Ageing can be a difficult process, especially when it comes to your skin. The natural signs of ageing such as wrinkles, dullness and sagging can often cause us to feel uncomfortable in our own skin and less confident. But at my clinic, Nichola Maasdorp No4 Clinic in Elgin, we believe that it doesn't have to be this way - with the right knowledge and expertise, ageing can be a positive experience!
Our team at Nichola Maasdorp No4 Clinic is dedicated to helping you manage your age gracefully through remarkable facial treatments like Anti-Wrinkle Injections (Botox), Fillers, Endymed Skin Tightening, Skin Peels and more - so you can look good and feel great! At our clinic, we understand that each person is unique and so are their skin care needs. Our experienced team will take the time to get to know you and your skin, before recommending a customised treatment plan that is tailored specifically towards your goals.
We only use the latest technologies and products in our treatments at Nichola Maasdorp No4 Clinic - so you can trust us to deliver results that are safe, effective and long-lasting.
Skin treatments such as Anti-Wrinkle Injections (Botox), fillers, IPL (intense pulsed light), skin tightening and microneedling have become increasingly popular in recent years - and for good reason. These aesthetic treatments can have a positive impact on the appearance and health of your skin.
Anti-Wrinkle Injections (Botox) is an effective treatment for reducing or eliminating wrinkles, fine lines and crow’s feet. It works by paralyzing the muscles that cause facial expressions like smiling and frowning which can add to the development of wrinkles over time. This facial aesthetics treatment is one of the most popular non-surgical treatments in the aesthetic industry.
Fillers are used to enhance the volume of certain areas on the face or body – such as the lips or cheeks – by replenishing lost fat due to ageing. This minimizes signs of ageing like wrinkles and sagging skin. This medical aesthetic treatment is a minimally invasive procedure that can be done quickly, with minimal downtime.
IPL is a non-invasive laser treatment designed to improve skin tone and texture while also reducing redness, sun spots, scars and other blemishes. It works by targeting pigment cells in the surface layers of the skin with intense pulses of light which causes them to break down. This skin rejuvenation treatment is highly effective and requires no downtime.
Skin tightening treatments use radiofrequency waves delivered into the deeper layers of the skin in order to encourage collagen production which boosts the firmness and elasticity of ageing skin – leaving you with a more youthful look! This non-surgical treatment is highly popular among those who want to avoid surgical facelifts.
Microneedling is another effective skin treatment. It involves using tiny needles to puncture the surface of the skin, triggering a healing response from the body which results in increased collagen production. This helps smooth wrinkles and give skin a more even tone, resulting in a healthier, more youthful look. This beauty treatment is highly popular and requires minimal downtime.
These aesthetic treatments can drastically improve not only your appearance but also self-confidence; when you look your best you feel your best. So if you’re looking for a way to refresh your look without resorting to surgery then these treatments could be just what you need!
Our team at Nichola Maasdorp No4 Clinic is also dedicated to providing high-quality customer service - so you can feel comfortable knowing that you're in good hands. We want all of our clients to experience a sense of joy and satisfaction with the results of their treatments! So if you’re ready for a transformation, book an appointment with us at Nichola Maasdorp No4 Clinic today and let us help you look good and feel great.
Ageing doesn't have to be a negative experience. With our team's expertise and the latest skin treatments at Nichola Maasdorp No4 Clinic in Elgin, you can age gracefully and feel confident in your own skin. Whether you're looking to reduce wrinkles, enhance volume, improve skin tone and texture or boost collagen production, we have a customized treatment plan for you. Book an appointment with us today and let us help you look good and feel great!
Everyone wants to look and feel youthful as they age, but the natural aging process can take a toll on our skin. Wrinkles, fine lines, and other signs of aging can be difficult to prevent or reverse, even with a diligent skincare routine. Fortunately, there's a treatment that can help you achieve a more youthful appearance without surgery or downtime - micro-needling!
Micro-needling is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a device with tiny needles to create microscopic punctures or channels in the skin. These channels allow for better absorption of products such as serums and creams that can help boost collagen production, which is essential for healthy, youthful-looking skin. Collagen is a protein that provides structure and support to our skin, and it naturally declines as we age. By stimulating collagen production, micro-needling can reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, scars, and other signs of aging.
During a micro-needling treatment, a device with tiny needles is used to create microscopic punctures or channels in the skin. These punctures are so small that they are not visible to the naked eye, but they are enough to stimulate the body's natural healing process. As the skin heals, collagen production is increased, which can improve the texture and appearance of the skin. The micro-needles also create channels in the skin, which allows for better absorption of products such as serums and creams that can help boost collagen production.
The X Celaris Pro Twist is a revolutionary electrical micro-needling device that is changing the game when it comes to aesthetic micro-needling treatments. It features a patented spring seal for guaranteed safety and hygiene, a movable needle plate for precision treatment tailored to your skin surface, 50-150 insertions per second –making it faster than most means on the market– adjustable penetration depth from 0.25mm up to 2.5mm, and active needle retrieval technology. This is minimal invasiveness at its finest with optimum results in no time! It's one of the most efficient tools available for treating various skin conditions such as acne scars, stretch marks, wrinkles, sun damage, and more. Plus, it's safe and non-invasive, so there's no need for surgery or recovery time.
At Nichola Maasdorp No4 Clinic, we specialize in providing treatments using state-of-the-art technology such as the X Celaris Pro Twist device. With over 28 years' experience in aesthetic medicine, we offer personalized treatments tailored to each individual client's needs ensuring they get optimal results from their treatments. Our team of experienced practitioners can help you achieve beautiful, youthful skin with micro-needling and other advanced treatments. We understand that every client is unique, so we take the time to listen to your concerns and develop a customized treatment plan that meets your specific needs.
Micro-needling is suitable for all skin types and can be used on various parts of the body, including the face, neck, chest, and hands. Results may vary depending on the individual and the severity of the skin condition being treated, but most clients see improvement in their skin's texture and appearance after just one treatment.
In conclusion, micro-needling with the X Celaris Pro Twist is a safe and effective way to achieve beautiful, youthful skin. It stimulates collagen production, improves skin texture and tone, reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and minimizes the appearance of scars. At Nichola Maasdorp No4 Clinic, we specialize in providing personalized treatments using state-of-the-art technology like the X Celaris Pro Twist. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you achieve beautiful, youthful skin with micro-needling and other advanced treatments.
I’ve just attended some training with a psychiatrist, who is an expert in mental health in the aesthetics industry. I’m blown away to hear the fact that of those of us who have aesthetic treatments, 50% suffer from some form of diagnosable psychiatric disorder.
Now before you make any judgement, remember that we live in strange times and that our modern-day lifestyles mean it’s not too surprising to hear this.
I might recognise that you are unsuitable for treatment if you show signs of:
What I learnt was that for some disorders, like body dysmorphia, I am most likely to be the health professional to realise there may be a problem.
If you’re reading this blog, then you’re probably a patient or thinking about being one, so you have some aspect about your face that bothers you enough to seek treatment. The difference is that it’s NOT significantly impacting your life so as to cause significant distress and stop you from going about your normal life.
If you recognise that you show some of the behaviours mentioned above, don’t be alarmed, there are treatments to help you. It also doesn’t mean that you are excluded from having aesthetic treatments. What I learn from the training is, that the most important thing is that both you and I realise and acknowledge the problem, so we can have an open and honest discussion on what’s best for you, to help you manage your care. What’s clear from the research is that, if the condition goes unrecognised, and treatment continues without consideration of the problem, then almost certainly, your condition will become worse.
If you’ve ever experienced any of these, then you’ll know that the skin and brain talk to each other. I have previously written about the gut-skin connection, similarly, there is a brain-skin axis. You only have to think about when you’ve felt stressed and felt the sweat running down your back, to know the impact our feelings can have on our skin.
All of the above are temporary responses to stress or emotions, but what if feelings like being sad, overwhelmed and being out of control, take over your daily life?
The pituitary gland is about the size of a pea and rests in the anterior chamber of your skull. It acts like a switchboard for your stress hormones, the primary signal coming from the hypothalamus gland, just above it. When it’s activated, like when you’re stressed, it sends a signal to another gland just above your kidney, called the adrenal gland.
When your adrenal gland receives its message, it releases a powerful hormone called Cortisol, and other stress hormones called Catecholamines. Both of these hormone types are beneficial and vital in maintaining a healthy body. However, if you’re high for too long, they can turn against you. High levels of cortisol and catecholamines can weaken our immunity, damage organs (including the skin), and increase blood sugar levels.
This is why chronic stress has been linked to a host of conditions like diabetes, food allergies, weight gain, increased susceptibility to colds and flu-like illnesses, cancer, heart disease and many more…..
As noted previously, high levels of stress hormones weaken your immunity, which means that it can’t keep itself in tip-top condition, which means it’s more susceptible to bacteria, virus’s and fungi; sun damage and pollution.
This can worsen chronic skin conditions like eczema, acne, rosacea and psoriasis. Apart from this, the reduced ability of the skin to repair itself, means that you will experience more lines and wrinkles as elastic tissue depletes, loss of plumpness as collagen levels dive and your skin could become dry as the skin loses its ability to produce the lipid layer that seals moisture in.
While reducing stress levels should theoretically help to alleviate damaging effects on the skin, there’s only limited data regarding the effectiveness of stress-reducing interventions. There is some evidence that meditation may lower stress hormone levels in people who do it regularly. Research shows these techniques to be helpful in controlling psoriasis, however, more proof is needed to show the benefit of these techniques in other skin conditions. Healthy lifestyle habits, including a well-balanced diet and exercise, may also help to regulate stress hormones in the body, which should in turn have positive effects on skin and hair.
If you are experiencing a skin condition related to stress, see a dermatologist for your condition, and try some stress-reducing techniques at home. In addition, No4 can offer advice and treatments aimed at reducing adult acne, rosacea and ageing skin.
For more information contact us here.
Why would anyone get their fillers dissolved? They’re the number two aesthetic treatment worldwide! Millions of people are queuing up for fuller cheeks, contoured features and plump, shapely lips.
However, some celebrities are rocking the boat by deciding to get their filler removed, encouraging us to re-evaluate our attitude towards this procedure.
I’ve never felt comfortable with very large lips, but thanks to celebrity role models and social media stars, overfilled lips are becoming the norm. I’m glad to see people challenging the trend, with Love Island star Charlotte Crosby making the headlines by having her lip filler chemically dissolved. She put a question mark over the value of excessive lip fillers, while cosmetic doctors are exploring the risks of overfilling.
For example, Dr Harris deliberately draws attention to the distortion caused by overfilled lips and cheeks. He believes that too much filler leads to ‘alienisation’, with features enlarged outside the normal range for the individual in question.
However, it’s not always an unscrupulous doctor or an excessive treatment that leads to these strangely exaggerated results. Many people forget what they looked like before treatment and return for more or the substance takes longer to dissolve than we originally thought. The patients believe that they’re in need of a top-up while it’s still in their system, leading to a double dose of filler.
We all think about our appearance. Low confidence is often the motivation to have an aesthetic treatment such as dermal fillers, as it helps us to embrace how we look. However, cosmetic treatment has been linked to an extreme preoccupation with appearance, known as body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). People with BDD spend a disproportionate amount of time obsessing over minor or imagined flaws. This can be enormously upsetting, so it’s no surprise they turn to cosmetics to try and fix the problem.
It’s a difficult issue for us practitioners to identify, especially as fewer than 10% of patients with BDD are satisfied with the results of their treatment. They move on to other practitioners to correct this perceived problem or their anxieties transfer to another area of the face or body. Their constant quest to fix the flaw leads to distorted, overfilled features.
Now, not everyone with overfilled features is suffering from BDD. After all, we all worry about our appearance to some extent and BDD is the extreme end of the spectrum. In my practice, I tend to see patients who are delighted with a filler treatment, but quickly forget what they looked like before the procedure. They want a more discernible difference, so they come back wanting another treatment.
It’s easy to see how people’s faces become overfilled, especially as fillers may last much longer than we think. Alice Hart Davis, a beauty journalist and author, discovered that 35ml of dermal filler is still present in her face, even though we expect it to have dissolved naturally in less than two years.
Not at all! They help millions of people to look youthful, including me! However, we do need to take care.
In my clinic, I limit the amount I’m prepared to place at one time, assessing my patients via ultrasound to determine if any filler remains. This helps me decide if it’s suitable for them to have more treatment or whether I should direct them to an alternative, of which we have many. When I do conduct treatments, I tend to use Juvederm, which creates wonderfully subtle and natural-looking results.
Are you interested in dermal fillers? Visit our website for more information or contact us to book a consultation.
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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!
Are you one of those people that, no matter what you do or how much sleep you get, you still have tired eyes? The eye area and its surrounding skin can tell us a lot about our health and wellbeing, and is one of the first areas to show the unavoidable effects of ageing. As time goes by, it may become harder to hide when you’ve been playing hard, studying all night for an exam, working long hours, or been up all night with your two year old.
If your goal is to look like a well-rested human being in the morning (and who doesn’t want that), then these are some tips and tricks you may like to try!
So now you know a bit about how I’d treat tired eyes. Whether they’re puffy, or you have dark circles, or it’s fine lines and wrinkles getting you down, I can help!
If you’re not sure what would work best for you, that’s no problem - I didn’t train all these years for nothing! Book in for your initial consultation and I’ll get to know your skin, your goals, and work out what course of action will get you the best results.
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