What can we do about unwanted veins?

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Here at Snowberry Lane Clinic we offer two main treatments to help with unwanted veins such as broken, thread or spider veins. These veins can appear anywhere on the body, most commonly the face and legs. In appearance they are very thin, and sit just below the surface of the skin, they are often red, blue or purplish in colour.

Treatment option 1 – Laser Vein Treatment:

Laser vein therapy works by targeting the treatment area with a focused beam of heat energy, this heat causes the vein to coagulate and seal. The vessel is then broken down and is able to be reabsorbed by the body over the next 4-6 weeks.

Best for treating:

  • Thread veins
  • Spider veins
  • Facial veins
  • Thin leg veins

Number of treatments: 2 minimum

Treatment Duration: 30-60 minutes

Anaesthetic: Topical anaesthetic cream

Sensitivity Period: Some discomfort during and straight after treatment

Back to work: Straight away

Duration of results: Top up treatments required as veins reoccur. This is usually annually or less

Treatment option 2 – Microscleratherapy

Microscleratherapy uses a specially designed solution that is injected into the target veins, it works by restricting blood flow to the vein and causing it to fade and in some cases disappear. This treatment is designed to activate the bodies natural repair process, which is why some clients can experience light bruising in the treatment areas. Within a few days this dies down and after a few weeks patients are left with uniform colouring around the skin.

Best for treating: Thread and spider veins on the legs

Number of treatments: 1-2

Treatment Duration: 30 minutes

Anaesthetic: Topical anaesthetic cream if requested

Sensitivity Period: Some slight discomfort during treatment and possibility of bruising

Back to work: Next day

Duration of results: Can be permanent but it depends on the individual as veins can reoccur

If you would like to know more about our treatments for unwanted veins then please get in touch by calling us on 01225 700072.

Introducing our newest treatment: Semi Permanent Make-up for Brows

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Semi Permanent Make-up or SPMU, allows us to enhance the appearance of your eyebrows by creating the impression of hairs using a specialist facial tattoo machine. The reason that the treatment is not permanent is that the depth that the pigment is placed under the skin is much shallower than in traditional tattooing, meaning that over time, as your skin cells renew, the pigment will naturally come away after (around 12-18 months after treatment).

People who are interested in this treatment include anyone who would like to achieve a natural enhancement to their eyebrows. Examples range from someone who is athletic and requires a make-up solution that withstands sporting activities, someone wishing to reduce the amount of time they need to spend on their daily make-up routine, through to someone suffering from partial to full hair loss due to long-term conditions such as Alopecia or Cancer.

The treatment itself takes 90 minutes, depending on the individual client’s requirements. Following treatment, clients may experience some redness and irritation, scabbing and light to moderate swelling in the area. After the first week, the skin in the treated area will begin to gently come away and the pigment will lighten. After 6-10 weeks it is possible that you might want to come back for a top-up treatment to fill in any areas affected by the healing process.

We now offer two main treatments, Ombre and Hair Stroke.

Ombre brows are created by varying the density of the pigment from more concentrated to faded, creating a more delicate effect like that of a softer pencil brow. This option is a good choice for clients who have little to no eyebrow hair.

Hair stroke creates the appearance of individual hairs that are built up to give the effect of a fuller natural looking brow. This is the perfect choice if your eyebrows are thin or sparse and you’d like them to look fuller.

For more information or to book a consultation, please give us a call on 01225 700072.

What is Radio Surgery and what is it used for?

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Radio Surgery is a specialist treatment that uses a hand-piece housing a very thin wire loop, carrying radio-waves. These radio-waves heat the wire, which helps to seal the blood vessels while the skin is being cut, this increases the cleanliness and efficiency of the treatment versus just using a scalpel.

Radio Surgery is used primarily for removing unwanted lumps and bumps from the skin, including:

  • Moles (both raised and flat)
  • Cysts
  • Lipoma
  • Skin Tags

However it can also be used to help repair torn or over-stretched earlobes by removing excess skin.

Treatment Summary:

Number of treatments required: 1

Treatment time: 30-60 minutes

Anaesthetic: Local anaesthetic injection

Sensitivity period: Some discomfort during and straight after treatment depending on the procedure.

Back to work: Straight away or the following day depending on the procedure.

Duration of results: Permanent, although some issues can reoccur.

The all-important question: Will it leave a scar?

When a legion is removed from the skin, it is impossible for the skin beneath to match the skin around it exactly, as the newly exposed skin has not been exposed to the same conditions as the surface skin that has been exposed.

When a raised mole is removed, the skin beneath behaves like a small graze on the surface of the skin. After 4-6 weeks there will commonly be a slight pink blemish or lighter area of skin that will take time to adjust and change, but is normally not too noticeable. Over time this area of skin will become less and less noticeable.

When a flat mole or cyst is removed, a slightly larger incision is often needed, and commonly stitches are required. If this is the case the stitches will be as small and neat as possible, once the stitches have been removed the scar will commonly be slightly pink in colour and should change over time to appear closer to your normal skin tone.

To find out more about the treatments, or to talk to a specialist at the Clinic, you can get in touch today by calling 01225 700072.

Introducing Our New Team Member: Dr Ian Strawford

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Dr Strawford will be carrying out some of our existing surgical procedures such as the Laser Liposuction treatments, as well as bringing some brand new specialist treatments to the clinic – so watch this space!

Dr Strawford is a member of the British College of Aesthetic Medicine and a member of The Association of Surgeons and Primary Care. He has many years experience as a GP and as a Cosmetic Practitioner and is an International Trainer.

The reason that Dr Strawford is a great fit for Snowberry Lane Clinic is that he shares our commitment to the provision of high quality, safe and meticulous care, to help enable our clients to look and feel their best with treatments that provide natural looking results.

Dr Strawford is dedicated to keeping his knowledge and skills up-to-date so that he can remain at the forefront of the industry. He is regularly invited to speak and train at cosmetic conferences both in the UK and internationally.

Getting Ready for Wedding Season

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Newly married couple.

In the UK the Wedding Season runs from May to September, it is no coincidence that this coincides with our busiest months at the clinic. We want to tell you about some of the most popular treatments during this period and how to time them perfectly.

RADIOSURGERY

This treatment is designed for the removal of moles, lumps and bumps. It allows for precision cutting of the skin using a very thin wire, the wire is heated with radiowaves which means the blood vessels are sealed as it cuts making for a clean and efficient removal.

Number of treatments required: 1, results are permanent, although some legions can reoccur.

Treatment time: 30-60 minutes.

Sensitivity period: Some discomfort during and straight after treatment, which can last for a few days depending on the procedure.

Results visible: Immediately, if it is a raised legion shaved to skin level then appearance will be comparable to a graze so it will take approximately a few weeks to a month to heal to a point where it is less noticeable, depending on your skin type. If suturing is required then healing will take longer.

Time it right: The area can be covered by make-up after 2 weeks. Ideal healing time before event 8-12 weeks.

BOTOX

Botox prevents small selected muscles from contracting to help reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles.

Number of treatments required: 1, results last 3-6 months, regular top-ups needed.

Sensitivity period: Some slight discomfort during treatment and possibility of bruising.

Results visible: Commonly results are visible after 2-4 days with end result being visible after 2 weeks, at this point Botox can be topped-up if required.

Time it right: Allow for 6 weeks before event, this gives time for area to settle and be topped-up and full results to be visible.

FILLERS

Dermal fillers consist of an injectable gel substance that is medically designed to imitate hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring substance that helps to keep skin stable, locks in moisture and also helps with renewing and healing skin. They are most commonly used to increase volume to targeted areas of the face.

Number of treatments required: 1, results last 6-18 months, regular top-ups needed.

Sensitivity period: Some slight discomfort during treatment and possibility of bruising

Results visible: Some clients see immediate results, with improvements continuing for up to a month depending on the type of filler and the area being treated.

Time it right: Allow 6-8 weeks before event for best results.

For more information or to make an appointment, please give us a call on 01225 700072.

Why choose Snowberry Lane?

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We’re seeing lots of reports about the dangers of the lack of regulations within the UK Cosmetic Industry, with injectable procedures such as Botox and Dermal Fillers being carried out by people with no medical training at all:

https://www.itv.com/news/2019-02-12/dermal-fillers-regulation-alberto-costa-rachael-knappier/

We understand why it’s so important to carefully select your Cosmetic Clinic and Practitioner to ensure you get the best treatment possible and that you are in a safe and professional environment. Below we’ll explain what we do here at Snowberry Lane Clinic do to keep our clients safe.

Staff:

  • All of our invasive procedures are carried about by trained and experienced medical professionals, you will be seen by a Doctor or a Nurse.

Clinic

  • We are registered with the Care Quality Commission: https://www.cqc.org.uk/ an independent regulator who ensure we provide our clients with safe, effective, compassionate care.
  • The clinic is in its 16th year of practice, we have seen thousands of clients so have a fantastic level of experience that enables us to offer the most effective treatments for each individual.

If you have any questions about the qualifications of our staff or the way we are regulated please give us a call on 01225 700072. We hope to be able to show you why we are a good choice for you if you are seeking a cosmetic treatment.

Safeguarding clients of cosmetic treatments

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https://news.sky.com/story/superdrug-botox-customers-face-tougher-mental-health-checks-11611479

You may have heard or seen in the news in the past couple of days the discussion around the safety of high street cosmetic treatments. Now that Botox and Fillers are becoming more readily available, healthcare professionals are calling for more stringent checks to ensure the safety of potential clients, read the original article here.

Safeguarding our clients is at the heart of what we do at Snowberry Lane Clinic, which is why we are registered with the Care Quality Commission an independent governing body who set standards of care that protect clients of medical cosmetic treatments. We are proud to work with this organisation to make sure the level of care we deliver ensures that everyone who visits Snowberry Lane is treated with dignity and respect, not pressured into any treatments, and are given the quality of care that every person deserves.

It is vital that when you seek cosmetic treatment that you ensure you are in safe hands. So we want to give you some top tips to help you choose the right cosmetic practice for you:

  1. Using the Care Quality Commision to check establishments credentials is a great place to start: https://www.cqc.org.uk. Practices that are registered with the CQC have to meet certain standards of care, which is very reassuring to clients.
  2. Enquire about the background of the practitioners. All of the practitioners at Snowberry Lane Clinic who carry out Botox and Filler procedures are registered medical professionals – experienced Doctors and Nurses.
  3. Find out about the level of experience of the practitioner, Snowberry Lane Clinic is in it’s sixteenth year of practice, our Directors Ann and Rupert have the highest level of experience, they have selected and trained a team of like-minded professionals, whom they trust to deliver the same standard of treatment as themselves.
  4. Look into whether the practice has good mental health safeguards in place. We have an established relationship with an experienced Psychotherapist, who we refer clients to when we feel that it is in the best interests of the client.

For any further information about Snowberry Lane Clinic, please give us a call on 01225 700072 or e-mail us at enquiries@snowberrylane.co.uk

Is Alevere the right choice for me?

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As often happens in January, there’s a big surge in people looking to overhaul their lifestyle in terms of health and fitness. Whilst we wholeheartedly support a positive shift in this direction, we want to make sure we promote sustainable lifestyle changes and not short term yo-yo dieting.

Below we explore three key reasons that we think you should consider our most popular Weight Loss Treatment – Alevere.

It’s medically designed – prioritising your health

Alevere weight loss therapy is medically designed meal replacement and treatment plan. Unlike many other meal replacement plans, Alevere utilises weekly treatments to help increase fat loss and smooth and tighten skin. You would also have regular contact with a Doctor who monitors your bloods throughout the process to ensure that your body is as healthy as possible.

You will see results quickly

One of the reasons that people find it hard to stick to diet and lifestyle changes, is that they get disheartened when results aren’t visible immediately. Alevere is designed to optimise weight loss through both diet and treatments. This means that your body is actively engaging in change and isn’t in a passive state like it can be in other dieting options. When you see the before and after pictures of Alevere clients, you might find it hard to believe they lost their weight in such a short period of time!

We facilitate exercise as well as dieting

As part of your subscription to Alevere Weight Loss Therapy you get unlimited access to our Fitness Studio, a convenient, judgement free, safe space in which to work out using:

  • Static Rowers
  • Static Bikes
  • Free weights
  • Resistance bands
  • Kettle bells
  • Stepper

You’ll be supported throughout the process

Another reason that people find it hard to maintain diet and fitness changes is that they’re often going it alone. It’s not easy to make drastic lifestyle changes and  we’ve all been on diets that make us feel drained, miserable and demotivated. You will meet with a therapist on a weekly basis who will help you to maintain your focus and momentum so you know that you have someone in your corner throughout the process.

Interested in finding out some more information regarding Alevere weight reduction? We’d love for you to get in touch with the clinic by emailing us enquiries@snowberrylane.co.uk or calling 01225 700072.

If you’d like to read some more about Alevere, you can do just that here, where you’ll get more detailed information what you can expect when going through treatment.

New Years Resolutions 2019

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Happy New Year from everyone at Snowberry Lane Clinic, we hope 2019 has started well for you and will continue to be a good year!

We’ve got some exciting plans for 2019, including a new member of staff who will be bringing some new treatments to the clinic so watch this space for more information!

This year we are starting our new year with the time honoured tradition of setting ourselves some resolutions, but as I’m sure most of you have experienced, it can often be really hard to keep them going so here are 5 simple steps to give you a better chance of making them stick:

  1. Keep the list as short as possible, focus is best – don’t spread your efforts too thinly. One goal achieved will feel better than ten missed targets.
  2. Break the overall goal into smaller bite-sized goals with deadlines where possible. This allows you to win small victories and feel a sense of achievement.
  3. Reward yourself when you complete things that contribute to the overall aim to help to keep you on track and motivated.
  4. Tell your nearest and dearest about your ambitions, this introduces accountability as well as support.
  5. Give yourself some grace if you slip up, treat failures as minor set-backs and steer yourself back on course, don’t use these hiccups as a reason to give-up all together.

Year on year the most common resolutions in the UK focus on fitness and weight loss which is why we are taking the time to let you know a little bit more about the weight loss treatments and procedures and the new Fitness Studio available at Snowberry Lane.

Frequently the way people approach their weight loss resolutions is to greatly reduce what they eat on a daily basis or eliminate certain food groups entirely. As you can imagine this is quite a shock to the system and is not ideal for everyone that tries it, often leading to people not being able to stick to the plan, or yo-yo dieting. We try to encourage more sustainable methods that include fitness and lifestyle changes. The first step to any treatment is always a consultation to determine the best treatment option for each individuals needs and aims. Below we outline some treatment options to give you an idea of what we can offer:

Alevere Weight Loss Therapy

This uses a combination of treatments as well as a food plan, which is personalised to your own situation. Alevere therapy helps you not only benefit from the treatments but understand more about how the body works which will help you in any long term weight loss goals you might have as well. As part of your subscription to Alevere you get unlimited access to our Fitness Studio. You can read more about Alevere weight reduction therapy here.

Fitness Studio

Our Fitness Studio opened last year and compromises of a convenient and safe space in which to work out using:

 Static Rowers
 Static Bikes
 Free weights
 Resistance bands
 Kettle bells
 Stepper

We currently have a New Years offer for any clients who are interested in signing up to a monthly membership for the studio. Give us a call on 01225 700072 to find out more.

Weight Loss Surgery

Our surgical options could be helpful to people who are concerned by the longer recovery times of traditional surgeries. Weight loss surgery options at Snowberry Lane are minimally invasive or non invasive and can therefore reduce recovery times considerably. You can read more about our weight loss surgery options which include Bodytite and Body Jet by visiting our dedicated weight loss surgery page here.

If you are looking for a bit of help or advice in regards to fitness and weight loss please don’t hesitate to get in touch by calling us on 01225 700072.