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As we age, our skin starts to lose the youthful radiance it once had. The signs of ageing can be made even more noticeable by harsh winter weather and lifestyle factors. Although the onset of ageing can be delayed or slowed down by following a healthy lifestyle, if there is a special occasion coming up, you might want to see an improvement in the appearance of your skin a little faster.

In these cases, a chemical peel could be the answer you are looking for. Peels can deliver visible results within a week, making them a good choice if you want to refresh your skin fast.

Why Should I Get a Chemical Peel?

Our skin appears to ‘glow’ because new, healthy skin cells reflect light. Dead skin cells don’t reflect as much light, so when there is a build up of dead cells on the surface of our skin, our skin appears dull. This build up of dead skin cells is caused by the cell renewal process slowing down as we age. Lifestyle and environmental factors such as harsh temperatures, dehydration, poor diet and smoking can also play a role in preventing the skin from renewing itself and causing the complexion to appear dull.

Although ageing is a natural process and we can’t stop it all together, we can slow it down or delay its onset. Chemical peels exfoliate the skin, causing this dull layer of skin to peel off and reveal new, glowing skin underneath. Peels get to work quickly, and the peeling process is usually over within a week, revealing radiant skin in time for any special Valentine’s plans you have.

About the Perfect Peel

The Perfect Peel is a unique type of chemical peel which uses a blend of acids and an antioxidant. The antioxidant Glutathione penetrates into the deeper layers of the skin, fighting free radical damage and delivering a brightening effect. The blend of active ingredients in the Perfect Peel exfoliates the skin while infusing the skin with other beneficial ingredients. The application process takes as little as 15 minutes, and a noticeable brightening effect should be visible within a week of treatment.

The Perfect Peel is suitable for all skin types, and is often used treat acne, scarring, uneven skin tone and sun damage. The antioxidant ingredient can not only improve your complexion but also delay the ageing process all together, making it an ideal treatment for when the first lines and wrinkles begin to appear.

Maintaining the Results

Try as we might, we can’t stop the ageing process altogether. You can help to maintain the results of your treatment and continue youthful for longer through quality skincare and a healthy lifestyle. Drinking plenty of water, limiting your salt and alcohol intake and giving up smoking will all help to maintain glowing skin. Your aesthetic practitioner will also be able to give you skincare advice following your treatment to maintain the effect.

Depending on the problem being treated, several peels may be needed to achieve and maintain your desired results.

If your skin is in need of a refresh ahead of a special occasion, The Perfect Peel could be right for you. Every day this week I will be sharing images and videos of a client who has recently had The Perfect Peel to track her results. Use the hashtag #thepeeldiaries on Twitter and Instagram to check it out!

If you are interested in any of the chemical peels I offer at KP Aesthetics, book your consultation today to discuss the best options to restore healthy, glowing skin.

At this time of year, most of us begin to notice that our skin doesn’t have that healthy glow that it used to. In my last blog, I wrote about how making healthy lifestyle choices can help improve the appearance of your skin, but sometimes medical help is needed to achieve the results you are looking for.

Platelet rich plasma (PRP) is different to other anti-ageing treatments because it uses the body’s own ability to heal to deliver a long-lasting rejuvenating effect. Platelets in your blood enable the skin to repair itself when it is broken, and it is this same process which produces an anti-ageing effect after platelet rich plasma injections.

If your skin is losing its glow and its firmness, platelet rich plasma could be a treatment option for you. Here is everything you need to know about this treatment.

What is Platelet Rich Plasma?

Your blood is composed of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets, all held together in a liquid called plasma. Platelets are responsible for repairing damaged tissue, and can be used to reduce the signs of ageing by encouraging the cell renewal process.

Platelet Rich Plasma treatments involve taking a small amount of blood from your arm in exactly the same way as if you were having a blood test, then using a centrifuge to separate the components of the blood. This process leaves behind the gel-like plasma containing a high concentration of platelets, which is then injected into the area to be treated.

By encouraging the body’s own repair process, Platelet Rich Plasma can have a significant rejuvenating effect, restoring a healthy, youthful glow and reducing the appearance of ageing.

How Does it Work?

Collagen is responsible for the skin’s elasticity, flexibility and healthy glow. Collagen production slows down as part of the natural ageing process, resulting in wrinkles, loss of volume in the features and loss of luminosity in the skin.

Platelet rich plasma contains growth factors which stimulate new cell growth and tissue repair. These growth factors stimulate inactive cells to promote growth of new tissue and production of new collagen, rejuvenating the skin and giving it a more youthful appearance. As skin cells begin to repair themselves in the weeks following treatment, a youthful glow is gradually restored, skin will feel firmer and lines and wrinkles will appear reduced.

As PRP encourages the body’s own collagen production, the results will improve over time, and after a course of treatment, the rejuvenating effect can last up to two years.

How Can it Be Used?

Many areas of the face and body are suitable for treatment with PRP to achieve an anti-ageing effect, including the delicate areas around the eyes. To restore firmness, platelet rich plasma is injected into areas where volume loss is greatest to achieve the best results.

Platelet Rich Plasma treatments are often used in combination with the Dermapen to allow the PRP to penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin, further stimulating collagen production and promoting cell repair.

Although it can have a remarkable rejuvenating effect, platelet rich plasma is more than just an anti-ageing treatment. It works by encouraging tissue to repair itself, meaning it can also be used to treat scars, and many athletes use it to aid a speedy recovery from sports injuries.

When the appearance of your skin begins to affect your confidence, it is time to seek medical help. Whether you are looking to restore a healthy, youthful complexion, restore volume or reduce the appearance of wrinkles, book a consultation today to find out whether treatment with platelet rich plasma is right for you.

We all tend to overindulge over the festive season. Unfortunately, the effects of too many treats and lack of sleep linger on our skin for a long time after the celebrations are over. Combined with the dehydrating effects of winter weather, many people find their skin loses its youthful appearance and glow at this time of year.

As an aesthetic nurse, plenty of people come to see me looking to restore healthy looking, youthful skin. Although there are many aesthetic treatments available to bring a youthful glow back to your skin, you can also achieve healthy looking skin and delay the onset of ageing by making a few simple changes to your lifestyle. Here are my top tips for

maintaining your youthful glow and keeping ageing at bay.

Cut Down on Sugar and Salt

Sugary and salty snacks might be tempting, but these foods can wreak havoc on our skin. Excess sugars form molecules which break down collagen and elastin when they enter our bloodstream. Collagen and elastin are responsible for maintaining the skin’s firmness and elasticity, so when production of these proteins is limited, lines and wrinkles form. Collagen production slows down naturally as we age, but excessive sugar consumption can accelerate this process. Limiting the amount of sugary treats you eat can give your skin a healthy, youthful glow.

Salty foods cause the body to hold on to excess water, leading to puffiness and swelling of the skin. This can particularly affect the area around the eyes, resulting in under eye bags. It is true that prevention is better than cure, so try to avoid foods with a high salt content for a beautiful, even complexion.

Reduce your Alcohol Consumption

Most of us enjoy a drink now and then, but alcohol can have a damaging effect on your skin. Many rosacea sufferers find that alcohol worsens their symptoms, and it can also have an ageing effect. Alcohol has a dehydrating effect, which can make signs of ageing more noticeable. Lines and wrinkles appear minimised when your skin is well hydrated, so drinking plenty of water and reducing your alcohol intake can have an anti-ageing effect on your skin.

Alcohol also decreases the body’s levels of vitamin A, a powerful antioxidant which can fight the effects of ageing. Vitamin A is important for the cell renewal process in the skin and is responsible for the skin’s healthy glow. Lack of vitamin A can also make it more difficult for your body to fight free radical damage to the skin, which is one of the leading causes of signs of ageing.

Get Plenty of Sleep

We’re all guilty of skipping our beauty sleep from time to time. During sleep, the cell renewal process is working eight times faster than when we’re awake, allowing damaged skin cells to repair themselves. Lack of sleep can result in cell damage building up rather than being repaired, leading lines and wrinkles to become more visible. Our skin also rehydrates itself while we sleep, so missing out on shut-eye can lead to dehydration and the development of dark circles and bags under the eyes. Make a good night’s sleep a priority to delay the onset of ageing!

The best way to hold off the signs of ageing and maintain healthy, youthful skin is to lead a healthy lifestyle and stick to a good skincare regime. Following these tips can also help maintain the results of aesthetic treatments by reducing the risk of further damage to your skin.

I can help you restore healthy looking, youthful skin through aesthetic treatments and the ZO skincare range. Whether you’re looking to reduce lines and wrinkles, restore lost volume or treat acne and rosacea, pop into my aesthetic clinic in Hale for a consultation to discuss the best treatment options for you. Book your consultation today by calling Khatra on 0161 980 3372.

It is hard to avoid the horror stories about Botox and dermal fillers. A quick search for ‘botched lip filler’ is enough to put most people off going under the needle! However, the risk of serious complications with Botox and fillers is low if they are performed by a medically-trained professional in a safe and sterile environment.

Non-surgical treatments have been poorly regulated for many years, meaning not all aesthetic practitioners are medically trained. With so many inexperienced practitioners out there, it can be a confusing process to find a practitioner with the right skills and training to give you the results you are looking for. With that in mind, I’d like to share with you my tips for choosing a qualified aesthetic practitioner who you can trust. Have a Consultation First

Be wary if any aesthetic provider offers to perform a treatment without having a consultation with you first. The same treatment can produce completely different results on different patients, so it is important for the person treating you to consider your unique circumstances, your medical history, and your facial proportions, before proceeding with a treatment.

A consultation is also an opportunity for you to meet the person who would be performing your treatment. You can ask any questions you have about them and the treatment process, develop trust in their abilities. You should have confidence in the person who is treating you, so if you don’t get a good feeling after this consultation there is probably a reason why!

Check Their Training and Accreditations

It’s always best to ask about an aesthetic practitioner’s training and experience. Accreditations and memberships to regulatory bodies demonstrate that your practitioner has a certain level of clinical training and experience. If they are properly qualified, they will be registered with either the Nursing and Midwifery Council, the General Medical Council or the General Dental Council for Dentists. These organisations allow you to search their register of members online, so you can be sure that your aesthetic doctor, nurse or dentist is genuine. They may also be members of The British Association of Cosmetic Nurses/Doctors or the British College of Aesthetic Medicine and it’s wise to ask if they are insured too. Botox is a prescription only treatment, so it is imperative that only a qualified, experienced nurse prescriber or doctor prescribes it.

Ask for Proof

Aesthetic practitioners should be proud of the results they have achieved for previous clients and have plenty of pictures to show you if requested. Before and after photos give you an indication of their skill and the effectiveness of the treatment. Reviews from previous clients might also help to give you an idea of how trusted the practitioner is. Have a read through any testimonials on their website, and read reviews which previous clients have left on Facebook or Google. Don’t underestimate the power of word of mouth either; if any friends or family have had aesthetic treatments before, ask for their recommendations.

Look Out for the Warning Signs

The decision to get an aesthetic treatment is not an easy one, and finding the right provider can make it even more difficult. Genuine aesthetics practitioners will never inject Botox or dermal fillers without taking your medical history, and they shouldn’t pressure you into a particular treatment route either. Try and avoid making a decision solely based on price; the consequences of a bad treatment could be life-long, so prioritise the practitioner’s qualifications and expertise over the price.

Botox and dermal fillers are safe treatments which carry very few risks, but only in the hands of a qualified professional. At KP Aesthetics, I adhere to the highest clinical standards and make patient safety my priority. All patients will have a thorough consultation before any treatment plan is agreed on, and you will never be pressured into a particular treatment route. If you would like to maintain a youthful appearance with aesthetic treatments, book your consultation with Khatra today.

Most of us will experience acne at some point in our life. Contrary to popular belief, this skin condition doesn’t exclusively affect teenagers, and approximately 80% of women experience it in adulthood.

Hormonal changes, lifestyle factors, genetics and use of unsuitable skincare products can all cause us to develop acne well beyond our teenage years. Adult acne is much more common in women than men, and can affect people who did not experience it during adolescence.

For many people, acne affects much more than just their skin. Acne can cause sufferers to lose confidence, feel self conscious, and ultimately withdraw from social activities or work. Fortunately, adult acne can be treated, and clear skin can be maintained through a healthy lifestyle and a good skincare regime. Here are my tips to reduce the appearance of acne and reveal clear, healthy skin.

Adopt a Healthier Lifestyle

Like many other health conditions, acne can be controlled and prevented by following a healthy lifestyle. With so many of us leading hectic lifestyles, stress can be difficult to avoid, but high levels of stress and poor diet can worsen acne and lead to new breakouts. When we are stressed, our bodies release hormones which stimulate production of oil which can block pores and lead to breakouts. Minimising stress can reduce the appearance of acne and help your skin look and feel healthier.

For years the links between diet and acne was disputed. However, recent studies support the theory that frequent consumption of high sugar foods can cause the skin to produce more oil, blocking the pores and leading to acne breakouts. A balanced diet which includes lots of fruit and vegetables can support the skin’s natural regeneration process, helping to delay the ageing process and reducing the likelihood of acne breakouts.

Choose Skincare Products Carefully

As those first lines and wrinkles begin to appear, our first response is to stock up on anti-ageing moisturisers and serums. These types of products are often heavy, rich creams which cause the skin to produce more oil, blocking pores and leading to acne breakouts. Moisturisers offer temporary relief from dry skin, but applying moisturisers on skin which is already overproducing its natural oils will only result in an increase in acne breakouts. Many people also choose to cover acne-prone skin with heavy make up, which can also exacerbate the problem.

There are skincare products, make up and sunscreens available which do not cause acne. Look out for products labelled ‘oil free’, ‘non comedogenic’, ‘non acnegenic’ or ‘won’t clog pores’. These terms all mean that the product is unlikely to block pores and result in acne breakouts. You could also seek advice from a dermatologist or aesthetic practitioner about prescription only skincare to help treat acne and maintain healthy skin.

Medical Aesthetic Treatments For Acne

Making positive lifestyle changes and paying attention to your skincare regime can help to reduce the appearance of acne, but sometimes getting medical help is necessary to achieve your desired results. I stock the ZO Skincare range in my clinic, which is a collection of premium products designed to achieve and maintain good skin health. Seema Malhotra, star of the Real Housewives of Cheshire, reported a huge difference in her skin’s tone, texture and health after using the ZO range to treat acne.

There are many other treatment options available, so it is important to pop in for a consultation first so we can discuss the best treatment routes for your unique skin. If you are suffering from adult acne and would like help from a highly experienced aesthetic nurse and prescriber, call Khatra on 0161 980 3372 to book a free consultation.