Hydrafacial

Getting rid of unwanted hair is an age-old issue, with long-term hair removal being particularly challenging.
Soprano titanium uses groundbreaking technology to offer a simple, one-stop solution for truly effective hair removal.

SHR’s unique gradual heating method effectively damages the hair follicles while avoiding injury to the surrounding skin. The sweeping In-motionTM delivery technique keeps the laser in constant motion ensuring full coverage.

Simultaneous contact cooling prevents burns and allows for more comfortable 

treatment and a specialized applicator allows us to treat large areas in less time.

Whether you have light, dark or tanned skin, coarse or fine hair, Soprano titanium achieves maximum results for all areas of the body with treatments that are safe, quick and best of all- virtually painless.

Directly after treatment there might be some redness and a small amount of swelling. This usually dissipates within 24 hours. The area can feel quite warm and ‘tingly’ directly following treatment. The following is recommended for 24 hours post treatment:

• No hot baths or showers – tepid only
• No heat treatments i.e. saunas and steam rooms
• No deodorant, perfumes or scented body lotions/creams
• No swimming or Jacuzzi

How should I prepare for treatment?

• You must shave the area 12/24 hrs Prior to treatment
• Do not use products containing retinol or strong AHA fruit acids prior to or during your hair removal treatment
• Do not bleach or use depilators for at least 1 week prior to treatment or perfumed/aromatherapy products for 24-48 hours before treatment
• Avoid wearing tight clothing when attending the treatment
• Physical sunblock should be worn at all times on areas visible to sunlight (SPF 50)
• Avoid sun exposure and sun beds for 4 weeks before treatment
• Do not use any other form of hair removal except shaving during your treatment programme 
• Do not use fake tanning products for two weeks prior to treatments including spray tanning and tinted moisturisers

Electrolysis involves the insertion of a very fine, disposable, sterile probe (the same diameter as the hair) into the hair follicle, which is a natural opening in the skin. A tiny amount of energy is then skilfully discharged into the hair follicle. The only sensation felt by the client is heat passing down the probe to the base of the follicle. The follicle destruction is achieved by heat (with thermolysis) or a chemical reaction (with galvanic) or both blended together (with the blend).

The treatment can be adapted to suit each client’s skin, hair and pain threshold.

During a course of treatments there will be a constant, gradual decrease in the growth of the hair until it has all been permanently removed (a bit like watching someone go bald, e.g. 200 hairs reduce to 150 , 125, 100 etc. until there are no hairs left, as follicle destruction has been achieved). The number of treatments required will vary from person to person and will be discussed at the initial consultation.

Electrolysis can be used on any part of the body. No type or volume of body hair is too stubborn for treatment and no body part too embarrassing. Treatment areas include all facial areas, legs, bikini line, chest, nipples, back, abdomen, underarms, fingers, toes and eye brows. 

The first sign that electrolysis treatment is working is that the hair growth becomes softer, finer and lighter in colour. You will see and feel the difference throughout the course of treatment, so you do not have to wait until the end of your course to see a difference.

Following treatment clients will be given strict aftercare instructions to adhere to in order to support the electrolysis treatment.

Prior to treatment you must not use any other methods of hair removal

Many of us suffer with minor skin blemishes that can affect our confidence. These issues are much more common than many people would think, due to a combination of factors including ageing, UV Damage and certain health conditions.

Electrolysis has been used for more than 100 years to treat problems such as broken capillaries, spider naevi and warts. It has progressed dramatically with the ongoing development of modern technology and is a simple and safe technique. Electrolysis  is used to successfully remove, visibly reduce and improve the appearance of unwanted skin blemishes, offering immediate and effective results.

How does it work?

Advanced Electrolysis is a treatment that uses a Thermolysis current and a very fine needle to either cauterise or lift away the superficial epidermis, depending on the type of blemish that is being treated.

What concerns can be treated and what kind of results can be expected?

Red Veins and Spider Naevi
 

Fading begins about three weeks after treatment, with the broken capillaries beginning to disappear. Typically up to three treatments may be required, although there may be a noticeable difference after just one treatment.

Skin Tags
 

These small blemishes are cauterised and removed instantly, with small red marks or scabbing appearing after treatment. These will disappear after 7-10 days.

Milia
 

The current cauterises the blemish and the milia is reabsorbed back into the skin. Results can start to show up to a month after treatment.

Warts /Verrucas
 

Often two treatments are needed, taken eight weeks apart, to remove warts and verrucas.

Seborrhoeic Keratosis
 

The current is used to lift away and cauterise and scabs will appear for up to two weeks. Once these have healed, you will see that the blemish has been fully removed.

Sebaceous Cyst
 

These cysts can be quite persistent, depending on their size and the area to be treated. Several treatments maybe needed to reduce or remove the cyst.

Syringoma
 

The current applied will shrink the blemish. Small crusts and swellings will then appear, taking up to two weeks to heal.  Several treatments may be needed, depending on the area to be treated.

Xanthelasma
 

The current shrinks the blemish.  Small crusts and swellings will appear which will take up to 2 weeks to heal.  Several treatments may be needed depending on the area to be treated.

Age Spot Removal
 

These blemishes are lifted away and cauterised, leaving small scabs that will disappear over a couple of weeks.

Mole Reduction
 

The mole is reduced by half its size in a single treatment and will continue to reduce as the scab forms and disappears. One top-up treatment may be necessary.

What does the treatment feel like?

Electrolysis clients generally describe the treatment as mildly uncomfortable, with a warm stinging sensation which they find to be easily tolerable.

Consultation and Aftercare

A consultation is given before any advanced electrolysis treatment; this entails a short questionnaire about any health issues that may affect the treatment. We also diagnose the blemish and fully explain the treatment needed, how it will be done, the time it will take and any aftercare required. This is so all our clients are fully informed about the procedure and feel comfortable and relaxed when they go ahead with the treatment.

We give all our clients an aftercare cream to take home and advise them on how to treat their skin for the following couple of weeks.  How many treatments will be needed, and how often these need to be carried out, will also be discussed.

Clients often ask what the down time is for the procedure. This does depend on the blemish you are having treated. Generally allow two weeks after the treatment for swelling, redness and scabs/crusts to disappear, with results being more easily visible up to a month later. This can be discussed in detail at your consultation.

The ND:Yag Q-Switched laser is the only effective treatment for removing tattoos and benign pigmented lesions without scarring.

During tattoo/pigment removal photons of light are selectively absorbed by the tattoo ink or pigmentation (melanin). This sudden increase in temperature causes the ink/pigmentation structure to shatter. The body’s own immune system then removes the shattered pigment.

How many treatments will I need?

This varies person by person. Amateur tattoos can usually be removed in 3-4 treatments with professional tattoos taking 6-12 treatments. While pigmentation can take anything from 3-8 treatments

Does it hurt?

Pigmentation removal is relatively painless although this can vary from person to person. The Tattoo removal procedure involves some discomfort which varies depending on the size and colour of the tattoo. To maintain client comfort we use a “cooling” machine that blows cold air onto the area being treated to ensure minimal discomfort.

How often will I need to come for treatment?

Every 4 – 8 weeks or until the skin has completely healed.

What happens after the tattoo/pigmentation removal treatment?

Directly after the treatment there will be some redness, the skin will appear to have white bubbles, and there will be a small amount of swelling. We will apply antiseptic cream and a dressing before you leave the clinic and recommend you purchase some to apply twice per day for the 7 days following treatment. We also advise the following:

• No hot baths or showers – tepid only
• No heat treatments i.e. saunas and steam rooms
• No deodorant, perfumes or scented body lotions/creams
• No swimming or Jacuzzis
• No steam ironing or cooking over boiling saucepans
• Do not scratch or rub the treated area
• Do not wear tight or restrictive clothes over the area treated for 48 hours
• Apply the antiseptic cream twice a day for 7 days

How should I prepare for treatment?

• Do not use products containing retinol or strong AHA fruit acids prior to or during your tattoo removal treatment
• Avoid swimming in strong chlorinated water immediately before treatment
• Avoid wearing tight clothing to your treatment
• Physical sunblock should be worn at all times on areas visible to sunlight (SPF 30)
• Avoid sun exposure and sun beds for 4 weeks before treatment
• Do not use fake tanning products for two weeks prior to treatments including spray tanning and tinted moisturisers
• If the tattoo/pigmentation is in a hairy area, please shave the day before treatment

How will my tattoo look directly after treatment?

Immediately after treatment your tattoo will look red, raised, swollen with white bubbles where the pigment has been shattered. This can last up to a week and can be followed by bruising. It is extremely important that you follow the after-care advice given by your practitioner.

Through the science of Nd:YAG laser technology we offer a non invasive solution for the removal of smaller vascular lesions including facial thread veins and leg veins (telangiectasias).

How does ND:YAG laser treatments work on veins?

A vein is a small blood vessel that sits near the surface of the skin. The laser light targets the blood that contains haemoglobin within the vessels. The haemoglobin absorbs the laser light emitted converting it into heat. This heat destroys the protein in the wall of the vein vessel causing it to collapse and disperses the blood. The vessel is then reabsorbed naturally by the white blood cells within the body. An in-depth consultation with your thread vein removal specialist will be carried out to assess your personal needs before a treatment programme can proceed. This is followed by a patch test to determine skin response and the size of vessels that need to be treated.

Which thread veins can be treated?

Thread veins can be unsightly and can affect self confidence and through the use of Nd:YAG laser technology veins can be  treated on all parts of the body. Superficial smaller veins in the facial, chest and leg areas are the most common veins to be removed by this technology. The technology is supported by worldwide clinical research studies with proven results.

How many treatments are needed?

This treatment relies on the absorption on the laser beam into the haemoglobin within the blood to disperse the vein and is most effective on light skins. The lighter the skin the more pronounced the vein is which makes it easier to be treated. Darker or tanned skins will absorb more light, which makes treatment less effective. Recommended treatments of 1-4 treatments may be required one month apart; however this does depend on many factors depending on how many vessels that are to be treated and the area to be covered along with skin sensitivity. It is not possible to define how many treatments an individual will require.

What does a treatment involve?

Nd:YAG laser vein removal hand piece is held above the vein and a beam of laser light is delivered to the individual vein. At the time of treatment and thereafter some veins will visibly disappear immediately, some become darker in colour, some fade gradually and can take up to a few weeks or more for the vein to disperse or lighten ready for further treatment. It is important to avoid tanning of the skin by solarium, sun or self tanning before and during Nd:YAG laser vein removal sessions. This is to ensure that the vessel absorbs the light for an effective treatment. It is advised not to smoke 2-4 hours prior to receiving this treatment as smoking can cause the vessels of the vein to constrict making the vein less available to treat. We also advise that post treatment an SPF sunscreen is used to the treated area(s), to limit sun exposure for a few weeks and compression (surgical stockings) should be worn for up two weeks after receiving treatment.

Active Acne Clearance

There are many factors that can cause acnegenic problems on the skin from foods to hormonal imbalance.

Acne is caused by the imbalance of the hormone androgen, a hormone that stimulates the sebaceous glands to produce more oil in the skin. This increase of oil on the skin surface therefore causes pores to become blocked stopping the oil to arise to the surface of the skin. The oil within the blocked pore then becomes a form of bacteria created from waste products and sebacic acid creating swollen and inflamed pores known as papules, comedones, blackheads, white heads, spots or pimples.

How do IPL treatments work?

IPL treatment relies on absorption of haemoglobin in the blood for the treatment to be effective. The system transmits a filtered light to the treatment area which is a beam of energy that passes through the skin. If the haemoglobin is hit with the correct level of energy, the energy will heat up within the fine blood vessels that supply the sebaceous glands causing minor injury to the glands and slow down the overproduction of oil and remove the most common bacteria that leads to the cause of acne growth. An in-depth consultation with your acne specialist will be carried out before a treatment programme can be processed to assess your personal needs followed by a patch test to determine skin response. The technology is supported by worldwide clinical research studies with proven results.

How many treatments are needed?

Recommended treatments of 4-6 sessions may be required to obtain the desired result; however this does depend on the grade of acne in place, the area required to be treated/ covered along with skin sensitivity. It is not possible to define how many treatments an individual will require.

Can I be treated?

If you suffer from permanent acne you will benefit from an IPL acne rejuvenation treatment. IPL acne treatments can work on inflammatory acne skins which are best known as red, aching, raised spots, lower grade acne suffers and for skins which suffer frequent outbreaks.

What does a treatment involve?

IPL acne treatment is a quick and simple way to combat acneic skin on the face and body. By using a sapphire chilled hand piece this is gently placed onto the skin and pulses of intense light is applied to the treatment area. The skin after a treatment can appear hot, red with slight swelling for up to 24-48hrs after.

It is important to avoid tanning of the skin by solarium, sun or self tanning before and during acne sessions. We also advise  that post treatment SPF sunscreen is used to the treated area(s) to limit sun exposure for a few weeks and application of medicated topical cream to be used in the evening to the treated area prescribed by your doctor.

Fungal nail infections pose a global health threat, with over 50 million people suffering from the contagious condition last year.

What is a fungal nail infection?

Fungal infection of the toenails or fingernails is caused by a fungal microbe that invades the nail bed. Fungal nail infection is also termed onychomycosis and tinea unguium. Fungal nail infection causes fingernails or toenails to thicken, discolour, disfigure, and split. At first, onychomycosis appears to be only a cosmetic concern. Without treatment, however, the toenails can become so thick that they press against the inside of the shoes, causing pressure, irritation, and pain.

Who is affected?

This is an increasingly common nail disorder in adults.  The risk of having this nail disease increases with age and through underlying nail disease.

What causes Fungal nail infections?

Half of all nail disorders are caused by onychomycosis, and it is the most common nail disease in adults. Toenails are much  more likely to be infected than fingernails. The incidence of onychomycosis has been increasing and is associated with diabetes, a suppressed immune system, and increasing age. Adults, especially the elderly, are more likely to have onychomycosis than children.

• Athlete’s foot is a fungal skin infection which can spread to affect toenails. The risk of developing athlete’s foot is increased by having hot sweaty feet.
• Candida is a fungal yeast infection which can affect the skin around the fingernails before affecting the nails.
• Health conditions, including diabetes or psoriasis, may increase the risk of fungal nail infections as they can damage the nail or skin allowing infections to develop.
• Biting the nails and use of artificial nails can increase the risk of fungal nail infections.
• The risk also increases with age and among smokers.

How severe can a fungal nail infection become?

Fungal nail infections are not usually painful at first, but left untreated the infection may spread and could cause complications, which include cellulitis skin infection, or osteomyelitis bone infection. If the infection becomes painful, shoes may be uncomfortable to wear and tasks using the hands such as writing may hurt.

How do I prepare for treatment?

Ensure all nail varnish is removed and nails are clean.

What can I expect from the treatment?

Some warmth will be felt in the treated area. The treatment will last at least a few minutes per nail and you will feel an increase in heat within the nail being treated.

How does it work?

Using a short pulsed Nd:Yag laser, we increase the temperature underneath the nail bed which kills the fungi. Depending on the severity of the infection you may require a course of 3 or more treatments. In mild cases one treatment will be sufficient. In the below picture you can see the laser (in blue) being directed down onto the nail bed through the nail itself.

Waxing is the process of hair removal from the root by using a covering of a sticky substance, such as wax, to adhere to body hair, and then removing this covering and pulling out the hair from the follicle.  Waxing is a temporary method of hair removal and is completely safe for all skin types.