As we get older, the levels of hyaluronic acid (HA) that we all naturally have in our bodies decrease. Our skin looks drier, loses its firmness and its youthful glow, resulting in what skincare specialists call ‘skin laxity’. Profhilo has been voted ‘Product Innovation of the Year’ in 2016 and ‘Best Skin Enhancement Device’ in 2015 within the aesthetics industry.

Profhilo is a bio-remodelling and stimulatory product which works to remodel your skin. Although based on hyaluronic acid technology, it is not a volumising dermal filler. Profhilo uses their proprietary HydroLift® Action (bioregenerating effect in the epidermis & the remodelling action of the dermis) by integrating the levels of endogenous hyaluronic acid and it is able to optimise the HydroLift® Action thanks to a slow, long lasting release of high and low molecular weight hyaluronic acid.

As a stabilised product Profhilo lasts in the skin around 28 days. During this time the stimulation of 4 different types of collagen and elastin takes place by slow release of HA, at the same time it improves skin tone, texture, hydration and radiance. Profhilo counteracts skin laxity through a remodelling action of collagen and elastin fibres. It creates volume in the tissue where it is needed due to its high spreadability Therefore we cannot say that Profhilo is a skin booster as it also has a significant tightening / lifting effect on the tissue.

Profhilo Bio-remodelling treatment at Elan Medical Skin Clinic in Rayleigh, Essex

The product, once injected integrates within the tissue to:

• increase firmness and elasticity
• increase facial fullness with a tightening and lifting effect

In studies on Profhilo the following results have been obtained:

• After 4 weeks from treatment – improvement in lines & tightness of the skin
• After 8 weeks from treatment – definite lifting and tightening of the skin, more hydrated, in better health, increased firmness & elasticity

Why Choose Elan Medical Skin Clinic

Profhilo is registered as a medical device and as such, it should only ever be administered in a clinical environment by experienced medical practitioners. It should not be injected by beauty therapists or those claiming to be medical aestheticians.

Sue Ibrahim has over 30 years experience in dermatology and aesthetic medicine. She opened Elan Medical Skin Clinic 20 years ago and has many years experience in injectable facial fillers. Take a look at what our patients are currently saying about us: Read our Reviews

The post Profhilo Bio-remodeling Treatment in Essex appeared first on Elan Medical Skin Clinic LTD.

Sue Ibrahim, our skin expert at Elan Medical Skin Clinic in Essex

Sue, our nurse consultant in dermatology says there are newly licensed prescription creams to manage rosacea although they are not widely available on an NHS prescription due to the ongoing expense incurred. But Sue can prescribe them, if required and our rosacea phototherapy comes in handy for flare-ups.

“We are really proud of our DermaCalm treatment programmes for rosacea that can help dramatically improve the self-esteem of our patients who suffer from it. If rosacea can be successfully managed in the early stages, it will help prevent the condition from progressing and prevent the thickening of the skin and scarring that advanced rosacea can cause,” Sue added.

The mites live in our skin pores

Kevin Kavanagh of the National University of Ireland, explains that the: “Tiny mites – eight-legged arachnids related to spiders – live in the pores of our facial skin. They are particularly fond of the hair follicles of eyebrows and eyelashes, and the oily pores most common on the nose, forehead and cheeks.

”Healthy adults have around one or two mites per square centimetre of facial skin. People with rosacea, however, can have 10 times as many.”

The mites eat sebum, the oil on our skin, and research suggests that the stress that causes flare-ups of rosacea changes the chemicals in sebum, making it better food for mites.

According to dermatology literature, Demodex mites usually do not result in any dermatological problems, but when the parasites penetrate the dermis (layers of the skin), they can cause acne, rosacea, and folliculitis.

What to do if you have rosacea

Our award-winning nurse consultant, Sue Ibrahim, has more than 30 years’ experience in dermatology, making her the ideal choice for people with rosacea. She is an expert in skin conditions and her friendly and professional manner will instantly put you at ease. Please send Sue a message – we provide a responsive service that aims to set your mind at ease and ensure you are fully informed before booking your consultation.

The post Rosacea is caused by drinking too much alcohol, right? Wrong, says our Essex skin expert appeared first on Elan Medical Skin Clinic LTD.

Elan Medical Skin Clinic’s skin expert Sue Ibrahim.

With over 30 years experience as a dermatology nurse and twenty years experience working within the medical aesthetic industry, Sue Ibrahim is excited at the prospect of this new venture.

The new association, The British Association of Aesthetic Nurses, Doctors and Dentists (BAANDD) will offer a multi-disciplinary voice to the medical aesthetic industry.

Sue has been an active supporter of the Safetyinbeauty Campaign, formed in 2013 by Antonia Mariconda as a response to the growing dissatisfaction and devastation caused by dubious cosmetic surgical and non-surgical treatments, and was formed by a group of like-minded professionals and experts.

The post Sue Ibrahim heads up The British Association of Aesthetic Nurses, Doctors, and Dentists appeared first on Elan Medical Skin Clinic LTD.

The secret to soft, natural lips with Restylane

Both Restylane Kysse and Juvederm Volbella provide soft, natural looking lip enhancements and Sue Ibrahim, our Nurse Practitioner has over fifteen years experience in creating beautiful lips using Restylane, in fact Restylane was the first synthetic filler around 15 years ago.

What kind of product is Restylane Kysse?

It has been specially designed and formulated for injecting into the lips for enhancement and contouring of thin looking lips, the cupid’s bow, or to simply add fullness. It is structured to withstand the range of mouth movements and all Restylane products are completely broken down within the skin over a period of months, eventually leaving no trace of the filler.

Soft, natural looking lip enhancement performed by Sue Ibrahim

How safe is treatment with Restylane?

Providing you are treated by a qualified and experienced doctor or nurse practitioner, you should be in good hands.

Most of our clients only report slight swelling following treatment which normally resolves within a day or two. Occasionally, a small bruise may be seen at the injection site but this normally fades within a week.

Of course, there are risks associated with any skin or lip filler, like temporary palpable lumpiness has been noted after injection. Localised reactions thought to be of a hypersensitivity nature have been reported in about 1 in every 2000 treated patients. Redness, tenderness and rarely acneform papules may occur. In addition in rare cases (in less than 1 in 15,000 treatments) granuloma, superficial necrosis and urticaria have been reported. This is the reason why these procedures should only be carried out by registered medical practitioners in an inspected clinical environment.

Natural enhancement of the upper lip using Restylane

How can you reassure me that Elan Medical Skin Clinic is the right place to come for my Restylane treatment?

Firstly, Sue Ibrahim is a registered nurse, with over 30 years experience in dermatology and almost twenty years working in the medical cosmetic environment. She was also runner-up in the national ‘Nurse of the Year’ Safety in Beauty awards in 2016.

Elan Medical Skin Clinic has been around since November 2000 and during this time, Sue Ibrahim has performed thousands of skin fillers using Restylane and Juvederm.

Elan Medical Skin Clinic is also registered and inspected by The Care Quality Commission and by Treatment You Can Trust. Both of these organisations are backed by the Government in the UK.

Elan Medical Skin Clinic also provides a live feed, so you can view exactly what our clients are currently saying about us. Click here to see our reviews.

If you would like to speak to one of our staff about booking an appointment, please click here.

We look forward to hearing from you!

The post Restylane, the secret to natural looking lips appeared first on Elan Medical Skin Clinic LTD.

Essex skin expert Sue Ibrahim debunks skin care advice for using moisturisers and detoxing.

In our last blog, Sue Ibrahim, a nurse consultant dermatologist and medical director of Elan Medical Skin Clinic in Essex, stressed the importance of only believing scientifically proven advice. This time she takes a look at general skin care tips including using moisturisers and detoxing.

Moisturisers

Look at most moisturising creams and you will find scientific claims splashed across them but do they stand up in the face of scrutiny? Sadly, most don’t, says Sue.

Given the widespread use of moisturisers there are surprisingly few good quality studies into their success. Even the term moisturiser was dreamt up by marketeers and does not have a scientific or medical basis.

Dry skin is about lack of water, not oil

Rod Tucker, a community pharmacist, published an article in 2011 in the Pharmaceutical Journal. He identified the following:

• There is a lack of good quality clinical trials on moisturising products but there is evidence of benefit from using moisturisers in eczema and psoriasis.
• Some evidence suggests that long-term use of moisturisers on normal skin may have adverse effects, such as increased sensitivity to irritants.
• Emollients fill in rough spots and make skin feel smooth but don’t affect the water content.

Sue’s advice is that if you have normal skin, moisturising is not necessary.

An article from Harvard Medical School identified the following 6 tips for better-hydrated skin

1. Turn down the thermostat. Hot air tends to be drier than cooler air.
2. Use a humidifier. Humidifiers can help. The problem is that moisture may be soaked up in walls and furniture or disperse rapidly, depending on how airtight your home is.
3. Take warm, not hot, baths and showers. Hot water whisks away the fatty substances in the skin that help it retain water. Some doctors recommend bath oils. You can also use bath oil as a post-bath moisturiser by rubbing yourself down with a teaspoon of it diluted in a couple cups of warm water.
4. Use a mild soap. Cleansers like Cetaphil are an alternative to soap.
5. Wear loose clothing. Clothing that binds and rubs can dry out skin.
6. Stay protected. Cold, windy air is very drying, so bundle up and wear warm mittens or gloves to protect your hands.

Detoxing

The very term detox has been misappropriated and used for marketing all manner of pills, potions and worse! The term detox is used in a mainstream healthcare for the process of weaning drug-dependent patients off their drugs.

In alternative medicine, detox has acquired a dramatically different meaning. In an article in the British Medical Bulletin in 2012 said it “describes the use of alternative therapies for eliminating ‘toxins’ from the body of a healthy individual who is allegedly being poisoned by the by-products of her own metabolism, by environmental toxins or (most importantly) by her own over-indulgence and unhealthy lifestyle (e.g. alcohol, cigarettes and food).” It refers to this type of detox as ‘alternative detox’

Alternative detox can include:

• various alternative diets
• a number of herbal, vitamins, minerals and other ‘natural’ supplements
• various forms of chelation therapy
• electromagnetic devices
• colonic irrigation and enemas
• skin bruising
• sauna and other means of inducing extensive sweating
• homeopathic remedies
• ear candles

It goes on to say that “The principles of AD make no sense from a scientific perspective and there is no clinical evidence to support them. Music to the ears of many, whose New Year resolutions may consist of all manner of alternative detoxifications!

Contact us

For skin care advice that is firmly back by scientific evidence, contact Elan Medical Skin Clinic.

For more evidence, read this.

The post Elan’s skin expert debunks more skincare myths appeared first on Elan Medical Skin Clinic LTD.

Before you make big changes to your child’s diet or your own diet, it’s important to proper medical advice, so talk to your GP. If you or your child suffers from severe eczema, there are allergy specialist that you can be referred to on the NHS. If you GP is reluctant to refer, then book in to see Sue Ibrahim at Elan Medical Skin Clinic.

All forms of allergy testing, even when the results seem to be strong, must be considered together with a physical exam and a detailed patient history – both of which can help narrow down what food might be the trigger.

“You have to look at all the pieces of the puzzle because none of the tests by themselves are predictive enough of a diagnosis of a clinical allergy,” Sue Ibrahim says.

The physical exam and patient history also provide important clues, such as symptoms that could indicate whether or not a food allergy is the likely cause.

If you have hay fever you probably don’t need allergy testing as it may be obvious from your symptoms that you’re allergic to pollen. But it’s important to find out the precise cause if your symptoms are more complicated.

For example, perenial rhinitis, – a runny nose all year round – can be triggered by a variety of allergens, such as house dust mites and mould, or a food allergy could be triggered by one of a number of foods in your diet.

Allergy testing can also help monitor a diagnosed allergy. For example, babies and children with certain food allergies often grow out of them.

A test can let the parents and child know they no longer have an allergy to milk or eggs for example, so they no longer have to avoid that food.

Skin-prick testing (SPT) is the most common form of allergy testing and is used to try and identify the specific foods that a patient may be allergic to. Theses tests are only carried out at specialist medical allergy centres and if Sue Ibrahim thinks that you or your child should be referred to for allergy testing, she will refer you.

What is a skin prick test?

Drops of different serums containing individual allergens will be put the on patient’s forearm or back. A medical professional will then use a small needle to prick the skin – this feels like a small poke with a pin – so that the serum goes beneath the skin.

Skin prick allergy tests are only ever carried out by medical professionals specialist allergy centres.

Then it’s a waiting game. The patient’s skin may react by forming a reddish hive, or wheal, at specific prick spots, indicating that the IgE antibodies in the skin responded to the food allergen in that serum.

A test is considered “positive” for a particular allergen if the diameter of the hive is 3 millimeters or greater than a prick site made with no allergen (known as the negative control). The bigger the hive, the more likely it is that you will react if you eat that food.

Book your appointment today!

The post Allergy tests, are they a waste of money? appeared first on Elan Medical Skin Clinic LTD.

Reliable friends will tell you truth about their experience

Online review sites

When Elan Medical Skin Clinic opened its doors eighteen years ago there was no such thing as online review sites. When What Clinic.com started, we were automatically listed as a medical clinic based in Essex. Gradually we started to receive review of our clinic and all them were published. While the vast majority of those published showed that our patients were satisfied with the service they received, we did receive some reviews that suggested improvements in the way we handled our clients. This constructive criticism helped us to create a more client centred approach to the way worked and we still welcome constructive criticism today.

Facebook reviews

With the rise of social media and Elan Medical Skin Clinic’s own Facebook page, we soon learnt the hard way how damaging a one star review could be. While our happy clients were more than happy to give us 5 stars we were unfortunate to be targeted by Facebook Trolls; these are people that go around leaving one star reviews having never even visited the clinic! These reviews were so frustrating mainly because there is not a lot of things you can do about it. The popular and well know you are, the more likely you are to be targeted by the Facebook Troll.

Trusted reviews

So how do you really get an honest review on how a skin clinic is performing? Well, if the clinic is registered and inspected by a government body as part of the inspection process the inspectors contact random patients and ask for feedback. The Care Quality Commission insist that all patients have the opportunity to provide their feedback to the clinic and if their complaint is a serious one, you can report it directly to them. Treatments You Can Trust are also an organisation that hold a register of inspected cosmetic clinic. They also have a disputes management service, when communications between clinic and client break down. Fortunately we have never had any issues that have required intervention by either The Care Quality Commission or Treatments You Can Trust.

How does Elan Medical Clinic collect treatment reviews?

When a patient or client visits Elan Medical Skin Clinic they automatically receive an email asking for their feedback. This feedback can be given anonymously or not. We receive that feedback immediately and any comments they are are immediately published on our website. If you don’t believe us, take a look at what our patients and clients are currently saying about us now! Just Click Here.

Click here for our latest report published by The Care Quality Commission

Click here for our our entry on Treatments You Can Trust Register

The post Reviews of Elan Medical Skin Clinic appeared first on Elan Medical Skin Clinic LTD.

Worry not, for most you will find that these skin issues resolve themselves following the birth of your baby.  Here are some of the most common skin problems women encounter during pregnancy—and what you can do about them.

Pregnancy should be a time of excitement

Skin Sensitivity

Go easier on your skin now that you’re pregnant. You might get red more easily if you use a facial scrub, your normal facial might verge on painful, and the perfumed lotion you wear might irritate your skin (and make you nauseated, but that’s a different story). That’s why many mums-to-be switch to unscented products and start choosing products that do not contain harsh chemicals, preservatives and fragrances. “You certainly don’t want anything causing micro-tears on your skin,” says Sue Ibrahim, our dermatology nurse consultant.  “The more cuts and wounds on your skin, the easier it is for chemicals to be absorbed into your bloodstream. Ingredients to stay away from in soaps and body washes include sodium laureth sulphate, parabens and fragrance.” These ingredients aren’t just potential irritants—some say they could pose health risks to baby. We say believe it, because (not surprisingly) a lot of products aren’t tested directly on pregnant women. If you are using prescription topicals on your face you need to tell your doctor that you are pregnant as most prescription creams are not licensed for use during pregnancy either. At Elan Medical Skin Clinic we advise our patients to use our Elan Medical DermaCalm range during pregnancy, because they are free from fragrances and preservatives. They also contain mild anti-inflammatory ingredients that can soothe irritated skin.

Acne breakouts during pregnancy

During pregnancy your hormones are all over the place, and that might mean pimples like you had when you were a teenager. The cruel joke, of course, is that many of the treatments that are prescribed for acne cannot be used during pregnancy. Prescription medications like Tetracyclines, Isotretinoin (Roacutane(R)) and the anti-androgen hormone therapies are definite no-nos. And the jury’s out on over-the-counter creams, since they haven’t been tested specifically on pregnant women (yup, you find that a lot with products). Ingredients like benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid can be absorbed into the bloodstream, so they’re not worth the risk either. “You can safely use lactic acid and biosulfur to treat acne,” Sue Ibrahim says. Don’t touch, pick or squeeze pimples— just wash with a mild cleanser twice a day. “A lot of women find Acne Phototherapy beneficial during pregnancy and it is perfectly safe for both you and the baby.

Sun Sensitivity

Sorry, mums-to-be, but “pregnancy glow” does not refer to a bronzed, sun-kissed complexion. You should actually try to stay out of the sun as much as you can while you’re pregnant. That’s because your surging hormones make you susceptible to dark patches on your skin—known as melasma, or the ‘mask of pregnancy’, which is triggered by sun exposure. So pull out the big floppy hat, find a beach umbrella and be diligent about wearing sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 every day. If you are unlucky and do get Melasma during pregnancy it may resolve on its own following the birth of your baby, if not then you will need the help of a dermatologist I’m afraid.

Stretch marks

Now you’ve got another big skin concern: stretch marks. Anytime someone’s body grows quickly, they’re at risk for stretch marks, so the fact that baby is growing exponentially in there puts you right in the high-risk zone. Of course, not every mum-to-be gets stretch marks. “For most people, whether or not they get stretch marks has to do with genetic predisposition,” says Sue Ibrahim. But you can do your best to head them off by gently exfoliating and thoroughly moisturising your belly, boobs, stomach, hips and thighs as much as you can. As for what moisturizer to use, it’s hard to make a recommendation. “A lot of products make claims,” Sue Ibrahim says. “Some may help but aren’t really proven to prevent stretch marks.” If you are left with troublesome stretch marks following the birth of you baby, it is worth looking into the skin tightening treatments we offer at Elan Medical Skin Clinic.

Skin rashes during pregnancy

If you’ve got red, itchy skin, it’s important not to ignore it. Itchy feet and hands could be a sign of cholestasis of pregnancy, a scary complication that can cause liver problems for baby. Your doctor can do a simple blood test to make sure that’s not causing your rash. Another common pregnancy rash is PUPPP (pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy), which often starts in the abdomen and spreads from there. PUPPP is actually harmless to baby, but it will be completely aggravating for you. Book in for a Dermatology Consultation if you are concerned.

The post Skin changes during pregnancy appeared first on Elan Medical Skin Clinic LTD.

Fit your own oxygen mask first in 2018. If you have a skin condition that is causing you distress, talk to Sue from Elan Medical Skin Clinic in Rayleigh, Essex.

In a mid-air emergency, we are always told to fit our own oxygen mask first. This is to ensure we are able to help our loved ones in a calm, considerate and efficient manner – whilst being able to breathe ourselves!

It may sound selfish but it is absolutely essential – and not just in a life or death situation. If our own wellbeing isn’t being cared for, our ability to give our love to others is diminished, says nurse consultant in dermatology, Sue Ibrahim.

If we are dealing with a skin condition on top of all of life’s other stresses and strains, chances are the skin condition will worsen if it is ignored or put to the bottom of our list of things to sort. Does this sound familiar?

The health of our skin can be a good indicator of our current mental state and wellbeing because our skin very often reacts to stress. And anyone with skin conditions such as acne, rosacea, excessive sweating and psoriasis will tell you that their symptoms are exacerbated at these times.

If you have a skin condition that is causing you distress, talk to Sue from Elan Medical Skin Clinic in Rayleigh, Essex.

If you would like to leave Sue a message, by all means do. We provide a responsive service that aims to set your mind at ease and ensure you are fully informed before booking your consultation. At Elan Medical Skin Clinic in Essex, all new patients receive a thorough consultation and medical assessment prior to treatment.

Finding Elan in Essex

Our Essex clinic is situated in Rayleigh, a lovely a market town about 32 miles east of central London, located between Chelmsford, Hockley, Canvey, Rochford and Southend. Elan Medical Skin Clinic can be found on the High Street and if you’re looking for parking, the nearest car parks are in Bellingham Lane, the Market car park in Hockley Road, Websters Way and Castle Road.

The post Show yourself some love in 2018 appeared first on Elan Medical Skin Clinic LTD.

Platelet Rich Plasma skin therapy is now available at Elan Medical Skin Clinics in Rayleigh, Essex and central London.

Soften wrinkles, smooth your skin’s texture and tone, and promote the growth of collagen with Platelet Rich Plasma skin therapy at Elan Medical Skin Clinics in Rayleigh, Essex and central London.

PRP skin therapy is the latest rejuvenation technique to be added to our comprehensive list of facial treatments. As well as skin rejuvenation, PRP stem cell injection therapy is ideal for curbing hair loss and treating osteoarthritis of the shoulder, knee and ankle joints.

We are delighted to introduce our experienced, award-winning practitioner who will be performing PRP therapy at Elan Medical Skin Clinic. Dr Alex Tran has been a GP for 17 years and over the last five years he has developed a keen interest in aesthetic medicine.

Dr Alex says: “I believe when my clients look better, they feel better – which makes it all the more worthwhile to strive for the best results. I’m a perfectionist when it comes to aesthetics and my primary aim is to enhance a client’s beauty without compromising safety and always striving for the most natural-looking results.”

What does PRP stem cell injection therapy involve?

A small amount of blood is taken and placed into a centrifuge to separate the red and white blood cells from the platelets and plasma. Platelets help tissues heal and regenerate and when injected into specific areas, encourage your own collagen to grow, tissue to regenerate and your skin to tighten and rejuvenate.

For patients with thinning hair, PRP may actually stimulate the hair follicles to grow and produce thicker and healthier looking hair. Patients with osteoarthtitis of knee, shoulder and ankle joints may also benefit from PRP therapy as injections of stem cells into the worn joint have been shown to encourage regrowth of cartilage and reduce pain and stiffness. Success rate in improving osteoarthritis joints is around 80-90% and the results are long lasting.

For skin rejuvenation, PRP therapy may also be combined with mesotherapy where a cocktail of vitamins and minerals are injected under the skin to obtain even better results.

How long does Platelet Rich Plasma skin therapy take?

The procedure usually takes around 15 minutes and because your own cells are used, there is very little chance of a negative reaction. There’s no downtime and most people experience no pain during treatment as a numbing cream is used. Results are usually seen within three to four weeks.

What happens next?

If you would like to ask our Medical Director & Nurse Consultant, Sue Ibrahim a question, by all means do. We provide a responsive service that aims to set your mind at ease and ensure you are fully informed before booking your consultation. At Elan Medical Skin Clinics in London and Essex, all new patients receive a thorough consultation and medical assessment prior to treatment.

How do I request a consultation?

You can either give Elan Medical Skin Clinic a call on 01268 770660 between 9.30am and 5pm Monday to Saturday or you can click here to book and pay for your consultations via our online store. One of our reception team will then confirm your appointment by phone or email, whichever you prefer.

The post Platelet Rich Plasma skin therapy available now at Elan Medical Skin Clinics appeared first on Elan Medical Skin Clinic LTD.