Is Teeth Whitening Dangerous?

Teeth whitening is now the in thing, with at least 70% of the population having tried one form or another of teeth whitening from toothpastes and strips to laser.

Teeth whitening procedures use either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide (which breaks down into hydrogen peroxide after a few hours). These bleaching agents are available in different strengths from 5% up to 40%.

In the majority of cases the only side effects are increased sensitivity with hot and cold foods and mild pain that tends to disappear within 2-3 weeks.

Teeth Whitening Kits

Most teeth whitening kits bought over the counter contain less than 10% bleaching agent and they need to be used everyday for 2 weeks. In Australia, regulations require that they contain less than 6% peroxide. It is possible to obtain higher concentrations online and you should be aware of the risks associated with using them.

Whitening kits comprise a bleaching gel and a tray. You put a small amount of the gel on the tray and fit the tray over your teeth leaving it there for half an hour to all night depending on strength of the gel. The safest ones are those kits supplied by your dentist because the trays are made to match the exact shape of your teeth and there is less risk of the gel burning your gums or irritating your throat.

The major risk is side effects due to the condition of your teeth before using one of these kits. It is important that you consult your dentist before buying an over the counter teeth whitening kit.

If you have any cracks or cavities the bleaching gel can access the tooth nerve and cause severe pain and even kill it.

Another risk is the overuse of these teeth whitening products. Prolonged use can cause pain, irritated gums, receding of the gums, irritation to the gastrointestinal track, the wearing away of the teeth close to the gums, and a bluish translucent tint that can be permanent. Make sure that you follow the product's instructions and don not use for longer than recommended with a touch up every 6 months or once a year.

Laser Teeth Whitening Treatments

These procedures are usually carried out by a dentist and use up to 40% hydrogen peroxide gel. They deliver up to 8 shades whiter in an hour or two. The bleaching agent is so strong that it can burn any soft tissue in the mouth.

To avoid harm to the gums and tongue the dentist first apply a protective layer of a plastic-like gel to the gums. He also uses a dental retractor to pull back the lips. He then paints the bleaching gel on the surface of the teeth and applies a light to accelerate the whitening effect.

This procedure can also cause sensitivity and pain even if performed by a dentist. These side effects have been known to continue for up to 3 months after the treatment.

Another thing to be aware of is that bleaching your teeth removes the pellicle. The pellicle is a protective layer that covers your teeth. Without this layer your teeth are more prone to absorb stains, so it is important to avoid coffee, tea, red wine, coke, any dark coloured foods, and smoking for at least 48 hours until the pellicle reforms. Otherwise your teeth will get about two shades darker right away.

Teeth Whitening Toothpastes

Teeth whitening toothpastes work by using abrasives and a chemicals that dissolve surface stains. They take between 2 to 6 weeks to make the teeth appear 2 to 3 shades whiter. Prolonged use can damage the enamel of your teeth.

Whitening toothpastes only remove surface stains, they do not work on deep stains or change the natural colour of your teeth. Some toothpastes use a substance called blue covarine which sticks to the surface of the teeth and makes them appear whiter.

Teeth Whitening Strips

Teeth whitening strips work in the same way than whitening kits. They contain up to 10% hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide gel on a flexible plastic strip. The strip moulds to the shape of your teeth and bleaches your teeth.

They may be safer than the over-the-counter whitening kits because there is no risk of the bleaching gel spilling over your gums, however if the strips are applied too close to the gums you may still get burns or irritation.

Summary

It is important to consider that whatever method you use, teeth whitening is only temporary and your teeth will start getting stained again right after treatment. In the best of the cases some lightening may be retained for up to 3 years. Avoiding smoking and eating foods that stain; and brushing your teeth after every meal will help prolonging the brightening results.

Most whitening kits or treatments cause sensitivity and sometimes pain to most people. Most at risk are those using over-the-counter kits without first consulting their dentist. Existing cavities and cracks can cause serious problems and you can even losse teeth.

Because the results are temporary people tend to overdo it which will cause a weakening of the enamel. Just like over bleaching your hair your teeth will become porous and brittle, making them susceptible to cavities and causing sensitivity and pain.

Natural Ways for Whitening Your Teeth

Natural whitening methods only remove surface stains giving you up to 3 shades lighter. They can also be used to maintain your teeth white after a bleaching treatment.

• Eat lots of crunchy vegetables. Vegetables such as celery, carrots and apples are great to clean plaque and stains.
  
  
• Mix Baking Soda with your toothpaste and brush your teeth with this once a week for maintenance or once a day for 7 days and then only once a week. You may be tempted to do this more often, don't. Baking Soda is a mild abrasive, use in moderation it removes plaque and stains, abused it will damage the enamel of your teeth.
  
  
• Rub lemon and orange peels on your teeth. The citric acid will break down stains whitening your teeth, however it should not be used more than once a day for a week. Can be repeated every six months. If used more often it will damage the enamel of your teeth and cause sensitivity.
  
  
• Make a paste by mashing strawberries with a fork and brush your teeth with this paste. Strawberries contain malic acid which is very good at breaking down stains and whitening your teeth. You should brush your teeth with toothpaste afterwards because strawberries also have sugar.
• However the best way to whiten your teeth naturally is using Activated Charcoal (Activated Carbon). Activated Charcoal is excellent at absorbing toxins and tannins. Most stains in your teeth are caused by tannins present in everyday foods and tobacco. Activated Charcoal will remove the stains on your teeth without damaging the enamel and you can use it every day. What's more, It will also protect your mouth from plaque and bacterial growth because it balances the PH.
  
  You can buy Activated Charcoal in powder form or capsules at health stores. You must be careful when using it because it can make a mess in your bathroom, although it does not stain, and can be easily removed with water. Take a plate with you to the bathroom and place it next to the sink. Carefully open the capsule in the centre of the plate (or pour a small amount of the powder). Wet your toothbrush (don't use an electric toothbrush) and dip it in the powder. Carefully move the brush over your teeth, only once. Leave the charcoal in your mouth for 5-8 minutes. Rinse your mouth well and brush with your normal toothpaste.

How to avoid lines and wrinkles around the lip area

Have you ever wondered why some people despite being only in their early 30's show a large amount of lines and wrinkles in the skin around the lips?

When you are talking to another person your eyes are drawn to movement and the mouth is one of the main focal points, second only to the eyes. In other words, if you have deep lines around the lips it will be the first thing the other person will notice about you, that is why it is so important to keep your mouth looking it's best.

There are many factors, all avoidable, that contribute to lines around the lips.

1.  The main culprit is smoking. Smoking cigarettes will damage your skin in two ways:
• The actual cigarette smoke contains many toxins that dry and kill the skin cells and the lips are the most exposed area. 
• Puckering the lips when inhaling makes your muscles overwork in the same expression creating wrinkles around the lips.


2. From about two decades ago, we are seeing carrying our water bottles around everywhere we go. Initially confined to the gym and excursions the water bottle has now become our constant companion, with the average person taking a sip every 5-10 minutes.
   
   You should be aware that this health icon is one of the worst habits that cause lines and wrinkles around the mouth. The constant puckering of the lips, dozens of times a day, cause deep lines over time. So, next time, when you sit at your desk with a water bottle, also grab a cup and drink from the cup instead.
   
   If you are out and about you can try squirting the water into your mouth or drinking with the whole lid off, rather than sucking it.


3.  Avoiding the sun whenever your can or using a broad spectrum sunscreen will prevent the formation of fine lines around the mouth. The sun causes premature aging causing the collagen in our skin to break down and the cells to dry increasing deep lines in the lip area and our face in general.
   


4. Drinking alcohol dehydrates our skin contributing to wrinkles around the mouth, so minimise alcohol intake.


5. Clean and moisturise your skin twice daily: morning and night. Don't use soap. Use a cleaning lotion that is gentle to the skin and will balance your PH. Follow it by applying a good moisturising cream that will hydrate your skin diminishing fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth and the whole face in general.


6. Drink plenty of water, specially during the summer months. Water will hydrate your skin keeping it supple thus diminishing unsightly deep lines.
   
   
   

REMEDIAL MASSAGE

I have suffered from lower back pain for years and have been to heaps of beauty spas and massage parlours for massage. I kept searching for someone that could help ease away my lower back pain without much success. I have tried many types of massage and different massage therapist but still not much help on my pain. I felt good for about two to three hours after the massage but later my pain would return. Two months ago, I went to a remedial massage and it totally changed my life even after the one treatment. I could feel a huge difference immediately after the treatment, it not only eased my pain but I was pain free for a week. After 4 treatment sessions, I am thrilled to say that 80% of my pain is gone!

Remedial massage is greatly beneficial and can reduce symptoms by relaxing the tension in the muscles, stimulating the flow of blood through the muscles, breaking down and eliminating toxins, enhancing the oxygenation of the brain and relaxing the nervous system and mind. Remedial massage holistically treats the whole body and traces the discomfort as far as possible back to the original cause, healing both the causes of the disorder as well as the symptoms. The healing treatment can be gentle or strong, deep or shallow and usually using a lubricating medium (oil) directly to the skin to ensure that the muscles associated with the disorder and mobilisation of the joint are deeply treated. Passive stretching moves are also used.

Many remedial massage therapist have attained additional training, which usually includes more in-depth study and qualifications in anatomy and physiology. This extra knowledge and understanding will enable the massage therapist to carry out an assessment and provide appropriate treatments. The remedial massage therapist uses skilled manipulation combined with thorough knowledge to bring about pain relief, correcting and normalising the body's muscles and soft tissues.

The accredited remedial massage therapist honours the professional practice protocol to bring about the specific individualised therapeutic change with clinical reasoning. During treatment there is tenderness in areas that are being treated, which indicates what muscle and tendons are injured. The therapist uses the patient's feedback to pinpoint the damaged tissue and regulate pressure. The results are usually immediate, certainly within three sessions a big improvement will be seen with a skilful practitioner. Most patients feel a difference after one session.

Some common conditions that can be successfully treated by a remedial massage therapist are Achilles Tendon, Tendinitis, Shin Splints, Groin Strain, Hamstring Injuries, Plantar Fasciitis, Scar Tissues, Whiplash, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Repetitive Strain Injury.

What is Rosacea? and ... Is it affecting you?

www.rosacea.org

Most people don't know what Rosacea is. Many people even have it without knowing. So what is Rosacea?

Rosacea is a skin condition that affects mainly people of north-western European descent, however it is found on all segments of the population. It usually starts with sporadic blushing or flushing of the face. Overtime the redness becomes more persistent and intensifies. Red bumps like pimples and broken capillaries may develop. In severe cases the eyes can get irritated and bloodshot and the nose may grow swollen and bulbous from excess tissue.

Regrettably there is no cure for Rosacea and its causes are unknown. There are, however a number of treatments to reduce the symptoms and keep the condition in check. Early diagnosis is recommended because if left untreated it worsens over time.

Rosacea develops primarily on people between the ages of 30 and 60 and affects more women than men.

There are 4 subtypes and most people develops symptoms of more than one subtype:

Rosacea Subtype 1 - Erythematotelangiectatic Rosacea

This subtype is characterised by permanent redness, the skin can become dry and flaky, there is frequent blushing and there can be a burning sensation. Often capillaries close to the surface of the skin dilate and become visible.

Rosacea Subtype 2 - Papulopustular rosacea

Characterised by permanent redness and transient red bumps, sometimes with pus. It is often confused with acne.

Rosacea Subtype 3 - Phymatous rosacea

In this subtype the skin thickens, specially in the area of the nose, although it also appear in the forehead, chin, cheeks, ears and eyelids. There can be some nodularities and enlargement due to excess skin, small broken capillaries can also be visible.

Rosacea Subtype 4 – Ocular Rosacea

The eyes are often dry, itchy, red and watery. The eyelids are also irritated and swollen, and often develop cysts. This condition can cause vision loss due to corneal damage.

What causes Rosacea?

Although the exact cause of Rosacea is unknown there are many trigger factors that increase blushing and may play a part in the development of Rosacea:

- exposure to extreme temperatures or quick changes in temperature

- wind

- strenuous exercise

- sun exposure

- caffeine

- drinking alcohol

- spicy foods

- some vegetables and fruits

- dairy products

- hot baths

- some cosmetics and harsh skin care products

- humidity

- medical conditions and some medications

- stress and anxiety

- Demodex mite

How to manage Rosacea

While there is no cure for the condition a number of treatments can control or reverse some of the symptoms. It is also important to avoid trigger factors and use gentle skin care products.

Rosacea is very individual dependant, so treatments and products have to be tailor to the individual patient. A treatment that may work very well for one person may not work for another.

Antibiotics as well as number of drugs are available to treat the condition. It is important to consult your doctor or dermatologist to get a diagnosis and any prescription medicines you may require.

Intense Pulse Light(IPL) as well as lasers have proven effective at treating redness andbroken capillaries and maintaining the disease under control.

For mild eye irritation or dryness artificial tears, and the daily cleansing of the eyelashes with a mild shampoo may be recommended.

In the case of Rosacea Subtype 3, surgery may be required to remove excess skin.

HOW SHOULD WE WASH OUR FACE

Washing your face seems pretty simple but you will be amazed at how many people are doing the wrong thing.....

Environ Skin Care Products

1) Wash Face With Clean Hands

Don't be surprised how many people don't clean their hands before cleansing their face. So wash your hands first, then wash your face to avoid rubbing all the dirt from your hands into your face.

2) Wash Twice Daily

Over washing the face can lead to irritation and lack of moisture. We should wash our face twice a day: in the morning and once again at night before we go to bed. Make sure to rinse any cleanser off completely, residue can lead to irritation and dryness. It is good to use lukewarm water to rinse our skin, if the water is too cold or too hot it can cause dehydration.
If your skin is oily it is better to soak up the excess oil with a tissue rather than washing your face more often.

3) Pick a Right Cleanser

Depending on your skin type, you should pick a pH-balance cleanser that suits your face. Most cleansing products have a surfactant, a chemical or natural compound that helps break through the surface tension of the skin. The cleanser absorbs dirt and oil and removes them during rinsing. Make sure ingredients list does not contain fragrance, parabens or harsh soap. Never-ever use soap to wash your face.

4) Don't Over Exfoliate

Do not over exfoliate the skin by using harsh grains. Many exfoliators contain sharp crystals made from particles of apricot pits or nuts that can cut into the skin causing irritation and inflammation. Be gentle to the skin by using a gentle scrub made from rice or enzyme exfoliant so don't cause damage to the skin. Depending on the exfoliant you may be able to use it everyday or as recommended by the product instructions.

Lastly, always put on a suitable moisturiser after wash to prevent dehydration.

HAPPY WASHING !

HS&P MESO Treatment (Skin Needling)

HS&P MESO Treatment is 100% Natural! There is nothing injected into the skin. Allergic reaction and side effects rarely exist. Needles are working in thedermis layer of the skin and bring an immediate reaction from the brain to the skin. Your body produces more and more

collagen to plump the wrinkles, smooth and reduce existing scars.

The objective of HS&P MESO treatment is to stimulate collagen and elastin production and may enhance the penetration and absorption of active ingredients into the deeper layers of the skin. Therefore, additional age-fighting skin benefits can be achieved when combined with products that contain collagen-boosting and skin-fortifying ingredients like Retinol, Vitamin C and Peptides.

HS&P MESO is suitable for all skin types. Depending on the area of the face being treated, the procedure is said to be well tolerated and in some cases virtually painless, feeling just like a mild prickling sensation. The skin will be pink or red in appearance for a couple of hours following the treatment, much like a mild sunburn. The skin may also feel warm, tight and itchy for a short while. This should normally resolve in 12-48 hours. Side effects or risks are minimal with this type of treatment and typically include minor flaking or dryness of the skin, approximately 3 days after your treatment. After the skin has shed, it will have a healthy glow, feel softer, smoother and look more even in colour.

The benefits of HS&P MESO treatment are:

• Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
• Improves skin contouring and skin tightening
• Reduces pore size and improves skin texture
• Reduces the appearance of any kind of scars except keloids or raised scars, red scars and scars that are too fresh after surgery or an accident.

Differences between HS&P MESO and traditional NEEDLE ROLLERS:

• HS&P MESO utilises sterile packed, disposable needles that eliminate the risk of cross contamination and infection.
• HS&P MESO is a patented Rectilinear Motion Stimulation Device and Protocol, which only allows needles to hit the skin at right angle without tearing the skin, hence avoiding the risk of skin damage or scar tissue formation compared to the traditional needle rollers.
• The HS&P MESO device unique “press and go” treatment protocol will prevent scarring and scratching of the skin during the treatment unlike other needling methods.
• The HS&P MESO device is designed with a safety depth controlling perimeter around the needles which will prevent the operator from applying too much pressure which may cause excessive trauma on the skin.
• Compared with the traditional needle rollers, this unique HS&P MESO device has a specially designed Pine Leaf needle shape head for less trauma, less pain, and can easily target delicate skin such as the eye area, or areas that need to be isolated with better results.
• The area can be covered more thoroughly with HS&P MESO than with traditional needle rollers, due to the 12 micro needles and the 83 times per second that the needle cartridge works on the skin. Also the device operates at high speeds which reduces the perception of pain.

At Skin Nexus we use a HS&P Meso Device for our Collagen InductionTherapy (CIT) Treatments, so you can be confident to receive the best and less traumatic rejuvenation therapy.

What causes pigmentation and how can it be treated?

There may be many different causes for pigmentation. The most common being hyperpigmentation from sun damage.

Sun Damage

Most of the sun damage is done during our childhood and adolescent years but it doesn't manifest until later in life. Freckles and brown or sun spots are a result of sun damage.

In an effort to protect the skin from the damaging UV rays the body produces excess melanin in the deep layers of the skin. Over time this melanin moves to the surface creating visible pigmented areas.

To treat this kind of pigmentation, a combination of more than one, of the following treatments is recommended:

Daily Skin Care:

A salon recommended skin care range specifically formulated for pigmentation or that contains high levels of vitamin A.

IPL or Laser:

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) or Q-switch lasers can treat hyperpigmentation by burning the pigment without damaging the surrounding skin. The pigmented area will turn dark and may lightly scab 1 or 2 days after treatment. The scab will fall off in 1 or 2 weeks. It is important not to scratch or pick at the scab and avoid sun exposure and solariums. Deeper pigmented layers will rise to the surface and must be treated again. It usually requires 2 to 6 treatments. Treatments are spaced every 4 weeks.

Skin Peels:

Superficial skin peels with glycolic acid, salicylic acid, or lactic acid can also be used in combination with some of the other methods to enhance the results.

Daily use of a broad spectrum UVA & UVB sunscreen is paramount to avoid further sun damage. It is also recommended to wear a wide brimmed hat for long periods under the sun.

Melasma

Another cause for pigmentation is Melasma. Melasma affects mainly dark skinned people and is more difficult to treat. It often occurs during pregnancy and it is caused by hormonal changes. Because Melasma usually resides in the deep layers of the skin more aggressive treatments are needed. To effectively treat Melasma it may be recommended to combine all of the treatments bellow.

Daily Skin Care:

A daily skin care programme with high levels of vitamin A

Chemical Peels:

Stronger chemical peels that can penetrate to the deep layers of the skin as well as dermabrasion can also help.

Elos IPL:

Elos IPL which combines IPL and RF (radio frequency) may also work, however it may require multiple treatments. IPL is set low to avoid burning of the surrounding skin. The IPL energy creates a path of low resistance for the RF which is not colour dependant.

Hydroquinone Therapy:

Hydroquinone therapy it is also quite effective for the treatment of Melasma. Hydroquinone is a bleaching agent that decreases the production of melanin and breaks down the melanosomes (pigment granules of the skin's pigment cells). Hydroquinone cream is applied topically to the affected area only.

Again the use of a broad spectrum sunscreen is essential.

Post-inflammatory Hyperpigmentation

PIH (Post-inflammatory Hyperpigmentation) is also a frequent cause of pigmentation. In PIH an injury in the skin causes excessive pigment production. The most common causes are acne, burns, and psoriasis and they are more often found on dark skinned people.

PIH treatment is also quite difficult because it involves a deeper layer of the skin. Treatment options are the same as in Melasma (see above).

Sugaring Paste VS Hot Wax

PURE AND NATURAL INGREDIENTS

APSugaring paste is made from NATURAL INGREDIENTS with no testing on animals and with no harmful side effects caused by allergic reactions. It is so natural you can eat it!

Hot Wax has many chemical ingredients, mostly resins and preservatives.

IT IS NOT AS HOT

AP Sugaring paste is applied at body temperature making it safe for ALL AREAS even for spider veins and vericose veins.

Hot wax must be heated to a very high degree in order to become liquefied. This amount of heat can cause burning and scarring.

IT IS EASY TO CLEAN UP

Sugar can be easily cleaned with water – from both your client and your equipment. Clients never feel sticky after treatment.

Hot Wax contains resins, chemical solvents are required to remove it from the floor, equipment etc, which can be costly to replace. After waxing, the client usually feels sticky.

IT WILL NOT STICK TO THE SKIN

Sugar cannot adhere to live skin cells. Live cells are wet, and because sugar is water soluble, it will not adhere to live skin cell. It will extract the hair and exfoliate the dead skin cells, helping to free ingrown hairs. It's also safe on dry itchy eczema and dry psoriasis. It is gentle enough to go over the same area several times when necessary to extract the shortest and most coarse hair, without causing skin damage and irritation.

Wax has been known to remove more than just the hair, since it can adhere directly to live skin cells, which make waxing painful and irritating. Wax cannot be applied to an area more than twice at the most.

IT IS MORE COST EFFECTIVE

AP Sugaring paste can be used over and over on different parts of the body and is discarded after each treatment.

Wax can be more costly due to constant dipping for each strip applied.

IT NEVER DRIES

Sugar will not dry, so you can work over an entire area without ever dipping and stripping.

Most waxes must be removed immediately before they dry. This means repetitious dipping and stripping, making the process longer than necessary.

IT WILL NOT BREAK AS MANY HAIRS

AP Sugaring paste wraps around the hair shaft making it pliable, while seeping below the mouth of the follicle and lubricating the hair to make the extraction more complete and gentle. The hair is eased out of the follicle only in the natural direction of growth, which help to extract the hair intact.

Waxing can leave 15-30% breakage behind due to wax hardens on the hair, it has the tendency to break it off at the surface, rather than pull it out.

CAN EXTRACT VERY SHORT HAIRS

AP Sugaring requires less than 1/16 inch or four to seven days growth, after shaving.

Wax products require at least two to three weeks growth before treatment when a client is shaving.

LEADS TO PERMANENCY

After a number of treatments the hair follicle begins to deplete. The hair growth is more fine each time. Because sugar can extract the shortest hair, it is possible to extract hair in the early anagen phase, which can lead to permanency.

Everyday habits that can damage your bones

There a number of small things that we do or don't do everyday that contribute to damaging our bones and causing osteoporosis:

1.  Soft Drinks

Soft drinks contain Phosphoric Acid which reduces the absorption of calcium.

2.  Drinking Alcohol

Alcohol reduces the absorption of calcium and vitamin D as well as destroying the bone making cells.

3.  A Sedentary Lifestyle

Without exercise the bones weaken and loose density. Walking and a daily routine with light weights can help keep the bones healthy.

4.  Smoking

Smoking interferes with healthy bone creation and decreases your bone mass.

5.  Not Enough Vitamin D

Vitamin D is essential for bone formation. The body makes vitamin from the sun, unfortunately ultraviolet light causes skin cancer and premature ageing.  It can also be difficult to get enough sun during the winter. You only need 10 or 15min of daily sun exposure in your face and arms, preferably early in the morning or late afternoon. If you are not getting enough sun, a vitamin D supplement is recommended.

6.  Not Enough Calcium in your Diet

You need to eat calcium reach foods such as milk, cheese, almonds, spinach, beans. You can also take calcium supplements.

7.  Drinking too much Coffee

Coffee increases the excretion of calcium through the urine and causes bone demineralisation.

8.  Not Enough Sleep

Lack of sleep reduces the mineralisation of the bones and increases the chances of osteoporosis.

9.  High Heels

Wearing high heels every day deforms your spine and can cause damage to your hips, knees, and feet.

10. Fluoride

Water with high amounts of fluoride cause a bone debilitating disease called Skeletal Fluorosis and makes your bones prone to fractures and arthritis.

Skin Rejuvenation - Radio Frequency

Radio Frequency (RF) is a rate of oscillation which corresponds to the frequency of electromagnetic waves (radio waves). It is widely used in medicine and has been used for rejuvenation for over 12 years.

RF energy gets converted to heat when it hits the deep layers of the skin. By heating up the water and protein in our skin RF helps to rebuild the collagen matrix and stimulate elastin production.

Benefits of Radio Frequency treatments:

• Tightens lax skin
• Promotes collagen production
• Improves skin texture
• reduces fine lines
• stimulates blood circulation
• increases skin elasticity

In most cases there is very little or no pain and no downtime and you can return to your daily activities right away.

Some skin tightening can be noticed immediately after treatment with the results improving within the following months as new collagen is produced.

Radio Frequency Devices

There are a few different radio frequency devices:

Monopolar

In monopolar devices the energy runs from the treatment head to a ground pad located on a distant part of the skin. The energy can penetrate up to 20mm deep.

Thermage™ is the best sample of monopolar RF device. Was also the first RF treatment in the market.

Thermage tends to be quite painful and often the skin becomes red and blotches and bruises may appear after treatment. They usually clear within a few days.

Bipolar

Bipolar Radio Frequency devices feature the two poles in the one hand-piece, the energy penetrates between 2mm and 4mm into the skin making it safer to use because it controls the energy between the two poles and confines it to the deep layers of skin.

Multipolar

Multipolar devices combine a different number of bipolar and monopolar systems.

So far, it has not been scientifically established which system offers the best option for skin tightening.

Bipolar RF with IPL

The Elos system combines bipolar radio frequency with intense pulsed light to deliver more effective treatments for a number of skin concerns.

This system can also target pigmentation, broken capillaries and acne scars at the same time that stimulates the collagen production and tightens the skin.

Side Effects of RF

The original protocols use very high energy settings with the area being treated in only one pass. Although very effective, there were many side effects some minor, such as redness and bruises which would clear in a few days; and some mayor such as blistering, burns, and fat atrophy.

Fat atrophy happens when the underlying layers of the skin are overheated causing a depression and giving a sunken appearance.

New treatment protocols use low-energy settings and multiple-pass. These protocols make the treatments extremely safe, with very little or no pain, and no downtime. The only side effect being a mild redness in some cases.

Low energy and multiple passes have proven to be even more effective than the original protocols with 87% of patients noting immediate skin tightening and 92% reporting skin tightening over the following 6 months.

What can I expect when going for a Radio Frequency Treatment?

The procedure will vary depending on the device being used.

For Thermage and monopolar devices a topical anaesthetic cream may be applied to the area to numb it.

You will be fitted with a self adhesive return pad to your stomach or back.

Depending on the energy level to be used a treatment grid ink transfer may be applied to your skin to guide the operator and avoid treating the same area more than once.

On bipolar devices using low-energy, multiple-pass the anaesthetic cream is not necessary, neither is the return pad or the treatment grid.

The therapist will start by cleaning your skin from any makeup and oil.

She will then apply a cooling gel to your skin to help guide the handpiece and make the treatment more comfortable.

She will start treating each area by sliding the headpiece with circular and uplifting motions. You will fill a warm sensation. There is usually no pain, however in sensitive areas where the skin is close to the bone you may experience like the flick of a rubber band.

At the end of the procedure a cooling lotion or masque may be applied.

How many treatments do I need?

For greater results 4 to 6 treatments are usually recommended. Treatments are spaced between 2 and 4 weeks.

The effects of the treatment can be seen right away with the skin continuing to improve during the following months.

Head Mites - They can be the cause of your hair loss

Like many women over 40 and 70% of men, my hair has started to thin out on the top.

Actually that is not quite accurate. There is an area on the top/back of may head where the hair has been thinner than the rest since I was a teenager. My hair is naturally thick and abundant so it was not so noticeable. When I consulted a dermatologist, she sent some blood tests asked questions about my parents and grand parents hair and concluded that it was unlikely that it would extend and that the only treatment that worked for such conditions was taking some hormone medication that she didn't recommend because of side effects.

My hair remained unchanged for many years, but now the thinning out has extended to the top of my head. I still don't like the idea of taking hormones, so after an acquaintance recommended it because it had given her great results, I have started using Environ's Intensive Hair & Scalp Tonic. I still cannot talk about results because it has been only a few weeks and most of those treatments take a few months to start showing results.

Demodex Mite - Photography by Alan R Walker

A couple of weeks ago, I was at the Salon Expo in Melbourne and because I was keeping my eyes open about anything to do with hair loss treatments, I came across a stand that claimed that hair loss could be caused by a microscopic mite that lives in our pores eating sebum.

I didn't quite believed it because I thought if it were true I would have heard of it by now. I seems I was wrong.

There are two species of head mites or Demodex that live on humans:  Demodex Folliculorum and  Demodex Brevis. They pass most of their time with their heads burrowed into our hair follicles. They are mostly found on our faces: cheeks, chin, nose, eyelids and forehead; however, they can live in any part of our skin.

Demodex prefer oily skin and their numbers increase in the summer months. They have a clawed mouth (palpus organ) and eat the sebum in our pores as well as the cells that line the inside of our follicles.

Only a small percentage of kids have Demodex, but by the time you are 80 there is an 80% chance that you will have Demodex. They are also more abundant in people with immune system deficiencies or that are taking drugs that affect their defences.

It is believed that Demodex activity, either directly or indirectly, may be the cause of many skin affections such as rosacea, acne and hair loss. There are very few studies and although there are many products that claim to kill Demodex, reviews are mixed.

Here is a list of links to products and home recipes that may help eliminating or controlling Demodex:

Tea Tree Oil
Kwellada
ZZ Cream
Sea Buckthorn Oil

Can you get burned with Laser & IPL?

Yes, it is possible to get burns with a Laser or IPL treatment. Burns are very rare and in 99% of the cases, they are very minor and will go away without leaving a mark within a couple of weeks.


There are many factors than can cause burns, but in order for it to make more sense I will first explain how laser and IPL work.

Both IPL and laser work with the energy of an intense light source. Different filters and settings are used to target specific elements in our skin: 

• hair follicle for hair removal
• pigment
• protein and water for rejuvenation
• blood for spider vein removal and broken capillaries.

When the light comes in contact with the specific element that is targeting it gets converted into heat energy. This energy depending on the treatment:

• burns the follicle
• burns the pigment
• heats the protein and water to increase collagen production
• heats the blood to create coagulation

Why do things go wrong?

Sun Exposure

The main cause of burns is sun exposure before or after treatment. It is extremely important that you follow your therapist instructions to the letter. You must keep the area to be treated out of the sun (sun, solarium, tanning beds) for 4 weeks before and 4 weeks after treatment. If you need to expose the area to the sun use a broad spectrum sunscreen SPF30+, even if it's cloudy.

Sometimes we go to the shops and forget to use sunscreen, however even if you are in the car, unless your windows are all tinted with UV A & B protection, you are getting sun exposure.

 

 Why it's important to keep out of the sun?

Before Treatment: Sun exposure will cause the cells to produce more melanin for protection from the UV rays tanning or burning your skin, depending on your skin colour and the amount of exposure. If you then undergo treatment there can be increased melanin production causing pigmentation or you can have burns.

After Treatment: UV rays will heat your skin compounding the effect of the treatment. Certain areas of your skin are sensitive after treatment and exposure to the sun can aggravate them causing damage and pigmentation.

Inexperienced Therapist

Another frequent reason for burns in Laser and IPL treatments is an inexperienced Therapist.

We are all different: different skin colour, hair colour, skin sensitivity, etc. Because of this the energy levels on the laser and IPL machines have to be set specifically for each one of us.

It doesn't matter if the therapist is a doctor, a nurse or a beautician, specific experience in laser and IPL treatments is what counts.

To ensure a successful treatment a good therapist will first do 3 test patches starting in low settings and increasing them according to your feedback. Your feedback is very important. You should have a medium (very tolerable) level of pain. In other words, if 10 is very painful and 1 no pain at all, you should be feeling between 4-6. Some people have more tolerance to pain than others so, to give you a guide, waxing for the first time is about an 8.

It is also recommended to start treatment a week after the test patch is performed, to make sure there are no adverse reactions. This is specially important for people with olive and dark skin.

Also, not all areas of your body react the same, one level of energy may not be suitable for the whole treatment. Please, make sure you tell the therapist if the pain level increases, she can then adjust the settings accordingly.

Certain Drugs and Medicines

Certain medications may cause photo-sensitivity and your skin may react adversely.  Tell your therapist if you are taking any medications.

If you are taking Roaccutane (also called Accutane, or Isotretinoin) which is usually taken for the treatment of certain cancers and skin deceases including severe acne; you cannot undergo treatment.

If you are using creams with Retinoids, Retin-A, Retinol or lotions that contain high levels of vitamin A you should stop using them at least 2 weeks before treatment.

Certain Medical Conditions

If you are Diabetic you may have problems healing.

People with a history of keloid scarring can also have a bad reaction to the treatment.

Immune System Disorders can trigger an overreaction of the body causing increased inflammation in the treated area.

What to do if you are one of the unlucky ones?

Minor Red skin

For many beauty treatments, specially rejuvenation or pigmentation treatments,  a minor red skin is an expected and even desirable effect. However, there are cases in which it may be a bit too much. In either case the following guidelines should help.

Apply a cold compress or wash under cool water for 3-5min (don't put ice). Apply Aloe Vera gel or a gel with Beta-Carotene often.

No need to go to the doctor, however advise the salon or clinic where you did the treatment. If you can get down there an show them what happened even better.

STAY OUT OF THE SUN
DO NOT SCRATCH OR PICK THE AREA

It should clear up within a week. If you keep the area covered or out of the sun it should not leave marks.

Dark Red patches or blistering, intense pain.

This is not a desirable effect in any case. Apply a cold compress or wash under cool water for 3-5min (don't put ice). Don't pop the blisters. Don't apply butter or toothpaste. Buy specific burns' gauze with ointment at the chemist and cover the area. Consult your doctor as soon as possible.

To avoid pigmentation you should KEEP THE AREA OUT OF THE SUN for at least one year. DO NOT SCRATCH OR PICK THE AREA

What's the difference between Laser Hair Removal & IPL Hair Removal?

The term Laser Hair Removal is commonly used to signify both Laser and Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) hair removal. However they are not the same.

They both work by emitting a beam of light, in the case of IPL the light has a broad spectrum while the Laser has one specific wavelength of light.

Because IPL uses multiple wavelengths it can target different chormophores (colours) and can be used to treat many different things, not only hair removal. Changing the filter will target a different colour and thus you can treat pigmentation, spider veins and acne as well as permanent hair reduction.

Laser uses one concentrated beam of light which will target only the pigment in the hair.

Clinics that use Laser advocate that the laser is better than IPL while IPL users say the opposite. The truth is that they are both as effective at permanent hair reduction in the hands of an experience therapist.

They both present the risk of hypo or hyper pigmentation, or burning if used by untrained operators.

Laser is slower than IPL. Because the beam of light in laser is concentrated the handpiece is smaller and it takes longer to treat the area.

Laser is more painful than IPL. On the other hand some IPL salons, because their staff may be young and inexperience or to make the treatment more comfortable for their client, use very low settings and the treatments are not as effective. If you are having IPL hair removal and you don't feel any pain at all you may be getting only a temporary reduction instead of a permanent one.

In both cases the pain is easily tolerable. It feels like a slight rubber band snap or pinprick. It is much less painful than waxing.

Does Ultrasound Fat Cavitation realy work?

The technology is still quite new and there is a lot of controversy on this subject.

Ultrasound Fat Cavitation is also known by many different terms: Ultrasound Lipocavitation, Ultrasonic Cavitation,  Ultrasonic Liposuction, and many more. I will start by explaining how it works.

How does Ultrasound Fat Cavitation work?

Ultrasound is used to target and destroy localised fat cells in our bodies. It is used for body sculpting and reducing the fat in those difficult areas.

Firstly a gel is applied to the area to be treated, then the handpiece will be pressed against the skin. The low frequency ultrasound energy issuing from the handpiece penetrates the skin to the fat layer leaving the dermis and other tissue and veins untouched.

The ultrasound creates pressure on the cells producing tiny bubbles inside the fat cells. These bubbles expand and disrupt the cell membrane causing the triglycerides to be released into the interstitial fluid between the cells. The triglycerides will be broken down by our bodies into glycerol and fatty acids.

Glycerol will be processed by the liver and fatty acids will be used as energy for the muscles.

It is important to drink lots of water and, avoid fatty foods, and exercise to prevent the dispersed fat from being re-stored.

How many treatments do I need?

You will need 8-10 treatments of 40 minutes Ultrasound Cavitation to see significant results. You can expect a minimum circumference reduction of  1/2 cm after each treatment. Results will vary from person to person and will depend on the area to be treated.

So, does Ultrasound Fat Cavitation work?

Many studies assert that the technology works, so why so many people don't see any results?

I think the answer rests in the fact that the machine manufacturers and the industry in general have been advertising it as a quick fix, but it is not. It needs to be complemented with exercise and a healthy diet.

If you are anything like me: I can't resist chocolates and I use a lot of oil in my cooking. On top of that I'm very lazy when it comes to exercising. - Then the treatment won't work. Your body will have to deal with the fat you eat plus the fat from the destroyed cells which is far more than what it needs, so the fat will accumulate some place else. Although the destroyed cells won't come back, you will still have some fat cells left in the area. These cells will absorb the excess fat and expand accordingly. In other words: you will see no difference.

Another thing, Ultrasound Fat Cavitation is not really for loosing weight. It is for shaping and contouring the body and getting rid of some fat in problematic areas such as inner thighs, stomach, and hips.

If you are overweight and want to use it as an alternative to dieting and exercising it won't work. You will be loosing your money.

In other words: You need to change your lifestyle. 

If you have had any Ultrasound Fat Cavitation treatments I will love if you'll share your experience. Let me know if you had any results.

Are you looking in the mirror and not liking what you see?

The reflection looking back at you doesn't feel like yourself. You notice fine lines and crow feet around the eyes, uneven skin, maybe even some sagging skin. Unfortunately we all get there one day...Fortunately there are many things you can do to improve your skin and reverse some of the ageing.

There are Botox injections, Dermal fillers, Chemical peels, Microdermabrasion, Radio Frequency, Photo Rejuvenation, Skin needling, Thread lifts, and surgery.

Today I will be talking about Laser and IPL Photo Rejuvenation treatments.

What is Photo Rejuvenation?

Most of the damage to our skin is caused by the sun. Photo rejuvenation uses light frequencies to reverse this damage.

Photo Rejuvenation is a safe, non invasive treatment that treats the affected areas without damaging the surrounding skin. It is non-ablative and there is no downtime, you can return to work or your daily activities right away. There is very little pain and minimal discomfort.

How does IPL Photo Rejuvenation work?

IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) produces a polychromatic, non-coherent light beam. Because of its broad spectrum it is attracted by many different elements in the skin which enhances the therapeutic properties of IPL.

The light penetrates the skin and gets converted into heat energy. The water and proteins in the deep layers of the skin heat up stimulating fibroblasts and encouraging the production of collagen and elastin. The skin fibres recover some of their lost elasticity and tighten the skin, the collagen contracts remodeling the fibres.

The collagen matrix regenerates producing even skin texture and reducing fine lines.

How many Photo Rejuvenation treatments do I need?

A course of  4 to 6 sessions spaced every 2-4 weeks is recommended for best results.

We also have to remember that the sun, pollutants, free radicals and the environment will continue to damage our skin. Once you have gone through a course of Photo Rejuvenation treatments and achieved a satisfactory level of improvement, it is important to maintain it. A good Skin Care regime, the use of daily sunscreen, no smoking, and keeping away from the sun and tanning beds will help to keep your skin looking bright and young. However, despite all your care you may need a maintenance treatment once a year.

Are there any side effects to IPL Photo Rejuvenation?

Some side effects are temporary redness of the skin, scabbing and peeling. These symptoms should disappear within 1-3 days after treatment.

Other possible side effects are hypo and hyper pigmentation. It is important to keep the treated area out of the sun 4 weeks before and after each treatment to avoid hypo or hyper pigmentation. Sunscreen should be worn every day.

Contraindications of Photo Rejuvenation:

• Pregnant women
• Diabetes
• Autoimmune deficiencies 
• Healing deficiencies
• Propensity to keloid scarring

All you want to know about Laser Hair Removal & IPL - Part 2

What can I expect when I go for a Laser Hair Removal or IPL treatment?

There should be an initial consultation where you will be asked to fill in some personal information as well as some medical details.

Pregnant women, people on Roaccutane or large doses of vitamin A are not suitable for treatment. The treatment is not recommended for Diabetics because they may have problems healing and it is not suitable for people with a tendency to keloid scarring.

The therapist will evaluate your answers to the medical questions and determine if you are suitable for laser treatment. For your own safety it is important that you answer truthful and disclose any medical conditions that may affect the treatment. If you are unsure ask the therapist or consult your doctor before having treatment.

The therapist will then answer any questions you may have and explain you how laser hair removal works.

It is a standard practice to do one or more test patches before commencing the laser or IPL treatment. The test patches will determine the energy levels to be used during treatment as well as making sure that you do not have any adverse reactions. If your skin is light coloured they may start treatment right away. For darker skin it is best to wait at least 3 days.

What happens on your first Laser hair removal treatment?

The therapist will provide you with protective eyewear and made you lay on a bed with the area to be treated exposed. Some clinics take before and after photos as a standard routine. This is great because it helps you keep track of the progress of the treatment.

With a highlighter she will mark guides in your skin. Then she will apply a cooling gel that helps guiding the light and keeping your skin cool. She will turn the laser machine on and will gently press the head to your skin. There will be a flash of light and you will feel a pin prick or something similar to the snap of a rubber band.

The light energy will be attracted to the colour in your hair, there it gets converted into heat energy and travels through the hair shaft to the follicle, destroying it. If they are using Elos technology, the radio frequency will follow the light a few milliseconds after and will also get converted into heat making the treatment more effective.

In modern equipments the light head has a cooling system which brings the temperature down to prevent damaging the skin.

After the head has flashed, the therapist will move it to the immediate area and repeat the procedure until all the area is covered. It is quite fast. Underarms hair removal takes only a couple of minutes for each arm. Full legs can take about 45 minutes.

After the treatment is finished the therapist will clean the gel from your skin and apply a soothing cream.

You need only 6 to 8 sessions to permanently reduce most of the hair.  Sessions are spaced between 4 to 8 weeks.

There is no downtime and you can return to your normal activities right away. It is best to avoid exercise that may cause heavy perspiration and swimming pools for 24 hours.

Your skin may be a bit red and feel tender in the treated area but it should subside after 1 or 2 days. Do not apply any products that may cause irritation. You can apply aloe vera or a recommended cream 2 or 3 times a day for a couple of days. If you have any other reaction give the clinic a call right away.

Possible side effects of laser hair removal are:

Hypo or hyper pigmentation, swelling, redness, blistering, scabbing.

People with dark skin are more at risk of a side effect. Also areas like the bikini line which are subject to friction from clothing may experience some irritation.

How do I prepare for my treatment?

• Do not wax, pluck or use depilatory creams for at least 1 month before your treatment. Pulling the hair weakens the papilla and slows the growth of the hair and you need the hair strongly attached to the papilla and in its growing stage for the laser treatment to be effective. Shaving is OK.
   
• Do not expose the area to be treated to the sun for 4 weeks before treatment. Use sunscreen SPF30+. If your skin is tanned there is risk of hypo or hyper pigmentation. The same applies to solariums and tanning beds.
• Do not spray tan or use tanning lotions for at least 2 weeks before treatment.
• Shave two days before your treatment appointment.
• Stop prescription Retin-A 2 weeks before treatment.
• Stop Roaccutane 6 month before treatment.

What happens after treatment?

You can return to work or your daily activities right away. There are only a few considerations:

• Avoid hot saunas, hot water, swimming pools and activities likely to cause heavy sweating for 24 hours
• Do not expose the treated area to the sun or solarium for at least 4 weeks after treatment. Use sunscreen SPF30+ whenever you need to go on the sun. If you are treating the face, also wear a hat.
• If the treatment area feels tender or presents redness apply aloe vera gel until it clears.
• Do not pick or scratch the area
• Do not wax or pluck the hairs. You can shave in between treatments.
• You can exfoliate the area after 3-4 days. The hairs will naturally start shedding after 7 days.