Only 9 days left on our special offers - SmartXide, Obagi Skincare, Dermal fillers, laser hair removal

5 Cosmetics To Buy Your Girlfriend This Christmas

At Riverbanks Clinic, we understand just how important it is to get your girlfriend something extra special at Christmas time. So we’ve put together a list of suggestions for the five items that we think you should buy your girlfriend this Christmas!

ONE: Professional Skin Care Products
A woman that takes pride in her appearance knows that feeling good and looking great starts with the skin, the largest organ on the body. The trouble is that there’s so many skin care products on the market, it’s hard to tell the junk from the jewels.

Take our advice and take a look at these professional skincare kits. You can buy an intro kit, which will allow her to test the effects before committing to the full range. If she really likes the way this clever Christmas gift enhances her appearance, then you'll have a clue about what to get her for her birthday!

TWO: The Eyes Have It!
They say that they eyes are the windows to the soul and when a woman starts to get self conscious about her appearance, it’s often about the fine lines and wrinkles around her eyes. Now, be cautious, because you don’t want to hurt her feelings, but if she thinks she’d benefit from a little help around the eyes, then we’ve got a really snazzy range of eye serum products that will restore vital moisture to the eye area, reduce the appearance of fine lines and help to smooth out those wrinkles.

THREE: Luscious Lips
As part of our Mineral Make Up range, we have some sexy lip glosses in a selection of 14 different shades, so you can choose something that suits your girlfriend’s personality! But that’s not all, if your girlfriend is all about the lips, we’ve got Youngblood lip pencils, lip shine and lip sticks in 20 different shades. Let’s face it, with a bit of lippy at Xmas, you can’t go wrong!

FOUR: Marvelous Moisturiser
If you’re looking for a stocking filler that will light up her face, then you can’t go far wrong with a high quality, professional moisturiser. Our range of Priori and Vitage age defying moisturisers are perfectly suited to every day use, night time and as a hand and body lotion with built in sun protection.

FIVE: Gift Vouchers - With a Difference!
No one needs reminding that they’re getting older. But as our bodies mature, we start wishing that Mother Nature would hear our plea and turn back the clock. Well, we all know that’s not possible, but what is possible is a little bit of help - if she’s been talking about ‘getting a bit of work done’ and she’s not too sensitive to accept your assistance, why not give her some gift vouchers from Riverbanks Clinic. She can choose how she uses them, but if she’s been dreaming of some cosmetic treatment or professional skin care products, this will be the gift she’ll truly remember this Christmas.

Simon Cowell - Waxing or laser?

Much has been made in the newspapers recently of Simon Cowell's seemingly hair free hands and upper chest area.

A man renowned for being pretty hairy, it's not surprising that it was noticed, the only real surprise is how surprised everyone was - this is the man who regularly has Botox, teeth whitening and other beauty treatments, so getting rid of excess hair was only a matter of time.

It does make our eyes water though at the thought of him getting those hairs removed by waxing - we're not knocking waxing but whichever way you look at it, it's gotta hurt!

We're hoping he went down the painless laser hair removal route - no pain, longer lasting results, and most importantly, no stubbly regrowth!

At Riverbanks Clinic we're regularly treating men for unwanted and excess hair, with fantastic results - you can see some of our before and after pictures as well as a great video on our painless laser hair removal page. Also have a look at our laser hair removal special offers.

And Simon, if it was waxing and you want to try a better way, give us a call ;)

Offers on Smartxide, Obagi, Dermal Fillers and Laser Hair Removal

It's all go here at Riverbanks Clinic this Autumn, and we have some great offers if you buy before the end of the year.

So, if you're looking for a Christmas boost, or hinting about that perfect Christmas present, consider the following great offers:

Smartxide DOT Laser Skin Resurfacing:

Receive a complimentary Omnilux session, Vitage Vitamin C serum with each session.

Save £100!

Obagi Medical Prescription Strength Skin Care:

Receive a complimentary Elastiderm Eye Gel with each Starter Kit purchased.

Save £70!

Dermal Fillers

Buy one get one at half price!

Save up to £200!

Painless Laser Hair Removal

Buy 2 courses and save 20% on the second one!

To find out more, and to book your consultation, call Riverbanks Clinic on 01582 762877 quoting reference OCT-E09

Terms and conditions

Breast operation horror - could it have been avoided?

You may have read in the Mail on Sunday last month about Sarah Cound's horrific breast reduction operation horror that has resulted in £17,000 of surgery, and still Ms Cound 'feels deformed'.

We won't reiterate the whole story here, but suffice to say Ms Cound may be £300,000 the richer after her monetary award, but as many women know, the money won't make up for the knock to her confidence, her self esteem, and her body.

Interestingly, and shockingly, The Mail on Sunday reports that:

The GMC records show that when he operated on Sarah, Dr Horn - who is not a member of the Royal College of Surgeons, BAAPS or the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons - was listed as a general surgeon. He was not registered as a plastic surgeon until four years later.

A Harley Medical Group spokesperson said: 'Gary Horn was employed as a plastic surgeon at the Harley Medical Group for a three-year contract 12 years ago between 1997 and 2000, when his contract expired.

'Only since 2002 have all our surgeons been required to be registered on the GMC Specialist Register as a plastic surgeon.'

While these horror stories are rare, it is important for us to reiterate a few simple checks and rules that can help you to avoid a similar story:

• Always check your doctor's credentials and ensure your doctor belongs to the necessary associations
• Ask for patient testimonials - this is your body you are talking about, insist on seeing what others say about your doctor
• Insist on seeing before and after pictures of real patients that your doctor has treated
• Ask to speak to previous patients - if your doctor has satisfied patients then it should be no problem to speak to people going through the same procedures as you

Most importantly, don't believe that because the clinic has a big and well known name or address (as in this case, Harley Street) it is the best. It's easy to be blinded by posh offices and a great bedside manner, but the above checks are way more important - avoid any horror stories of your own by making sure you cover everything.

If you're worried about a breast operation procedure and would like to talk to someone about a non surgical alternative, give Dr Ravi Jain a call on 01582 762877

Get a mini facelift for just £600 with Radiesse!

Get a mini-facelift for only £600!

This amazing prices includes up to 3 syringes of Radiesse dermal filler (usual price is £400 per syringe). This is enough to restore volume to your face which would cost about £1200 with Sculptra or other dermal fillers. You can treat your nasolabial folds, subtley enhance your cheekbones back to where there once were, and also improve your jawline. Essentially you will be getting a mini-facelift for only £600!

Call us now on 01582 762 877 to book a free consultation with Dr Jain or fill out an online form to book an appointment or request more information.

Radiesse^® is an award winning FDA-approved dermal filler made of calcium-based microspheres suspended in a water-based gel. It can help restore a healthy, youthful appearance, enhance your existing features, help you defy age and gravity and increase your confidence – all without invasive surgery or scarring.

Radiesse dermal filler was voted by clinicians as the BEST INJECTABLE at the Aesthetic Medicine Awards. Dr Jain has been using Radiesse to improve peoples lives for the last 3 years and is recognised as an expert in its use.

10 Reasons to choose Radiesse Dermal Filler

1. 100% biocompatible - no allergy testing required

2. Mixed with anaesthesia - relatively painless procedure

3. Gives immediate results

4. Effective - get more lift per ml compared with other dermal fillers

5. Stimulates the body's own collagen production

6. Lasts longer than most leading dermal fillers

7. 100% biodegradable - absorbed naturally by the body

8. Little or no recovery time

9. Excellent safety profile as proven in clinical trials. FDA Approved.

10. High satisfaction scores from patients.

Call us now on 01582 762 877

to book a free consultation with Dr Jain or fill out an online form to book an appointment and request more information.

Vaser lipo testimonial - Sandra, St Albans

I had contemplated having Liposuction on my outer thighs and waist as I'd always been unhappy with this area & regular exercise didn't help.

I looked up Liposuction on the web but I was worried about the recovery time & pain involved, this outweighed the benefits for me as I have 3 small children & couldn't contemplate bed rest following the procedure.

Then I saw some websites on Vaser & was really impressed. For me, Riverbanks was not only local, but it had won Aesthetic Medicine awards so I knew it was reputable clinic. The Website was informative & Dr Ravi Jain was very helpful when I emailed him some questions.

When I visited Riverbanks I saw first hand what a lovely, professional clinic it was. I really felt that I was in safe hands with the Nurse & Dr Jain who both made me feel totally at ease during the procedure.

After the procedure I could see the results immediately and they just kept getting better.

All of my family and friends have commented on how slim I'm looking!

Sandra, St Albans

Find out how to reshape your life

Call the Riverbanks Clinic on 0800 0 325415 and get the information you need to choose a new lease of life, or why not have a look at our Vaser Lipo Frequently Asked Questions?.

Bogus Vaser Exposed in UK Cosmetic Clinics

Patients opting to have the latest fat busting treatment VASER are being warned that some UK cosmetic clinics claiming to offer the cutting-edge treatment could be misleading patients by actually giving them cheaper laser lipolysis instead.

Dr Ravi Jain, Medical Director at Riverbanks Clinic is urging patients to be more vigilant after it was revealed that a number of patients who believed they had paid for VASER at several clinics in the UK had in fact been given a lower value laser-based treatment.

“The most obvious clue that a VASER treatment is bogus is when the clinic asks the patient to wear protective goggles. With genuine VASER, you do not need to wear eye protection during this kind of treatment but will always be required to wear goggles for laser lipolysis,” reveals Dr Jain.

VASER has been widely regarded as a superior technology compared with laser techniques. VASER uses ultrasound energy rather than laser energy to selectively dissolve the fat cells, which allows for gentler suction techniques and provides more accurate sculpting. Vaser can be used on much larger areas of fat than laser lipolysis and as much as 2 litres can be taken in a single session.

VASER typically costs around £2000 yet some clinics are claiming to offer far less than the average market price, which is another big clue that they are actually using a cheaper laser based treatment instead.

Dr Jain is recommending that patients ask to see the VASER machine before they sign up for any treatment, check that their practitioner is registered on the VASER website and also ask to see testimonials from patients that have specifically had VASER at that clinic.

“Patients need to be able to trust that they are having the treatment they signed up for and that their chosen clinic is qualified to deliver it. It is completely unethical that some clinics are offering laser-based treatments disguised as VASER but by following these simple tips, a bogus VASER treatment will be easily identifiable,” says Dr Jain.

ENDS

Editors Notes
The award-winning Riverbanks Clinic is one of the UK’s leading clinics for non-surgical cosmetic and dermatological treatments. Formerly the Luton Skin Clinic, the prestigious Riverbanks Clinic helps men and women to turn back the clock, with the help of the very latest safe, non-surgical, highly effective anti-aging skin treatments. The clinic also specialises in treating skin problems such as acne and Roseaca. The most popular treatments offered by Riverbanks Clinic include Vaser Lipo, Botox, Dermal Fillers, Sculptra, Smartlipo, Smartxide DOT Laser and Accent Radiofrequency.

For more information visit www.riverbanksclinic.co.uk

Dr Ravi Jain is available for press interviews, articles and features. For further details, hi-res images or to arrange an interview with Dr Jain, please contact Amy Larman on 01603 283 463 or email press@riverbanksclinic.co.uk.

Beware the bogus Vaser claims!

It has come to our attention that some people are claiming to offer patients VASER treatments when they are actually offering them lower value Smartlipo treatments. This is not only unethical, it is illegal and dishonest.

They are charging less than true Vaser treatments as they are less skilled and have not had to invest in the newer technology.

My warning to all patients is to ask to see the Vaser machine BEFORE they sign up to a treatment. Check that the practitioner is registered on the VASER website. And if you are lying on the table and the doctor puts some green goggles on you, he is definetly using a laser and NOT VASER as with vaser you do not need eye protection (you only need it with Smartlipo/laser lipolysis).

Read about the differences between Vaser Lipo and Smart Lipo.

To be sure that you're getting the treatment you expect, talk to Dr Ravi Jain about Vaser lipo treatments at Riverbanks Clinic.

Call them man boobs, moobs, male breasts or gyaecomastia - we can help!

It’s not just women who have boob-jobs – man-boobs or ‘moobs’ can be as much of a confidence sapper, especially when you want to:

• Look good in a fitted shirt when the meeting gets heated and the jackets come off;
• Be able to wear fitted T-shirts and crew necks without looking like the Michelin man;
• Look forward to holidays in the sunshine, without worrying about people staring when you strip off to your swimwear;

Man boobs (gyaecomastia) are one of those phenomena that weren’t there before and suddenly they seem to have appeared, almost overnight. As the years pass, gravity starts to have an effect. Breast reduction is not something that is only for the girls - you don’t have to spend the rest of your life hiding in baggy clothes and holidaying in colder climates – there is a solution!

Find out more at Riverbanks Clinic, and read our latest testimonial below:

"I selected Laser Lipo as i had read that it was less painfull than other methods and it recovery was much sooner.

I researched a few different clinics carrying out this procedure but felt Riverbanks offered much more in terms of a personal service rather than just another patient through the door.

When meeting Ravi i felt my selection was justified and have been happy with the results ever since. Even after the procedure Ravi has kept in touch to review my progress which confirmed my initial thoughts of a much more personal service.

In addition to that his staff make you feel very welcome and at ease from start to finish.

Thanks again."

Lunchtime Lipo - a review on MSN

We're delighted to see that journalist Liz Frost is thoroughly pleased with her Vaser Lipo procedure, as she tells everyone here on MSN.

Some quotes from the article:

My boyfriend has been allowed in to keep me company and he looks like he's about to faint as he watches Ravi suctioning out my saddlebags, but I can't feel a thing. I chat to the nurse all the way through and actually find it satisfying watching my fat filtering into a small glass container.

With a whopping two pints of my fat siphoned off, I put on my special compression garments, which are a bit like the kind of support knickers you might wear under your Christmas party dress. They come up over my tummy like a corset and all the way down to my mid calf. There's a gap in the middle so that I can pee and my knickers go on over the top. I feel like superman.

Six weeks feels like a long time, but when I finally remove my compression garments for good, the bruising has gone and my legs have shrunk considerably. I can't help marvelling at how much longer my legs look now they're slimmer and my jeans are indeed a little big for me around the thigh.

Unable to wait another minute, I whip out the tape measure and discover I've lost two inches and my bathroom scales tell me I've lost almost half a stone in weight. I'm thrilled.

Have a read, and don't forget to vote for the article by clicking on the stars at the bottom!

And of course, if you're interested in Vaser Lipo, get in touch!

Does Botox give you 'Bunny lines'?

There's been some reports in the tabloids recently about the advent of 'bunny lines' in people who've had Botox.


Ruby Room tells us:

Bunny lines are horizontal wrinkles that form across the ridge of the nose - they become more apparent when people smile. As we age, bunny lines will form naturally from years of making facial expressions.

However, when the rest of the face is Botoxed, bunny lines are often the only place the face can move freely, and as a result they become deeper.

But worry not! If you're visiting a qualified professional and not overdoing the Botox or Azzalure, then you won't end up looking like Thumper!

If this, or any other press story about Botox / Azzalure has you worried, have a chat with one of our team at Riverbanks Clinic and we'll put your mind at rest!

Riverbanks 1st birthday Party a massive success

We were thrilled to host a party last week for patients and supporters of Riverbanks Clinic - over 100 people attended, the champagne was flowing and a good time was had by all.

Here are just some of the pictures of the evening - if you have any more, please feel free to upload them to our Facebook Fan page!

Six Uses for Sculptra

Sculptra is a great new way to receive the benefits of cosmetic treatments but without surgery. Sculptra is a dermal stimulator; it works on a reaction between the product and the patient’s skin. When the skin responds to Sculptra, it naturally stimulates the growth and formation of new collagen. No artificial substances are used to fill the skin, simply using a Sculptra liquid facelift can help you to look younger and give you back the confidence in your appearance.

Sculptra is fully licensed in the United Kingdom for cosmetic use and recently gained FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approval in the United States, one of the toughest safety tests in the world.

ONE: Fight Premature Facial Ageing
When the signs of premature facial ageing ravage your appearance, many people turn to the drastic measure of a surgical facelift. Going under the knife is a costly and painful way to regain your youthful look. Sculptra offers an affordable, age defying alternative that’s now available in the UK. It’s a non-invasive treatment that stimulates fresh collagen and doesn’t require a hospital stay.

TWO: Fill Deep Folds and Wrinkles
Deep skin folds and wrinkles make us appear older than we are and give the face a creased, ancient expression. Sculptra is highly effective for filling wrinkles and deep folds in the skin by stimulating new collagen production offering you younger looking skin.

THREE: Smooth Wrinkly Hands
If you’re experiencing the embarrassment of prematurely ageing hands, there is a way to smooth out the wrinkles and give yourself younger looking hands once again. By using Sculptra, you will get plumper, thicker, fresher skin on your hands. There’s little downtime, which means no overnight hospital stay. Have the treatment on a Friday and go back to work on Monday.

FOUR: Combat Acne Scarring
Acne is the bane of our adolescence but many adults suffer from acne scarring and the embarrassment of skin scarred by teenage pimples. Sculptra can help the body to naturally regenerate and rejuvenate the skin areas affected by acne scarring, giving you more confidence in your appearance.

FIVE: Reshape Sagging Jowls
Sagging jowls are difficult to look at in the mirror each day. You probably want to take some kind of action, but you’re wondering what to do. A surgical facelift seems like an extreme step doesn’t it? That’s why Sculptra offers a non-surgical alternative to reshape sagging jowls and give you taut and fresh skin. Sculptra will stimulate the growth of fresher, plumper skin in and around the sagging areas and naturally give lift back to the jowl area.

SIX: Banish Marionette Lines
If you look in the mirror and see a much older person staring back, it may be that so-called Marionette lines are giving you a prematurely aged appearance. By using Sculptra to fill the lines between your nose and mouth and mouth and chin, you can get back your youthful appearance.

Sculptra is a safe way of getting cosmetic improvements for your face without the pain and inconvenience of surgery. To find out more about how you could use this new non-surgical alternative visit Riverbanks Clinic – experts in non-surgical cosmetic enhancements and qualified Sculptra trainers. Contact Riverbanks Clinic today on 01582 762877 or go to www.riverbanksclinic.co.uk.

Are you hampering Anti Ageing Treatments with a bad skincare routine?

Women opting for anti-ageing surgery but want to keep that all important 'natural' look are preferring less invasive treatments but could be making the job harder by not looking after their skin properly, a leading cosmetic expert reveals.

Dr Ravi Jain, Medical Director of Riverbanks Clinic has voiced concerns that whilst managing the rising demand for natural looking non-invasive skin treatments is now a top priority for many salons, basic skincare and skin health is often overlooked and this is having a profound effect on how successful the treatments are for patients with damaged skin.

"Natural beauty is not just about adding some volume to the skin here or injecting some Botox there, it is also about assessing the general health of the skin itself and taking necessary steps to restore and rejuvenate the skin prior to any treatment. Damage caused to the skin by overexposure to the sun can contribute massively to how a treatment not only reacts with the skin but the long term results and so before any you do anything, you need to get your skin healthy," says Dr Jain.

If you suffer from sun damaged-skin and are noticing fine lines and wrinkles appearing, sun spots emerging or a general tightening and sagging of the skin, Dr Jain recommends taking the following steps to rejunvenate tired skin.

1. Maximise skin health by effective exfoliation and hydration therapies such as alpha-hydroxy acid skin care programmes and peels. Ensure you use an antioxidant SPF 30 in the summer and 15 in the winter, every single day. (try Priori AHA or Idenbenone)

2. To correct pigmentation and broken veins consider a course of IPL/laser during the winter months.

3. Consider botulinum toxin or dermal filler injections for fine lines and wrinkles, caused by sun damage.

"Prevention is always the key to maintaining natural, healthy looking skin and many people simply don't realise the damage they've already caused to their skin, even if it looks ok on the surface. I'd recommend anyone who has over exposed their skin in the past to go and have their skin analysed under a facial scanner. That way, they'll see exactly what state their skin is in now and can then take the best steps to improve their skincare routine and slow down the ageing process as they get older," says Dr Jain.

Special Offer: Visit Riverbanks Clinic and have a skin analysis consultation including facial scanner analysis for just £25 if you quote ref: SUNBLOG1 when making your booking. Call 01582 762877 for more details. Offer valid until Feb 1 2010.

Danni Minogue: Botox helped me through my sister's cancer

We've talked in the past about Botox helping depression (although the study of this is still in its early stages), so it was interesting to read Dannii Minogue's account in many of the online newspapers over the last few days of how she turned to Botox when the stress of her sister Kylie's cancer battle got too much.

Ms Minogue has decided to turn her back on Botox for now, but seems certain that it helped her to get through the strain of both her sister's cancer, and the death of her best friend.

"My sister was sick, then my best friend died soon after - I felt I'd been hit by a wave. I couldn't deal with the stress. I couldn't deal with having to look at my face," Dannii explains. "It was a personal thing of having to get through a lot of sadness."

In the past we've quoted a study on Botox and depression:

“The basic principle is that there is feedback from the body to the brain so the brain always knows what the body is doing,” said Marc Axel Wollmer, the psychiatrist in charge of the trials being held jointly at Basle University, Switzerland, and Hanover University, Germany.

“If we have an emotion like joy or grief we also have a facial expression that corresponds,” he said. “Studies indicate that if we deliberately produce a facial expression, there is a change in feeling.”

So can botox help combat depression? It's early days in the studies and research, but be sure that as soon as there's a definitive answer, we'll let you know!

Want to talk to someone about Botox? Give us a call on 01582 762877 or visit our website.

Prevage MD Anti Aging Treatment - save £50 at Riverbanks!

PREVAGE MD anti-aging treatment, an innovative cosmetic by Allergan, represents the next generation of topical antioxidants and contains 1% idebenone - a revolutionary, potent, and effective antioxidant.

Clinical tests with PREVAGE prove a significant decrease in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and improvement in the look of firmness, tone, texture & radiance.
In addition, 81% of consumers tested (107 over an 8 week period), including those with moderate to severe sun-damaged skin, saw a significant improvement in their skin's appearance.

A leading online Chemist and Beauty store has one version of this fantastic product on the shelves for £145 - but here at Riverbanks you can pick up the double strength version for just £95!

Make a difference to your skin - buy Prevage MD anti aging treatment now!

Vitage SPF 30 works! Another satisfied customer at Riverbanks

If you're a sun lover, it's easy to think that using a higher SPF sun cream will make getting a tan harder, and reach for the lower SPF, or indeed no protection at all.

So it's always nice when we get testimonials from customers who have become converts!

Says Mrs Dawson, who bought our Vitage SPF30 skin protector:

I have to admit I was reluctant to use such a high SPF when it was first recommended to me at the clinic.

I love the sun, and feel that my skin looked better with a "healthy" tan.

I was concerned that using sun protection 30 would mean that I would stay pale and uninteresting throughout the summer!

However, common sense prevailed. One of the reasons for going to Riverbanks Clinic was because of the premature ageing and sun spots on my skin - so I thought I would take the plunge.

Imagine my delight & surprise when my skin gradually turned brown - and I was secure in the knowledge that whilst there's no such thing as a healthy tan - I was protecting my skin and minimising the negative effects of the sun.

Vitage SPF 30 is now part of my daily skin care regime - and I have just purchased the larger size to use on my whole body when I sun bathe. I can definitely recommend everyone using it - to prevent further damage to your skin or to protect your skin against damage in the first place.

It's great to see someone taking our advice, although reluctantly at first, and realising that these products DON'T stop you getting a tan but DO help to protect your skin!

Browse through the Vitage range in our online shop, and make sure that your skin is protected, whatever the weather!

OBAGI skincare treatments come to Riverbanks Clinic

We're delighted to be able to offer the range of OBAGI skincare treatments at Riverbanks Clinic - find out more below, and why not visit our Open Day on September 9th 2009 to find out more about the OBAGI Nu-derm skincare system?

Transform your skin and take away the years!

If you really want your skin to glow with health it’s time to look at the OBAGI range of treatments. They offer the opportunity to recreate the skin you had in your youth – and also provide the invaluable protection younger skins need to stay looking clear, bright and youthful.

The OBAGI range of products can almost work miracles! They’re only available from a qualified physician – so you can’t just buy them in your local pharmacy. Every product has been thoroughly researched and clinically tested with stunning results.

They include:

• Elastiderm – which does what it says and improves the elasticity and resilience of the skin, whilst reducing wrinkles, discolouration and damage from the sun and the environment. It gives you a flawless, youthful skin on your face, neck and decolletage.

• Nu-Derm – specific treatments for different skin types to restore the balance and healthy function of your skin cells at a cellular level. This treatment can correct damage from UVA and UVB rays, encouraging healthy new cells to grow and removing the older damaged cells.

• Blue Peel System – this is usually preceded by the Nu-Derm treatment to get your skin into the best possible condition; it then removes to strip away all the old cells over a period of 7-10 days and creates a firmer, clearer, skin that glows with health.

• Condition and Enhance System – this is often used after dermal filler treatments, microdermabrasion, chemical peels and Botox. It lightens, tightens and firms the skin to create that translucent youthful skin that the environment has dulled.

• CLENZIderm – provides deep penetration to treat skin conditions at the root of the problem. It’s great at reducing Acne and other skin conditions and a significant reduction can be seen in just two weeks.

• Rosaclear – this all in one system treats Rosacea pimples, redness, flushing and blotchiness calms and hydrates skin. This system also includes an SPF30 skin balancing treatment.

• PRO-C Serum – protects your skin from sun, smoke and pollution and reverses the effects of free radicals that cause cell damage, break down of collagen and the dehydration that causes fine lines and wrinkles.

• OBAGI-CRx System – is especially for younger skins – to keep them looking good and retaining their suppleness and glow. As a complete skincare system this early intervention works together to protect your skin from developing freckles, age spots and wrinkles. The system works together to protect, even your skin tone and gently exfoliate old cells.

These amazing treatments will revolutionise your skin – and reverse the damage that the years have done. You’ll be amazed at how your skin will glow and shine with health; it will be lighter, brighter, clearer, smoother, firmer – and younger!

You’ll find more details of these treatments on the OBAGI website – or find out how to transform your skin now – ring the Riverbanks Clinic team on 01582 762877.

Find out how the OBAGI NUDERM skin care system can transform your skin!

Here at Riverbanks Clinic, we're holding a series of Open Days to celebrate our first fantastic year!

Why not join us on Wednesday 9th September when you can discover how to transform your skin with the OBAGI NUDERM skin care system?

Find out how to reduce melasma, pigmentation, acne scarring and smooth away fine lines with presentations from 4pm onwards.

Don't miss this opportunity to experience 21st Century skincare - call us now on 01582 762 877 quoting ref RBWEB0909 to book your place.

Remember, our Open Days always book up fast, so reserve your place (and maybe that of a friend?) now!

Macrolane Helps to Restore Breast Volume After Breast Feeding / Pregnancy

Invariably during pregnancy and after breast-feeding, women experience a change in their breast volume. The upper part of the breast often loses volume and therefore the overall shape of the breast changes to a less pleasing form. The changes are often not pleasant and result in women becoming extremely self-conscious about their bodies and losing self-confidence. As a result of this, many women choose to have some form of cosmetic breast treatment after pregnancy to help restore the volume and shape of their breasts.

But until very recently, the only option was painful surgery with lengthy healing times. However, lately, the use of a treatment called Macrolane has been changing the way that women restore the volume of their breasts after breast-feeding and pregnancy. Macrolane is a highly effective breast enhancement filler that rapidly increases the volume of breasts without implants, without hospital stay or time off from work.

Macrolane is a man-made gel developed from Hyaluronic Acid, a naturally occurring substance in the body. Once the gel has been injected into the area where additional volume is required, the Macrolane attracts water to that area, giving it a natural boosting and lifting effect. Getting a fuller, reshaped bust is easier than ever with Macrolane.

The procedure takes less than an hour and involves a simple injection that gives the breasts both lift and volume. The treatment is performed under a local anaesthetic. This is really a walk-in/walk-out treatment that offers the best natural looking results with no time off work required. There is minimal risk of scarring and you’ll be glad to know that Macrolane does not hinder the results of a Mammogram.

With Macrolane, you see immediate results. It takes only a few days for the tissue of the breast to fully absorb the water from your body, but within a fortnight, the Macrolane softens and the breast feels completely natural again.

The results of Macrolane are not permanent, which means if you are unhappy with your treatment, you can return to your original size and shape after about 12-14 months. If you are happy with the level of restored volume and increased lift that the Macrolane gives your breasts, then you would need to have regular Macrolane top-ups each year.

So having children doesn’t have to mean an end to maintaining beautiful, well-shaped breasts, with Macrolane treatments you can get very affordable breast enhancement treatment with no downtime.

Macrolane is not just used for post-pregnancy breast volume loss, but also for women that are seeking breast augmentation, enhancement and reshaping of asymmetrical breasts. Macrolane is a safe alternative to surgery and due to the nature of the gel itself, which is not a foreign substance to the body; there is very little risk of an allergic reaction to the treatment.

If you’re looking to restore volume to your breasts after pregnancy, why not make an appointment to speak with a Macrolane Breast Enhancement specialist at Riverbanks Clinic by calling 01582 762877 or visiting http://www.riverbanksclinic.co.uk

A Vaser Lipo case study on Twitter!

If you follow Dr Ravi Jain on Twitter, you'll know that he frequently posts about patients (anonymously of course!) and how they're getting on after their Vaser Lipo, so we thought you may be interested in another Tweeter we've found.

Kym K, of Denver Colorado, posts as TimeForUpgrade, and her twitter stream is all about the journey she has been on since deciding to have Vaser Lipo on her neck, arms and tummy.

From before the surgery, Kym has detailed her thoughts and worries:

Woke up 4 am. One day before surgery. Excited. Anxious. A bit nervous. Big changes ahead.

Her hopes:

Going to bed. Getting up at 4:30am to be at hospital at 6:00am for vaser lipo and tummy-tuck. Planning this for 6 months-my future awaits!

Her experiences during the process:

First day post vaser lipo and tummy tuck. Cant believe the minimal arm & neck discomfort.

And afterwards:

First day post vaser lipo and tummy tuck. Cant believe the minimal arm & neck discomfort.

Just left post-op appointment. Dr is thrilled with the results and I feel great.

Rested all day. Getting ready to take off all garments & shower. It will be the first look I get of myself after Vaser Lipo & tummy tuck.

WOW! Finally got to see what I look like. Neck is amazing. Arms look great. Less than one week & I am going out in public. I am so happy.

Here at Riverbanks Clinic, we're thrilled to see Kim tweeting about her experience in such details, and really happy that she's sharing with the Twitterverse how great she feels after Vaser Lipo.

We'll leave the last word on the subject (for now!) to her:

I am now 4 weeks post surgery and feel great. My neck & arms look fantastic! The recovery from the tummy tuck is coming along.

Be sure to follow Kim on Twitter to keep up with her progress!

Skin complaints and how to treat them - #5: Blood Blisters

As the final entry in our mini series of skin complaints, we're going to talk about Blood Blisters. If you've been affected by amy of the skin complaint subjects we've covered (Acne, Age Spots, Rosacea, Sun Damaged Skin or Blood Blisters) then please do contact us at Riverbanks Clinic.

Blood blisters form when the blood vessels and tissue beneath the skin are damaged without breaking the skin. These are painful and unsightly and are formed when a pool of blood and lymph fluid is trapped under the skin’s surface.

Treatment: The best treatment for this complaint is a ND:YAG laser. This is a very quick way of removing these unflattering blood blisters without scarring the skin.

To find out more about the latest treatments for these and other skin complaints, visit Riverbanks Clinic.

Skin complaints and how to treat them - #4: Sun Damaged Skin

Having covered Acne, Age Spots and Rosacea in previous blogs, now we turn to Sun Damaged Skin.

Remember, we're always available to talk about any skin complaints you may have, and to let you know whether we can help with them, on 01582 762 877.

#4 - Sun Damaged Skin

The harmful effects of over exposure to the sun present themselves as skin cancer, uneven pigmentation and Rosacea, amongst other health problems.

Treatment: The first step is to spend less time in the sun or use a high factor skin protection cream. The two main treatments are Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) and SmartXide Laser Skin Resurfacing. Prevention is often better than cure, and using a powerful antioxidant agent such as idebenone has been shown to be very helpful.

Tomorrow we talk about Blood Blisters.

Skin complaints and how to treat them - #3: Rosacea

#3 in our mini series of blogs on common skin complaints that can be treated at Riverbanks Clinic.

Dr Ravi Jain, our Medical Director, specialises in cosmetic dermatology and the treatment of skin complaints such as Rosacea.

#3 - Rosacea

Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that affects the cheeks, nose and forehead areas of the face. It results in the skin having a flushed, blotchy red appearance and produces red, pus-filled bumps in the skin. If this condition is not treated, it becomes worse with time. Rosacea is often mistakenly confused for eczema. Although the condition is currently incurable, there are treatments that can reduce the appearance of the Rosacea.

Treatment: The appearance of Rosacea can be greatly reduced using a combination of professional skin products; light therapy and IPL laser treatment as well as anti-inflammatory and antibiotic medication, both topical and as a tablet.

If you would like to talk to someone about reducing the appearance of Rosacea, why not contact us now and we'll be happy to talk you through the process, as well as making an appointment for a no obligation consultation.

Skin complaints and how to treat them - #2: Age spots

Number 2 in a series of blogs about skin complaints and how to treat them, by Dr Ravi Jain, an expert in cosmetic dermatolody, and Medical Director at Riverbanks Clinic, based in Harpenden, Herts.

#2 - Age spots

These are often known as Liver Spots or Sun Spots. They are actually signs of damage from UV exposure. These age spots are often found on the hands, face, shoulders, arms and head. The spots appear in middle age as the skin, which has been weakened by sun exposure fails to regenerate with the same capacity. At this point, the age spots begin to show.

Treatment: Using treatments such as Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) and SmartXide DOT Laser Therapy, the appearance of age spots can be reduced, and in some cases entirely removed.

If you would like to talk to someone about removing Age Spots, please contact us at Riverbanks Clinic for a no obligation consultation.

Tomorrow - Rosacea

Skin complaints and how to treat them - #1: Acne

Dr Jain of Riverbanks Clinic specialises in cosmetic dermatology and minor surgery. He believes that any skin treatment can be an emotional experience – from the anticipation of greater self-assurance and improved confidence, to the relief of peeling away old acne scars and with them, painful memories.

With this in mind, here is the first in a series of posts on skin complaints and how to treat them.

#1 - Acne

Acne affects mainly adolescents but also many adults too. Whilst the facial eruptions are unsightly and embarrassing, the resulting facial scarring is often far worse. Hormone surges cause an increase in sebaceous secretions that become blocked in the skin along with dead cells and skin bacteria. Eventually, these clogged areas erupt as acne at the surface of the skin, often leaving the individual with scars on their face.

Acne Treatment: There are a range of skin treatments for acne itself, which include special skin care products and medication. For acne scarring, there are also many options. SmartXide Dot Laser therapy can be used to resurface the skin. When this is combined with professional skin care products and light therapy, the appearance of acne scars is dramatically reduced. Using Dermal fillers may also improve the appearance of the skin, these are injected beneath the skin of the scars and fills the area where the scar is. Other treatments for acne scars include AHA Skin Peels and Medical Microdermabrasion.

If you would like to discuss non surgical cosmetic treatments for Acne, please feel free to contact us now at the Riverbanks Clinic.

Tomorrow: Age Spots

Getting rid of acne with Botox

More Botox news - the famous anti-wrinkle treatment is also being hailed as a miracle cure for acne on The Plastic Surgery Channel this week (video below).

"Shah has used Botox to treat acne in 100 patients. He has found that injecting Botox into the skin can essentially “freeze” the pores into place. This quickly prevents them from producing excess oil, and as a result, patients no longer experience the greasy clogging in their pores that leads to acne."

The segment ends with a warning that care must be taken, and we reiterate that - always see a qualified reputable practitioner when considering Botox - remember, Dr Ravi Jain of Riverbanks Clinic is a qualified, reputable and experienced practitioner, with plenty of testimonials from happy and satisfied patients.

Curing migraines with Botox

More Botox news today, this time telling us that Botox can be used to cure migraines, something we spoke to you about a while ago.

The Daily Mail reports that 1 in 8 of us are affected by migraines, and if you've had one you'll know that the syptoms are awful:

• nausea
• vomiting
• numbness
• visual disturbances
• temporary paralysis

Rather than putting up with it, or spending out on an expensive and invasive operation, the Mail's Health Editor decided to give Botox a go.

And she's delighted that she did!

"For me, having Botox injected into my frown muscles has been nothing short of miraculous."

"He warned me that I might have a headache afterwards (I didn't). The relief was instant: my forehead felt relaxed and light, as if I'd been on holiday."

"One month on and I am migraine-free."

So if you're suffering from migraines, Botox might be the cure for you. To talk about this, and other uses of Botox, why not book a no obligation consultation with Dr Ravi Jain of Riverbanks Clinic?

Curing depression with Botox ?

We've spoken at length in the past about the many uses for Botox - it's not all wrinkles and crow's feet, as we keep telling you!

You may have read in The Times over the weekend that Botox is now being tested as a cure for depression.

“The basic principle is that there is feedback from the body to the brain so the brain always knows what the body is doing,” said Marc Axel Wollmer, the psychiatrist in charge of the trials being held jointly at Basle University, Switzerland, and Hanover University, Germany.

“If we have an emotion like joy or grief we also have a facial expression that corresponds,” he said. “Studies indicate that if we deliberately produce a facial expression, there is a change in feeling.”

The article goes on to relate this to the age old advice that if you're nervous at a party, smiling will help you to enjoy it more, as the body takes its cue from the facial expression.

An initial test of using Botox for depression on 10 people showed that of the 10, 9 are no longer depressed and the 10th has reported that he/she feels better.

It's early days, but we'll keep you posted, both here and at our Riverbanks Clinic website!

The horrors of years of tanning, and how to fix them

You may have read in the Daily Mail over the weekend how TV presenter Anna Ryder Richardson finally realised that her lifelong love of tanning had lead to more than she expected.

Says Ryder Richardson: "I knew that my love of tanning would encourage wrinkling but I was horrified when she [the surgeon] told me that it speeds up the destruction of collagen, which gives plumpness to your face"

She goes on to tell how in her 20s she had a sunbed at home and used coconut oil in the summer to get a quicker and better tan - no SPF50 for her! And let's not forget that stint in the I'm A Celebrity Jungle, which may have seemed like heaven for her tan, but would have played hell with her skin.

The problem, as the article states, is that:

Collagen loss, she [the surgeon] explained, happens to everyone, particularly after the age of 35. Collagen is an elastic tissue that helps build cartilage, ligaments and tendons.

It is also responsible for skin strength and elasticity and is the main component of the lower layer of skin - the dermis.

The production of collagen slows down in your early 30s due to the ageing process. This is when the face starts to lose volume and your cheeks can start to look gaunt by your early 40s.

But the loss of collagen is greater when your skin is exposed to sun and ultra-violet (UV) light.

The rate at which it diminishes varies from individual to individual, but exposing your face to sunlight continually over decades could speed up the rate of collagen depletion and the corresponding loss in facial volume by ten years or more.

So Ms Ryder Richardson turned to Sculptra, a non invasive cosmetic procedure that can fill out your face to restore the plumpness of youth and give you a kind of facelift that lasts between 18 months and two years.

And she appears to be thrilled with the results, saying "After six weeks, my skin was definitely looking better. My cheeks were fuller. Filled out by the extra volume, the jowls that were beginning to appear have vanished. At 12 weeks, and after having had the second treatment, my face is looking generally fuller and more lifted. Friends keep telling me I look 'really well'."

Dr Ravi Jain, of Riverbanks Clinic sits on the advisory board to the makers of Sculptra and has treated many patients worried about the effects of tanning on their skin. To find out more about the Sculptra 'facelift', visit the Riverbanks website now!

3 Ways to stop excessive sweating

Excessive sweating is not a sign of bad hygiene or poor personal grooming it is caused by a health condition called hyperhidrosis. This condition affects 3% of the population, who experience excessive sweating, whether the temperature is hot or cold.

It affects both sexes equally, although it mainly occurs in people between 20-60 years of age. People that suffer from hyperhidrosis are often very embarrassed by the rapid, drenching state that it produces without any warning. Despite washing regularly, using anti-perspirant and changing their clothes as often as possible, they are still wet with sweat without cause.

But thankfully for those people, there exists some ways to stop the embarrassing condition of hyperhidrosis.

Laser/Vaser treatment
Relatively new techniques such as Smartlipo or Vaser can be used to treat axillary hyperhidrosis (Excessive sweating of the armpits). They are a minor surgical procedure carried out under local anaesthetic where 1 small incision is made. The laser/vaser heats the tissue and so destroys the sweat glands. The results are semi-permanent and there have not been any reported complications to date, although there is no long term data yet.

Sympathomimectomy Surgery
The advances in modern medical technology mean that these days, hyperhidrosis surgery uses only three incisions and a small camera during the procedure. The operation itself is done under general anaesthesia. Two or three cuts are made under the armpit. A tiny camera is passed through the incisions. This allows the surgeon to see well enough to cut the nerves that send the signals to the overactive sweat glands.

During this operation, the lung is collapsed and later re-inflated to provide room for the surgeon to work. When one side is completed, the procedure is carried out on the other side of the patient. The patient will be in hospital for about 24 hours and recovery time is up to 10 days.

The results are often very good, but it is not unusual to develop the sweating elsewhere on the body following surgery.

Botox – The Best Overall Treatment
The most successful way to reduce excessive sweating is the use of Botox. It is much safer than major surgery and can be carried out with no downtime. The greatest advantage of using Botox is that a series of injections can leave the patient free from the embarrassing condition of hyperhidrosis for up ten months, a great relief for many sufferers.

The treatment works by injecting the Botox into the skin areas that are most affected by excessive sweating. This prevents the release of a chemical called acetylcholine, which carries messages from the nervous system to the sweat glands across the body.

With this approach, the patient does not need to stay overnight. Any pain will be limited to a slight discomfort during the injections only and you won’t need to take time off work.

If you want to stop excessive sweating in its tracks, contact Riverbank Clinic, we can treat your hyperhidrosis, no sweat!

Olympia Beauty Show - come see Dr Ravi Jain speak!

Positioned in London’s West End, Olympia Beauty is the most prestigious show in the beauty calendar for professionals.

Olympia Beauty will deliver an exquisite array of brands such as Dermalogica, CACI International and OPI, to name but a few.

This essential beauty event will play host to:

• Two live educational stages FREE for all visitors
• Over 250 major brands from all corners of the beauty industry
• Superb catering facilities for all tastes
• Massive savings and hundreds of exclusive show deals
• The latest launches, styles and collections available for autumn 2009

And Riverbanks Clinic's Dr Ravi Jain will be speaking on Sunday 20th September between 15:30 and 16:00.

In the current climate, salons need to find ways of maximising income from existing customers as well as draw in new clientele. Dr Ravi Jain, medical director at multi-award winning Riverbanks Clinic provides a run down of the best non-surgical treatments on the market and how these can form part of the salon’s offering.

You can download the seminar program here.

10 Reasons to Avoid the Sun

It’s true that sunshine is good for us.

But we are frighteningly unaware of the potential damage that the sun does to our bodies.



Here are just 10 reasons to avoid the sun:

1. Most of the signs of aging that show themselves in later life such as fine lines and pigmentation problems are actually caused by the sun before we are even 18 years old.

2. Exposure to the sun has been established as the primary trigger for the skin disease called Rosacea. This is characterised by permanent redness in areas of the face. While Rosacea isn’t dangerous to your health, it does give you a blotchy red appearance.

3. Protect your eyes! Did you know that one of the major causes of age-related cataracts is exposure to the sun? It’s not just your skin that could be suffering!

4. Cumulative sun exposure massively increases the risk of skin cancer. Whilst most skin cancers can be removed easily, some require invasive and potentially disfiguring surgery.

5. Another effect of cumulative exposure to the sun is precancerous lesions. These are ugly reddish or brown spots that appear on the skin and indicate the risk of future skin cancer.

6. Although remarkably easy to avoid by wearing sunscreen, solar lentigines are disfiguring brown-pigmented areas that can be found on skin areas that are exposed to the sun. They are usually the result of sunburn, but they also appear in elderly people who had years of exposure to the sun.

7. It’s true that facial acne is temporarily put on hold because exposure to the sun affects the outer layers of the skin. However, being in the sun greatly stimulates oil production in the skin, which makes skin bacteria multiply aggressively. Once away from the sun, there is a major eruption as all of the built up oil, bacteria and dead skin cells are forced to the surface of the softening skin.

8. If you’ve experience the unsightly pigmentation changes caused by acne, you’ll want to stay out of the sun. Sun bathing will make these changes darker and much more difficult to treat.

9. Exposure to the sun causes your hair follicles to become damaged, leaving your hair looking dull and making it brittle. The sun also strips hair of its natural colour, and prematurely ages it.

10. The fake sunlight emitted from tanning beds radiates UV rays that deeply penetrate your skin and is worse for your skin than the real sun!

Treatments such as Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) and SmartXide Laser Skin Resurfacing are currently available to help reduce the appearance of sun-damaged skin.

With IPL, the dark sun damaged areas absorb the intense light and after just a few days they darken and crust over and fall off. SmartXide Laser Skin Resurfacing offers the best results. It uses an advanced laser that leaves the skin looking younger, tighter and smoother.

For treatment solutions for sun-damaged skin, contact Riverbanks Clinic for a consultation.

Wide Awake Liposuction at Riverbanks Clinic

People are always amazed when I tell them that they can have liposuction and still be wide awake - but with Vaser Lipo they really can!

Unlike 'traditional' liposuction, it's a non-surgical alternative, and as the video below shows, the patient stays wide awake throughout the Vaser liposuction procedure.



To find out more about Wide Awake Liposuction, why not contact Riverbanks Clinic with any questions, and book a consultation now?

Restalyne Sub Q UK Summer Special Offer!

If you've ever wanted fuller cheek bones which look natural, just like when you were younger, consider Restylane Sub Q.

I am delighted to offer you the chance to receive a treatment of Restylane Sub Q at half price in July.

• Normal Price for 2mls = £400
• Offer price for 2 mls = £200 (save £200)
  
• Normal Price for 4mls = £800
• Offer price for 4 mls = £400 (save £400)
  

Most people will require 2mls for a very subtle cheek enhancement or 4mls for a longer lasting one.

Restylane Sub Q can also be used for:

1. Cheek volume enhancement

2. Jawline smoothening

3. Deeper Nasolabial folds

4. Chin enhancements.

This is an extremely limited offer and is available on a first come first served basis only. Treatments must be performed in July 2009.

Call 01582 762 877 to arrange your appointment with me!

Warmest regards

Dr Ravi Jain

www.riverbanksclinic.co.uk

5 Steps to Sensational Summer Skin

No doubt you know the mantra 'cleanse, tone, moisturise', but really looking after your skin can take a little extra care.

If you still have a youthful skin it doesn't mean this is not for you - if you look after your skin now, you'll keep that sensational smooth look for much longer and take years off your chronological age as the years go by.

Summer is when the sunshine makes you feel good, but the damage it can do is generally invisible in the short term - it's only when nasty brown marks appear later that you wish you'd been a little less carefree about how you treated your skin!

Yes, we can almost achieve miracles at Riverbanks, but our advice is to take action NOW so you don't need those more extreme treatments later on.

Here's our step-by-step guide to sensational skin:

1. CLEANSE - we recommend Priori Idebenone Cleanser and this is ideal in the summer as it helps correct sun damage.
   
   
2. CORRECT: Iron out existing imperfections with Even Tones or Smooth Lines. They even out your skin tone and smoothe away lines
   
   
3. Give your skin a boost to enhance hydration and brighten your skin - Vitage Vitamin C Serum does this perfectly.
   
   
4. HYDRATE - to combat the drying effects of the sun and give you that smooth, plump, youthful glow. Priori Barrier Repair Complex and Priori Idebenone Moisturisers are the best on the market, as they hydrate the skin cells from inside the cells rather than simply leaving a sheen on the surface, as most over the counter products do.
   
   
5. PROTECT - We can't recommend this strongly enough. Anyone who knows us will be familiar with our insistence that an SPF of at least 30 is essential. SPF; SPF; SPF!!! Use the Daily Defense SPF 30, Radical Defense or Vitage SPF 30.
   

If you don't think you need to do all this ask us to scan your skin with the VISIA Complexion Analysis Camera before you go on holiday and you'll see what damage sun can do to your skin!