The post All you need to know about… Collagen appeared first on The Harley Clinic.
]]>What is collagen?
Collagen is a key protein in our body that helps to keep our skin taut and strong, plus it works to replace dead skin cells. It’s made up of 18 different amino acids which serve as the building blocks of protein that form our hair, muscles, bone and of course, skin. When your body has plenty of it, collagen helps to make our skin look more youthful. Unfortunately, as we age, the body’s ability to produce collagen begins to decline.
How to boost collagen naturally
There is an abundance of emerging research in the skincare industry. A German study conducted in 2014 by the University of Kiel found skin elasticity improved in women aged between 35 and 55 years who took a dietary collagen supplement for 12 months (compared to those who took a placebo).
Increasing your daily intake of all antioxidants, especially vitamin C, is essential to stimulating the production of collagen. As are foods rich in sulphur. Eat as many varieties of fresh wholefoods – kiwi fruit is particularly good, as are oranges, almonds, carrots, avocadoes, garlic and dark green leafy vegetables – as you can at every meal.
We recommend avoiding, wherever possible, sugar, smoking and spending too much time in the sun without sunscreen.
Massage can also stimulate collagen production, so build upwards movements into your daily routine as you apply skincare products.
What about collagen creams?
The collagen molecule can’t penetrate the skin, so you need to look for a product that has includes the amino acids that help to produce collagen. They could be called something like a protein and peptide complex on the packaging. Otherwise, look for products that are high in vitamins C and E, both of which help with collagen production.
Can I get a treatment?
There is some evidence to suggest that microdermabrasion can stimulate the production of collagen, although microneedling and Ultraformer III treatments are better alternatives. The tiny pinpricks made during the procedure cause microscopic injuries to the deeper dermal layers of the skin, which in turns triggers both collagen and elastin production increase to help with healing.
Microneedling is relatively painless but a topical anaesthetic cream can also be used to ease discomfort, and the procedure can take as little as 10 minutes. Afterwards, your clinician will use products high in retinoid (vitamin A) and antioxidants, including vitamin C, to boost skin regeneration.
Improvements in the skin can usually be seen in three to four weeks, with changes ongoing over the coming months. Results can also be improved by combining microneedling with chemical peels and adding platelet-rich plasma during one of our Factor4 treatments.
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]]>The post Bridal beauty: look and feel your best walking down the aisle appeared first on The Harley Clinic.
]]>The planning process for a wedding can seem never-ending – there’s the guest list, the dress, the flowers… Finally, it all comes together to create the perfect day. But just as important as those details is the bride’s confidence – she needs to look and feel her best.
The preparation of your body and skin starts long before the week of the wedding and we love working with brides to help them achieve their goals ahead of their trip down the aisle.
So, what do we recommend for a blushing bride-to-be? We develop an individualised treatment plan for every client at The Harley Clinic, but some of the most common, pre-wedding treatments are those that help to get skin in top condition, as well as any that help boost body confidence.
“CoolTech has been increasingly popular among brides coming into clinic,” says Jacqui Shackles, our CoolTech expert.
“We can do cellulite treatments, too. Those slinky dresses show all the sins, so brides these days are looking at every option to get themselves feeling body confident.
“CoolTech is fantastic because it is a permanent fat-removal solution. It freezes fat cells, which are then eliminated from the body, and you’re left with a smoother line. It’s fantastic for those tough spots like tuckshop arms, bra bulge and outer thighs – all common problem areas when picking out the perfect wedding gown.”
The most common reason brides visit The Harley Clinic is to get their skin in peak condition for the wedding day.
“We all know make-up artists are magicians, but there are only so many tricks they have up their sleeves to cover bad skin,” says dermal specialist Mignonne Malan.
“We like to help get the canvas in top condition, so the make-up is simply a finishing touch.
“We can absolutely go with the standard treatments, like facials, microdermabrasion, LED light therapy, fillers and injectables, which all offer great results. But we want to help brides get the wow factor and can recommend some more advanced treatments that completely change the game.
“Factor4, often referred to as the vampire facial – yes, like the one Kim Kardashian had – is an advanced, targeted anti-ageing treatment. It helps reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, pores and scars, as well as create a better skin texture and more youthful appearance overall. It’s one of our best treatments.”
With Factor4 we work with the proteins in your own blood, incubating, spinning and filtering it to create a highly concentrated, powerful serum. We then micro-needle the skin surface and administer the serum, which releases its own growth factors. This stimulates the production of collagen and elastin, and helps rejuvenate the skin.
The other treatment brides often consider is the Ultraformer III. In short, this treatment offers the benefits of a non-invasive face lift.
“The Ultraformer III tightens skin and activates the muscles below the surface,” says Mignonne.
“It also helps to improve skin tone and texture. We are able to tailor this treatment to individual needs and ensure a bride looks 100 per cent natural but far more radiant on her big day.”
These procedures aren’t quick options, though. We recommend beginning your treatment program as early as possible to ensure you’re confident with it and to give yourself plenty of time to get the best result.
Call us today to book a consultation, and one of our clinicians will help map your trip to total confidence as you head down the aisle.
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]]>The post MDerma Skin Needling: Youthful Skin, the Easy Way appeared first on The Harley Clinic.
]]>As we age, the skin’s repair and replenishment mechanism begins to naturally decline. Generally, this process kicks in from the 30s. When this happens, the skin’s ability to produce collagen and elastin, which are responsible for its texture, firmness, and plumpiness, also begin to decrease in density.
Micro-needling can help rejuvenate that mechanism and help catalyse the body’s ability to produce collagen, thereby rapidly improving the skin’s texture and diminishing scars and fine lines.
The actual process works by using a skin-needling device that creates microscopic channels in the skin while keeping the epidermis, or upper layer of the skin, intact. These needled channels carry up to 80% more topical nutrients, allowing penetration deep into the skin, feeding the cells found in the dermis and the basal layer. This increases the absorption of active ingredients into the skin, stimulating the repair at a cellular level and accelerating regeneration of the skin. The end result is spread across a range of benefits.
Micro-needling stimulates the production of natural elastin and collagen that reduces wrinkles and fine lines. You’ll have fresh-looking skin with minimal or no downtime at all. It’s also a proven way to diminish thing such as acne scars, as it breaks down old skin tissue and triggers the production of new, healthier skin.
Another key benefit of micro-needling is that it’s a minimally invasive treatment, and is instrumental in diminishing stretch marks. These are usually very difficult to treat and few cosmetic treatments can actually have an impact against these.
The impact of our MDerma Skin Needling can be maximised when done just like its recommended by qualified professionals. Each treatment lasts between 30-45 minutes, depending on the area being treated, and we recommend a course of treatments once every 2-4 weeks for lasting impact.
For double the results and freshness, MDerma can be combined with Harley Clinic’s Factor4 treatment. Also for anti-ageing, Factor4 is a highly effective skin rejuvenation and anti-ageing treatment derived from natural proteins present in our bodies. It stimulates collagen in the skin, and is more refined and targeted than platelet rich plasma and offers a natural alternative to anti-wrinkle treatments and cosmetic surgery.
Ready for fresh and youthful skin? Let’s get in touch for a free consultation!
The post MDerma Skin Needling: Youthful Skin, the Easy Way appeared first on The Harley Clinic.
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