Understanding Your Skin Type

Posted on March 11, 2022

So many of us stress constantly about the right skincare and how we can keep our skin looking good as the years go by, but how many of us have stopped to consider how much we actually know about our skin?

 

WHAT IS SKIN?

When we talk about our skin, most of us are referring to the outermost layer of it, which is called the epidermis, but there is much more to our skin than that. Our skin is the largest organ of our body and is composed of multiple layers that work together as a complex system. In total, there are three main layers: epidermis, dermis and hypodermis.

 

 

The outer layer of the epidermis is the part of our skin that we can see. While its main function is to act as a protective layer and to help keep the body’s water levels stable, there are a range of other processes that occur in this skin layer in order to keep your body working.

The basal (innermost) cell layer, for example, produces melanin to help protect the skin when it’s exposed to UV light from the sun; while the squamous cell layer is made up of basal cells called keratinocytes, which produce keratin, the protein that makes up skin, nails and hair. The squamous layer also contains Langerhans cells (which prevent foreign substances from entering the skin) and synthesises cytokines, a protein that helps to regulate and maintain your body’s immune response. The final layers of the epidermis contain keratinocytes and other skin cells that have died and will be replaced eventually by new cells. All of these layers work together to ensure that your skin can continue to regenerate itself.

The dermis is composed of two dense layers, which contain connective tissue, nerves, blood vessels, oil and sweat glands, hair follicles and more. It is considered the core of the skin system, as it enables your skin to function as an organ, supplying it with blood flow, nerve sensation and a means to excrete waste from the body.

The hypodermis (also called the subcutaneous layer) is located below the dermis and is responsible for connecting your skin to your bones and muscles. The connective tissue of the hypodermis also functions as a mode for fat storage, as well as insulation and cushioning for the integumentary system.

All layers of the skin play a significant part, as they need each other to operate at a healthy and optimal level. Now, let’s look at the different skin types.

 

SKIN TYPES

You may have learnt already that there are several types of skin—you might even know what skin type you are, whether that is normal, combination, dry, oily or sensitive. It’s important to be attuned to your skin type so you can choose the right products and take the right actions for your skin.While your skin type is determined by your genetics, your skin condition can be improved by giving it the care and attention tailored to your skin type.

 

 

NORMAL

This is the most balanced skin type and presents few limitations as to what skincare and make-up products you can use. People with normal skin can experiment with different skincare products to find the one they like best as there is little risk of their skin reacting badly to dryness, oil or sensitivity. The main focus is to maintain the skin’s good condition to combat the effects of ageing; this can be done by making sure your skin is well-cleansed, moisturised and exposed to non-toxic ingredients.

 

DRY

This is when the skin feels tight, indicating reduced skin elasticity. People with this skin type may also experience flakiness, a dull complexion, visible lines, itchiness and peeling.

Taking care of dry skin is a two-step process. The first step is to avoid anything that might make the dryness worse—try not to wash your face using water that is too hot or too cold and stay away from foaming cleansers, which tend to further dry out skin.

The second step is to maximise the skin’s hydration—use serums and moisturisers that are high in antioxidants and ingredients that boost collagen production. Other ways to supplement the skin’s hydration with products include choosing liquid-based foundations rather than powder-based, avoiding using too much powder, and spritzing the skin with a face mist during the day.

 

OILY

This is when the skin exhibits an oily t-zone: this is the ‘T’ formed by your forehead, nose and chin. People with this skin type have a natural layer of oil on their skin during the day and may struggle to keep their skin looking dry even when skin and make-up products have been applied.

It’s important to keep on top of skincare as the excess oil can clog up pores and cause large, visible pores; a tough skin texture; and blackheads and pimples.

The best way to take care of combination skin types is to exfoliate regularly, with a focus on the t-zone, to slough off dead skin cells and prevent the pores from clogging up. In terms of skincare, people with this skin type should focus on oil-free cleansers, moisturisers and make-up products and instead opt for gel or water-based cleansers and mattifying make-up.

 

SENSITIVE

This is when the skin is often reactive to certain products, showing a range of symptoms, including redness, itchiness, roughness or puffiness. The most important part of skincare for sensitive skin types is to identify what causes the sensitivity, as it could be due to a number of factors, ranging from hormone fluctuations to climate to the ingredients in skincare products used. Once you have identified what the cause is, you can take steps to select the best skincare for you, whether that be organic skincare or products that help to alleviate symptoms of certain skin conditions.

Another important skincare step with sensitive skin types is to use sunscreen or products that contain sunscreen to give your skin protection from being further aggravated by the sun.

 

COMBINATION SKIN TYPES

This is when the skin is a combination of two of the above skin types. The best way to take care of this skin type is to treat the skin in their separate problem areas—for example, if you have a combination oily/dry skin type, then focus your gel cleansers and mattifying products in your oily zone and use hydrating products on the dry parts of your face.

While there are products you can buy that help to keep your skin in prime condition, there is one thing that is harder to combat: aging.

 

 

HOW YOUR SKIN AGES

As we age, our skin ages, too. This happens due to a number of factors: lifestyle and diet, genetics and personal habits, such as smoking; as well as sun exposure, stress, obesity and more.

What happens when our skin ages is that it shows the signs of a lifetime’s worth of activities through scars, wrinkles, and irregular pigmentation. These cause the skin to appear older and make it more difficult for the skin to regenerate itself without stimulation and upkeep.

Over the years, we also lose much of our elastic tissue, made up of elastin and collagen. This can happen due to the sun’s UV light damaging the elastin fibers in our skin; this breakdown makes the skin lose its ability to snap back when it’s stretched—its elasticity.

When the skin loses its elasticity, the skin on our face becomes looser, causing certain parts of our face—such as our eyelids, cheeks and jaw—to droop and show wrinkles more prominently. Our skin also becomes duller as the epidermis thins with age, causing the skin to look more transparent and show less colour as a result.

While nothing can completely undo the results of ageing, there are ways to combat the effects of ageing and to refresh cells in order to achieve more radiant skin. One way you can keep your skin glowing is by doing a skin-needling treatment here at Peche Medispa.

Skin-needling (also known as micro-needling and collagen induction therapy) is an easy and effective procedure that improves elasticity and can treat a variety of skin conditions, such as fine lines and wrinkles, acne, scarring, pigmentation and more. At Peche, we utilise an advanced device called Dermapen 4 to administer our skin-needling treatments.

The Dermapen works by stimulating the body’s natural collagen production (which is needed for elasticity) by creating microscopic punctures on the skin, generating a wound-healing response. The result is a supple, more youthful look, as the skin plumps up and begins to renew itself.

If you’d like brighter skin and a fresher look, book a free consultation at Peche so we can develop a personalised treatment plan and discuss what skin-needling can do for you. Our Dermapen skin-needling treatments are currently only $199, so be sure to book your spot—it’s an investment your skin will be thanking you for.

What is HIFU therapy?

Posted on March 11, 2022

HIFU therapy: the easiest, non-surgical way to lift your face and neck

There are things that come with age—some that are nice, like being able to appreciate a good wine; and other things that take some adjusting to, like our skin not being as perky as it was when we were much younger. That’s not to say that ageing gracefully can’t be a thing, but if loose skin around your face and neck is making you feel self-conscious, we’ve got a solution for you that doesn’t involve a confronting surgical procedure.

 

Introducing HIFU therapy.

HIFU stands for High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound and is a type of ultherapy (ultrasound therapy) that focuses on harnessing breakthrough ultrasound technology to lift and tighten problem areas without invasive surgical procedures.

We use an ultrasound device called Ultraformer 3 to perform HIFU therapy. The Ulfit works by distributing focused ultrasound energy deep beneath the skin to stimulate the optimal temperature for collagen to regenerate. This activates neocollagenesis, a natural process that produces new collagen.

In simple terms, the Ulfit utilises your body’s regenerative ability to refresh your skin—all without going under the knife or enduring a long post-operation recovery.

The easiest way to rejuvenate your look without a complete overhaul is to lift and tighten your face and neck with HIFU—these are the areas of your body people usually lay eyes on first, so you want to make the best impression and do so as confidently as possible!

 

How exactly does the Ulfit work?

There are three facial cartridges involved in your Ulfit HIFU therapy.

The first two cartridges (1.5mm and 3.0mm) focus on using ultrasound to regenerate the dermis layer, which is the thick second layer of your skin that contains elastic tissue and is responsible for your skin’s flexibility and strength.

The third cartridge (4.5mm) is used to contract and tighten the soft tissue of the superficial muscular aponeurotic system (SMAS)—this is a layer deep within your skin that gives your face structure and connects your facial muscles to the dermis, so it makes sense that the Ulfit works on tightening and lifting this area.

 

Why HIFU?

The main benefit of HIFU therapy over surgical procedures is that it involves much less pain and a shorter recovery time. A surgical face-lift can take up to a year for your face to return to fully normal function and will require you to take time off work for at least a couple of weeks. In contrast, HIFU patients can usually return to their normal activities immediately; the only exception would be patients who undergo more extensive treatments, and even then they would only need an hour of downtime.

Another important thing to note is that while the Ulfit system does not identically match the results of a surgical face-lift, it targets the same foundational layers of skin in a more natural, quicker and less invasive way. This means that you can avoid the heavy bruising and scarring that can occur as a result of surgical face-lifts.

Finally, a HIFU treatment usually takes about 60-90 minutes to complete and costs between $330 to $1800; this is opposed to a face-lift surgery, which can take up to 7 or 8 hours and costs thousands of dollars. Peche currently offers HIFU in Brisbane , HIFU Sunshine Coast & HIFU Gold Coast

So if you’re after a solution to lift and tighten your face and neck area that saves you money, pain and time, HIFU could be the answer for you.

 

Does HIFU only work for my face and neck?

Ulfit can target a number of areas on your body—the system uses HIFU for skin and face lifting and macro-focused circular ultrasound (MFCA) for body slimming and contouring.

HIFU in particular can target specific areas on your face, such as your:

• Forehead
• Eyebrows
• Wrinkles
• Cheeks
• Jowl line
• Double chin
• Neck

So whatever it is that you’re wanting to lift on your face, HIFU can certainly focus on those areas and make you feel fresher than ever.

 

How do I get started?

Here at Pêche Medispa, we want to make sure you receive the best care possible. That’s why we create a personalised treatment plan when you come in for a free consultation. If you are ready to enjoy a more youthful, lifted appearance thanks to HIFU treatment or would like to learn more about Ultraformer and Ulfit and our ultherapy services, we would love to see you!

Book your free consultation now and get ready to say hello to more confident, carefree days.

Keto Diet For Beginners

Posted on March 11, 2022

KETOGENIC DIET AND WEIGHT LOSS.

In 2018, about one in four persons on earth were overweight or obese. This makes obesity a dramatic epidemic in many countries. Whether an individual has extra kilos is determined by the Body Mass Index (BMI), which is calculated by dividing the body weight by the square meter of the height. When BMI equals or exceeds 25 we talk about overweight and when it is equal to or higher than 30 we talk about obesity. In all cases, the process is the same and is due to an unbalanced diet that leads to the storage of fat in the body.

Overweight and obesity are not dangerous themselves, but they are risk factors for other diseases like cardiovascular diseases. They can worsen some conditions such as diabetes as well.

The good news is that they are reversible and preventable. Indeed, weight-loss strategies with proven efficacy include sports activity, decreasing fat intake and surgery in extreme cases. Increasing evidence suggests that a ketogenic diet is effective for weight loss too.

 

WHAT IS A KETOGENIC DIET?

Ketogenic diet or keto diet has one main principle that is a very low carbohydrate intake and a high fat intake. In simplified terms, this means favouring oily fish such as salmon, unprocessed cheese, butter, nuts and seeds, unsaturated fat-containing oils like olive oil and coconut oil, avocado and low-carbohydrate vegetables, including tomatoes, onions, paprika, and zucchini for instance, against high carbohydrate food such as root vegetables, grains, fruits and processed sweet products like fruit-juice, candies and ice-cream. Some high protein food like beans and legumes are to be avoided as well.

Alternating carbohydrates with fat will make the metabolic shift to a mechanism called ketosis. Ketosis occurs naturally in the body, during a night of sleeping, pregnancy and intense physical activity for example. However, it is exacerbated on a keto diet. Ketosis starts when all the glucose available in the body to produce energy is consumed. At this stage, the stored fat is released and metabolised into ketones, also called ketone bodies, to produce the energy our organism needs to function. This is what is generally known as “burning the excess of fat” and the release of ketones in the blood gives its name to ketosis. If the diet was protein-rich, the body would have used the protein’s amino acids to turn them into glucose. This would have decreased the amount of fat burned.

In contrast with the pathological diabetes ketoacidosis that can lead to coma, the nutritional or physiological ketosis induced by the ketogenic diet is known to be moderate as the blood ketone levels are relatively not that high. In fact, they are just enough to be actively used by the brain instead of glucose. In addition, there is no successive acidification of the blood that used to occur in diabetes. Therefore, the ketogenic diet has a relatively safer metabolic process.

 

TYPES OF KETOGENIC DIETS

Although sharing the same basis of low carbohydrates and high fat, different types of ketogenic diets exist, and they are slightly different compared to each other. The proportion of carbohydrates, fat and proteins could be at the origin of this difference, but also the nature of these nutrients and the type of food involved.

 

1. The Standard Ketogenic Diet

   Also known as the very-low-carbohydrate keto diet, it is the standard version of the diet. It is mostly followed for weight loss and some specific therapies. It includes:

   20-50g of carbohydrate (5-10%);
   40-60g of protein (20%);
   70 to 75% for fat, depending on the individual capacity.

2. The Well-Formulated Ketogenic Diet

   In this case, the balance between fat, protein, and carbohydrates is optimal for ketosis to happen.

3. The Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCT) Ketogenic Diet

   This formulation implies that most of the fat portion is made of MCTs that tend to be more metabolised into ketones than long-chain triglycerides. Coconut oil is a good source of this type of triglycerides. That said, high consumption of MCTs may have side effects such as digestive symptoms including diarrhoea. In addition, their effect on weight loss is understudied.

4. The Targeted Ketogenic Diet

   This type of diet has the characteristic to take the carbohydrate daily portion (25-50 grams) at a “targeted” time, which is specifically before or after physical activity by 30 minutes to one hour.

5. The Cyclical Ketogenic Diet

   This variant follows a cycle for carbohydrate intake. It starts with several days (e.g. 5 days) of low-carbohydrate intake (the usual 20-50g of the standard ketogenic diet) followed by 1 to 2 days of high carbohydrate intake or what is known as “carb-loading”, where 450-600 grams of carbohydrates are consumed. This diet is suitable for people practising intense physical activity such as bodybuilders and athletes. It favours reducing the fat body mass while maximizing the muscle body mass.

6. The high protein ketogenic diet

   This alternative formula is similar to the standard version of the ketogenic diet, except that the protein intake is about 10% higher in the detriment of fat intake. It is suitable for people with high protein needs.

 

HOW DOES THE PROCESS WORK?

The most common explanation of weight loss induced by the keto diet is that in the absence of carbohydrates, the body mobilises fat, including the excess stored, as a source of calories to the body. Other explanations are currently discussed by scientists. One is that the metabolism of the dietary proteins takes a lot of calories, which leads to the use of the body fat to cover the needs, which in its turn leads to weight loss. Another hypothesis is that the consumption of the proteins in the diet leads to feeling satiated and a loss of appetite which induces a weight reduction. Yet another explanation suggests that anorexia is induced by ketones themselves when used by the brain.

 

BENEFITS OF THE KETO DIET ASSOCIATED WITH WEIGHT LOSS

1. Weight loss

   Efficacy. There is a strong body of evidence suggesting that the ketogenic diet is a good alternative for weight loss compared with conventional low-fat diet. Its efficacy is also proven in the long run to some extent.

   Hunger control. Why is the keto diet efficient for weight loss is most probably linked to a couple of other benefits such as hunger control. As one research showed, the keto diet followers tend to feel less of the need to eat less.

   Hormonal regulation. Another benefit conducting to weight loss is the power of the ketogenic diet to regulate hormones promoting or demoting appetite. For example, it reduces ghrelin blood levels affecting appetite which decreases accordingly. It decreases insulin, which reduces the risk of developing insulin resistance in obese people. They consequently avoid being constantly hungry.

2. Performance and mood

   Thanks to the shift from sugar use to fat use, the body on a keto diet is constantly having the necessary energy from ketones, which seem to increase both physical and cognitive performance. This is sustained over time as body fat reserves could provide enough energy for weeks or months in contrast with sugar.

   Furthermore, a bad mood and cognitive impairment tend to be frequent in overweight and today, there is scientific evidence showing that ketones improve the mood and address cognitive impairment induced by weight gain.

3. Effect on disease risk factors

   In a study showing the long-term efficacy of the ketogenic diet on obese participants for a 24-week period, the researchers found out that bad cholesterol decreased while good cholesterol increased after the diet. They reported that glucose also decreased. This shows that the diet has the potential to protect against cardiovascular risk and diabetes.

4. Type 2 diabetes management

   The ketogenic diet seems to be adapted for type 2 diabetes management and treatment with lower side effects as compared with medication. It allows a better glycaemic control due to the low carbohydrate intake, and in the long run, it leads to a better diabetes control as HBA1C, a biomarker of diabetes complications, decreases. The research argues that high protein keto diet is even more beneficial for weight loss, body mass composition, and cardiovascular risk. In addition, other researchers reported that diabetes patients on a low-carbohydrate diet could even eliminate medication or take a lower dose of insulin.

5. Safety

   The keto diet safety risk is often associated with the potential ketoacidosis, the blood fat level, and kidney function. As described above, ketoacidosis should not happen unless there is a potentiality for it (e.g. Diabetes and pregnancy), in which case medical surveillance is needed. With regards to the blood levels of fat, many studies reported that on the keto diet, bad fat decreases and good fat increases. Indeed, total cholesterol and triglyceride levels decrease while High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) representing the good portion of cholesterol increases. In addition, the Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) part of the bad portion of cholesterol is reduced in size and volume. The kidney function should stay stable as well in most cases.

 

Side effects

The ketosis signs. Although many signs count among the benefits of a keto diet, there are some which may be unpleasant. In fact, ketones are very volatile compounds that could lead to a bad breath smell. They are partly eliminated through sweat giving it a specific and potentially unwanted odour.

Digestive side effects. The most common digestive symptom is constipation, but diarrhoea can occur as well.

The keto flu. Occurs during the first week of starting the keto diet, depending on the individual’s response. The symptoms are temporary and include headaches, fatigue, irritable mood, difficulty concentrating, demotivation, dizziness, nausea, muscle cramps, and heart palpitations among others. These symptoms are due to the body’s adaptation to using fat instead of carbohydrates as the main source of energy, which in the beginning leads to water and sodium loss in the urines, causing dehydration responsible for the keto flu symptoms. After this “hard time” more energy can be expected.

Ketoacidosis. Recognizable by a series of symptoms that include confusion and tiredness, digestive signs such as pain and vomiting, dryness and thirst, and fast breathing.

Long-term side effects. May include kidney stones and osteoporosis, and nutritional deprivation.

 

TIPS FOR EFFECTIVE AND SAFE WEIGHT LOSS ON A KETOGENIC DIET

If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, abnormal kidney function, or you are pregnant or breastfeeding, the keto diet might be unsafe for you. Better to seek the advice of your treating physician and/or a nutritionist.

If you suffer from the keto flu, you can take salt and water to relieve the symptoms. If it does not work, try to temporarily increase your fat intake in such a way that you feel satiated. This will help boost your mood and give you more energy. You can alternatively lower your carbohydrate intake gradually.

Planning your meals is a good way to organize your shopping and make sure that you reach your dietary goals.

Do not neglect fibres in your diet. This will ease digestion and make your diet balanced.

In the beginning of the diet, you can start slowly to help your body adapt. For instance, you can gradually decrease the carbohydrate portion until it meets the dietary requirements and you can start with a low-intensity to moderate-intensity physical activity and increase it over time so that you avoid additional stress on your body. The same goes with stress due to hunger or eating too much at the beginning of the diet. If you feel hungry, eat what is recommended in the diet and do not blame yourself for the quantity you ingest. This will avoid worsening the keto flu symptoms and it is just a matter of time before your body finds the right balance.

The return to a normal diet should also be progressive and controlled. The diet period goes from 2-3 weeks for a minimum ketosis effect to 6-12 months for optimal safety.

Recognise the ketosis and ketoacidosis signs and measure your ketosis. There are many testers available in the market that allow you to know how many ketones you have in your breath, blood and urines. This way, you have the chance to get your ketosis at a level that allows optimal but safe weight loss.

Reach out today to learn how we can help you look and feel younger, thinner, and happier in your own skin. Book a free consultation.

The Benefits Of MCT Oil And How It Works

Posted on March 11, 2022

Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCT oil) offer many different health benefits, such as boosting energy, protecting your skin, improving your mood, helping weight loss, optimizing digestion, increasing cognitive functions, strengthening your immune system, and several others. However, there are a handful of side effects that can occur if MCT oil is taken in excessive amounts. This is due to the oil’s large concentration of active ingredients and powerful chemical compounds. These possible side effects include headaches, hormonal fluctuations, mood swings, fatigue, inflammation, loss of appetite, anxiety, and gastrointestinal distress. For the desired benefits, only a very small amount of MCT oil is needed, so be sure to only use the oil in moderation, or diluted somehow.

 

WHAT IS MCT OIL?

So what exactly is MCT oil? MCT stands for medium-chain triglycerides. These are also known as medium-chain fatty acids, and are widely considered to be nutrients that are beneficial for the body. These fatty acids are thought to be “good” types of fat, which have a wide variety of benefits, such as strengthening the immune system and boosting the metabolism. The medium-chain fatty acids are lauric acid, caprylic acid, and caproic acid. All of these are found in coconut oil as well, which is why people often confuse the two oils. While coconut oil provides a good list of health benefits, for anyone who wants a stronger dose of immune-boosting, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant fatty acids, MCT oil would be the better choice.

 

MCT OIL BENEFITS

MCT oil can be quite effective for anyone struggling with poor digestive health, low energy, slow metabolism, hormonal fluctuations, obesity, Alzheimer’s, dementia, inflammatory conditions, or diabetes. It also has benefits for people who at a high risk for cardiovascular disease.

 

IMMUNE SYSTEM

MCT oil can help improve your immune system thanks to the antimicrobial qualities of caprylic acid and lauric acid. Quite a bit of research has been done on linking these to improved overall health. There is a result of increased immune activity and production of white blood cells in the body, while the effects of antioxidants from these acids help reduce levels of oxidative stress.

 

INCREASES ENERGY LEVELS

An increase in energy levels is another benefit of MCT oil, as well as the direct stream of ketones and ATP from the rapid conversion of MCTs to energy. Rather than the over twenty steps that sugar normally takes to be converted into energy, the C-8 medium-chain fatty acids can become usable energy in just three steps. This provides your body with rapid support and invigorates you.

 

IMPROVES DIGESTION

MCT oil has antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory qualities as well that can help improve digestion, along with balancing the micro-environment of your stomach. This helps prevents symptoms of constipation, bloating, and cramping, along with any viral or parasitic infections.

 

CONTROLS OBESITY

The metabolism of your body is sped up as a result of the fatty acids in the MCT oil converting into energy. This helps with passive burning of fat, as well as general efficiency of the body to burn calories. Research has indicated that MCTs can prevent fat deposition by the body, rather than becoming pure forms of energy.

 

BOOSTS HEART HEALTH

Obesity is one of the biggest factors that lead to heart problems and cardiovascular disease. The effect of low-fat deposition that MCT oil provides gives people a better chance of staying slim, which typically keeps blood pressure lower, as well as lower overall cholesterol levels. It may seem that consuming fats would be counterintuitive to a healthy heart, however, most MCTs are what are considered to be “good” fats that you actually need in your daily diet.

 

PREVENTS DIABETES

MCTs have also been known to aid in controlling blood sugar, mainly by preventing deposition of fat, and instead storing sugars in energy sources and muscle. Considering the benefit of MCT oil in helping to control obesity, optimize digestion, and increase your body’s metabolism, MCT oil is beneficial to not only people who deal with diabetes but to people who may be at high risk for diabetes as well.

 

IMPROVES COGNITIVE FUNCTION

It’s thought that one of the areas of the body that benefits the most from small medium-chain fatty acids being converted directly into ketones in the brain. By protecting and providing energy to neural pathways, the ketones that are produced as a result of taking in MCT oil can diminish the symptoms of Alzheimer’s and dementia, as well as other neurodegenerative diseases, by providing the brain with energy for memory retention, focus, and concentration.

 

MAINTAINS HORMONE BALANCE

The role fats play in creating hormones is one of their critical purposes in the body. By including MCTs, or “good fats,” in your diet, your body can produce the hormones that you need most in order to maintain a good mood, keep your body’s metabolism high, and help prevent hormonal disorders and depression.

How To Prevent Loose Skin After Weight Loss

Posted on March 11, 2022

HOW TO PREVENT LOOSE SKIN AFTER WEIGHT LOSS

As you gain weight, the skin of your body stretches in order to accommodate the extra fat. So it stands to reason that as you lose weight, especially in large amounts, you may have to deal with loose skin as a result of the weight loss. If you lose the extra fat you have accumulated too quickly, or if you don’t exercise while you lose the extra fat, the excess skin that has stretched out will have nowhere to go. However, there is good news. There are ways you can prevent loose skin while you’re trying to lose quite a bit of weight. Here are some tips that you can use in your weight loss endeavours to keep from having loose skin at the end of the weight loss.

 

DON’T LOSE WEIGHT TOO QUICKLY

If you lose weight too quickly, it can result in loose skin. You need to first change your way of thinking when it comes to how long it takes for you to lose weight. For example, if you try to lose 20kgs in just half a year, this is really too fast. If you try to lose this much weight too quickly, your skin won’t have enough time to adjust to your body’s new shape. An example of this happening is when a woman who is pregnant gives birth. The woman suddenly loses a large amount of mass from her stomach, however, her skin can’t keep up with the loss of that mass. This generally results in her having loose skin. Losing weight too fast can also increase the chances of you ending up in a cycle of yo-yo dieting, meaning that you will lose a lot of weight, then gain weight, then lose it again, and so. This is extremely bad for your skin, as it can lead to a loss of elasticity in your skin. As your skin loses elasticity, the likelihood of loose skin becomes greater.

To lessen the chance of loose skin, it’s recommended that you attempt to lose extra fat slowly and steadily, rather than trying to lose weight as quickly as you can, which can be tempting. A healthy amount of weight to lose per week is about one to two pounds. This also makes it more likely that you’ll keep the weight off. By losing extra fat slowly, you will be more likely to think of your newer healthy eating habits as more of a lifestyle change, instead of thinking of them as a diet. A lifestyle change is far more likely to continue long-term, rather than a diet. You will be more likely to stick to the changes you’ve made and have a better chance of keeping those pounds off in the future.

 

MAINTAIN MUSCLE MASS

If you try to lose weight by mere diet alone, a good portion of your weight loss may actually come from any muscle mass you may have. As a result, if you aren’t actively maintaining your muscle mass while you try to lose weight, you may find that you end up having loose skin. This is a fairly common side-effect you see in crash diets. With many diets that cause you to lose weight very quickly, your body is often deprived of various nutrients and vitamins, and maybe because you aren’t taking in enough daily calories, your body digests fibres of muscle in addition to the tissue of fat. This results in you losing muscle mass.

 

YOU MUST EXERCISE

So how do you make sure to maintain muscle mass while you try to lose weight? You need to perform regular exercise and practise healthy eating habits. Exercising for thirty minutes around five times a week offers a good amount of exercise to help you maintain your muscle mass while you try to lose weight. Try to perform a combination of exercises that tone muscle, such as pilates, yoga, or weight lifting, and cardiovascular exercises, such as running, aerobics, or dance.

 

 

HYDRATION AND AGE ARE IMPORTANT FACTORS

Hydration is a significant factor in keeping your skin taut and supple. You can help your skin look its best by drinking plenty of water. Tightening creams and moisturizers can also help further hydrate your skin. If your skin is properly hydrated, it will retain its elasticity. This is key to preventing loose skin. Eating a well-balanced diet, of course, will also help keep your skin taut and healthy

It is also worthwhile to know that you should try to lose extra fat as early as you can. As people get older, their skin starts to become less elastic. If you put off losing weight, your body and skin may have a harder time snapping back into shape. The younger you are when losing weight, the easier time your skin has in bouncing back into good shape.

Click here to learn more about our skin tightening treatments.

What is Ultraformer?

Posted on March 11, 2022

What is Ultraformer?

Ultraformer is a unique treatment created by Cluederm that can help people shape stubborn areas of unwanted fat and lose inches. The device features a circular, cutting-edge body applicator that uses ultrasound energy with efficient and precise contact with the targeted area to be treated. The treatment uses high-intensity ultrasound that causes fat cells to vibrate against each other, causing the fat cells to shrink in size and liquefy. This energy is delivered through a handheld device that can cover a wide area of the body as well as non-invasive face lifting and tightening in a short amount of time.

 

Contouring and Lifting for the Body and Face

The non-invasive and non-surgical face lifting and body contouring technology works by stimulating the natural regenerative process of the body through the use of micro-focused, highly sophisticated ultrasound energy to revitalize the three important levels of the infrastructure of the skin, with no downtime for those who undergo the treatment. The micro-focused, powerful ultrasound waves not only lift the skin but lift the layers of deep muscle underneath the skin as well. The ultrasound waves lift and tighten the skin under the jawline and chin, on the neck, around the eyes, and the brow. It can also help with wrinkles and fine lines, as well as sagging and wrinkles on the rest of the body.

 

Ultraformer Treatments

The Ultraformer technology was specifically created with a system that minimizes any discomfort patients may feel during the treatment. This allows for maximum power levels of ultrasound emission to be delivered in a comfortable manner, allowing for the best results from the Ultraformer treatment.

The rapid shot movement that Ultraformer is equipped with makes treatments efficient and incredibly precise. The duration of the treatment varies depending on the targeted area for treatment. For Ultraformer treatments that target the entire face, treatments typically last around forty-five minutes. For individual areas of the body or face, Ultraformer treatments can last as short of a time as fifteen minutes.

People who undergo Ultraformer treatments can immediately go back to their normal day-to-day activities. For most people, there won’t be any signs of the treatment. It’s often highly advised, however, to not use any active ingredients on the skin during the twenty-four hours following the treatment, as well as recommended to avoid doing anything that’s fairly hot. This includes, for example, overly exhausting sports or physical activities, spas, and saunas.

Typically one to two treatments are needed for treating the face, and at least three treatments are needed for treating an area on the rest of the body. The number of treatments needed to achieve the results wanted varies depending on the area that’s being treated. In addition to tightening and contouring different areas of the boy, Ultraformer treatments can help rejuvenate and tighten skin on the neck and face, helping with sagging skin, fine lines, and wrinkles. Since the Face Lifting aspect of Ultraformer treatments can target different depths, deep wrinkles can even be improved through the treatments.

 

 

Results

Some people will see immediate results after an Ultraformer face lifting treatment, however, the majority of people who undergo treatment start to notice results anywhere from four to six weeks after their treatment. Patients will see results from Ultraformer body contouring treatments continue to improve after their treatment for up to twelve weeks. Results from Ultraformer treatments generally last from twelve to eighteen months, and possibly longer. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help dramatically in maintaining the results of the treatment. A short “top-up” treatment can be done if desired every six to twelve months.

 

Side Effects

While side effects are very uncommon, there is a small chance they could occur. These possible side effects are generally mild and temporary in their nature. The skin may have a redder appearance anywhere from thirty minutes up to a few hours following an Ulfit treatment. The majority of any redness that may occur should disappear by the time patients leave the clinic.

Some patients may experience a slight tenderness, tingling, or swelling following their Ultraformer treatment from a few days up to one or two weeks. This is typically a good sign that things are happening deep within the skin. Some people may experience temporary numbness, welts, or bruising, however, these side effects are quite rare. There is also a rare, slight risk of burning, as with any treatment that is heat-based. Any temporary inflammation should go away within a few days or up to a couple of weeks.

Book your Ultraformer session today, or reach out for a free consultation.