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Non-Surgical Treatments for the Eyes

The eyes are very much the focal point of our faces. Any irregularities in this area can quickly make you look tired and aged. Eye creams after eye creams promise to remove dark circles and brighten the eyes with hefty price tags and tiny bottles. Here we look at the non-surgical treatments available to banish those bags that actually work…

Common problems with the eye area:

  • Heavy eyes
  • Hooded eyelids
  • Deep under eye circles
  • Sunken eyes
  • Crow’s feet

The majority of these issues are caused by the thinning of your skin around the eye area due to ageing. The loss in elasticity and volume causes the area to look tired and lose its youthful glow.

Each of these problems can be easily treated with the correct combinations of Botox and dermal fillers. This can reduce the appearance of tired skin and brighten up your eyes, boosting your self-confidence.

Which treatment is right for me?

Heavy Eyes / Hooded Eyelids

You may have noticed that your brow has dropped causing your eyelid to rest heavily on your lash line. This can obstruct your vision and can result in you needing to prop the area up, particularly if you’re applying make-up such as eyeshadow. Many believe the only cure is a surgical blepharoplasty. In some cases this is true however there is a non-surgical option for those of you with minor hooding of the eyelid…

Treatment: Brow Lift 

Using Botox injections just above the eyebrow, your eyelid can be stretched out by relaxing the muscles. This minimises their hooded appearance. The treatment takes just 20-30 minutes to complete with results being noticed fully 10-14 days after the procedure. The effects from the Botox will last 12 weeks and after this it can be “topped up” with another appointment.

Deep under eye circles / sunken eyes

The skin around your eyes thins out over time which can cause your eyes to look darker. This sunken appearance is known as ‘bags under your eyes’ and is particularly apparent first thing in the morning. This is a very common problem and is one of the first signs of skin ageing.

Treatment: Tear Trough Rejuvenation

Tear Trough Rejuvenation uses dermal fillers injected just under the eye into the ‘tear trough’. Once the area under the eye has re-gained volume it produces a youthful, brightening effect. Treatment time is 30 minutes and full results can be seen after 10 days. This treatment can be re-administered after 12 weeks.

non surgical treatments for the eyes

The Kardashians love PRP

Treatment: Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy

The use of Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy otherwise known as PRP or the Vampire face lift can help to banish dark circles. The purpose of the treatment is to regenerate and rejuvenate the skin surface using the bodies own blood. The practitioner will re-inject your ‘platelet-rich-plasma’ into the problem area. This natural process promotes youthful skin under the eyes causing dark circles to lighten.

Patients can see full results from PRP 3-4 weeks after treatment.

Crow’s feet

Crow’s feet are the formation of wrinkles at the side of your eyes, replicating the image of a birds feet (hence the name!)

Crow’s feet normally appear from the movement of smiling. Although we love smiling, we hate that it makes us look older than we are so fortunately there is a very simple treatment to combat them.

non-surgical eye treatments

Naomi Watts showing Crow’s feet around her eyes.

Treatment: Botox 

By using Botox injections, practitioners can relax this area causing the wrinkles to fade and your muscles to relax. This means the next time you smile, laugh or squint the crow’s feet will have magically disappeared! Treatment time is 20-30 minutes, with results being visible after a week and the option to have the treatment again after 12 weeks.

 

Non-Surgical Treatments as a Model at Cosmetic Courses

Cosmetic Courses has been training medical professionals in the UK since 2002. As one of the longest-established providers we pride ourselves on the quality of our training and the products we use for treatment. This means that you are receiving the safest possible treatment as a model with us. 

If you would like to speak to one of our consultants or to book in for any of our Non-Surgical Facial Aesthetic Treatments please call us now on 01844 390110 or register here to receive further information from our friendly team.

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Neostrata for your Aesthetic Practice

Neostrata is an award winning cosmeceutical brand of skincare products, designed specifically for use in medical aesthetic clinics. Neostrata incorporates active and patented ingredients  and are all glycolic acid based,  so therefore have an effect on both the surface of the skin as well as the deeper layers of the epidermis.

Why do we favour Neostrata as a cosmeceutical brand?

The beauty of the Neostrata products is the wide range of inidividual products available. These products have been seperated into 6 ranges; Skin Active, Resurface, Restore, Refine, Enlighten and Targeted Treatments each designed for specific skin concerns. They have effects on tone, texture and pigmentation, and as a result can be used for many different purposes; including anti-ageing, sun damage and pigmentation. Neostrata has historical, clinical and technological data to back up their claims and is also licensed to many big names including Allergan, depicting the quality of the ingredients and products.

Neostrata Facial Skin Peels

A chemical peel is a technique used to improve the condition and the texture of the skin by removing the outer epidermal layers in order to rejuvenate and refresh the complexion. Peels can vary in strength; from 20%, 35%, 50% and 70% are all available. Neostrata consists of three targeted boosters – brightening for pigmentation, clarifying for ageing and acne; and rejuvenating for ageing and skin texture. Neostrata skin peels will only stay on the skin for a maximum of seven minutes but can reach the deeper layers of the stratum corneum. It is a fast and safe effective procedure that will reach deeper than any home skincare products.

The Neostrata skin peel can:

  • Coagulate proteins in the skin
  • Exfoliate
  • Decrease Pore size
  • Black head removal
  • Treat dry, flaky skin
  • Brigten dull, dehydrated skin
  • Increase luminosity
  • Increase cell turnover
  • Even out pigment
  • Increase collagen fibre
  • Enhance clarity
  • Improve elastic fibres
  • Increase dermal thickness
  • Help to plump and firm as well as reducing wrinkles

The Neostrata skin peel can also be used in conjunction with microdermabrasion and dermaroller and in fact our Neostrata skin peel training course covers the use of microdermabrasion as well as the chemical peels for skin rejuvenation. Chemical peels are a non-invasive non-surgical treatment that are becoming increasingly popular and with good reason. Facial peels are a popular procedure for clients who have not had non-surgical procedures before, and so a good way to entice potential clients to your practice and an ideal way of introducing them to other non-surgical procedures that may benefit them. This quick and easy procedure is highly effective for all Fitzpatrick skin types including even the most sensitive skin.

Neostrata Skincare Training Day

For optimum results your clients will need a course of skin peels along with a high quality home skincare regimen. The skin care market is ever growing and a brilliant way to expand revenue as well as improve the services you offer to your clients. At Cosmetic Courses, we offer a Neostrata Skincare Training day for only £50 + VAT. This will educate you on the different ranges of products available. From this day you will gain an insight and overview of the products, ingredients and the conditions they can treat.  We will also advise you on how to integrate these products into your clinic in order to improve revenue and client satisfaction.

If you are interested in our Neostrata Skincare Training or our Chemical Peel Course or if you have any further questions, feel free to contact us on 01844 390 110 or e-mail us at [email protected].

 

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Dermal Fillers: What areas can we treat?

For those of you that have attended our Foundation and Advanced Botox and Dermal Fillers courses, you will be aware that dermal fillers are used to introduce volume back into areas of the face that have lost volume during the ageing process. When it comes to dermal filler training, there’s a lot to cover, do you know your Juvederm Ultra 2 from your Ultra 4? And what about knowing your marionette lines from your tear troughs?

Where can dermal fillers be used?

Dermal fillers have a wide multitude of uses from the obvious to the not so obvious. If you have a patient that is interested in having dermal filler, we advise that you get them to attend an initial skin consultation with you before having the treatment. This will allow you to find out more about the patient’s medical history, and the look that they are hoping to achieve.

Tear troughs Cosmetic Courses;Picture showing Tear Trough Treatment Before & After

These are the lines under your eyes that make your eyes look tired. A loss of volume in the area, a loss of tissue elasticity or a mild reduction in bone density could all be causes of concern. By using an advanced technique, dermal fillers can be placed in either the tear trough itself, slightly lower in the cheek area, or indeed a combination of both to achieve brighter, more rejuvenated eyes.

Naso-labial folds
Commonly known as the smile or laughter lines, these are the two skin folds that run from each side of the nose to the corners of the mouth. If you are bothered by your nasolabial folds, and wonder what to do to improve the area then filler is perfect to fill out these folds, and partnered with cheek filler the face will appear much younger looking.

Mouth corners

Sometimes the corners of your mouth can droop leaving you looking unhappy. Dermal filler can be placed below the corners of the mouth with a small amount directly into the corners of the lips.

Marionette lines
Marionette lines run between the corners of the lips down towards the chin and jaw giving a puppet-like effect. As we age, our facial bones become smaller resulting in lines like these appearing. Dermal filler is great for filling in these lines making them less prominent.

Cheeks

As you age you lose an amount of subcutaneous fat which can result in a loss of volume and elasticity to the face. This in turn highlights hollow cheek bones, and the presence of excess skin resulting in sunken cheeks. This can cause someone to appear gaunt and tired-looking. Dermal fillers can be injected into this area to plump out the face with natural volume and a gentle lift. This is an advanced technique and is offered at one of our specialist training days.

Lips & vermillion borderCosmetic Courses; Image showing Lip Fillere treatment before & after

A celebrity favourite and probably the most well-known use of filler. The lips can be injected with dermal filler either in the body of the lip to boost fullness or the border of the lips to increase definition. This treatment is ideal for correcting thin lips but can also help solve problems with a downward smile and the need to lengthen the mouth.

Chin augmentation

A perfect alternative to a surgical chin implant, is a non-surgical chin augmentation which is achieved with dermal fillers. Fillers will help define your jaw line and although only a temporary solution it is a great way to see what can be achieved surgically if you are unsure.

Smoker’s lines

These are the vertical lines above the lip that appear when you pout. They are mostly caused by regular lip movements but are also called smokers lines, because regular smoking means pressing the lips together.  If your lines are deep enough then they can be drastically reduced with a small amount of injectable filler to achieve a smoother appearance.

Nose
Have you heard of the lunchtime nose job? Dermal fillers can now be used to straighten out any lumps or bumps in your nose without the need for any surgical downtime. Fillers are injected into the nose to smooth out slight bumps in the bridge of the nose, or rectify a crooked line of the nose (particularly in profile view) and even cartilage irregularities at the tip of the nose all in less than 15 minutes! This is another advanced course available for those that have been practicing in dermal filler for a while.

Hands

Hands are a new use for fillers, patients have found that the use of the fillers in their face is great for concealing their real age, but then it is often their hands that give it away. Ageing hands lose volume and the skin appears thinner. Having filler injected into the skin on the back of the hands can make them appear plumper and less veiny.

So now you know your areas, let’s look at the product that we use on our training days at Cosmetic Courses:

Juvaderm®  Vycross Range

The Juvaderm® Vycross range is a smoother gel which means you get a comfortable treatment. The risk of bruising and swelling is reduced as is any discomfort as anesthetic is added into the formulation of the filler. The Vycross range provides subtle and natural outcomes due to the smoothness of the gel making it easier to inject with precision.

The Vycross range has 3 different forumulas;

Juvederm® Voluma 

Juvederm® Voluma is a much thicker hyaluronic acid gel which has been made by altering the cross-linking technique used in Ultra to create a more viscous result. Voluma can be used for recontouring and restoring the face in the case of age-related volume loss. Designed for deep volume restoration to re-contour the face in areas such as the cheek bone and chin regions.

The effects of Juvéderm® Voluma® last for approximately up to 18 months.

Juvederm® Volbella
Launched in Paris Juvederm® Volbella® is specifically designed to enhance lip volume and define lip contours, with a completely natural look and feel.  The filler has a smooth, liquid consistency for a smoother look and the addition of lidocaine anaesthetic makes the treatment even more comfortable in an otherwise uncomfortable area.

The effects of Juvederm® Volbella® last for approximately up to 12 months

Juvederm® Volift®
This revolutionary dermal filler is produced using VYCROSS™ technology. This creates an ultra-smooth gel for natural appearance with minimal swelling and bruising. It is best used for smoothing nasolabial folds and facial contours.

The effects of Juvederm® last for approximately up to 15 months.

Juvederm® Hydrate Cosmetic Courses; image showing dermal filler product Juverderm Hydrate

The Juvederm Hydrate is used to improve skin hydration and restore elasticity which is lost through ageing. It works by replacing hyaluronic acid but unlike traditional filler it acts as a hydrating agent attracting and keeping moisture within the skin to achieve that healthy natural glow. Juvéderm® Hydrate is most commonly used for very fine lines and wrinkles associated with ageing. It has also been recommended as an early treatment for crow’s feet and fine lines around the mouth.

The effects of Juvéderm® Hydrate last for approximately four to 6 months

Juvederm® Ultra is our most common dermal filler. The filler contains non-animal hyaluronic acid with the addition of 0.3% lidocaine which is a local anaesthetic to make you feel comfortable both during and after the treatment.
There are actually four different formulations for Juvéderm® ULTRA available;

Juvederm® Ultra 2 is a highly cross-linked formulation which is used for the subtle correction of medium facial lines, in particular those around the corners of the eyes and those very close to the surface of the skin. It can also be used to around the lips to enhance natural lip contour.

Juvederm® Ultra 3 Cosmetic Courses; image showing dermal filler product range Juverderm Ultra 3

Ultra 3 is another highly cross-linked formulation but is instead used for more versatility in contouring and volumising anything from moderate to medium facial lines and skin depressions, in areas such as the nasolabial folds. It can be used subtly in lips to enhance lip contour, increase volume and maintain a youthful smile.

Juvederm® Ultra 4 [image]

Ultra 4 is a highly cross-linked robust formulation used for volumising and correction of medium to deep folds and wrinkles, including adding volume in the cheeks and chin improving contour to the face.

Juvederm® Ultra SmileCosmetic Courses; image showing dermal filler product range Juverderm Smile

The newest arrival to the Juvéderm® ULTRA family the Juvéderm® Ultra Smile is based on the Ultra 3 product but it is specifically targeted for use in the lips. It works by providing fuller but softer and natural looking lips and smooths fine lines to fully enhance the mouth area for a fresh new look.

The effects of Juvéderm® Ultra Smile lasts approximately up to 18 months

If you would like to find out  more about our Advanced Dermal Filler Training Course and the product range that we use, you can call the team on 01844 390110 or email [email protected]. 

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The differences between Male and Female Ageing

Male and Female Ageing

As technology has advanced, it has become more apparent that in society we are more obsessed with how we look. Mobile phones, iPads and tablets, make capturing the moment even easier with the rise in ‘selfies’ and social media sharing. Within the aesthetic industry, there has also been a shift. Over 90% of procedures performed in the UK in 2015 were non-surgical, and approximately 800,000 of those treatments were for Botox and filler treatments. Many clinics are also reporting that they have seen an increase in the volume of male patients that they are now Image showing Peter Andretreating with in their clinic, showing that it is not just woman that are interested in anti-ageing treatments. This could be due to more male celebrities admitting to having treatments, such as Peter Andre and Shane Warne having a little ‘Brotox’ here and there.

One of the questions that we at Cosmetic Courses have been asked by our delegates over the past few months is; are there any differences between the male and female ageing process?

In essence, the ageing process itself is more or less the same, but it is worth noting that there are significant differences between both sexes anatomy, and care should therefore be taken when carrying out aesthetic treatments to ensure a natural and harmonious look is achieved to suit both sexes.

The areas that we believe need to be treated differently for Males and Females are the following:

  • Forehead
  • Eyebrow
  • Cheek
  • Nose
  • Jawline and chin
  • Peri Oral Area

The Forehead

Picture showing the difference between male and famle supraorbital ridgeThis is one of the most important areas for rejuvenation, but there are noticeable differences between the sexes. Anthropologists use the forehead as an indicator to determine the sex of the skull. It has been observed that a female skull has more of a flat supraorbital ridge, with a smooth convexity up to the hairline, whereas the male skull has a more pronounced supraorbital ridge with some concavity before the forehead becomes flatter towards the hairline. This skeletal structure is what influences the soft tissues and the overall position of the eyebrows.

Eyebrows

The male eyebrow is flat and tends to sit along the supraorbital ridge whereas the female brow arches at a 10 -2- degree angle with a tail that is more superior to the head.

The aim of aesthetic treatments is to restore a more youthful and natural looking appearance. To treat this area for a female it may require forehead re-volumisation and a bit of brow lifting to maintaining that feminine look, but applying the same technique for males, it could result in over feminising, and portray an unnatural. To stay respectful of the male gender, it is advised to not lift above the supraorbital and to only elevate the ptotic brow to ensure the most natural look is achieved.

Cheeks

Male and Female AgeingThis is an area that is extensively covered in female rejuvenation, but it does come with limited descriptions when it comes to males. Females have a rounder and fuller cheek due to having a thicker fat compartment in the medial area compared to the lateral area. In regards to female ageing, a fuller cheek gives a more youthful look, referring back to the triangle of youth – everything is more pert and smoother. Male cheeks tend to be flatter and more angular due to a thinner layer of subcutaneous fat. The technique used to treat this area have slight differences, and the volume of product used needs to vary. To keep the ‘flatter’ cheek look for male patients, product should only be used to replace the volume loss. Females can have slightly more product used, and this can be replaced more often to maintain the fuller cheek look.

Nose

Image showing Naso LabialThere are more subtle differences between the sexes in this area. There are 2 angles that are used to determine the ideal nose shape: Naso-labial Angle and Naso-frontal angle.

Naso Labial is the angle between a line drawn from the lip border to the base of the columella to the nasel tip. This angle is slightly more obtuse and slightly upturned for females, and it’s also necessary to consider your patients cultural and ethnic differences when treating this area.

Image showing the Naso Frontal AngleNaso Frontal is the angle at the radix, the lowest point of the nasal bridge formed by a line running from the radix to the glabella and from the radix along the dorsum of the nose. This position of the radix is important between males and females. Females are normally in line with the lash line whereas males are at the level of the tarsal fold.

Jawline and Chin

Both masculinisation and feminisation techniques can be used within this area. Toxins can be used to narrow down the masseter or curve the chin, and Dermal Fillers can widen the jawline, increase definition or add a sharper gonial angles as well as flatten or enlarge the chin area.  Different cultures and ethnicities have different representations of what they believe is an attractive jawline, so it is useful to be aware of this when treating patients. The Hollywood ideal is a defined as a strong wide jaw for males whereas females have a softer narrower pointier chin.

Perioral Area

Treating this area is a more common request in females rather than males. Male skin within this area is thicker than in females, who tend to suffer more with smokers lines and wrinkling. This area benefits from toxin, filler and skin resurfacing treatments for both sexes. If treating a male patient, we suggest you treat with caution.

Male and Female AgeingWhen treating both the female and male face for any aesthetic treatment, it is important to book them in for a full consultation, to undertake a facial analysis. Within this consultation, grade the upper, mid and lower face in terms of structure, proportion and symmetry. Within our training, we advise that you take photos of all your patients and keep these as a record to show before and after treatment– it also helps to show the patient how far they have come on their treatments with you.

At Cosmetic Courses, we offer an advanced Botox and Dermal Filler training Course which offers more advanced techniques. If you would like to find out more about the course, or have any questions, please call the team on 01844 390110 or email [email protected]

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Beauty Therapist Training Courses – is it time you moved from beautician to aesthetician?

 

Cosmetic Courses: Banner showing Blog title

As a Beauty Therapist, you’ve put in the hard work to build up a loyal client base.

But while you can help your clients with a lot of their aesthetic issues, there are probably some needs you can’t meet. 

Current beauty therapy training only qualifies you to treat some complaints you’re likely to encounter in your clients. And for an ambitious Beauty Therapist like you, that can be frustrating.

Not only does it mean you can’t provide a truly comprehensive service to your clients, you’re also missing out on the revenue from treatments they’re seeking elsewhere!

So what can you do?

You already have a good understanding of aesthetics and the “science of beauty”. And you already have the client base. 

All you need to do is broaden your repertoire. Extend your beauty salon treatments to include some popular non-surgical aesthetic treatments.

You want to become a ‘one-stop beauty shop’, so there’s every chance your clients won’t need to go anywhere else! And there are a few Beauty Therapist Training Courses that will help you do just that.

Which Beauty Therapist Training Courses are available?

Cosmetic Courses: photo showing Dermaroller training

There are two obvious choices when it comes to adding new treatments to your beauty repertoire. Chemical skin peels and Dermaroller micro-needling.

With proper training you’ll be able to safely offer these advanced aesthetic techniques to your clients – either individually or as part of a beauty package.

Add them to your treatment menu and watch your profits skyrocket.

Both Dermaroller and skin peel treatments are extremely cost-effective to perform. Once you’ve trained, the consumables used for each treatment are very inexpensive.

Genuine Dermaroller treatments use no product on the skin, so the only expense is the disposable roller. Treatments are usually charged at around £225, and a course of at least 3 is usually recommended for best results. 

Skin peels have a broad scope, treating specific skin complaints as well as improving the general condition of the skin, which makes them popular with all ages. Prices vary depending on the product used, but are typically from £75-£150 per treatment – and again, a course of at least 3 is usually recommended to get optimum results.

Training in both means you can provide your customers with proper, comprehensive treatment plans, leading to a significant increase in both your income and your client satisfaction levels.

Our next available Beauty Therapist Training Courses

Would you like to get some more treatments under your belt? We’re always adding new dates for Beauty Therapist Training Courses throughout the year, but these are our next available dates:

  • Chemical Peel training – Buckinghamshire – BOOK NOW
  • Dermaroller training – Buckinghamshire – BOOK NOW

Both of these upcoming courses will be held at our Paddocks Clinic training centre in Princes Risborough, Bucks.

Find out more about our Beauty Therapist Training Courses

Cosmetic Courses is led by acclaimed Consultant Plastic Surgeon Adrian Richards. We offer a wide range of accredited training courses for people looking to enter or improve their credentials in the aesthetic industry. For more information on any of our Beauty Therapist Training Courses, please call the team on 01844 318317 or email us at [email protected].

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Could our beauty therapist courses help boost your career?

Beauty Therapist Courses at Cosmetic CoursesAs a beauty therapist, you’ve worked hard to gain your qualifications and build up your client base, and are proud of what you’ve achieved so far.

But you know that the beauty industry is competitive and changing all the time.

And as your loyal clients learn more about the different treatments available, there’s a good chance they’ll eventually want to try something new.

Would you like to be able to offer them more?  

At Cosmetic Courses, our training isn’t just for medical professionals. We also offer courses suitable for qualified beauty therapists who are looking to add more high-end treatments to their repertoire.

These beauty therapist courses are fully accredited, can be completed in one day and take place at fully equipped aesthetic clinics around the UK.

Our expert team of trainers take you through the techniques at a pace you feel comfortable with, combining theory with lots of hands-on practice to leave you feeling confident to perform the treatments by the end of the course.

You’ll be given lots of support along the way and encouraged to ask questions throughout. And you’ll leave looking forward to providing a more comprehensive service to your existing clients, and attracting new business from a whole new client base.

What can you learn as a beauty therapist?

The beauty therapist courses we offer at Cosmetic Courses are Chemical Skin Peel training  and Genuine Dermaroller training.

Why train in Chemical Skin Peels?

Chemical Skin Peel training sessionChemical Skin Peels are a popular treatment for anti-ageing, treating specific skin complaints, and improving the general condition of the skin.

The treatment will help treat fine lines, improve skin clarity and reduce visible pores, treat superficial scarring including acne scars, and help improve the appearance of acne, melasma and rosacea.

This broad scope, plus the fact that treatment is very affordable, means it appeals to people of all ages. So there’s great potential for attracting new clients, and introducing the treatment to your existing clients – creating a healthy new revenue stream.

 Why learn Genuine Dermaroller?

Genuine Dermaroller training sessionTraining in Genuine Dermaroller will allow you to treat stretch marks, chicken pox, acne and other depressed scars, as well as improving sun damage, fine lines, uneven skin tone and the general texture and tone of the skin.

The micro-needling treatment is great for anti-ageing and rejuvenation, but particularly popular for treating sun-damaged skin in the décolletage area.

It’s a unique treatment with an excellent safety profile, as it uses no product on the skin. This makes it a very cost-effective treatment to offer your clients, with a very healthy return. Treatments are typically charged at around £225, and a course of at least 3 is usually recommended for best results.

Our next available beauty therapist courses

We’re always adding new dates for beauty therapist courses throughout the year, but these are our next available dates:

  • Chemical Peel training – Buckinghamshire – BOOK NOW
  • Dermaroller training – Buckinghamshire – BOOK NOW

Both of these upcoming courses will be held at our Paddocks Clinic training centre in Princes Risborough, Bucks.

Want to find out more about making the journey from beauty therapist to aesthetician? Contact the team for more information or to book a course by calling 01844 318317 or emailing [email protected]. Alternatively, you can book now by clicking here.

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5 new treatments to offer your patients – or not…

The world of aesthetics is a creative place. New treatments, or twists on existing treatments, are shaking up the industry every day.

But with so many new procedures making their way to market, it’s fair to say that not every innovation is going to be a keeper. Here are a few of the wackier developments that have found their way into salons, spas and clinics around the world.

1. Fire Facial

Not for the faint-hearted. Originating in China, where the treatment is known as Huo Liao, the fire facial involves placing a towel soaked in a special elixir on a patient’s skin, and setting it on fire. Yes really. The flames are thought to stimulate cell generation, eventually culminating in younger and healthier looking skin – providing there’s some left.

2. Leech Detox

Popular in the spas of Austria, leech detox (as the name suggests) involves the precise application of leeches all over the body to suck out impurities in the blood, leaving the skin radiant and clear – without having to live on mung beans and wheatgrass shots. The treatment is popular with Hollywood stars including Demi Moore, who revealed her penchant for the unusual treatment on The Letterman Show.

3. Sand Burial

Yes, it sounds like a primitive form of torture, but it’s actually a popular rejuvenating and detoxifying treatment in several countries, particularly Egypt and Japan. The patient is buried in warm sand so the heat from the sun, or sometimes hot underground springs ( as is the case in Japan), gradually soothes the muscles and joints, as well as helping the patient sweat out toxins to improve the condition of the skin. The treatment is thought to be particularly beneficial for those suffering from arthritis and rheumatism.

4. Snail Facial

Why use expensive creams when snail snot will do? The slimy secretions from our shell-dwellin’ friends contain a powerful cocktail of hyaluronic acid, antioxidants and proteins thought to help soften and smooth the skin. During a snail facial, the skin is thoroughly cleansed before live (organically farmed) snails are let loose on a patient’s face, spreading their moisturising elixir wherever they go. This treatment is currently available in the UK, having made its way over from Japan. Really slowly.

5. Placenta Facial

And while we’re talking controversial facials, how about this one. The placenta face mask contains stem cells harvested from a sheep’s placenta, which are thought to promote collagen production, tighten the skin, clear acne – and even boost brain power. Quite the cure-all. The treatment started life in China and is now available in the UK and New Zealand.

If you don’t fancy adding any of those treatments to your repertoire, we’ve plenty of other aesthetic training courses you can choose from instead. Call us on 01844 390110 or email [email protected] for details.

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Facial Rejuvenation: Complimentary Surgical & Non-surgical Approaches

Latest developments in facial rejuvenation surgeryFacial Rejuvenation

Non-surgical skin treatments and surgical facial procedures often go hand-in-hand. The former, if begun early enough, can be a preventative to ward off the necessity for the latter until much later. Or, they can be used to compliment each other: there is little point a patient saving up and spending their hard-earned savings on that facelift only to reverse the effects by failing to pamper their skin.

Recent figures have shown a 50% increase in the number of people undergoing facial rejuvenation procedures during the last year. Why are more people considering these forms of treatment? Many people tell Cosmetic Courses’ founding Surgeon, Mr Adrian Richards, that they don’t like having their photograph taken and feel as if they would like to look fresher and less tired. Patients often tell him that they believe their face looks far older than they feel.

In the UK, most patients considering any form of treatment want to look as natural as possible. Treatments can realistically make you look as you did 8-10 years ago.

To achieve a natural fresh appearance it is important to address each of the following: The skin, active wrinkles caused by muscle contractions and gravity changes. For some people dramatic improvements can be achieved with skin treatments which involve minimal downtime and cost.

Skin treatments alone can make you look much fresher and brighter. These treatments may consist of Microdermabrasion, Genuine Dermaroller Therapy, or perhaps a light chemical peel. These all work in different ways to removes fine wrinkles, reduce pore size or cause mild skin contraction. Combined, they are highly effective to make the skin look fresher and more youthful.

Active wrinkles caused by muscle contraction are typically found between the eyebrows (frown lines), on the forehead and below the temple (crows feet). As these lines are caused by muscle contraction they are best treated by selectively reducing the overactive muscle activity in these areas. This best performed with small injections of botulinum toxin or dermal fillers into specific muscles.

Gravity changes include descent of the cheek region which causes deepening of the lines which come down from the nose to corner of the mouth. Other changes include loss of the jaw line and jowl formation. The neck skin can also loosen and the sharp angle between the neck and chin is lost.

Gravity changes are best treated with Surgery as the muscle layers of the face need to be repositioned in their previous position. In the forties and early fifties it is often best to have a Mini-face lift (MACS-lift). This elevates the cheek, jowl and neck regions and restores a more youthful face shape.

Most people in their mid to late fifties or older are more suited to more traditional face lift techniques (SMAS-lifts).

These techniques specifically tighten the neck and jowl regions.

Cosmetic Courses offer a Professional Development Section in conjunction with our sister company, Aurora Clinics. This aims to provide support and information about Surgical procedures to enhance the non-surgical training which you can gain with Cosmetic Courses.

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Hold Back the Sands of Time with Pellvue

Individuals have always been trying to unearth ways to keep youthful and hold back the “sands of time.” Attain promising results from one of the latest non-surgical rejuvenator, Pelleve. This product is slated to diminish maturing facial skin and lessen the signs of aging without undergoing the knife, annoying injections or telltale blotching effects.

What is Pellvue?

Pellvue received clearance in May 2009 from the FDA. The deep layers of the skin are heated which in turn helps encourage the manufacture of new collagen. The added bonus is the existing collagen begins to tighten and shrink down the appearance of wrinkles.

Procedure

Application is painless and easy. The entire procedure is done as an out-patient in a doctor’s office. The doctor will touch the designated area with the Pelleve “wand” or handpiece. Once applied to the targeted zones, it will produce a warm massage-like sensation to the patient, while heating the internal deep layers of the skin. The wand uses an advanced radiowave technology, supported through a generator without damaging or scaring the epidermis. As the heat moves through the skin, it pinpoints the collagens rich layer underneath the surface of the skin (aka dermis) and awakens it.

Time required

Receiving better results than most other non-invasive procedures, the patient requires no recovery time, no anesthesia, and will notice with just one treatment firmer, tighter skin. The patient can back to their normal daily timetable immediately. Depending the amount of treatment and areas deemed necessary by the doctor, the entire treatment will generally take only 45 minutes to an hour. The doctor will recommend the number of treatments that would be most beneficial for each individual patient. Even up to a month later, the application continues its working process on results of improving the skin´s exterior even more.

Benefits

Pelleve works on all skin types, including people of color. Pelleve can be treated to all age groups, but those individuals in their in their late 40s to early 50s, searching for that fresh and vibrant appearance gain results the most. Individuals seeking to diminish the fine lines, lift sagging cheeks or jowls and overall tightening of the facial muscles, including the upper eye lids, should discuss Pellvue as a treatment of choice with their physician. It may be incorporated with other treatments to compliment the best results for you.

Results are noticeable after just one treatment. The period of longevity to maintain the outcome can vary, as the skin continues to produce new collagen. Dependent on the precise targeted area and individual, Pellvue has been known to last several years on some patients.

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Glycolic Skin Treatment

Now is the perfect time for a facial peel, in winter the skin can appear dull and ashy in appearance. Facial peels are a great way to rejuvenate the skin to reveal younger looking more radiant skin. Vegetable peel facials offer the same benefits as other chemical treatments like microdermabrasion. All facial scrubs and chemical peels can be used in combination with at-home methods like peel off masks.

Facial peels can repair damage to the skin caused by air pollution or overexposure to the sun. People who benefit the most from chemical peel treatments are those with mild to moderate acne, certain thyroid conditions which may cause a dull complexion. Menopausal women also benefit greatly from chemical peels to counteract the lax or sagging skin that occurs during menopause.

Chemical peels use glycolic acid as an exfoliating agent to chemically remove surface dead skin cells and improve the texture of facial skin. Alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) and beta hydroxy acid (BHA) are often used in chemical peel treatments. AHA and BHA are acids that occur naturally in fruits and vegetables. There are other acids that can be used in chemical peels that are derived from natural sources such sour milk- it produces lactic acid which was used as a beauty treatment by the Egyptians. AHA is the most popular because of its molecular structure; it can penetrate the pore and remove the dead skin cells to accelerate the exfoliation process. Glycolic acid stimulates collagen growth and does not cause any visible peeling. Chemical peels should only be performed by a licensed dermatologist. Only your dermatologist knows the proper concentration of glycolic acid to apply to improve the appearance of the skin.

During the chemical peel process, AHA is the form of glycolic acid is applied directly to the skin. The face is prepared for the treatment by using a pre-peel cleanser. The glycolic acid should only be left on the skin for a few minutes.

You must use sunscreen for 2-4 days following treatment and you should avoid intense sunlight. You may start to wear make-up, 24 hours after treatment. Treatment may consist of a series of acids peels for an interval of three to six weeks to achieve total skin rejuvenation.

Follow all instructions by your dermatologist and if you experience any side effects after a chemical peel, such as brown discoloration of the skin. Contact your dermatologist immediately.

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