Dr Des Fernandes Inspires

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Topical application of Vitamin A

Medical Skin Needling

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Visia Skin Analysis Event

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


www.weddingpicsandbeautytips.blogspot.com


www.watersedgeclinic.co.uk

Environ - The Beauty Editor's Choice

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


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


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


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


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


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

.....And we're back!

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


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


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


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


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


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


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

Satsumas and taking the pith

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


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


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


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


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


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


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


www.watersedgeclinic.co.uk

Fast Fixes For Busy Girlies

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


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


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


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


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


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


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