Dr Teri Johnson MBChB is Medical Director of Cheshire Lasers in Middlewich, established 2008. She qualified in medicine at Liverpool University in 1993 and was a GP partner at The Oaklands Medical Centre for 25 years, retiring from general practice in 2025. She is GMC registered, a full member of the British College of Aesthetic Medicine, a BCAM appraiser since 2015, and Save Face accredited.
Radiesse can help to improve ageing hands where loss of fat and thin skin has resulted in a bony appearance and unsightly veins.
What is Radiesse and how does it work?
Radiesse is a Dermal Filler launched in the UK in 2004. It is made up of tiny beads of calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHa). CaHa has been safely used in the body for many years. Radiesse is not a permanent filler, the average effect lasting around 12 months depending on the client and the area treated.
Once injected into your skin, the smooth and spherical CaHA particles form a ‘scaffold’ which stimulates your own cells to produce collagen. The gel carrier dissolves within a few months and are completely metabolised by the body, leaving only the new collagen structure.
What happens during the Radiesse Hand Rejuvenation Treatment?
Dr Teri Johnson will perform a consultation and will discuss what you hope to achieve from the treatment and tell you whether or not these results are achievable. Your medical history will be taken, to ensure that there are no reasons why you shouldn’t have the treatment.
A cannula is used to deposit droplets of the Radiesse gel in the skin evenly over both hand to ensure the hands are equally covered.
Each hand takes about twenty minutes to treat. The hands are then thoroughly massaged firmly to ensure even spread of the Radiesse gel.
What should I expect after treatment?
You can return to work the following day after this procedure. However please avoid exposing your hands to any chemicals or dirty environments where the injection sites could be exposed to irritation or infection. Protection such as gloves would help reduce any adverse exposure.
You may have a few small bruises on your hands for a day or two afterwards.
With clean hands, massage your hands for a few days after treatment. This will ensure the Radiesse is distributed evenly.
How Safe is a Radiesse Hand Rejuvenation treatment?
There are few reported side effects from clinical trials and actual usage of this product. Common injection-related reactions may occur, such as swelling, pain, itching, discolouration and tenderness at the injection site.
Some lumpiness at the injection site can rarely occur.
How much is a Radiesse Hand Rejuvenation treatment ?
Port-Wine stains are red or purple marks, often on the face. They are caused by a localised area of abnormal blood vessels.
Treatment of port-wine stains with lasers can give good or excellent results. At Cheshire Lasers we find 4 to 10 treatments are needed to achieve results. The number of treatments required depends on the size, the colour and the response of the birth mark to the treatment. Camouflage creams such as lycogel are also an alternative treatment.
Here is an example of a Port-Wine Stain Reduction treatment performed at Cheshire Lasers Clinic.
Treatment works best the younger you are, at Cheshire Lasers most of the clients we have treated so far have been in their 30s and 40s and we have still had good to excellent results. Treatments tend to work less well in adults who have had a port-wine stain for many years and it has become bumpy and raised.
Treatment tends to work best on smaller port-wine stains of the face and less well on the arms and legs. Generally, the paler the port-wine stain, the greater the chance of excellent results with less treatments.
The laser or IPL treatment can cause an unpleasant stinging. Treatments are given about 4 to 6 weeks apart. There may be pain, bruising and swelling over the treated area for a while after each session.
What is a Port-Wine Stain?
A port-wine stain is a red or purple mark on the skin. It is usually present from birth. About 3 in 1000 babies are born with a port-wine stain. Most occur on the face but any area of the skin can be affected. Port-wine stains affect males and females equally. They are not hereditary.
What do Port-Wine Stains look like?
Port-wine stains vary in size from a few millimetres across to many centimetres. Their colour can vary from pale red to deep purple. If left untreated, port-wine stains tend to darken over the years as the blood flow through them becomes more sluggish. The overlying skin is smooth and flat at first. By middle age the overlying skin can become thickened and lumpy (a ‘cobblestone’ appearance).
What causes Port-Wine Stains?
A port-wine stain is a localised blood vessel problem. The tiny blood vessels (capillaries) in port-wine stains remain dilated (wide). It is like a permanent localised blush. The reason why this occurs is thought to be due to a damaged or faulty nerve supply to the affected tiny blood vessels. The nerve impulses that make the blood vessels narrower are lost so they then stay wide all the time.
What are the symptoms of Port-Wine Stains?
Apart from their appearance, no other symptoms or problems occur in most cases. However, about 1 in 10 babies born with a port-wine stain on the face have problems of the eye or brain. * Eye problems may develop if the port-wine stain is on the eyelid area. If a child has a port-wine stain next to an eye then an eye specialist will normally check the child regularly until they are adult. * Brain abnormalities are an uncommon association with port-wine stains of the face. This is due to extensive blood vessel abnormalities in the brain, (The Sturge-Weber syndrome), Epilepsy and other problems may then develop. The majority of children with port-wine stains do not have these complications.
Dark circles appear under the eyes for many reasons and may simply be a genetic condition. ‘Periorbital hyperchromia’ – is a technical name that refers to the area around the eye socket caused by excessive pigmentation and is one of the most common reasons for circles under the eyes seen in all ages.
Other people have the appearance of dark circles just due to their anatomy and the shape of the structures around the eyes. In certain lights, shadows are cast in any hollows and under any protruding eyelids or eyebags, which make the area look dark.
Other causes of Dark Circles include:
Dehydration of the skin cells makes dark circles more noticeable.
Simply drinking more water can bring about a marked reduction in the circles. Sometimes a topical B5 serum is needed to improve the skin’s hydration.
Stress / Lack of sleep: can make the skin appear more sunken or make eye bags look puffier, which can make dark circles more noticeable.
Drinking alcohol: The consumption of alcohol allows the small blood vessels in the skin to dilate or expand, so dark circles under the eyes may become more prominent. Dehydration also occurs, which adds to the problem.
Ageing: As people age, their skin becomes thinner due to a reduction of fat and collagen, making the blood vessels beneath it more noticeable, which thereby makes the area under the eyes appear darker. In addition, the ligaments under the eye weaken and in some people the fat loss causes the skin to sag and create a tear trough and sometimes a bag. These create a shadow on the skin, creating the appearance of dark circles under the eyes.
Pigmentation: The eyelids’ skin is often darker than that of the rest of the face. But in some people, this can be more pronounced. This can be genetic or caused by environmental factors. The most common cause is sun exposure. Pregnancy, hormones and trauma to the skin, such as excess rubbing of the eyes, can also increase pigmentation. A good SPF eye cream is recommended if you are at risk of high sun exposure.
Vascular congestion: This is an area containing many small blood vessels. In some people, these are congested, causing a somewhat purple discoloration. Patients who suffer from allergies could get venous congestion under the eye creating dark circles.
What can be done to improve dark circles?
To improve dark circles, you first need to understand the cause.
After this, the key is to work out if the causes are treatable or not. You can not change the shape of someone’s face however some simple causes can be improved.
Treatments to be considered include:
Concealer
The right coloured concealer applied in the right way can make a massive difference to dark circles. If you struggle to do this, it is worth booking in with a reputable makeup artist who can teach you how to do it more effectively.
Avoid Dehydration
Sometimes drinking more water or applying a B5 serum for hydration is all that is needed.
Treatments to reduce pigmentation:
Topical treatments can be applied to gently lighten the skin and an SPF can be applied to prevent further pigmentation for any sun exposure.
Collagen Stimulation using Radiofrequency technology can also be effective using the Endymed 3D Deep or ThermaClinic these treatments are relaxing and non invasive with no downtime but a course of 6 is required every 1- 2 weeks.
Ultraformer HIFU treatment is another device treament which uses Ultrasound Energy to stimulate collagen. It is a little bit more painful and more aggressive but is more effective. We recommend 3 treatments one every month.
Neogen is another excellent collagen stimulator. This device uses Nitrogen Plasma to stimulate collagen. This causes some mild discomfort and sometimes 3-5 days down time. A course of treaments is usually required for best results.
The CACI Eye Revive is a three step treatment that stimulates collagen using radiofrequency and also by infusing products in to the skin that hydrate stimulating new collagen. It can give a temporary improvement after one treatment but for best results a course of treatments is recomended. It is also a great way of boosting the eye area before a special event.
Juvelook is a biostimulatory injectable combining: Hyaluronic acid (HA) for hydration which can brighten and reduce the look of shadows right away and also Poly-D,L-lactic acid (PDLLA). PDLLA stimulates the body’s collagen production over weeks to thicken and strengthen the under-eye skin. Thicker skin is less transparent and shows less of the bluish vascular shadow that contributes to dark circles. This dual action supports skin improvement over time by adding hydration and encouraging collagen growth. It reduces the shadow effect and brightens the under-eye area.
Due to it being an injectable treatment, slight swelling or bruising can occur which could last several days. A course of three treaments are usualy required.
Juvelook tends to be most effective when the dark circles are due to:
Thin under-eye skin that reveals underlying vessels
Hollowing/tear troughs casting shadows
General aging/texture changes around the eyes
Treatments to improve Tear Troughs:
Tears develop due to soft tissue volume loss in the cheek and eye area. The ligaments of the lower eyelid weaken and the bony area under the eyelid becomes accentuated. This can also lead to the appearance of lower eyelid fat pockets (eye bags), and both of these changes can lead to a dark shadow or hollow beneath the eyes and can cause a tired appearance.
At Cheshire Lasers, we treat Tear Troughs with the following:
At Cheshire Lasers, we use hyaluronic acid Dermal Fillers to treat tear troughs. These fillers slowly break down over time, and in most patients, results can last a year. You may need a top-up procedure to achieve the best results.
Depending on your anatomy and your medical practitioner’s preference they may use Juvederm, Restylane, Belotero or Teosyal Redensity 2 a filler designed especially for the tear trough area.
PRP treatments for the under eye and the upper eyelid lead to stimulation of your own collagen and elastin and regeneration of new healthy skin tissue for gradual, natural and real results that improve in the 2-3 months following a single treatment.
We recommend two to three treatments, 2-3 months apart. PRP injection treatments below the skin in the under-eye area do not have immediate results. Unlike Dermal Fillers, which are instant, PRP is resorbed by your body within 2-3 days. There is then a gradual tissue regeneration which continues for months. You see the final results 3-4 months after each treatment. PRP treatments improve fine lines, texture, loose skin, loss of volume, deep wrinkles and some pigmentation.
Treatments to improve Eye Bags:
We can do very little at Cheshire Lasers to help with eye bags. In most cases, the best treatment is surgery.
Some of the treatments mentioned above can help, but the results are subtle and will not last long without regular treatments to maintain results.
The CACI Eye Revive is our favourite non-surgical treatment for eye bags. It can give a temporary subtle improvement and is worth trying. If it helps, it is an excellent way to boost the eye area before a special event.
What can I do at home to enhance my results?
The skin under the eye is the thinnest of the face. As we age, the blood vessels underneath become visible and create a darkened reflection. Investing in an Eye Cream: that includes Retinol, Peptides, Caffeine, and Antioxidants is key. Retinol works by exfoliating dead skin cell leading to collagen production. Peptides applied topically send “signals” to through the skin to prompt the formation of new collagen. Caffeine constricts blood vessels which reduces puffiness and redness. Antioxidants (ex: Vitamin C or Green tea) offer powerful protection from the sun and also brighten the skin.
Many serums and creams designed for the eye area can treat and or prevent eye wrinkles.
The ingredients to look out for are:
Retinol.
Antioxidants
Patented peptides.
AHAs
Hyaluronic acid / B5 serum
Retinol
Retinol helps prevent fine lines as well as smooth the ones you’ve got. By stimulating your collagen and new cell turnover, it reduces collagen breakdown and stimulates the cells to work faster to create fresh, bright, non-wrinkled skin.
It takes a few months of consistent regular use to see any impact on your lines. You will probably experience some redness, dryness, and flakiness within the first month or two of use.
To help reduce the side effects, you can start slowly and use a retinol one night a week for one week, twice a week for two weeks, three times a week for three weeks, and then every other day until you can tolerate it and also get results. Then you need to continue for, well, life !!
A gentle retinol will cause less reaction but fewer results; stronger retinols will give better results but more reaction. This can be annoying, but you must persevere for anti-ageing results. Stronger retinols are only available from clinics like Cheshire Lasers. You will be advised how to use the product, and support is provided to help you achieve results.
Some people are highly responsive to retinol, while others require high-strength products to achieve results.
Due to the strength of these products, we cannot sell them online. They are only available in the clinic after a consultation with one of our aestheticians.
Antioxidants control / prevent free-radicals. Free-radicals are the main reason for skin damage created by sun exposure, smoking, alcohol and other environmental factors. You can prevent free radical damage by consuming more antioxidants in your diet, usually found in fruits or vegetables deep in colour. Applying an antioxidant serum can also make a big difference.
Antioxidant products contain vitamin C, vitamin E and Nicotinamide (vitamin B3) which is now considered to be one of the most potent antioxidants, possibly more effective than vitamin C.
Peptides are found in many effective anti-ageing skin care products. While there is no singular, miracle ingredient that will give you those instant, youthful results we all wish for, peptides are an extremely important ingredient to look for in your wrinkle fighting creams, serums, and under eye products.
Peptides are short chains of amino acids, the building blocks of proteins. Amino acids are small allowing them to penetrate the outer layer of our skin and send signals to our cells to stimulate them to function.
AHAs are alpha hydroxy acids, sometimes referred to as fruit acids. They can also be derived from nuts and milk:
They include:
glycolic acid, derived from sugar cane
lactic acid, derived from milk
mandelic acid, derived from bitter almonds
citric acid, naturally found in citrus fruit but derived from many fruit and vegetables
tartaric acid, derived from grapes
malic acid, derived from apples and pears
AHAs work by exfoliating the top layer of skin, allowing newer, healthier skin cells to show through. They are particularly useful in dry skin and may help to diminish the appearance of wrinkles.
Studies have shown that AHAs may also stimulate collagen production and reduce changes caused by sun damage.
Newer, more exciting products are PHAs. They exfoliate like AHAs, but PHAs are gentler on the skin and cause less irritation. They are also exceptional at hydrating the skin. This dual action makes them a great product to use under the eye; they do a great job of reducing fine lines and wrinkles due to dry, dehydrated skin. Gluconolactone is a powerful antioxidant and is the multi-tasker of all Polyhydroxy Acids.
Our favourite eye products containing AHAs and PHAs are:
Hyaluronic acid / B5 serums are a great way to reduce fine lines under the eyes. The particles act like a sponge pulling in water from the air to plump, hydrate and smooth your skin. They are lightweight, ultra-hydrating and work immediately with no irritation. The results are temporary, and the product needs to be used daily to maintain the effect.
Our favourite hyaluronic acid b5 serum is : Medik8 Hydr8 B5 Serum
It may not be an eye product, but it is great for rehydrating the skin under the eye area.
Not sure what can be improved around the eyes? Are you considering surgery or injectable treatments, or looking for something less invasive? Browse our eye treatments page. We discuss common issues and explain what our treatments can achieve, along with other options you may want to consider. We also share our popular eye treatments and what they are good at improving.
Product Reward Scheme
Whenever you purchase a product at Cheshire Lasers Clinic, don’t forget to collect your points for our Rewards Scheme.
Every time you spend £50 on our skincare at Cheshire Lasers, we will reward you with 50 points.
Save up your points and use them to claim a free treatment.
At Cheshire Lasers Endymed treatments are performed by our aestheticians.
The Endymed 3DEEP Facial Tightening system can treat the eyes, face, jowls and neck areas with a three dimensional tightening and contouring treatment that provides deep, volumetric dermal heating using radiofrequency technology.
The Endymed DEEP Facial Tightening is a safe, FDA aproved, clinically proven system for treatment of facial wrinkles and skin tightening. Virtually pain-free, the Endymed DEEP Facial Tightening treatment is ideal for smoothing wrinkles, tightening and firming the skin and lifting facial and neck areas. It also has a dedicated iFine handpiece for the delicate, hard to reach skin around the eyes.
After a course of treatments you can enjoy tighter, younger looking skin with improved skin tone, texture and elasticity.
Is the treatment effective?
Yes – Endymed unique 3DEEP technology uses a unique form of Radio Frequency (RF) which is different to other RF machines. State of the art medical device engineering has enabled multiple sources of electromagnetic energy to work simultaneously and in synergy in the skin delivering a controlled, focused and deep heating that results in predictable and excellent clinical skin tightening results. Importantly Endymed 3DEEP RF delivers these clinical results without pain or down-time and with an excellent safety profile for all skin tones and colours.
View our suppliers before and after images.
How does Endymed DEEP Facial Tightening Work?
A form of energy called RF is applied to the skin to gently heat the skin, promoting accelerated collagen production and contraction of collagen fibres to restructure and tighten the skin. Endymed 3DEEP provides a focused and deep heating of the skin without pain. The 3DEEP unique and patented technology has multiple electrodes, multiple RF sources and a sophisticated phase control which works to drive the RF energy deep into the target tissue in the skin, comfortably and safely.
What happens during an Endymed DEEP Facial Tightening Treatment?
Our aesthetician will cleanse your face and apply a thin layer of gel. An applicator that delivers the RF current is moved in circular motions over the skin and the skin will heat up. Our aesthetician will treat each area until the desired temperature is reached and it is maintained for 2 to 3 minutes. Typically each treatment session lasts 30 to 45 minutes.
View a video of an Endymed DEEP treatment in our Clinic:
Am I suitable for Endymed DEEP Facial Tightening?
Endymed DEEP Facial Tightening is suitable for most individuals.
However, if you are pregnant or breast feeding, treatment is not advisable. If you have metal work in the facial area, please discuss this with us further. Simple filings and dental implants are usualy not a problem but metal work inserted following facial fractures and metal braces can be a problem.
What should I expect after treatment?
Your skin may be pink for a short time after treatment but this will subside quickly. You will not need any special after care. However we will still recommend SPF to block shows harmful UV rays.
Immediately after treatment, the contraction of collagen fibres improves skin elasticity and the skin may appear firmer. However, the benefits are progressive and you will not see the full results until 2 to 3 months after a series of treatments.
How many treatments do I need?
For best results you will need a course of 6 to 8 treatments every 10 to 14 days.
How does the treatment feel?
The Endymed treatment is not painful – most people actually comment on how pleasurable and relaxing the heating sensation is! Treatment is comfortable due to the unique, technology of Endymed DEEP Facial Tightening.
What our clients say
“Lovely relaxing Endymed treatment with Anna. Another enjoyable visit”
— Liza W
Cheshire Lasers is rated 5.0 from over 1,500 client reviews on Fresha. Read them all here.
Are there any side effects from Endymed Treatments?
Side effects are extremely rare.
Slight, short-term discomfort can occur; this is usually easily tolerated. Oedema (swelling) and erythema (redness) can occur, but will disappear within a few hours.
Consultation Procedure Prior to Treatment
On arrival at Cheshire Lasers, you will also be asked to complete a medical history form. Our aesthetician will assess you and confirm your suitability for treatment. She will then go over our consent form for you to complete, if you decide to have a treatment.
Dr Kathryn Hazlehurst performs Microsclerotherapy for thread vein removal on the legs at Cheshire Lasers.
What is Microsclerotherapy?
Microsclerotherapy has been around for decades. It is the gold standard treatment for leg thread veins.
The thread veins are injected with a prescription solution known as a sclerosant, which damages the vein wall. The body then slowly absorbs the damaged tissues making the vein less obvious or unnoticeable to the eye.
The treatment is surprisingly pain-free for some individuals; others feel minimal discomfort. This is probably due to the fact the needles used which are very small.
How many Sclerotherapy treatments will I need?
Veins usually need more than one treatment to achieve the effect you desire; this often depends on the size of the vein.
We recommend a treatment every 4-12 weeks. Tiny veins may go with one treatment, but others may need anything between 2 – 6 treatment sessions. Most patients see a 60-80% improvement on the appearance of their thread veins after between 2 – 5 treatments.
The number of treatments you will need depends on:
The number of thread veins that you wish to have removed
The size of the veins
How well the veins respond to the treatment
Microsclerotherapy After Care
After leg treatment, we recommend:
You wear support stockings.
Keep the area clean and dry.
Avoid alcohol and aspirin for 24 hours.
Avoid long periods of standing for 72 hours.
Do not fly for at least 7 days for short flights (4 hours or less) or 4 weeks if a long haul flight.
What to expect after the procedure?
After treatment, the area may become red with small dark bruises at the injection sites. The area may be swollen and tender to touch.
Expect the area to look worse for approximately 7-10 days post-treatment due to the irritation effect of the treatment.
It can take 6 – 12 weeks to see the full effects of each treatment session, and there is no guarantee that an improvement will be seen.
Even after treatment, thread veins can recur at any time and may require further treatments.
What Causes Thread Veins?
Thread veins are caused by many factors, including:
Sun damage
Hormonal changes
Hereditary TraumaPregnancy
Pressure from varicose veins
What do I need to do if I want a Sclerotherapy Treatment at Cheshire Lasers?
Before considering treatment for leg veins, we ask that you arrange a consultation with Dr Hazlehurst.
She will examine you to ensure the thread veins are not caused by venous incompetence ( leaky valves) deeper in the leg. If there is an underlying cause of the thread veins or varicose veins these would need to be treated first before Microsclerotherapy. Otherwise, treatment of the thread veins is likely to be unsuccessful.
She will advise on graduated compression and vascular health.
The first treatment can then be arranged.
Leg thread veins are treated with Microsclerotherapy at Cheshire Lasers by Dr Kathryn Hazlehurst
The Masseter Muscle is located at the angle of the Jaw.
This muscle can be overactive and enlarged in some people, and can lead to the following concerns:
masculine facial appearance
headaches
teeth grinding
temporomandibular joint disorder /syndrome
At Cheshire Lasers, our Aesthetic Doctors are trained to treat the masseter with Botulinum Toxin ( Botox) to improve the appearance of the jawline.
Jawline Slimming and Jaw Muscle Reduction (Masseter Hypertrophy)
A strong, square jawline is often desirable in men and is seen as a sign of masculinity. Women with the same strong jawline can find this less desirable and may seek a softer, more feminised shape to their face. Asian females are particularly prone to this facial feature, and changing the shape of the face from a square to a more attractive oval shape is becoming more popular now.
Botulinum Toxin is an effective treatment for relaxing and weakening the Masseter Muscle, resulting in a softer Jaw angle.
Teeth Grinding / Bruxism
People who grind and clench their teeth usually do this at night. This condition is known as Bruxism and can cause a lot of distressing symptoms.
These symptoms include, but are not limited to;
headaches
aching of the jaw on waking
damage and flattening of the teeth and the need for extensive corrective dental work.
These people often develop enlarged muscles on the side of the face (giving the face a square shape) and problems with the jaw joint (Mandibular Joint, or TMJ).
Traditionally, dentists would treat this with a splint worn in the mouth at night. However, this is usually a temporary solution and can not always prevent excessive grinding/clenching once the splint is worn.
Botulinum Toxin is a safe and effective way to improve teeth grinding.
People with large Masseter Muscles (used for chewing/clenching and grinding) sometimes develop square jaws.
Botulinum Toxin injected into the Masseter Muscle can relieve Temporomandibular Jaw Disorder and any associated tension and pain caused by this condition. This treatment is fantastic for relieving pain and tenderness in the temporomandibular joint. It can improve the pain suffered whilst eating and reduce headaches and stress caused by this disorder.
What Treatments are available at Cheshire Lasers?
At Cheshire Lasers, our Aesthetic Doctors can treat overactive masseters with Botulinum Toxin (Botox) to improve cosmetic appearance.
The following image shows the results of a masseter treatment with Dr Hazlehurst.
What to expect during a Masseter Botox Treatment
The treatment involves injecting precise amounts of Botox into the masseter muscle. Depending on the size of the muscle, it may involve three or four injections on each side. Masseter Botox injections are a little uncomfortable but are not painful.
The treatment can take around 20 minutes in total, but the appointment time is longer. This allows time for your assessment, for you to discuss your concerns and the likely outcome, and to discuss the risks and benefits of the treatment.
When do the results of Masseter Botox kick in?
The results of Botox in the masseter are not instant. Botox starts to work at 2 weeks, and at this time the muscle becomes weaker and works less effectively. The masseter muscle then takes another 4-6 weeks to reduce in size. Once the masseter is smaller in appearance, the jawline looks softer in appearance.
The results of a single treatment can last up to 4 – 6 months,
How many Botox treatments will I need?
Masseter Botox usually needs to be repeated every 4-6 months to achieve the best results. With regular treatments, the masseter muscle tends to decrease in size, resulting in a slimmer jawline.
The treatment frequency can be reduced with time as the muscle continues to reduce in size (atrophy).
For those seeking this treatment for pain relief, a single treatment can result in a permanent change to muscle and a long-lasting reduction in clenching and grinding. However, this often depends on the cause of the problem, and some people may need additional treatment to maintain the results.
Does Masseter Botox cause Ageing or Sagging?
A strong jawline can be beneficial and may delay some signs of ageing. In younger patients with elastic skin, Botox to the masseter rarely causes sagging.
In older patients, reducing the masseter muscle can cause volume loss in the treated area, and the skin may therefore appear to sag. This could be interpreted as ageing, but it is just due to simple volume loss. If you do develop any sagging, this will reverse over time if you stop having the treatment.
During your consultation, this will be discussed with you so you can understand the pros and cons of the treatment and decide.
Who Performs Masseter Botox at Cheshire Lasers?
The following medical practitioners perform Masseter Botox for cosmetic reasons:
Click on their name to view their prices and availability.
Cheshire Lasers Aftercare Advice after Masseter Botox
Avoid Makeup for 12 hours after treatment
Gently move the treatment areas by frowning, smiling and lifting the eyebrows to optimise your results
Avoid strenuous physical activity for 2 days; this includes horse riding.
Do not rub or massage the treatment areas, as this may increase the risk of complications by spreading the product
Try not to take alcohol, aspirin and ibuprofen for 24 hours, as they can increase the risk of bruising and swelling
To reduce the risk of complications, do not undertake activities that may disturb the treated area for up to 2 weeks. Things to consider as a risk include:
Facial massage
Eyebrow waxing
Eyelash extensions
Saunas
Microblading
Facial Treatments such as Radiofrequency, HydraFacial, Microdermabrasion and CACI
Aesthetician Kate performs our Hydrafacial Treatments at Cheshire Lasers.
What is a Hydrafacial?
The “Hydrafacial” treatment is the newest advance in non-laser skin resurfacing. Hydrafacial is a hydradermabrasion procedure it combines cleansing, exfoliation, extraction, hydration and antioxidant protection simultaneously. It delivers clearer, smoother, hydrated more beautiful skin with no discomfort or downtime, it is non-invasive and non-irritating.
How many Treatments do I need?
Many people see visible skin improvement after just one treatment. The results and skin hydration can last between 5 and 7 days, sometimes longer. The hydrafacial is an ideal one-off treatment for a special occasion or a ‘freshen-up’.
At Cheshire Lasers, we recommend a series of three to ten Hydrafacials for best results every 2 to 6 weeks. A course of treatments can improve fine lines, wrinkles, acne and oily skin and even hyperpigmentation.
We will assess your skin and customise a treatment programme incorporating the various serums, growth factors, peel products and can add in an LED treatment depending on your requirements.
If you have no skin concerns a treatment once a month is enough to provide a deep cleanse and maintain radiant hydrated skin.
How long does a Hydrafacial take?
Treatment usually takes approximately 30 minutes depending on the additional options used during treatment, e.g., peel product, LED light etc.
Hydrafacial uses specifically designed application tips which gently exfoliate the skin and allow the unique SKIN SERUMS to be pushed deeper into the skin – producing a plumped-up effect!
Is there any downtime?
No.
You can return to work and normal activities immediately after treatment. Your skin will look and feel, fresh, hydrated and more radiant. Redness may occur but is unusual after a hydrafacial, unlike microdermabrasion where it is normal to expect redness.
Try not to wash off the pumped serum in your skin until the next day. Let the serum stay in the skin overnight to get the absolute benefit while you sleep. If you do not like going out without makeup it, you may prefer to schedule your Hydrafacial towards the end of the day if you can.
Am I suitable for a Hydrafacial Treatment?
The Hydrafacial treatment is clinically proven to improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, congested and enlarged pores, oily or acne-prone skin, hyperpigmentation and brown spots.
The Hydrafacial procedure is safe for most skin types and colours including thin or ageing skin, ethnic skin, and dry skin or oily skin.
We do not recommend Hydrafacial if:
Recent isotretinoin in the last 12 months.
Active skin infections, such as herpes simplex (cold sores).
History of problems associated with skin healing.
You are pregnant.
Can I combine a Hydrafacial Treatment with other Treatments?
Hydrafacial can be used as a stand-alone treatment or as part of a treatment program alongside Intense Pulsed Lights, Radio Frequency, HIFU, Microdermabrasion and L.E.D’s. Hydrafacial provides visible lasting improvements to the appearance of the skin, reducing pigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles!
At Cheshire Lasers we commonly combine the Hydrafacial with Microdermasion to deliver the ultimate skin polish treatment “Microderm Hydrafacial”. We also combine it with our Dermalux LED treatment for concerns such as acne, congestion, as well as ageing skin needing a collagen boost.
During the Hydrafacial treatment, the ‘gunk’ on your skin and in your pores is removed and is collected in a transparent collection cylinder. After the treatment, you can examine the amount of gunk removed from your skin. It’s the part of the Hydrafacial treatment that our clients love the most. It has become so popular that getting ‘de-gunked’ and displaying ‘after treatment’ gunkie pictures has become a social media phenomenon!
View a video discussing the Hydrafacial here:
At Cheshire Lasers we offer the following Hydrafacial Treatments:
Basic Hydrafacial – 30 minutes
Skin HealthHydrafacial – which includes a mild peel exfoliating treatment – 40 minutes
Skin Health Hydrafacial with a longer extraction time for skin with excessive comedones- 50 minutes
Hydrafacial with Dermabuilder – an additional Growth Factor Serum treatment for enhanced anti-ageing results – 50 minutes
Microblading is a form of cosmetic tattooing. A microblade inserts pigment into the skin by hand to create the look of natural, fuller brows.
What is the difference between Microblading and Tattooing?
Traditional tattooing uses needles on a rotary/coil machine to push ink 7 layers deep into the skin.
Microblading uses a manual blade and only targets the top 3 layers of skin. Because the pigment sits so superficially in the skin, the strokes are sharp, crisp, and they mimic the look of real hair! This form of tattooing is the newest trend in Semi-Permanent Makeup.
The device or “blade” used for Microblading is not a scalpel or a cutting tool. The device has a group of microneedles on a handle. It allows the technician to manually create lines that resemble eyebrow hairs.
Helena Fryer has been performing Microblading at Cheshire Lasers since 2016. She has received excellent feedback from her clients about all her treatments.
Why do I need a patch test before my laser or IPL treatment?
Test patches are carried out to determine the treatment parameters and to judge how your skin might react to a full treatment. A test patch is a small trial in an area with similar hair and skin to the treatment site and allows the practitioner to assess how well the light energy is being absorbed and whether the skin is responding as would be expected.
Clients are asked to make a note of any redness or swelling and how long it takes to reduce following the test patch, also whether or not the skin blisters or feels excessively hot and for how long.
I have had laser or IPL before, so why do I need a patch test?
Every machine is different we need to test your response to our Lynton AQS Laser / IPL Machine.
Even if you have had a treatment before on the same machine some where else and even if you can tell us the exact settings used, we still need to test patch again. This is in case the machines are calibrated at a different intensity.
Not had a treatment with us for over six months?
If you have not had a treatment with us for over six months we are required to repeat the test patch. A repeat patch test costs £25. This is a requirement with our insurance in case your skin has changed and is not negotiable.
Before your laser or IPL treatment
The area to be treated should be free from make-up, perfume, deodorant and body or face creams. Be careful when using spray deodorant prior to treatment.
There should be no active or fake tan in the area to be treated.
Use of sunbeds or prolonged exposure to sunlight is not allowed for at least a month prior to treatment and an SPF 30 or more must be used on the area between treatments. Suntans must be left to fade completely before treatment can start.
Fake tans must also be fully faded before treatment can commence.
We reserve the right to charge for any appointment booked but abandoned due to active sun-tan or fake tan.
A medical history is taken at consultation, but we rely on you to inform us of any changes to this. We need to know of any medication you are taking including those bought from a chemist or herbalist.
Make sure that you arrive in good time for your appointment; this will allow us to pre-cool the skin if this should be required.
After your laser or IPL treatment
In order to minimise skin heating and to reduce the likelihood of skin reactions, the treatment area may be cooled before, during and after the procedure. If the area still feels hot at home you can apply a cold flannel or cool pack. Do not allow ice packs or ice into direct contact with the skin.
Following treatment the area may appear red and raised and you may experience a tingling sensation. This is completely normal and should settle over the next few days.
Occasionally you may experience swelling or bruising and this can last anything from 1-2 days up to 1-2 weeks. If you experience swelling, it is usually worse one to two days following treatment.
Following treatments on the cheeks please note that it is very likely the area and the area around your eye (both above and below the eyes) may swell, particularly overnight as the body goes through the normal healing process. There may not be swelling after the patch test, however, as the treatment area is usually larger this may well happen after treatments. It is usually a good sign of the treatment working but can be rather alarming if you are not prepared.
What helps with swelling and bruising: after a treatment to a facial area, sleeping with your head raised on pillows will minimise its appearance. Cool packs will help to reduce the swelling. If your skin is particularly sensitive and prone to histamine reactions, you may also wish to consider taking an anti-histamine medication.
Laser and IPL aftercare
Make-up can be applied after several hours, if the skin is not sore or broken. However, we advise caution if the area is feeling sensitive. Remove make up carefully as rubbing the skin can cause irritation or infection. If the skin at the treatment area becomes broken, then make-up should be avoided.
Care should be taken to avoid trauma to the treated area for 4 or 5 days afterwards. Avoid strenuous activities, sauna and steam, excessively hot baths, massaging etc.
Wash and bathe as normal but take cool showers rather than hot baths. The skin should be patted dry and not rubbed. Use an aloe vera gel or after sun cream to keep the area moisturised and the skin protected. If there is any discomfort, treat the area as you would sunburn.
Use a sunscreen (SPF 30+) and protect the area from sunlight as much as possible between treatments and for at least one month after treatment ends. Failure to do this can lead to sunburn and hyper-pigmentation of the treated area. (Most cases of changes in pigmentation occur when the treated area has been exposed to sunlight, or in people with darker skin types).
If blistering occurs keep the area clean and dry and allow to heal naturally. Do not use any lotions or creams on open skin as this may increase the risk of infection. DO NOT pick grazes or blisters – as this may increase the chance of a scar occurring. Once the skin has healed, a high protection sunscreen should be used daily for 12 months to prevent pigmentation changes to the skin. Please contact the clinic as soon as possible for further advice and so that we can check it and advise if necessary.
