“The Health of the Nation” skin cancer target remains beyond reach

In 1992 the UK government strategic document “The Health of the Nation” listed numerous targets to improve health. In this document there was only one skin related target and that was to “halt the year on year increase in skin cancer by the year 2005″.
Recently the government has published the statistics covering 1992-2005, the figures coming from the national Cancer Registration and they are not good.

Between 1992 and 2005 the number of recorded cases of Malignant Melanoma skin cancer (which is the deadliest form of skin cancer and normally makes up about 10% of all skin cancers) went from 4151 in 1992 to 8025 in 2005 a 93% increase in cases.
Other non-melanoma skin cancers went from 38,745 to 67,068 in 2005 an increase of 73%.
Although these are the recorded official estimates, after a study carried out in Wales it is thought that the actual figures may be 60% higher than the official stats.
What else has the study told us:
It appears that that childhood sunburn and recreational UV radiation is a critical element of BCC skin cancer risk. Strict sunscreen use has been shown in Australia to reduce the SCC (squamous cell cancer) risk by 40% in 4.5 years.

Despite all of this and the acknowledged poor levels of education in the UK with regards to using sunscreens properly. We still get a number of prominent publications talking about the “danger of wearing sunscreen too often” with regards to vitamin D levels and that the link between sunscreen and skin cancer is over-estimated!!

Both of the above statements are really incredibly unhelpful to health professionals who are constantly trying to educate our patients to be more responsible. Australia have already published very clear data that shows strict sunscreen use can cut skin cancer rates by 40% in less than half a decade and we are wondering why are skin cancer rates are taking off??

Dr Geoffrey Mullan

Medicetics have a wide range of sunscreens for kids/ adults/ sports etc. We have tried to find the best sunscreens available as well as a selection of sunscreens for kids.

Video of botox treatment at Medicetics

Dr Vicky Dondos, one of the leading Cosmetic Doctors gives a short overview of what to expect during a “botox” cosmetic procedure. The video is a live demonstration of a patient having botox injected into their forehead as part of a cosmetic procedure to reduce lines and wrinkles.

Muscle freezing injections for the treatment of wrinkles

Botox® (botulinum toxin type A) has truly revolutionized the treatment of ageing skin. This is now the most popular non-surgical cosmetic procedure performed by doctors in the UK.

Botox® injections are unparalleled for the treatment of forehead lines. In fact they can have the same effect as a surgical brow lift. They’re also great for eliminating lines around the eyes, and the under-eye bulge, to open the eyes up.

Botox injections for wrinkles is an extremely safe procedure. In our London clinics we use Botox® with great success to treat dynamic wrinkles (those lines that form in skin where the underlying muscles are used frequently e.g. around the eyes, on the forehead and the area between the eyes.

For more information on botox or to book an appointment at Medicetics.

Spa Gazer at “The Times” has a signature facial

What: Mene & Moy Glycolic Acid Peel/ Medicetics Facial

Where: Medicetics, 37 Connaught Street, London W2 (020-7402 2033; www.medicetics.com )

How much: £95 (six for £500)

Sarah Vine Life & Style Editor for “The Times” visited Medicetics earlier this month to try out some of our treatments. After a consultation with Dr Vicky Dondos she had one of our “signature Medicetics Facials”.

This combines the luxury of a normal facial with a very mild skin peel. This means that you get comfort and luxury as well as real results. The whole article follows.

This superficial chemical peel is the weakest you can have, making it popular with celebrities since it entails no embarrassing (and potentially costly) downtime. The whole process is distinctly weird, but it lasts only 3-5 minutes. After the skin is cleansed, the peel is applied. This feels a bit like being covered in itching powder, but the therapist quickly rubs it off. The peel is then rinsed away, and there is a burning sensation like a hot flush or deep embarrassment – and that’s it. The face feels baby-bottom smooth and not at all tight. There is no scabbing, but you must wear SPF30 for a few days afterwards to protect your skin. The results are excellent: lots of compliments, glowing complexion, no need to wear foundation. The whole process, including a 30-minute consultation, takes about an hour.

Aaah factor: 0/5

Click here for more information on our signature facial.

Click here to find how to book an appointment.

Medicetics, 37 Connaught Street, W2 (020 7402 2033, www.medicetics.com). Signature Facial Peel, How much: £95 (six for £500).

Click here to read the full article on “The Times Online” Website

Rise of the male botox jab

Rise of the man jab! From Botox to smart lipo, fast grooming fixes for men are on the up - so have you booked your man in yet?

Anna Magee Daily Mail 15 December 2008

Anna Magee recently looked into the increasing phenomenon of men having non surgical cosmetic treatments. An area dominated by women has increasingly become something that men realise can make a real difference.

“A spot of lunchtime Botox is now about as commonplace as a blowdry  -  if you’re a woman.

If a female colleague returns to work bragging about their ‘procedures’, even those of us who still can lift an eyebrow rarely do so.

But while they’re far less open about it than their female counterparts, a growing number of ordinary, middle-aged men are also freezing their faces, tightening their jowls and having their love handles lifted in quick, non-surgical procedures with little downtime.”

A survey by Men’s Health magazine earlier this year found that 40 per cent of men would consider having cosmetic work done.

In the last year, doctors at the Harley Medical Group in London, which specialises in anti-ageing treatments, have seen a 57 per cent rise in male Botox injections and 5,200 consultations with men.

The appeal of quick, subtle procedures is partly down to the fact that many men want to avoid surgery at all costs, says leading London dermatologist Dr Nicholas Lowe.

‘Male plastic surgery can look feminine and unnatural,’ he says. ‘You get a tightening of the face and obvious scarring because of the thickness of men’s skin.’

Just look at the taut, waxy appearance of male celebs such as Kenny Rogers and David Gest after respective eye and facelifts (both admit regretting having plastic surgery).

Or the obvious change in facial appearance that Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi sported earlier this year after admitting his ‘eyelids had been retouched slightly’.

‘Men want to look better, but they don’t want anyone to know about it,’ says Dr Mike Comins, who practices at Hans Place in London’s Knightsbridge, where one in four of his clientele are men aged 30 to 60.

‘Most commonly, men come seeking solutions for looking angry and tired, receding hairlines and excessive fat in their chins, waists and chests.

‘But they’re not in it for the pampering in the way women are. They want short, sharp treatments with little downtime that can treat the problems they previously believed they had to live with quickly, with natural-looking results.

‘Now we can deliver that without compromising on their masculine looks.’

Medicetics comment

At Medicetics we have always had a large number of men having treatments from botox to laser skin rejuvenation (see male treatments). We have seen the number of men we treat increase from 25% at the start of the year to 37% at the end of the year.

Although the treatments that men and women have done may involve the same product the way the treatment is done varies significantly. Take botox for example; in a woman we aim to maintain the high arched eyebrow. This needs to be in a smooth arc rather than the botched “spock eye” by graduating the botox at correct strengths and intervals.

Male eyebrows are much straighter so we need to avoid causing any arching which involves using more botox in the lateral part of the forehead. However this needs to be done carefully and skillfully if you are to avoid completely paralysing the forehead or causing drooping of the eyebrow and or eyelid.

The upper part of the forehead also needs special attention in men. As the hairline in an average male tends to be higher in a man, it is important to graduate the relaxation of muscles into the scalp. An abrupt stop line before the scalp can cause a bunching in this area or cause “rugging”. Rugging is where there is a smooth flat area with obvious movement above and below forming lines and wrinkles.

For more information on popular male treatments Click here

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To read the full article on the Daily Mail website Click here