushed, and takes into account the individual needs of each client, whether that’s supporting and encouraging a client with a needle phobia, or perhaps adapting and adjusting our treatment for someone that might be slightly more pain sensitive.

We allow ample time for use of a strong prescription strength topical numbing cream prior to treatment, and always ensure that a dermal filler we use contains a local anaesthetic agent. It is also worth finding a practitioner that can utilise different advanced injection techniques in order to help make the treatment as comfortable as possible for you, whilst still achieving optimum treatment outcomes.

Myth #7: Dermal filler will stretch my skin and once it wears off, my skin will be saggy and worse than it was before.

Fact
This is a really common misconception that we hear a lot! You absolutely will not be left looking worse than before should you decide to stop using dermal fillers. Over a period of time, the body very slowly and gradually breaks down the hyaluronic acid molecules. Once your body absorbs the filler over time, should you decide not to continue with future treatments, the skin will simply return to its previous condition.

If anything, the skin is likely to look better, as the hyaluronic acid will have boosted hydration levels and increased collagen production.

Myth #8: Dermal filler and Botox (Wrinkle relaxing injections) do the same thing.

Fact
When we see new clients for consultations that are completely new to injectables, they very often don’t understand the difference between these two injectable treatments.

Botox and dermal fillers are two completely different treatment options, that have two completely different modes of action. Put simply, dermal filler restores lost volume, which allows it to lift and enhance features. It can also be used to directly fill lines and wrinkles.

In contrast, Botox (wrinkle relaxing), relaxes the muscles that cause the lines and wrinkles to appear. This stops the skin from scrunching where the wrinkles form, thereby giving a smoother and fresher appearance.

As a general rule of thumb, dermal filler is used in the lower two thirds of the face, where lines, skin folds and jowls tend to be caused by volume loss, or to enhance features like lips.

Botox is generally used in the upper third of the face where the lines and wrinkles tend to be caused by muscle movement (however there are exceptions). Depending on your areas of concern and treatment goals, often a combination of the two gives the best results, as they both complement each other beautifully.

If you would like to find out more about this treatment, please call us on 01296 614 441, and book a Free Consultation with our Aesthetic Nurse Prescriber. 

Embrace Your Age Gracefully

In the UK, the pursuit of ageless beauty is a timeless endeavour. Wrinkles may be a natural part of life, but with the right knowledge, prevention, and treatment options like dermal fillers, you can embrace your age gracefully and confidently. At Karma Clinic, we’re here to guide you on this journey to radiant, youthful skin. Don’t wait; take the first step towards a more youthful you by booking a consultation with our skilled aesthetics nurses today.

Now that you’ve gained insights into the world of anti-wrinkle treatments, it’s time to take action. Start with a consultation at Karma Clinic, where our experienced aesthetics nurses will assess your needs and develop a personalised treatment plan. Take the first step toward timeless beauty today and book your consultation with us.

Hyperhidrosis – treatment for excess sweating

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What is Hyperhidrosis?

Hyperhidrosis is a condition that causes excess sweating. Hyperhidrosis treatment is used to treat excess sweating, most commonly in areas such as the underarms and hands.

How does it work?

Hyperhidrosis treatment works by blocking the nerves responsible for activating the sweat glands. Specifically, it inhibits the release of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that stimulates the sweat glands.

By preventing acetylcholine from binding to its receptors on the sweat glands, it reduces or eliminates sweating in the treated area.

The Process

1. Consultation: The first step is a consultation with a healthcare provider to determine if Hyperhidrosis is appropriate for the patient’s condition and to discuss potential risks and benefits.

2. Preparation: On the day of the procedure, the area to be treated is cleaned and marked. Sometimes, a topical anaesthetic or ice is applied to minimise discomfort.

3. Treatment: The product is injected just under the skin with a fine needle. Multiple injections are administered in a grid-like pattern to cover the entire area where excessive sweating occurs.

4. Post procedure: The procedure typically takes 20-30 minutes. Patients can usually resume normal activities immediately.

Results and Duration

Onset: The effects of Hyperhidrosis treatment start to become noticeable within a few days, with full results typically seen within two weeks.

Duration: The reduction in sweating usually lasts for 4 to 6 months. Repeat treatments are necessary to maintain the benefits.

Clinical studies and patient experiences have shown Hyperhidrosis treatment to be highly effective in significantly reducing sweating in targeted areas. It can improve the quality of life for individuals suffering from hyperhidrosis by providing a reliable and minimally invasive treatment option to the embarrassment caused by excessive sweating and sweat patches on clothing

If you would like to find out more about this treatment, please call us on 01296 614 441, and book a Free Consultation with our Aesthetic Nurse Prescriber. 

Embrace Your Age Gracefully

In the UK, the pursuit of ageless beauty is a timeless endeavour. Wrinkles may be a natural part of life, but with the right knowledge, prevention, and treatment options like dermal fillers, you can embrace your age gracefully and confidently. At Karma Clinic, we’re here to guide you on this journey to radiant, youthful skin. Don’t wait; take the first step towards a more youthful you by booking a consultation with our skilled aesthetics nurses today.

Now that you’ve gained insights into the world of anti-wrinkle treatments, it’s time to take action. Start with a consultation at Karma Clinic, where our experienced aesthetics nurses will assess your needs and develop a personalised treatment plan. Take the first step toward timeless beauty today and book your consultation with us.