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

Inject-a-tan the bronzing of the future?

Of late I have been asked repeatedly whether at Medicetics we offer the “tanning injection”. Many people have heard about or even been offered it at a number of place such as their local gym and want to know a little more about it.

So what is this stuff? How does it work? Is it safe? Is it legal? How can I get it?

What is this stuff?
The injection that is being talked about is melanocortin/ melanocortan/ melanotan. It is a synthetic version of melanocyte stimulating hormone MSH. What is that you may ask. The body produces a hormone in the pituitary gland that helps to stimulate melanocytes (the cells in the skin that produce a tan) to produce more melanin (tan).

How does it work?
Melanotan works by stimulating the cells to work a bit harder and so minimal exposure to sun will result in a much deeper and quicker tan. It does however require the hormone to be injected, if it was taken orally the acid in the stomach would break it down. It also requires a course as the cells will need to be stimulated over a matter of time.

Is it safe?
The answer to this is that we don’t know. At the moment a large Australian pharmaceutical company is doing stage 3 clinical trials as they believe it may also help to protect against certain types of skin cancer. However these trials have not yet been concluded so we do not know if there are any serious side effects.

The results of a trial involving 79 people was reported in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology showed that the compound, injected into the abdomen in three 10-day cycles over three months, is highly effective.

Melanin density in the skin increased significantly in all the men and women who had the injections. The average increase was 41%.

At the end of the 90-day study there was a reduction of more than 50% in sunburn cell injury.

“This study has shown for the first time the potential ability of a synthetic hormone that augments melanin production to provide photoprotection to people who normally burn in direct sunlight,” say the researchers in their report.

The results of the trials show that injections were associated with four side effects: nausea, facial flushing, fatigue and vomiting. A dozen of those involved in the tests dropped out because of these side effects.

Is it legal?
Until the final results of clinical trials have been seen and the medication approved by the MHRA (Medical Health and Drug Administration) body in the UK then it should not be used in the UK, anybody advertising or selling the product is doing so illegally and could be prosecuted. Furthermore the drug comes as a powder and should only be reconstituted with bacteriostatic water which is prescription only. It is very important that you do not use possibly contaminated water which could itroduce infection into the body.

Where can I get it?
At the moment this isn’t a product that is available in the UK. If the product does turn out to be safe and does gain approval from the MHRA sign up to our feed and we will be sure to let you know how and when you get your inject-a-tan. Our advice is please do NOT try this product until we know if there are any health consequences.

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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