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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Rosacea is a progressive skin condition that often begins with a tendency to flush (blush). After a while this is followed by persistent redness on the cheeks, chin, forehead and nose, and by crops of small inflamed red bumps and pus spots. Rosacea can also affect the eyes, making them irritated.

A woman considers speaking to a skin expert at Elan Medical Skin Clinics in Essex about her rosacea.

What causes Rosacea? 

The cause of rosacea is not fully understood, but many think that the defect lies in the blood vessels in the skin of the face, which dilate too easily and recent studies are linking rosacea with the Demodex mite, that feeds off of our dead skin cells. Rosacea is more common in women than in men, and in those with a fair skin who flush easily but men tend to get a more aggressive form of Rosacea.

Many things seem to make rosacea worse, but probably do not cause it in the first place. They include alcohol, too much exercise, both high and low temperatures, hot spicy foods, stress, and sunlight. Things that stir up one person’s rosacea may well have no effect at all on the rosacea of someone else. The idea that rosacea is due to germs in the skin, or in the bowel, has not been proved. Rosacea is not catching.

Is Rosacea hereditary?

Rosacea does seem to run in some families but it is still not clear whether heredity plays a big part in this.

What are the symptoms of Rosacea?

Rosacea starts with a tendency to blush and flush easily. After a while, the central areas of the face become a deeper shade of red and end up staying this colour all the time. The area becomes studded with small red bumps (papules) and pus spots, which come and go in crops. Small dilated blood vessels (telangiectasia) appear, looking like thin red streaks. Scarring is seldom a problem.

Other problems with rosacea include the following:

• Rosacea can lead to embarrassment, anxiety, or depression, and a disrupted social life. 
• The face may swell (lymphoedema), especially around the eyes. 
• The nose may grow big, red and bulbous (rhinophyma) due to the overgrowth of the sebaceous glands. This is more common in men than women. 
• Some people with rosacea have eye symptoms (red, itchy, sore eyes and eyelids; a gritty feeling; sensitivity to light). A few patients with rosacea have more serious eye problems, such as rosacea keratitis, that can interfere with vision. 

How will Rosacea be diagnosed? 

Unfortunately, many doctors can trivialise the effects rosacea can have on a person’s confidence, self-esteem and quality of life. Having spent over 30 years working within medical dermatology, Sue Ibrahim is passionate about treating acne early and effectively as she fully understands the consequences of living this rosacea on a daily basis. At Elan Medical Skin Clinic in Essex, we take the time to listen to your concerns and devise a management plan to get your skin looking great again!

Can Rosacea be cured?

No treatment can be guaranteed to switch rosacea off forever. However long-term treatments control symptoms and can clear the spots and reduce the facial flushing and dilated blood vessels. Treatment works best if started when rosacea is at an early stage.

How do we treat Rosacea?

Many thousands of people have been treated by Sue Ibrahim for their rosacea at Elan Medical Skin Clinic in Essex.

• Prescription creams and oral medication
• Skincare free from fragrances and preservatives
• Rosacea Phototherapy to reduce facial flushing and reduce spots
• Veinwave to reduce dilated blood vessels (thread veins)

If you are fed up with suffering from acne or any other skin condition, why not book your dermatology consultation now!

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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.

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Elan Medical Skin Clinic’s skin expert Sue Ibrahim.

Our skin is the largest organ of our body, with a total area of about 20 square feet. It protects us from microbes and the elements, helps regulate our body temperature and permits the sensations of touch, heat and cold.

Twenty square feet is a lot of area for things to go wrong, imperfections to show, maintenance to cover. But don’t fear, our nurse consultant in dermatology, Sue Ibrahim at Elan Medical Skin Clinic in Rayleigh, Essex has your skin covered!

We take exercise to improve our heart. We keep our brains active. We check our diet to ensure our digestive organs stay fit. But our skin often takes the brunt of external and internal abuse.

Taking care of our skin

If you would like to take better care of your skin in 2018 and guard against future damage, speak to Sue. Elan Medical has built up a reputation for providing expert, ethical, honest and professional guidance about dermatological conditions such as rosacea, acne, melasma, psoriasis, moles and cysts, excessive sweating, scarring, stretch marks and so much more.

We can also help with:

• Soothing and smoothing
• Revitalizing and refreshing
• Lifting and lasering
• Mapping and masking

Clinical expertise

Sue has worked in dermatology for almost 20 years and her experience is second to none. She is a firm believer in a combined, holistic approach. In order to get the most out of any treatment we aim to get your skin in tiptop condition first. Your treatment is then the icing on the cake and your recovery time is quicker.

Find out more – today!

Call Elan Medical 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. We look forward to hearing from you.

Finding us

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. We 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.

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Summer offer – for your £10 discount, please quote Elan Summer Facial. Call our Rayleigh skin clinic on 01268 770660 to book. Hurry – offer ends 30.9.17.

If you’ve only ever had a facial at a beauty salon or spa you will be totally blown away by the medical grade facials at Elan Medical Skin Clinic in Rayleigh, Essex.

The fully qualified team at Elan Medical Skin Clinic use clinically evidenced ingredients and protocols for their prescription-based facials that are tailored to your specific needs.

Elan’s medical grade facials are performed by our aesthetic therapist Amy and the protocol is prescribed by Sue Ibrahim, our nurse consultant in dermatology.

There are facials and there are Elan facials!

Our medical grade facials cost £95 and last around 45 minutes. They normally include LED Phototherapy as part of the treatment. For clients with acne, the prescription products used will normally consist of azelaic acid, salicylic acid and bio-sulphur.

For clients with rosacea, anti-inflammatory ingredients are utilised to calm irritated skin and ingredients such as azelaic acid help to protect the skin from the demodex mite, which is now thought to be the trigger factor behind the exacerbation of rosacea.

Clients prone to facial dermatitis will find Elan’s DermaActive DermaCalm Treatment Facial beneficial. And for those with ageing skin a combination of prescription strength retinoic acid and stem cells help stimulate collagen production and boost the skin’s repair processes.

Longer lasting effects

Each medical grade facial is designed to kick-start your home care regime, which may include prescription only medications, so clients do not have to return every few weeks for another treatment. Treatment will continue at home, resulting in photographic improvements in your skin within 6 -12 weeks!

Dermatology consultation with Sue Ibrahim

Clients will require a full dermatology consultation with Sue Ibrahim prior to a medical grade facial as they contain medical elements that can only be prescribed following a face-to face-consultation.

Special summer offer

For your £10 discount, please quote Elan Summer Facial. Please call our Rayleigh skin clinic on 01268 770660 to book. Hurry – offer ends 30.9.17.

Great Essex location

Our Essex medical 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. So, if you’re in the area, pop in and meet our welcoming team. Until then, check out our website for lots more information.

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London skin expert from Elan Medical Skin Clinics can smooth and soothe your skin

In our last blog we talked about soothing lumps, bumps, rashes and itchy skin, this time it’s all about smoothing and rejuvenating our skin.

As well as having more than 30 years’ experience in dermatology, Elan Medical Skin Clinic director, Sue Ibrahim, has spent many years honing her cosmetic dermatology services. This means she can offer exceptional quality treatments including skin fillers, wrinkle relaxing injections, skin peels and plasma soft surgery.

Wrinkle reducing injections

Done properly, no-one should be able to tell you’ve had wrinkle reduction. By choosing the right practitioner to achieve your aim, you can rest assured that your appearance will be improved yet remain completely natural.

Wrinkle-relaxing injections are one of the most popular cosmetic medical treatments for facial lines and wrinkles in the UK. Our award-winning nurse consultant, Sue Ibrahim, has more than 15 years’ experience in advanced wrinkle reduction procedures.

Skin fillers

Masters of dermal fillers have an exceptional knowledge of the skin – and Sue definitely fulfils this criteria. Skin fillers can provide truly excellent results and Elan Medical Skin Clinic is delighted to offer a new generation of dermal filler that is more comfortable and can last up to 18 months in the skin.

Skin peels

We are delighted to offer two of our own specially created skin peels, developed and formulated by Sue. Our chemical peels have been designed to refresh your skin, add vigour and lustre, and reduce blemishes, acne, acne scars, wrinkles, uneven pigmentation and sun damage.

Plasma soft surgery

Plasma soft surgery helps dramatically reduce hooded eyelids and bags under the eyes, as well as a host of concerns including treating skin imperfections such as warts and skin tags, and reducing the appearance of scars and stretch marks.

Great, central London location

Our central London medical skin clinic is just five minutes from Barbican and Old Street tube stations and a 15-minute walk from Liverpool Street Station. We are situated almost on the corner of Old Street and Whitecross Street, an area famous for its lively food stalls – in fact a lot of our clients work in Clerkenwell and Moorgate and spend their lunch hour visiting the food market in Whitecross Street. So, if you’re in the area, pop in and meet our welcoming team. Until then, check out our website for lots more information.

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London skin expert, Sue Ibrahim from Elan Medical Skin Clinics in central London and Essex, soothes your skin this summer

Skin rashes, itchy skin and general lumps and bumps seem all the more noticeable and irritating during the summer when our skin is bared to the world.

The team at Elan Medical Skin Clinics in Rayleigh, Essex and central London is led by Sue Ibrahim, a consultant nurse with more than 30 years’ dermatology experience. Sue knows skin, simple as that. She understands how certain health and skin problems can make you feel unhappy and self-conscious and what can be done to help alleviate your symptoms.

From acne, acne scarring, rosacea, melasma and psoriasis, to mole and cyst removal and treatments for dealing with excessive sweating, Sue uses the latest technology and up-to-date approaches to ensure the best results.

Dermatology consultation

If you have a skin concern, a dermatology consultation is your first step to resolving the problem and it is our hope that when two committed parties work together, desired results are achieved.

Most consultations last between 30 to 45 minutes and you will leave feeling fully informed and assessed. If you have an existing medical skin condition, your dermatology consultation includes a general assessment of your needs and a discussion about the range of treatment options available, both at Elan Medical Skin Clinics and those available elsewhere.

If you have a skin lesion, such as a mole, cyst, wart or lump that concerns you, this will be inspected using the latest dermatoscopic instrument so that a diagnosis can be made.

There is an £85 fee for an initial dermatology consultation with Sue Ibrahim and a private prescription, if required. Dermatology follow-up appointments are £35, inclusive of the repeat prescription fee.

Great, central London location

Our central London medical skin clinic is just five minutes from Barbican and Old Street tube stations and a 15-minute walk from Liverpool Street Station. We are situated almost on the corner of Old Street and Whitecross Street, an area famous for its lively food stalls – in fact a lot of our clients work in Clerkenwell and Moorgate and spend their lunch hour visiting the food market in Whitecross Street. So, if you’re in the area, pop in and meet our welcoming team. Until then, check out our website for lots more information.

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Woman talks to skin experts at central London’s Elan Medical Skin Clinic about Roaccutane

Roaccutane is a brand name for the oral drug Isotretinoin, which is closely related to vitamin A. Oral Isotretinoin works in a variety of ways, targeting several of the factors that cause acne and other skin conditions including the production of sebum (an oily substance produced by the skin) and the production of keratin (outer scales of skin) that block the pores of the hair follicle and cause acne.

Due to ongoing concerns, a review of psychiatric reactions was carried out in 2014, which considered all available evidence from published literature and individual case reports. Conflicting study results and limitations in the data determined it was not possible to identify a clear biological mechanism by which Isotretinoin would cause psychiatric disorders.

Acne itself is associated with psychiatric disorders and the age that many patients take isotretinoin is also the age that some psychiatric disorders are commonly diagnosed. However, patients on Roaccutane require careful monitoring, which should include monthly blood tests and close supervision regarding low mood. The drug is now generally prescribed at a lower dose for a longer period of time.

Who can prescribe it?

Roaccutane Isotretinoin is licensed in the UK and commonly used to treat moderate and severe acne, often where there is risk of scarring. Your dermatologist may occasionally use Roaccutane to treat other skin conditions such as hidradenitis suppurativa and rosacea. In the UK Roaccutane may only be prescribed if you are under the care of a consultant dermatologist.

Will Roaccutane cure my acne?

A large proportion of patients (about 9 out of 10) see a significant improvement in their acne with a single 16 to 24 week course of Roaccutane, although during the first few weeks of treatment the acne may worsen before it starts to improve.

A small number of patients continue to have milder, although improved, acne following Isotretinoin that can be controlled with conventional therapies, such as antibiotics. Others may relapse after stopping treatment with Roaccutane, and occasionally, a prolonged or second course of treatment is required.

Who can’t have it?

According to Government guidelines, the following people should not receive treatment with Roaccutane:

• children aged 12 years or younger
• women who are, or who might be, pregnant (please download the leaflet below)
• women who are breast-feeding
• people with impaired liver function
• those with high levels of fat in their blood
• people with hypervitaminosis A – the presence of too much vitamin A in the body, symptoms of which include:
  • fatigue
  • irritability
  • skin changes
  • hair loss
  • headache
  • stomach ache

Isotretinoin should be used with caution in people with:

• a history of depression
• diabetes
• dry-eye syndrome
• impaired kidney function
• people who are allergic to peanuts, soya, or the sugar sorbitol as some brands of Isotretinoin may contain these ingredients

What are the rare side effects of Isotretinoin?

More serious side effects may occur although these are fortunately rare. Isotretinoin can lead to changes in mood and/or behaviour and less commonly, unusual experiences including thoughts of self-harm and suicide. There have also been reports of patients attempting suicide.

If you have ever had low mood, suicidal ideas or any other mental health problem, please discuss this with your doctor before starting treatment. If you have a history of depression your dermatologist may ask a psychiatrist to see you before starting Roaccutane to determine if it is safe for you to take.

For more information, please read the leaflet attached below that has been produced by the British Association of Dermatologists or contact Sue Ibrahim.

British Association of Dermatologists Isotretinoin leaflet

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From acne to ageing, wrinkles to blemishes, sugar has a lot to answer for. Sugar and high GI (glycemic index) foods lead to a spike in insulin levels and this causes inflammation throughout our bodies. Sugar also binds to collagen making the skin stiff. The technical term for this is a process called glycation. It’s simple really: less sugar equals better skin – and the results can very often be seen in just a week.

Insulin spikes are linked to acne breakouts and can cause the skin to appear red and inflamed. This is because inflammation produces enzymes that break down collagen and elastin, resulting in sagging skin and wrinkles.

As well as increasing the effects of ageing, glycation can also exacerbate skin conditions like acne and rosacea. There’s also a cumulative effect of eating too much sugar – the more we eat, the more likely it is we’ll develop insulin resistance, and this can lead to excess hair growth and dark patches on the neck and in body creases.

The good news is…

The team at Elan Medical Skin Clinics in central London and Rayleigh in Essex can help with many of the downsides and effects of eating too much sugar. Our award-winning nurse consultant, Sue Ibrahim, has more than 30 years’ experience in dermatology. She is an expert in skin conditions and her friendly and professional manner will instantly put you at ease.

Acne

We have a wide variety of treatment options to help control acne and prevent scarring. Evidence suggests that a combination of treatments can produce a better outcome and help keep acne under control. Here are some of the acne treatments that we may recommend:

• Prescription medications to reduce the outbreak of spots
• Elan Medical Skin Systems for Acne
• LED Phototherapy to reduce facial redness
• Elan Medical Skin Peels for superficial blemishes and scars
• Fractional Skin Resurfacing for deep acne scars
• Surgical scar revision

Wrinkles

Sue Ibrahim, has more than 15 years’ experience in advanced wrinkle reduction procedures. Done properly, no-one should be able to tell you’ve had wrinkle reduction or dermal fillers. Elan Medical Skin Clinic is dedicated to providing the safest, most effective cosmetic treatments on the market today, which is why we use the revolutionary Soprano Near Infrared. This effective cosmetic procedure safely and effectively produces thermal heat to warm the inner layers of the skin, promoting the formation of collagen and causing the skin to contract, which is essential for a smoother, firmer and younger look.

Rosacea

We use a combination of treatments for rosacea and do our utmost to provide the best outcome for you. These include:

• Prescription medications to reduce the outbreak of spots
• Elan Medical Skin Systems for rosacea
• DermaCalm Treatment instantly calms skin that has been affected by a trigger
• LED Phototherapy to reduce facial redness
• Veinwave treatment to close down any visible thread/spider veins
• Fractional Skin Resurfacing to treat uneven skin texture

Excessive hair growth

Elan Medical Skin Clinic has invested in one of the very best laser hair removal machines available to ensure that people of all skin types, skin colours and hair types can achieve hair-free skin. The Soprano ICE can treat every part of the body, including the face and most intimate areas, painlessly, quickly and effectively.

If you would like to find out more, please contact us today.

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Don’t let winter get the better of your skin! Help is at hand from Elan Medical Skin Clinics in central London and Essex

As the nights draw in and the temperature drops, you may have noticed the effects of winter starting to take their toll on your skin. Winter can also be a particularly troublesome time for people who suffer with rosacea.

London nurse consultant in dermatology, Sue Ibrahim, from Elan Medical Skin Clinics in Whitecross Street and Rayleigh, Essex has worked with skin issues for more than 30 years and here she shares her wisdom.

Rosacea is a common rash, usually occurring on the face, which predominantly affects middle-aged people between 40 to 60 years old and those with fair skin. It is more common in women, but tends to be more severe in men.

There are a variety of trigger factors that may make rosacea worse. These include alcohol, exercise, high and low temperatures, hot drinks, spicy foods and stress.

Rosacea tends to affect the cheeks, forehead, chin and nose, and is characterised by flushing and redness, dilated blood vessels, small red bumps and pus-filled spots (sometimes these may only be visible with a magnifying glass). There may also be uncomfortable inflammation of the surface of the eyes and eyelids.

How can Elan Medical Clinic help fight winter blues?

If you are suffering from rosacea or have red, inflamed skin from the drying effects of central heating or environmental factors, LED Phototherapy is a pain free and relaxing treatment that reduces facial redness.

The visible effects are immediate, instantly awakening a tired and dull complexion. After just one 20-minute treatment skin is incredibly hydrated, plump and radiant and any redness or irritation is calmed.

“I’m very happy with the overall improvement, I wish I’d come years ago” Rosacea treatment patient

DermaActives products to help with seasonal skin problems

DermaCalm Serum helps relieve sensitive, hot and itchy skin that is often caused by excessive inflammation, which affects skin barrier function and eventually leads to accelerated skin ageing (inflamm-ageing). DermaCalm Serum is a highly effective daily use serum that alleviates stressed, sensitive or irritable skin by boosting anti-inflammatory processes that supports recovery of the skin barrier. An infusion of 15% arnica extract enhances the appearance of dry or damaged skin by reducing flaking and restoring suppleness.

Elan’s DermaCalm Cream addresses chronic low grade micro-inflammation that causes visible consequences on the skin such as a deterioration of DNA and proteins. Inflammation affects normal skin barrier function and can result in accelerated ageing. DermaCalm Cream contains several active components that target chronic itchy, red or problematic skin resulting from allergic responses, abrasion or environmental sensitivity.

Dermatology consultation

Our award-winning nurse consultant, Sue Ibrahim, has more than 30 years’ experience in dermatology. Most dermatology consultations with Sue last between 30 to 45 minutes and you will leave feeling fully informed and assessed. If you have an existing medical skin condition, your dermatology consultation includes a general assessment of your needs and a discussion about the range of treatment options available, both at Elan Medical Skin Clinics and those available elsewhere. Contact us now to book.

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