What is Fraxel Laser and how does it work with our skin?
Our skin is made up of two main layers: the outer Epidermis, which serves as the ‘covering’ of the body, and the inner Dermis, which is where all things crucial to our skin function and condition are located. This is also where we should find the infamous collagen and elastin of our body. Collagen essentially makes up the structure of the skin, making it firm, toned and plump, and is the most abundant protein in our body. Elastin is also a protein, and is responsible for the stretch and elasticity of our skin, ensuring that cells stay in their designated place when there is any movement and stretch. Unfortunately for us, collagen and elastin are easily damaged, most commonly by ageing, UV, and free radicals.
As we age, both down to genetic factors (i.e. your age, and whether for example you have inherited beautiful skin from your mother) to environmental factors (i.e. how much sun damage is there on your skin? Do you live in a heavily polluted city?), our collagen and elastin levels begin to deteriorate (the older we get, the slower our body becomes at generating new proteins, and eventually proteins are actually getting used/destroyed much faster than they are generated – how depressing!!). With all that happening, people notice their skin becoming thinner, sagging and more lined, as well as a whole host of different pigmentation disorders.
This is where Fraxel comes in! The procedure has been carried out the world over, on more than half a million people, with the most fantastic results. Fraxel is a fragmented laser treatment, which produces tiny columns of laser energy (each is roughly ten times smaller than the size of a hair follicle). These penetrate through the outer epidermis, and into the deeper dermis, creating thousands of microscopic wounds all over the skin. The skin then recognizes these tiny wounds as injuries, and immediately begins a healing process in which it gets rid of old and damaged cells and starts generating new, strong, youthful cells. This also encourages the production of collagen and elastin proteins- the building blocks of youthful skin! By using this technique Fraxel treats a whole variety of skin problems, for example fine and deep lines, sun spots, age spots, acne and surgical scars and melasma. You will notice brighter, tighter and more evenly toned skin just days after it recovers from the treatment.
As Fraxel is so precise, it is able to treat tiny fractions of skin at a time, which means that the surrounding area is left completely unaffected. This makes it much easier for the skin to heal and regenerate, meaning we end up with less down time and with less waiting for the fantastic results to appear! This is a significant improvement from more traditional laser procedures which used to treat entire areas at a time, meaning that people had to take weeks out of their social and working lives in order to recuperate.
Another fantastic thing about Fraxel is that it is absolutely for anybody who is feeling that their skin is in need of some looking after, regardless of whether the skin is Asian, Caucasian, Latino or African. Additionally, Fraxel treatments are not limited to the face, and even problem areas such as the chest and neck can be treated.
So, if the condition of your skin has been on your mind quite a lot recently, why not call our Teviot salon on 0131 226 6777, and book a consultation with Dr Terry, one of the UK’s leading specialists in the field.
Coffeeberry Perfecting Minerals
Coming into the salon for a facial, clients can sometimes feel self conscious about leaving the salon make up free,
however that needn’t be a worry anymore as we have introduced an all natural skincare make up that can be applied straight after facials and actually protects your skin!
Priori Coffeeberry Perfecting Minerals contains SPF 25 – it not only protects against UVB, it also protects against UVA and the foundation is so good it has been recognised and recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation.
Coffeeberry Mineral foundation is the first and only foundation that contains coffeeberry extract, natures most potent anti ageing botanical, used to fight free radicals (the cause of skin ageing). Coffeeberry extract has an anti ageing and skin lightening agent that will keep your skin looking younger everyday you wear the minerals.
The minerals are ideal for skin conditions such as acne, rosacea, hyper pigmentation, broken capillaries, freckles, sun damage, blemishes, scars and dark circles. The foundation feel light and very comfortable, it can be applied lightly for a natural cover or you can apply more layers for a fuller coverage.
Rebecca, Therapist, Zen Teviot
The Lash Factor
She’s always credited good genes for her good looks, but now it’s been revealed that one of Naomi Campbell’s bestkept beauty secrets are her false eyelashes.
The average eyelash measures between seven and nine millimetres, and even lengthening them by just one millimetre can make a difference to the appearance of your face.
So if you want to cheat like Naomi, what are the best options? We asked ALICE SMELLIE – whose eyelashes are usually just 6mm long – to find out.
LENGTH ADDED: 0MM
BAMBI EFFECT: 7/10
An eyelash lift not only sounds terrifyingly medical, it is also tediously uncomfortable. I shut my eyes and try not to grimace as pads are placed under my bottom eyelashes to protect the skin.
Then a cosmetic glue is painted across my eyelid. Trying to quell the image of my eyes being super-glued together I smile through gritted teeth when asked if I’m okay.
The therapist places a rubber half-moonshaped shield on my lid and tugs all my eyelashes up over the shield with a pair of tweezers.
The lashes stick to the glue and the theory is that as they are stretched over the rubber they are lifted to give them more curl. A lifting balm softens the hair molecules and allows them to be reshaped more easily, then a fixing lotion rebuilds the lashes once they are in a new shape.
As I am waiting the ten minutes necessary for the chemical holding agents to work, I feel like a lab rat. My eyelashes are stretched so high I feel as though they are pinned to the top of my forehead and I am desperately fighting the urge to blink.
If necessary, a tint – or colour boost to give it its official and apparently more appealing title – is added. This is applied to the top and bottom lashes and left for a further ten minutes while the colour takes hold.
Finally, it is time for the silicon shield to be removed. As this has been stuck on with some gusto, it feels like a plaster being ripped off slowly.
When I look in the mirror I realise the pain is justified. My eyelashes are thick and black and astonishingly full of volume. I invariably have mascara or an eyelash curler to hand, but now I don’t need it. I have wonderfully curly lashes and my make-up bag is nowhere in sight. It takes 45 minutes and lasts two to three months!
Article from DailyMail.co.uk November 2007 by Alice Smellie
Give us a Wink & Go with your Blink & Go’s…
I’ve been doing Blink & Go and Nouveau lashes for over a year now and I’d say they are probably my most enjoyable treatment to do. I really enjoy the precision of the lashes and absolutly love the finished result. The Blink & Go lashes are personally my favourite of the two, as I love the full mascara look. They are very convenient for clients too because you can just nip in on your lunch break as they only take 30 minutes to apply. The Blink & Go’s last up to 2 weeks as long as the aftercare advice is followed correctly. Each individual false lash is applied onto your own lashes where needed, and the length depends on the clients wishes. These lashes are also perfect for holidays, or a special occasion, as they are very easy to look after.
I can guarantee once you have your first set you’ll be hooked, and most definitely want them again! Blink & Go lashes are done at both Bruntsfield & the Teviot Place salon, and will soon be a big focus at our new salon on Hanover Street in the Lash & Brow bar.
Jill Macaulay – Therapist Bruntsfield Salon
