The excitement of Christmas has faded away, replaced by a new year! We often see this as a new start and a chance to reset, as we abstain from bad foods, alcohol and an unhealthy lifestyle. We start a diet instead or take up running. However, you want to be careful with this ‘new year new me’ philosophy!
There’s one big problem with this mindset – it doesn’t work! Studies show that 23% of people give up on their New Year’s Resolutions after one week, while 43% expect to give up before the end of January. In fact, less than 10% of people successfully continue with their new lifestyle!
‘New year new me’ won’t motivate you for very long, especially after a slip-up. You need a plan for a long-term goal because you can rarely make lasting changes based on an impulse. As a dentist, I believe in making small changes, which culminate in significant improvements.
Take alcohol for example. From a skin perspective, we’re in favour of reducing your intake. Too much alcohol dehydrates the skin and reduces elasticity, leading to fine lines, creases and a dull, dry complexion. It can also give rise to conditions like psoriasis and rosacea, to say nothing of the increased risk of skin infections. On the other hand, going cold turkey can be a mistake. It doesn’t allow any flexibility for what can be a big lifestyle change (depending on how much you’re used to drinking). Similarly, you might be invited to a social event and feel like you’re unable to enjoy a drink, leading to regret, resentment and an eventual return to bad habits.
Instead of being stern with yourself, follow a little-by-little approach. Try giving up alcohol during the week and allowing yourself 3-4 units at the weekend or at a party. It may feel like a little change, but imagine the impact after one, two or three months! You’ll be in a much healthier state, without the inevitable disappointment caused by the ‘new year new me’ attitude.
There’s more to January than giving up bad habits. Many of you contact me in the winter, asking me to restore your faces after the festive period. You might be searching for a quick fix, hoping that I’ll turn around and present you with a miracle cure. We have some excellent treatments at No. 4, including luxurious Hydrafacials and healing light therapy, but they’re not magic. I can’t solve all your problems with the wave of a wand or give you an undetectable treatment with no downtime.
We’re not here to transform you into your ‘new year new me’ ideal. We’re here to walk alongside you as you seek to renew your skin and age well. Ageing well takes commitment, much like a New Year’s Resolution, which is why we encourage you to stop and think about the best ways to achieve your goals.
We’re partners, you and me. You trust me to listen to you, identify your main concerns and then come up with a plan. I might direct you to Su’s Skin Program, ideal for investing in your future complexion. Alternatively, I might point you to my own skincare plan, perfect for combating signs of ageing and menopause. Through 12 in-depth sessions, I’ll boost your collagen production, reduce fine lines and soften wrinkles, helping you achieve a healthy, glowing appearance.
Are you ready to take the first step? Then contact us to book a consultation! It’s the best opportunity to find the right treatment.
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Is your skin looking dull, blotchy or dehydrated? Do you wish your mirror came with a filter just like your phone? Not to worry! My five tips for healthy, glowing skin will have you feeling like your best self in no time!
Your skin cells are practically self-cleaning, so they don't need harsh ingredients or double-cleansing. This is because every 21 days or so, your cells renew themselves, which means cleaning your skin within an inch of its life won’t do it any favours! Cleansing too frequently will disrupt the renewal process and break the skin’s natural defences, allowing moisture to escape and pollutants and bacteria to get in, which isn’t exactly healthy and won’t result in glowing skin!
When you’re stressed, your body releases a hormone called cortisol. Cortisol is good for you if you're experiencing a ONE-OFF stress event, like being chased by a lion! However, persistent, chronic stress and the resultant high cortisol levels can wreak havoc on ALL the organs of your body… the biggest being the skin.
We can’t eliminate stress in our lives, but we can learn strategies to deal with it. I find that practising good sleep hygiene, cutting back on my alcohol consumption, meditating and doing some restorative exercises like Hatha Yoga works for me and leads to glowing skin. I also encourage myself to be kind - to myself and others, even if that might mean saying ‘no’ to someone. You might not feel good doing this, but your stress levels will benefit from it and so will your skin. I am always available for a chat and to point you in the right direction to help manage your stress. If you’re in for your regular treatment or a consultation, please ask for help!
The skin is a complex organ and so are the processes that keep the cells working well. I won’t go into biochemistry and bore you with science, but without the right nutrients, your skin cells simply won’t be able to do their job properly.
Avoiding processed foods and eating your leafy greens will go a long way. However, our modern lifestyles don’t make this easy. The food we eat may not contain the nutrients we need or our bodies might not be able to absorb them efficiently. This is why Su, our skin expert, can give diet and nutrition advice to help you achieve healthier, glowing skin, either by adding foods to your diet or recommending an appropriate supplement. You can book a full skin consultation with Su to learn how to manage your diet to boost skin health. What’s even better is that her consultations come with a skin scan and a sample treatment of our lovely Hydrafacial!
Avoid overusing products or using inappropriate ones on your face. Overuse is more common than you think, especially products that are heavy and don’t allow your skin to breathe. This can cause acne, perioral dermatitis and clogged pores - which results in small white bumps called milia.
Using inappropriate impulse buys can also be harmful to your skin. These products may contain chemicals and essential oils of unknown origin. Essential oils are known allergens and not, in my opinion, to be included in skincare! If you want to know what products are best for you, why not come in and speak to Gael for advice? Or if you are looking for a major overhaul to your skincare regime, why not book in with Su for her famous glowing skin consultation? Don’t forget, I’ve put together a collection of my favourite products in our online store too!
UV rays can inflame and damage the skin, causing uneven tone, texture, and sunspots. Furthermore, we live in a sea of chemical pollutants, all of which can settle on your skin and damage it. Our skincare range has been sourced with this in mind and it has special patented formulas to protect your complexion from both the sun and pollution. Want to know more about these products? Contact Gael and she will talk you through them from start to finish.
If you follow these five tips and tricks, I’m sure that you will notice improvements! However, a lot of us need a little extra help on our journey to glowing skin, if this is the case, simply contact us online!
We hope that this has helped! Make sure you’re following us on Facebook and Instagram for more tips and tricks, as well as to learn more about the clinic, keep up with our news and get exclusive offers!
‘Good skin doesn’t happen by chance, it happens by appointment.’ I’m not sure who came up with this phrase but I can honestly say that it’s true! I have found that many of my clients who seek injectables to fix their fine lines and wrinkles don’t recognise that their skin is in crisis! Read on to discover whether your skin is in need of my help.
Early intervention is critical if you're going to avoid premature ageing. Although some might say that premature ageing is inevitable, I believe this isn’t necessarily true. Recent findings show that the environment plays a huge role in how our skin ages. Epigenetics - the study of how our genes react with our environment - means that, if you look after your skin, you might not look like you’re long in the tooth when you’re over 50!
So how do you know if your skin is in trouble and showing the early signs of damage and disease? Here are five signs to help you recognise that you’re in trouble.
Sun damage can cause some cells in the skin to go rogue. Melanocytes are the cells that colour your skin and are easily damaged by UVA, UVB and visible light. When they ‘go rogue’, excessive pigment is released into the skin, causing dark spots and uneven skin tone.
So if you’re starting to see dark spots, BEWARE - you may have caused damage and it’s starting to show!
Using harsh, damaging detergents or double cleansing will dry the skin and make it susceptible to pollution. Stripping it of its protective layer is not what you want to do if you want healthy skin. The surface is covered by a fatty layer, called the lipid barrier. This layer functions to protect your skin from environmental onslaughts, like pollution, whilst simultaneously preventing moisture from being sapped by dry air. If you disrupt this barrier, you will experience skin problems, like dehydration and premature ageing, and your cells won't function normally, leaving you vulnerable to skin damage.
Fine lines and wrinkles are a sign that your skin is losing elasticity. Elasticity is the ability of the skin to rebound after a mechanical force is applied to it. A good test to do on yourself is to lightly pinch the skin under the eye and see how quickly it returns to shape. This is commonly known as the ‘snap test’ by us clinicians. If the skin doesn’t rebound within a few seconds, it means you’re already losing elastic properties.
These usually first appear around the nose and cheeks, and are a sure sign that your skin is deficient in elastin, the fibre that keeps our skin in shape. As mentioned before, elasticity gives our skin the ability to rebound. It’s the same with our blood vessels - if they lose elasticity, they can’t return to shape and become dilated and visible on the surface of the skin. This means that, if you’re seeing broken vessels on your face, then you need to take action if you don’t want to look like a beet in your old age!
Large, open pores are more common than you think. Many women ignore them and plaster over the top with makeup. However, enlarged pores are a warning sign that the skin is suffering. Excess sebum and bacteria irritate the pores and cause inflammation, which damages the surrounding area, depleting elastin and collagen, allowing the opening of the pore to dilate. Makeup further inflames the situation, so simply covering pores isn’t a good option. What you need to do is pay attention to what your skin is telling you and come to its rescue!
So, now you know the signs, what can you do? My recommendation is to see someone like myself or Su to give you good, honest advice on how to manage it. Yes, you’re going to see changes happening to the skin as the years pass by, but some can be avoided, or at least minimised! Our wide range of treatments at No4 Clinic can help you to age positively and look your best!
If you’re ready to take the first step towards beautiful skin, simply book your online consultation! For more tips, tricks and advice, make sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram. My live streams on Facebook are not to be missed!
Many people mistakenly think of Botox and fillers as being one and the same. When clients come to us for an initial consultation, we find that most are unaware that there are clear differences between the two. Because of this, I feel it’s really important that each of our clients are as informed as possible before my team comes to a decision on what’s the best and most appropriate treatment plan. Each treatment works differently and each treatment is used to achieve different aims. Read on to learn more about them!
While it’s true that both Botox and fillers are treatments that are injected into the face, that’s where the similarities end. Botox is used to soften and reduce lines on the face caused by frowning, smiling and other dynamic facial movements. Fillers (or dermal fillers to give them their full name), on the other hand, are quite different. They are used to restore volume or to enhance facial features. Botox is a registered drug, (its generic name being botulinum toxin), and its use is strictly controlled, because it alters the way that muscles respond to nerve signals. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance that you visited a fully and appropriately trained practitioner if you’re in search of such treatment.
Dermal fillers don’t alter the way in which the body functions, making them distinctly different in this sense. However, you still need suitable qualifications and training to carry out filler treatments, though no prescription is necessary. This has led to a loophole, allowing non-medically trained practitioners to offer them. You can rest assured that the dermal filler treatment at No4 Clinic is carried out by myself and I hold a Level 7 Injectables Qualification for Aesthetic Medicine and I have over 26 years of clinical experience, so you’ll always be in safe hands!
Over the years, I’ve been asked just about every question imaginable, so I thought I’d compile a list of a few that may already be on your mind.
The treatment that suits you is the one that is going to address your concerns best. Sometimes it may be one or the other, but usually an approach that uses both will serve you best.
There are some exceptions to this, but generally, the answer is no. If you’re in your 20s, you shouldn’t need Botox and fillers, as your features will still be youthful. But if you’d like fuller lips or some light jaw-sculpting, then you can achieve this with some discreet dermal fillers.
You may have heard that Botox can be used as a preventative measure, but at No.4, we believe that as a medicine, Botox should only be prescribed when needed.
This depends on how your skin has aged, rather than what your actual age is. If you have aged well and have very little sagging and only moderately deep lines, then Botox and dermal fillers can still be used to help you age positively. Botox and fillers won’t give you the results surgery will, though they can help you reduce the signs of ageing, making you feel more confident.
My team and I would love to work with you to help you reach your goals and discover what treatment is right for you. Maybe get in touch today and book a consultation? You can simply fill in a form on our website, call us on 07595221484 or email [email protected].
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See you soon!
Are your botulinum toxin treatments safe? If you’re visiting my clinic, the answer to that question is most definitely yes! Whether you’re receiving Botox for migraines or wrinkles, you deserve the best possible treatment. Botulinum toxin has been used for many years and there is solid evidence to suggest that it’s a very safe and effective treatment.
But have you ever thought about where your practitioner is sourcing their botulinum toxin products from?
These days, it’s not unusual for individuals to reach out to me on social media claiming to offer cheap Botox for migraines, wrinkles and anything else you could think of! Naturally, these people aren’t offering treatments from brands that are approved by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, or MHRA.
This branch of the UK government is the equivalent of the FDA, an American organisation that you may already have heard of. This activity is highly illegal as botulinum toxin is strictly regulated in the UK, just as it is in several other countries. If you find yourself concerned about a supplier of botulinum toxin and you can’t establish the brands they’re using, there’s a strong chance they are not using reputable channels or products.
If you’re thinking about risking it with a dodgy dealer of Botox for migraines you may want to read some of these alarming facts about these unregulated products first…
Interpol, The International Criminal Police Organisation, has seen a sharp rise in counterfeit medication over the last few years and this includes Botox. If you didn’t already know, Botox is a prescription medication and cannot safely be administered by non-professionals. Yet, during lockdowns, many qualified practitioners weren’t able to administer non-essential treatments, which led to a number of desperate people looking elsewhere.
It became such a concern that Interpol created a ‘fake medicine’ page on their website to warn people about the dangers of receiving treatment with counterfeit products. Their website specifically mentions treatment for Covid-19, but their advice on how to spot those dealing in unsafe medication can easily be applied to Botox for migraines or wrinkles.
Such instances are likely to become increasingly common in the UK as in recent months, the government has deemed it illegal to administer Botox and fillers to people under the age of 18. Those who wish to work under the radar and provide such treatments to young people might be using products that have been “falsified or deliberately mislabelled”, according to Interpol. They have even found that some products they have seized have contained mercury, arsenic, rat poison and cement.
In a world looking to provide you with fake treatment for Botox for migraines and almost anything else you can think of, you need to find a practitioner you can trust.
Having questionable products injected into your skin and supporting criminal organisations isn’t how anyone wants to spend their time. The presence of these suppliers and their ability to manufacture medications that can seem incredibly convincing poses a much bigger problem - these products have the potential to reach NHS supply chains. If such a thing were to happen, it could harm countless individuals and that doesn’t bear thinking about.
But how do you know that the botulinum toxin being used is genuine? If you’re trying to find a practitioner who can provide you with fillers to enhance your lips, or Botox for migraines, you need to be sure that you’re choosing the right individual at a strictly regulated practice. Here are some signs to look for to ensure that’s the case:
Only Botox, Azzalure®, Dysport®, Bocouture® and Xeomin are licensed for use in the UK, if you see another brand name, then the product should not be used.
You have the right to ask for invoices to check that your clinic is ordering through the right channels, for instance I only order directly from well-known pharmaceutical companies. When it comes to wrinkle relaxing or Botox for migraines, I order from Allergan.
Your practitioner should be a prescriber, or they should be able to arrange a consultation with one. Aesthetic nurses are unable to prescribe medication such as Botox, but they are able to administer it. Any prescription medication needs to be signed off by someone with the correct qualifications.
So, if you want to refresh your look, it’s worth asking the right questions. If something feels off, take a step back. Has it all happened too quickly? Is the price too good to be true? There’s no harm in backing out, especially if you’re dealing with less than legitimate ‘practitioners’.
When you choose my clinic, you can be sure that my staff and I have the qualifications, skills and knowledge necessary to ensure you feel happier and more confident in your skin. My true passion is helping my patients and you could be one of them! I encourage all of my patients to ask questions, so please don’t feel shy!
You can contact me, or a member of my team, by filling out a form on our website, calling us on 07595221484 or emailing [email protected] today.
To keep in touch with us, don’t forget to follow our Instagram and Facebook accounts.
See you soon!
