Our lips thin with age and demonstrate less fullness and projection when viewed both in front and in profile This process is called soft tissue atrophy and commonly affects the lips and corner of the mouth. As these areas become less plump, they wrinkle more easily and the mouth develops a “mouth frown”, a very ageing sign. Another ageing sign are smoker’s lines or vertical lip wrinkles in the skin on the top lip resulting from the constant use of certain facial expressions such as pursing lips, chewing, sipping from a straw or bottle and even talking. These wrinkles can become evident form an early age especially if one has an overactive muscle around the mouth.

Creating natural looking improvements in the lip area often requires a combination of treatment modalities.

At Elan Medical Skin Clinic, our Nurse Consultant has over 20 years experience in creating natural looking improvements aroud the lips and mouth. ‘ Treatments should always look natural and not over-done”.

“We often combine a combination of treatments to the lip and mouth area, in order to achieve a natural looking lips” says Sue Ibrahim, “and ageing lips require a very gentle touch”.

At Elan Medical Skin Clinic we are dedicated to providing our patients with the highest standards of care.

Click here to read what our patients are currently saying about treatments at Elan Medical Skin Clinic.

Book your free consultation today!

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If you have itchy skin, your initial consultation is your first step to resolving the problem.

Gel manicures are extremely popular, even our Dermatology Nurse Consultant has them. However, the British Association of Dermatologist has issued a warning about the growing number of women that are presenting with irritant contact dermatitis in sensitive areas of the skin, such as the eyes and the genital area from a chemical used in Gel nail varnish.

Dermatitis can be triggered by gel manicures

Gel nails, acrylic nails and gel polish nails all contain high quantities of an irritant chemical called Meth acrylate. Like most substances that cause irritant contact dermatitis, you may not notice an allergy immediately. The allergy is more likely to become more prevalent with constant use. Following a gel manicure, if you then touch your eyes or other sensitive areas, this can flare up an allergic reaction in that area.

According to Sue Ibrahim, we are seeing a growing number of skin issues of this nature in Essex. ‘The fashion for Gel nails and gel polish in Essex is huge at the moment and we are not surprised that we are seeing a rise in skin allergies caused by the chemicals contained with the products as well as the solvents that are used to remove the polish or the acrylic nails”.

How do I book a Dermatology Consultation?

If you have an itchy rash, you can book a dermatology consultation by calling Elan Medical Skin Clinic on 01268 770600 between the hours of 9.30-5pm Monday to Saturday. Or you click here to fill in a contact form. Elan Medical Skin Clinic is regulated by the Care Quality Commission.

Click here to read what our patients are currently saying about Elan Medical Skin Clinic in Rayleigh, Essex.

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When Profhilo is injected into the neck and jowl area of the skin, we can create a durable lift and tightening of the skin over the next few weeks. After just two-three sessions there is a further gradual tightening of the skin with restored firmness.

Profhilo is a revolutionary new concept in injectable skin treatments as it is not a skin filler.

“When is filler not a filler? When it’s Profhilo, one of the new breed of beneath-the-skin moisturising treatments, which has to be one of the quickest and most effective cosmetic fixes I have ever tried” Alice Hart-Davis in  The Telegraph

Neck Rejuvenation at Elan Medical Skin Clinic in Essex

In some cases, we combine Profhilo with Botox in the neck and jowl area to further improve the contours of the jaw and the signs of ageing in the neck.

For some patients skin tightening treatments would be recommended for neck skin laxity in conjunction with, or instead of Profhilo.

At Elan Medical Skin Clinic in Essex, our award-winning nurse consultant, Sue Ibrahim, has almost 20 years’ experience in cosmetic dermatology and aesthetic medicine and was runner-up in the National Safety in Beauty Awards 2016. Sue Ibrahim has also been nominated and is in the finals of the Aesthetic Nurse of The Year category 2018.

All new patients receive a full consultation and medical assessment before their neck rejuvenation treatment. Your cosmetic consultation includes a general assessment of your needs and a discussion about the range of treatment options available, both at Elan Medical Skin Clinic and those available elsewhere.

We will work with you and are here to help you make the right decision.

Click here to read what our patients are currently saying about Elan Medical Skin Clinic

Give Elan Medical Skin Clinic a call on 01268 770660 today to book your Aesthetic Consultation with our experienced Nurse Practitioner.

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Bitten by an insect? Sue Ibrahim from Elan Medical Skin Clinic in Rayleigh, Essex explains what you should do.

There’s no denying that this summer has been glorious so far, says Sue Ibrahim at Elan Medical Skin Clinic in Rayleigh, Essex. But the sunshine has led to more people than usual being bitten by insects and it seems that the horsefly population has exploded.

According to the BBC, calls to the NHS helpline 111 about insect bites are almost double the rate they normally are at this time of year and senior doctors are reporting incidents of patients being treated in hospital for infected horsefly bites.

One explanation for the rise in the number of horseflies is standing water, such as garden paddling pools, where they and other insects thrive. The advice is to drain paddling pools after use.

What should I do if I’ve been bitten by an insect?

“I find hydrocortisone cream alongside antihistamine tablets works best,” says Sue, a nurse consultant in dermatology with more than 30 years’ experience of treating skin conditions.

“When should you see a doctor? When the bite becomes infected and starts to go red or you develop a high temperature.”

Exposed skin is appealing to insects, so if you are prone to being bitten, we advise you to consider wearing loose-fitting, longer sleeved tops and trousers. Swimming in lakes and rivers is also best avoided.

Unfortunately, there is not much evidence behind plug-in insect repellent devices.

For more advice, please contact us.

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DermaActive hair repair

Hair loss can cause embarrassment for men and women – and it can also affect children. Male pattern hair loss is well known but there’s a version that affects women and this can be a very upsetting condition, especially if the bald area cannot be disguised, says Sue Ibrahim from Elan Medical Skin Clinic in Rayleigh Essex.

Patterned hair loss looks different in men and women. In women, there is widely spread thinning of the hair, mainly on the crown. The hairline often remains normal.

What causes female pattern hair loss?

According to the British Association of Dermatologists FPHL is caused by a combination of genetic and hormonal factors. The hairs produced by the affected follicles become progressively smaller in diameter, shorter in length and lighter in colour until eventually the follicles shrink completely and stop producing hair.

FPHL can be associated with conditions in which androgen (a group of hormones) levels are elevated such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Acne, increased facial hair, irregular periods and infertility are all signs of PCOS. It is believed that it can be inherited from either or both parents.

Alopecia

Alopecia is a general term for hair loss. Its full name is alopecia areata. It usually causes small, coin-sized, round patches of baldness on the scalp, although hair in the beard, eyebrows, eyelashes, body and limbs can be affected. In some people larger areas are affected and occasionally it can involve the whole scalp (alopecia totalis) or even the entire body and scalp (alopecia universalis).

Alopecia cannot be cured. Depending on the extent of hair loss there is a good chance that, for 4 out of 5 affected people, complete regrowth will occur within 1 year without treatment. There may, however, be further episodes of hair loss in the future.

What causes alopecia areata?

Hair is lost because it is affected by inflammation. The cause of this inflammation is unknown but it is thought that the immune system, the natural defence that normally protects the body from infections and other diseases, may attack the growing hair. Why this might happen is not fully understood, nor is it known why only localised areas are affected and why the hair usually regrows again.

DermaActive hair repair

DermaActive hair repair is a restorative treatment that instantly absorbs into the hair and scalp creating exceptional shine, stunning smoothness and lasting conditioning. This intense treatment penetrates the cuticle to help reconstruct, rebuild strength and restore elasticity. Hair will demonstrate improved texture and manageability.

“None of our products contain fragrances or preservatives, the most common causes of skin sensitivity. None of the products have been tested on animals and each active ingredient has been selected to produce results. Please feel free to contact us if you require any support or guidance in using these products.”  Sue Ibrahim

For more information about treating hair loss click here

For more information or details about local support groups, visit https://www.alopecia.org.uk/

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Elan Medical Skin Clinic can help with psoriasis – call us now for details

When it comes to skin conditions, leading skin expert Sue Ibrahim at Elan Medical Skin Clinic in Essex understands the emotional upset they can cause. And psoriasis is no exception.

What is psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a common inflammatory skin disease affecting 2% of the population. It occurs equally in men and women, can appear at any age, and tends to come and go unpredictably. It is not infectious and it does not scar the skin although sometimes it can cause a temporary increase or reduction in skin pigmentation.

Psoriasis can affect the nails and the joints as well as the skin. About half of people with psoriasis have psoriasis affecting the nails. For people with moderate to severe psoriasis about one in three will develop psoriatic arthritis at some time.

Can I treat psoriasis?

Although psoriasis is a long-term condition that cannot be cured there are many effective treatments available to keep it under good control. Sue prescribes the most up-to-date treatment for psoriasis based on the severity of your condition.

The British Association of Dermatologists recommends three approaches, the first being topical treatments including creams, ointments, gels, pastes and lotions.

Sue has developed a range of corrective and protective affordable skin care products that contains the highest possible ratio of clinically proven ingredients, delivering results our clients are extremely happy with. Those aimed at treating psoriasis are:

DermaCare Skin and Hair Repair Programme

DermaCalm cleanser

DermaCalm cream

DermaActive shampoo and body wash

Phototherapy

Phototherapy is used to clear psoriasis and then keep it away for a period after treatment. A course of treatment usually takes about 8-10 weeks and will require treatment sessions two to three times a week. Two types of light are used: narrowband ultraviolet B light (nbUVB/TLO1) and ultraviolet A light (PUVA).

Internal (systemic) treatments

Tablet options include acitretin (related to vitamin A), ciclosporin (suppresses the immune system), methotrexate (slows down the rate at which cells divide in psoriasis), and in some centres fumaric acid esters and apremilast. Injectable treatments for psoriasis include etanercept, adalimumab, infliximab, ustekinumab, secukinumab and ixekizumab.

What should I do next?

We strongly advise booking a dermatology consultant with Sue. Sue is a leading nurse consultant in the area of dermatology, who has more than 30 years’ experience and numerous delighted patients who have been successfully treated for this condition.

You can either call Elan Medical Skin Clinic on 01268 770660 between 9.30am and 5pm Monday to Saturday or you can click here to book online and one of our reception team will contact you by phone or email, whichever you prefer.

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Sue Ibrahim from Elan Medical Skin Clinic in Rayleigh Essex reminds new mums that dermatologists do not recommend using aqueous cream or Sudocrem on babies.

We are delighted to announce that Sue Ibrahim from Elan Medical Skin Clinic in Rayleigh, Essex has recently become a grandmother. Her grandson’s birth at the end of March highlighted the need to remind new mums that dermatologists do not recommend using aqueous cream or Sudocrem on babies.

Aqueous cream contains sodium laureth sulphate (SLS), a detergent that breaks down the skin barrier. SLS functions as a stabiliser and cleansing agent and is a known skin irritant. However, aqueous cream products often contain other ingredients such as chlorocrescol, cetostearyl alcohol and parabens, which may also cause or contribute to adverse skin reactions.

The Gov.uk website states: An audit of 100 children attending a paediatric dermatology clinic reported that aqueous cream emollient was associated with an immediate skin reaction (stinging, burning, itching, and redness) within 20 minutes in 56% of exposures, compared with 18% with other emollients used^. Furthermore, several studies reported alterations in skin physiology (thinning of the outermost layer of the skin and increased skin water loss) following application of aqueous cream as an emollient in adults, both with and without eczema.

Sue, a nurse consultant in dermatology with 30 years’ experience, said: “Aqueous cream degredates the protein filagrin in skin cells that disrupts the delicate skin barrier in babies and children. A disrupted skin barrier can lead to irritant contact dermatitis.”

The National Eczema Society interviewed two leading scientists, Prof Richard Guy and Prof Mike Cork, for their clinical opinion.

Prof Guy said: ‘Aqueous cream contains 1% sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) and this is the ingredient, we believe, that causes damage to the skin barrier. The majority of other emollient creams in Europe do not contain SLS and are safe and effective products. It would be advisable to check the label of any emollient cream to verify that it does not contain SLS.’

Prof Cork agrees: ‘This excellent paper from Professor Richard Guy’s group demonstrates that aqueous cream damages the skin barrier in volunteers who have never had atopic eczema.

“Aqueous cream is likely to cause even more severe damage in the skin barrier in children and adults with atopic eczema. Aqueous cream should never be used as a leave-on emollient as it is likely to exacerbate, rather than improve, the eczema.’

Avoid Sudocrem too

Sudocrem is now also not recommended as a barrier cream in babies as its antibacterial properties can actually make nappy rash worse, according to Dr Piu Banerjee, Consultant Dermatologist at the Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Foundation Trust.

What cream should I use on my baby?

At Elan Medical Skin Clinic in Rayleigh, Essex, we recommend Epaderm Junior Cream as it contains clinically proven ingredients that provide moisturising hydration for babies and children. It is fragrance-free, preservative free and does not contain SLS. Epaderm can also be used around the mouth to prevent dribble rash. As always, if you have any concerns, please contact us.

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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.

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Suffering with acne? Call Sue Ibrahim at Elan Medical Skin Clinic in Essex for help and advice.

Despite being one of the most widespread skin conditions affecting teenagers AND adult men and women, acne is one of the most poorly understood. There are many myths and misconceptions surrounding acne and its causes. In this month’s blog, our skin expert and nurse consultant in dermatology, Sue Ibrahim, helps separate fact from fiction.

Myth: A poor diet high in fat and dairy causes acne

Scientific research has not found any foods that directly cause acne, so far. However, eating a healthy, balanced diet is essential for your overall health and wellbeing.

Myth: Acne is caused by having dirty skin and poor hygiene

NHS scientists suggest that most of the biological reactions that trigger acne occur beneath the skin, not on the surface, so the cleanliness of your skin has no effect on your acne. And Sue says that washing your face more than twice a day could actually aggravate your skin.

Myth: Squeezing spots gets rid of acne

Although tempting, squeezing spots, blackheads or whiteheads can actually make your acne symptoms worse – and may leave you with scarring. Here are some of the acne treatments that we may recommend at Elan Medical Skin Clinic in Rayleigh Essex:

1. Prescription medications to reduce the outbreak of spots
2. Elan Medical Skin Systems for acne
3. LED Phototherapy to reduce facial redness
4. Elan Medical Skin Peels for superficial blemishes and scars
5. Intralesional Cyst Injections
6. Fractional Skin Resurfacing for deep acne scars
7. Surgical scar revision

Myth: Acne is infectious

This is a particularly nasty and hurtful myth that’s totally incorrect. You cannot pass acne to other people or catch it from close contact with someone with acne. The psychological effects of acne are often underestimated by GPs and friends and those affected can suffer from reduced self-esteem and confidence issues.

What causes acne?

The British Association of Dermatologists has a very helpful leaflet about acne, which explains:

The sebaceous (oil-producing) glands of people who get acne are particularly sensitive to normal blood levels of certain hormones, which are present in both men and women. These cause the glands to produce an excess of oil. At the same time, the dead skin cells lining the pores are not shed properly and clog up the follicles. These two effects result in a build up of oil, producing blackheads (where a darkened plug of oil and dead skin is visible) and whiteheads.

The acne bacterium (known as Propionibacterium acnes) lives on everyone’s skin, usually causing no problems, but in those prone to acne, the build-up of oil creates an ideal environment in which these bacteria can multiply. This triggers inflammation and the formation of red or pus-filled spots.

Click here to read the full leaflet

Testosterone

Teenage acne is thought to be triggered by increased levels of testosterone, which occurs during puberty. The hormone plays an important role in stimulating the growth and development of the penis and testicles in boys, and maintaining muscle and bone strength in girls.

The sebaceous glands are particularly sensitive to hormones. It’s thought that increased levels of testosterone cause the glands to produce much more sebum than the skin needs.

We can help

If you suffer from acne, get advice early – please don’t suffer in silence. 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 Clinic in Essex, all new patients receive a thorough consultation and medical assessment prior to treatment.

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Sue Ibrahim from Elan Medical Skin Clinics in Essex was named Runner-up Nurse of the Year 2016 in the Safety in Beauty Awards – fingers crossed for this year!

Our Essex skin expert, Sue Ibrahim has been shortlisted in the Safety in Beauty Diamond Awards 2018 in the category of Aesthetic Nurse of the Year.

Sue, founder of Elan Medical Skin Clinic in Rayleigh, is delighted to have reached the finals of the highly acclaimed awards event.

The Safety in Beauty Diamond Awards are dedicated to recognising and paying special tribute to the many outstanding businesses, professionals, brands and service providers in the beauty and aesthetics industry.

They highlight those going the extra mile in dedication and excellence and those in pursuit of the highest standards of safety in an industry frustratingly tainted by the rogue minority.

The Awards Ceremony and Inaugural Rainbow Gala Ball will take place on Saturday 7th July 2018, at 6.45pm at the luxury 5 Star Montcalm Hotel in Marble Arch.

“It’s that time of year again, when we celebrate the companies, individuals and brands doing things right in the aesthetics and beauty industry,” said organisers.

“Since launching The Safety in Beauty Diamond Awards three years ago, they’ve become a prestigious and highly acclaimed event, and we’re proud to be presenting a fourth year of awards.

“2018 will see 12 recipients awarded with Diamond Accolades, followed by our final star award for Outstanding Career. We’ll end the ceremony and commence a glamorous evening of celebration, with an explosive carnival of colour, including music, and first class entertainment.”

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