St John Clinic Newsletter February 2017
Dr Helen St John MBChB MRCOG
At my clinics I tend to focus on the positive effects of Botox® and filler treatments on the skin. Botox® prevents the drag that the underlying muscles exert on the skin, ironing out frown furrows, crows feet etc. Fillers remove lines and wrinkles unrelated to the pull of muscle and replace volume loss which occurs with age.
Many of the signs of ageing, however, are to be found in the texture of the skin itself. Sun damage, in particular, results in fine lines, uneven pigmentation and sagging. These features can be improved by long term use of retinoid (or Vitamin A) creams at a strength requiring a medical prescription. This cream, used regularly, causes side effects (redness, dryness) initially but in the longer term, these symptoms subside and the skin is stimulated to produce collagen and elastin leading to refined, glowing, younger looking skin. This cream is the only one whose beneficial effects are backed by numerous scientific trials:
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/30/fashion/30skin.html
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2699641
Vitamin A cream is available at all clinics (tretinoin 0.05% £60, 0.1% £100). Not to be used if pregnant or breastfeeding. SPF necessary during sun exposure.
A faster way forward is Fraxel laser treatment. 3 to 5 sessions of Fraxel re:store to the face will make your skin tighter with improvement in fine lines, pores, acne scars and pigmented age spots.
In an effort to offer improved skin to my clients before the summer, I am offering you up to 4 half price fraxel treatments.
Special offer – Fraxel re:store – minimum 1, maximum 4 treatments half price. First treatment to be taken by 1.5.17. Fraxel treatments only available at the Richmond clinic.
Fraxel re:store is the gold standard of non ablative pixelated lasers. The theory is that laser energy directed to the deep layer of the skin results in the production of collagen and elastin which is vital to the structure of the skin and is what gives it its youthful, supple appearance. When directed to the epidermis, the shallower, visible layer of the skin, Fraxel re:store can result in improvement to fine lines, wrinkles and age spots.
The beauty of this particular treatment is that because the energy is supplied in micro columns, only a proportion of the skin is treated at each session. This means side effects are short lasting so clients can be expected to go back to their normal daily routine the following day. There is no bleeding or peeling as with ablative lasers. However, for best results 3 to 5 sessions are necessary to provide lasting improvement.
I’ve been treating clients with Fraxel re:store for 8 years and am often told that skin is visibly improved after just one treatment.
Usual side effects are pinkness and swelling of the skin (1 to 4 days dependent on concentration of laser energy).
Usual price £400 to £800 per session (dependent on surface area of face treated e.g. full face or cheeks only).
Half price offer – £200 to £400 per session.
Local anaesthetic cream for one hour prior to treatment minimises discomfort.
For best results, Fraxel re:store treatments should be spaced at regular intervals of about a month.
London clinic timetable
Monday Richmond 1 – 6pm
Tuesday Fulham 1 – 6pm
Wednesday Richmond 1 – 4pm, Belgravia 5.30 – 6.30pm
Thursday Richmond 1 – 4pm, Belgravia 5.30 – 6.30pm
Friday Fulham 12 – 2.30pm, Harley St 4.15 – 5.30pm
Saturday Belgravia 11am – 1pm
Forthcoming clinics outside London:
Bath (Feb no clinic), March 4/5, April 8/9, May 13/14, June 24/25, July 22/23, Aug 26/27, Sept 30, Oct 1, Nov 4/5, Dec 16
Aberdeen February 26, (March no clinic), April 2, May 7, June 18, July 16, (Aug no clinic), Sept 3, Oct 8, Nov 12, Dec 10
Annual leave:
14th – 21st August
I look forward to seeing you at one of the St John Clinics soon.
With all best wishes,
Lady St John of Bletso MBChB MRCOG
Dr Helen St John
dr@stjohnclinic.co.uk
020 8946 9694
www.stjohnclinic.co.uk