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.
See the light, and look and feel rejuvenated with Omnilux Light Therapy
As we age our cell processes start to slow down meaning it takes longer for new cells to reach the skins surface.
Omnilux Light Therapy works with the bodies own natural processes to counteract the signs of ageing – with results that can be seen instantly.
Although Omnilux is a light therapy treatment, no harmful UVA or UVB are emitted, in fact Omnilux has been used in hospital dermatology and oncology departments for its healing and rejuvenating effects on skin for the past fifteen years!!
Omnilux is painless, harmless and very relaxing, many clients fall asleep under the light and generally feel quite happy and relaxed after as the red light emitted has been proven to aid with depression and SAD syndrome.
There is no down time with the Omnilux treatment, it can be carried out on its own but gives fantastic results when combined with other facial treatments such as Diamondtome and Priori Peels.
Omnilux is suitable for any skin but those who suffer with the following conditions will particularly benefit from it:
Premature ageing
Rosacea
Acne
Dehydration
Redness
Dull skins
Tired skins
Depression
So dont delay, add an Onmilux on to any facial for just £35 and look and feel rejuvenated!
Siobhan, Therapist, Zen Teviot
Dermaroller facial……the questions you need answered.
The Genuine Dermaroller treatment seems to be becoming increasingly more popular since we launched the treatment in June last year. However at Zen we feel some clients are still a little unsure on what the treatment is and what exactly it does, so here are some of our FAQ’s to hopefully answer all the questions you’d like to ask and hopefully get you as excited about the treatment as we all are!
So what is Dermaroller? Well funnily enough it is in fact a little roller! This small handheld roller is covered in tiny micro-needles and the treatment involves it being rolled back and forth over the skin creating little pin pricks as it goes.
Sounds painful? No not at all, local anesthetic is applied around 20-30 minute before treatment to numb the entire area, meaning not much sensation is felt at all. Your therapist will ensure that you are comfortable at all times, and will ensure that you are suitably numb before commencing with the treatment. If any sensation is felt throughout it feels just like a very slight prickling sensation, really nothing to worry about and certainly not painful.
Why would I do this to my skin? Well, the micro-needling of the Dermaroller kick-starts the skin in to regenerative mode, this regeration process naturally stimulates new cell renewal, brings fresh nutrient rich blood to the area and most impotatnetly stimulates collagen and elastin….And we all know more collagen and elastin means fresher, plumper and more refined skin!
And the results? As above said above the Dermaroller will stimulate collagen and elastin, meaning a more refined skin tone and texture. Results can take up to 6 weeks to show, however the results will continue to show for the up and coming months as the skin continues to re-new itself. Before and after photographs can be found by clicking on the link to the Dermaroller website.
What will I look like after? Immediately after, there’s no denying it, you will look pretty red. However, included in the price is your home-care kit which contains a healing cream to be used for the first few days and a high factor SPF to be used throughout the course of your treatments. The following day you will be fine to go to work and wear mineral make up. Your skin may feel slightly warm and look a little flushed (which actually can be quite nice!) and you may experience slight dryness for a few days after, but honestly it really wouldn’t be anything anyone else would notice.
Who is suitable for Dermaroller? Dermaroller is suitable for most skin types as a general skin health facial, however anyone concerned with skin ageing and particulary people with acne-scarring and pitting on the skin really should get a course of these facials, the results truly are fantastic! A course of Dermaroller facials is recommended for optimum results and the number of treatments needed will depend on your skin condition and your concerns.
The science? Well there really is none, Dermaroller is a very advanced skin treatment, however the science behind it is very simple. The micro-needle coloums will penetrate in to the dermis (the area where collagen and elastin are formed) and will approximately be 0.1mm in width, the column will close rapidly enabling your skin to recover quickly, giving over the coming weeks a great result. Dermaroller is safe and is only carried out by a small number of our highly skilled skin specialists, and as with all treatments in Zen, will be carried out in one of our sterile treatment rooms.
Most importantly whats the cost? Face £325 per treatment, course of 3 £900. Additional small areas, such as neck £50
As always, many of our staff have had the treatment and are more than happy to chat to you about it, so if you do require further information or just want to hear someone else’s experience, please do not hesitate to contact us at either Zen Teviot on 0131 226 6777 or Zen Bruntsfield on 0131 477 3535.
Review of the Dr Murad Resurgence facial
Before returning to work after my maternity leave I decided to book a facial at Zen Bruntsfield. I hadn’t been for a facial for a long time so was a little unsure on what my skin needed; I just knew it needed something!
I chatted to the receptionist and she offered to book me in for a complementary Digital Skin Analysis before my facial, this apparently is offered to all clients if you are new to the salon for facials, or are just little unsure on what your skin needs.
I was a little nervous with what the results may show, memories of baking in the sun all those years ago came flooding back, however I needn’t have worried. The Digital Skin Analysis was really interesting and not as scary as I initially thought, thank god! The skin analysis was able to show me what my skin looked like 5 years ago and what it may look like in 5 years time should I not treat it, I was also shown UV damage and any redness/capillary damage on the skin. The reality really hit home about using SPF every day and not just in summer.
The facial that was recommended to me was the Dr Murad Resurgence facial, also known as Zen’s red carpet facial. The facial was wonderfully relaxing; at times I felt some of the products tingling on my skin, which was not uncomfortable, rather enjoyable actually as it felt as if they were really working. The products smelt amazing and an AHA peel was included to help with the tone and texture of my skin, I was also treated to lots of little bits of massage during the seventy minutes.
I had never used Dr Murad products before or had a Dr Murad facial, but I can honestly say it was one of the best facials I’ve had, the results really were instant, lasted for days and most importantly for me I felt and looked like id had more than 5 hours sleep a night!
Statement form Jen, Zen client