SERENE SOJOURNS

This is a beautifully gentle but highly effective skin peel that reveals smoother skin and it can be tailored to suit your skin precisely and is ideal for the face, neck, hands décolletage and body. Chemical peel treatments progressively soften lines and wrinkles and fade acne scars and age spots. Unlike other skin peels, this is a non-glycolic peel with 10 years of medical research supporting its use to treat acne, ageing and pigmentation. The peel penetrates deep into the skin using the unique combination of Vitamin C, salicylic acid, lactic acid and citric acids. The skin is cleansed and an AGERA® Rx skin peel is applied which is activated by cold water. This peel provides results without shedding, redness or irritation and requires no downtime so you may continue with the rest of your day.

AGERA® Rx Skin Peel Treatments

AGERA® Rx anti-ageing peels stimulate cells (fibroblasts) deep within the skin to promote collagen and elastin production for firmer, thicker, younger looking skin and help eliminate fine lines and wrinkles for a smoother and more radiant appearance. For optimal results, a series of AGERA® Rx anti-ageing peels may be combined with microdermabrasion to help smooth out the surface of the skin. Combining the powerful Growth Factor Peptides, anti-oxidants and retinols available exclusively to AGERA® Rx anti-ageing products, help to control the skin’s internal ageing process while restoring and maintaining its thickness and resilience. Replacing these declining levels of growth factor peptides is the key to reversing and preventing the ageing process in the skin,

AGERA® Rx acne peels rapidly bring acne under control by reducing inflammation, decreasing bacteria and preventing new acne eruptions. Early intervention and regular use of AGERA® Rx acne products ensures rapid control of acne symptoms and is essential to minimise the risk of future scarring. These revolutionary peels also reduce blocked pores and redness associated with acne conditions. For optimal results, a series of AGERA® Rx acne peels may be required to assist diminishing existing acne scars.

AGERA® Rx pigmentation control peels offer advanced solutions for pigmentation by penetrating the skin’s pigment cells to gently and effectively reduce the appearance of unwanted pigmentation and discolouration and improve the clarity and colour of the skins for a more even skin tone.

What are AGERA® Rx Skin Peels used to treat?

Various different combinations of AGERA® Rx skin peels are used to treat acne, acne scarring, ageing skin, sun damaged skin, skin with areas of increased pigmentation and to refresh the skin.

Why are AGERA® Rx Peels revolutionary?

AGERA® Rx, after 10 years of medical research, has developed a combination of water-free peeling materials that can penetrate as deeply into the skin as the reticular dermis without causing any significant irritation. By adding cold water to the treatment, the peel is immediately activated. This is distinct from peels such as those that contain glycolic, which simply burn their way down through the upper layers. AGERA® Rx peels do not contain glycolic and uses a combination of ascorbic acid (vitamin C), lactic acid (AHA), citric acid (PHA), salicylic acid (BHA) which can be applied in a multi-layering process.

Why is a course recommended?

AGERA® Rx peels are designed to be gentle to start with and then are gradually increased in strength as the skin becomes acceptant of the procedure. Several peels usually on a weekly basis are required to see the desired effect.

What is chemical peeling for?

This simple, safe but effective treatment is used to reverse the visible signs of ageing. It can be used on all skin types, to treat acne, acne scarring, sun spots, sun damage, blotchy skin, age spots, lines and wrinkles. Today, with the public increasing interest in rejuvenating skin and slowing the effects of the ageing process, chemical peeling has emerged as an exciting supplement to a total skin care programme.

How does an AGERA® Rx Skin Peel work?

Chemical peeling is a technique used to improve the appearance if the skin. In this treatment, a chemical solution is applied to the skin which causes it to separate and eventually peel off. The new, regenerated skin is usually smoother, less wrinkled and of even tone and colour. The peel and treatment protocols can be tailored to suit the condition to be treated. The anti-ageing peel stimulates collagen production which will help to eliminate the fine lines and wrinkles and leave you with a firmer, smoother and more radiant appearance. The pigmentation peel penetrates deep into the skin to reduce the appearance of discolouration leaving you with a more even skin tone.

What areas can be treated with AGERA® Rx Skin Peel?

The treatment is usually carried out on the face but can be carried out on the back and upper chest.

Who should not use AGERA® Rx Skin Peels?

With a peel you are advised not to use any prescriptive topical creams for one week prior to being treated. It is also recommended that you do not carry out any facial waxing 10 days prior to treatment and you will not be treated if you are sunburnt.

How long does the AGERA® Rx Skin Peel take?

Treatment usually takes approximately 30 minutes but it may be 40 minutes including the consultation.

How many treatments will I need?

The chemical peeling treatment protocol takes place over a four week period, with one treatment per week being performed.

Does chemical peeling hurt?

During the procedure, most clients experience a warm to somewhat hot sensation which last for about 5 to 10 minutes, followed by a slight stinging sensation which soon disappears.

Do I need to take special precautions before and after my AGERA® Rx Skin Peel treatment?

It is recommended that you use an SPF 25 sun cream after treatments.

Are there any possible side-effects?

Yes, there is a risk of developing a temporary or permanent colour change, scarring and re-activation of cold sores. Most of these complications are preventable and can be effectively managed.

Muscle relaxing injections to reduce lines and wrinkles

Frown lines, worry lines and crow’s feet are caused by smiling, laughing or frowning – and the more expressive you are, the deeper the lines will become! As we get older our skin’s repair mechanism slows and so the problem accelerates. Botulinum Toxin (BOTOX®) is a very effective non-surgical way to treat the condition.

What is BOTOX®?

It is a purified protein produced by the clostridium bacterium and is used in extremely small amounts to relax dynamic wrinkles caused by the contraction of muscles.

Is it safe?

Treatment is widespread in medical practice and in trained medical hands is proven to be safe and effective. BOTOX® is used in much higher doses to treat migraines and excessive sweating disorders than in cosmetic procedures. Treatment is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Very rarely a temporary drooping of the eyelid may occur but this usually resolves quickly. Occasionally some asymmetry may develop, but this is easily rectified with further small injections.

How does BOTOX® work?

BOTOX® attaches itself to the nerves that control the muscles and prevents the nerve from sending its chemical signal to the muscle, so in turn preventing the muscles from contracting. The result of this temporary paralysis of the dynamic facial muscles that are responsible for wrinkles is a reducing or eliminating of the lines when we frown or smile. Because the movement of the muscle has been reduced and the creases are not being continually formed, the skin can gradually recover causing the lines to soften over time.

Does it hurt?

An anaesthetic cream is applied before treatment to numb the area so discomfort is minimal. There may be a mild stinging sensation during treatment which uses a very fine needle and tiny amounts of BOTOX® are injected into specific areas according to the placement of lines and the severity of the condition, and a transient headache has occasionally been reported following treatment.

What areas can be treated?

The most common areas treated are the frown lines between the brows, the forehead and crows feet around the eyes.

What can be expected following treatment?

Effects can take 3 – 10 days to become visible and will generally last 3 to 6 months depending on the treatment and individual response. Effects may last longer with repeat treatments.

Are there any side effects?

No serious side effects have been reported when used for cosmetic treatments. Immediately after treatment there may be a little swelling or redness, but this usually subsides within a few hours at most. Occasionally there may be some bruising at the injection sites.

What precautions should be followed after a treatment?

Don’t touch the treated area for 4 – 6 hours after treatment
Don’t lie down for 4 – 6 hours after treatment
Don’t drink alcohol for 4 – 6 hours after treatment
Don’t do vigorous exercise for 4 – 6 hours after treatment
Exercise the muscles by relaxing and contracting the area treated, as this helps the BOTOX® to reach the target muscles
Facials and massage treatments should be avoided for 3 days after treatment

Is this treatment for everyone?

Men and women who would like a more relaxed appearance will enjoy the benefits of BOTOX®. There are very few restrictions, but treatment will not be given in pregnancy, breastfeeding and certain neurological conditions.

Medical microdermabrasion is based on the very same techniques as microdermabrasion* - but uses a much higher powered machine. Because of this extra power, medical microdermabrasion machines are only allowed in clinics/establishments with suitably qualified aesthetics practitioners (surgeons, doctors, dentists and nurses). Medical microdermabrasion treatments are administered by Catherine, a qualified aesthetics practitioner, at our Glasgow city centre clinic. All other aesthetics treatments are administered by Catherine at Inverkip.

This non-surgical skin resurfacing procedure immediately restores smoother looking skin, and is a virtually painless alternative to chemical peels. A versatile procedure, it can be combined with other treatments to help achieve the desired results and is used in the treatment of fine lines and wrinkles, sun damaged skin, acne prone skin, blackheads, whiteheads, superficial age spots and hyper-pigmentation as well as to assist with oily, dry or patchy skin.

Treatment involves the passing of a hand-held probe over the skin which delivers a highly controlled stream of medical grade crystals that exfoliate the skin, the debris being immediately vacuumed away. The process improves the texture and colour of the skin, revealing the healthy underlying skin cells, and promoting the production of collagen that thickens the skin and improves its resistance to ageing.

The results are instant and medical microdermabrasion usually does not require preparation prior to treatment. The treatment is well-accepted for use by men and women and has the additional benefit of allowing the client to return to normal activities straight away.

*Microdermabrasion is a technique usually performed in beauty salons by beauty therapists. It is relatively safe because it is a very superficial treatment using machines that are of low power and are therefore unlikely to cause damage if used incorrectly.