Reflexologist Sharron Roughton specialises in supporting the Maternity Journey through Pregnancy and Labour.
A reflexology treatment during pregnancy allows you to relax and put your feet up. As your body undergoes changes physically, hormonally, and emotionally, reflexology will support you at every stage of your pregnancy. Reflexology offers you a sense of calm and relaxation and usually improves your sleeping.
Reflexology helps to relieve pregnancy symptoms such as back pain, nausea, insomnia, fatigue, headaches and swollen legs. Many women enjoy reflexology throughout their pregnancy to help them stay relaxed and prepare for their body changes and their new baby.
Some people also use it to encourage labour if they are near or past their due date. It’s thought that it may stimulate the release of hormones to encourage the body to get labour started naturally. Midwives and Health Care Professionals are warming towards the benefits of reflexology.
Always check with your Doctor or Midwife if you have any concerns about your pregnancy before starting treatments.
At Cheshire Lasers Clinic, Sharron Roughton provides Reflexology for Pre-Conception Care
What is Reflexology?
Reflexology is based on the principle that certain reflex points on the feet are linked to different organs of the body. When the points on the foot are stimulated by massage, it is thought that this then stimulates the corresponding organ.
How can Reflexology help with Pre-Conception care?
Reflexology may enhance fertility by improving blood circulation throughout the body. This encourages the elimination of toxins from the body as well as aiding relaxation and reduces stress, all factors that may affect the body’s natural cycle and balance. Ultimately this can have a positive effect on wellbeing and encourage the body’s natural healing, and best possible conditions for conception to occur.
Reflexology can Enhance your general health in preparation for conception. Supporting you safely and effectively to enhance your natural fertility. Reflexology may help couples with fertility problems by strengthening the immune system, balancing the hormone production necessary for conception to occur. It also promotes good health and vitality in the reproductive organs, which includes helping to regulate periods, promote ovulation, reduce PMS, reduce the chances of miscarriage and also help increase sperm quality and quantity.
Fertility problems can be very stressful and a course of reflexology can also provide the relaxation needed to help return the body to its natural balance ready for parenthood.
Is Reflexology for Pre-Conception care just for women?
No, ideally, both the male & female partners would have treatments, particularly in the cases of unexplained infertility.
When is the best time to start Reflexology for Pre-Conception care?
Ideally, 3 months is the best time for couples to start preparing, as it takes this long to produce healthy sperm and 1 month for a healthy egg.
Does Reflexology for Pre-Conception Care Work?
Many women have found that the ancient art of reflexology can make a difference. Many believe that regular treatments helped them become pregnant.
In order to have the maximum effect, Sharron will take a holistic approach, in case anything else may be preventing pregnancy. Stress or worries at home or work, for example, can negatively impact the body’s equilibrium. Lifestyle factors—diet, exercise, and water intake—are also important.
Some years ago a Devon-based reflexologist, Jane Holt, was involved in the setting up of a randomised controlled research trial. The trial was undertaken at Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, ‘to determine the effectiveness of reflexology in ovulation induction’. Around 30 women, from a total of roughly 100, apparently became pregnant. Unfortunately, detailed results of this very small survey are hard to come by. Therefore anecdotal evidence is the best that we can do at present.
Although a small study, it is also supported by some hospitals and midwives:
The science behind how Ultraformer Treatments work
Ultraformer III is a revolutionary skin-lifting treatment. It uses the gentle, safe, time-tested energy of ultrasound at a micro-focused level to create a powerful energy. This energy stimulates the deep structural support layers of the skin, including those areas focused on during surgical treatments. However, Ultraformer III does not cut or disturb the surface of the skin and has none of the risks associated with surgery.
This advanced technology can create a lift not only in the skin but also the deep muscle layer underneath, which was previously only reached by a surgical facelift.
The Ultraformer III also stimulates the growth of new collagen over time, to gradually strengthen and tone your skin from deep within.
The Ultraformer HIFU cartridge has a narrow focus delivering precision treatments. Uniform ultrasound energy is directed into target layers of skin without heat diffusion to surrounding tissue, yielding less pain, minimal side effects, and more effective results.
Generating approximately 65.4°C into target layers induces natural coagulation and wound-healing processes to stimulate collagen renewal underneath the epidermis.
How is the Ultraformer different from Radiofrequency (RF)?
Radio Frequency (e.g. Endymed, Thermaclinic) addresses issues in the superficial layers of the skin (e.g. fine lines, wrinkles, skin tone and texture). The Ultraformer can treat this area, but it can also address the deeper skin layers and the foundational muscle layer known as the SMAS that lifts and supports the skin. This is the layer a plastic surgeon targets during cosmetic surgery.
Radio Frequency heats the skin to around 41°C, whereas HIFU heats the skin to 65.4°C. Therefore the Ultraformer treatment is more intense and a bit more painful.
Botulinum Toxin has been around since the 1980’s when it was first used for facial muscle spasms and crossed eyes (strabismus). Doctors have used Botulinum Toxin type A in medical practice ever since for treatment of muscle spasticity in conditions such as cerebral palsy, dystonia and facial spasms. It is also used to improve overactive bladders by Urologists, headaches such as migraines when areas in the upper part of the face are treated and also hyperhydrosis (excessive sweating).
In February 2006, a licence was given for the use of Botox for some cosmetic treatments. Since then it has been rebranded as Vistabel. Shortly after Galderma launched Azzalure in the UK. In 2010, Mertz licensed Bocouture for use in select cosmetic treatments in the UK. Botulinum Toxins have been used for cosmetic use to treat areas of the face within and off ‘licence’ safely for over 20 years.
Alluziencemanufactured by Galderma was launched in June 2022 in the UK. It has a quicker onset of action and can start working within 24 hours. Alluzience can also have a longer duration of action compared to the other toxin brands currently available.
How does Botox Work?
Botulinum Toxin Type A attaches to receptors on the muscle cells. This prevents the receptors from receiving signals from the nerve cells. The signal being Acetylcholine which causes the muscles to contract. The muscle, therefore can no longer move when the nerve sends the acetylcholine to the muscle cells. The action of Botulinum Toxin is never permanent and wears off after 3 to 4 months.
Facial lines are caused by the regular movement of the facial muscles. Expressions such as squinting and frowning on a regular basis cause lines and wrinkles to appear over time. Similar to when you wear a pair of leather shoes for a long time, the more movement that occurs, the more wear appears.
By reducing the amount of facial muscle movement that occurs, you can soften the visible lines and wrinkles.
Is Botox Safe?
Data shows treatments are safe. Some people worry that Botox may be dangerous, however, administered in the correct manner by a skilled medical professional carries very little risk.
Botox has only a few short-term side effects. These include minimal bruising at the injection sites and minor headaches, which usually last only a short period of time.
Brands of Botulinum Toxin Type A
There are several brands of Botulinum Toxin available on prescription in the UK:
Here at Cheshire Lasers, we offer a wide range of treatments for improving pigmentation. Different treatments often suit different pigment conditions.
On this page, we discuss the different conditions and what we recommend to improve them.
Birthmarks
Some birthmarks are easy to treat, while others are much more difficult. At Cheshire Lasers, we are able to successfully treat vascular birthmarks such as port wine stains with our advanced IPL Lumina system.
Brown birthmarks are much harder to treat and do not always respond to treatment; an ND Yag laser would be used to treat this type of pigmentation. If the brown birthmark does respond and go, there is a 50% risk it will recur over a 2-year period. We often recommend you visit Lynton Lasers in Homes Chapel for these as they have a different laser than can be used.
This treatment is usually only suitable for skin types 1 to 3.
Before starting treatment we may recommend you use a lightening skin product from one of our skin care product ranges 2- 6 weeks before starting an IPL or Laser treatment. This is often required for skins that are darker or are more prone to pigmentation.
For IPL and Laser treatment please book a consultation with Natasha our laser technician. She will advise you how to proceed and if you are ready to go ahead with treatment she can do a test patch at the time of the consultation.
Some people prefer to treat their pigmentation with a peel. This is usually recommended by us for people with a larger areas of pigmentation. The advantages of the perfect peel is the minimal down time compared to IPL and lasers and the process is pain free. After one application the age spots are remarkably lighter and many people are happy. However a course of 2-3 peels may be required for them to be unnoticeable. The ingredients not only improve pigmentation but also increase collagen and elastin production, resulting in skin that is brighter and tighter. Find out more about the perfect peel here.
Melasma
Melasma presents as dark, irregular patches on the face that develop over time. The dark patches are commonly found on sun-exposed areas such as the upper cheeks, nose, upper lip and forehead. Melasma is most common in women and is often triggered by pregnancy and or the contraceptive pill. Melasma worsens when the skin is exposed to sunlight, especially in the summer.
The treatment of melasma can be tricky with some people. The superficial (epidermal) type melasma often shows an excellent response to therapy. However, deeper melasma (dermal melasma) can often have a suboptimal effect on many treatments. This is why the first step to treatment involves a detailed consultation with one of our healthcare professionals. The cause and type of melasma can be established and treatment can be individualised and tailored to each patient’s needs.
There are several treatments available at Cheshire Lasers to treat Melasma.
The Obagi NuDerm system gives fantastic results with melasma, even after a few weeks use, the pigment usually looks so much better. You need to continue on the system for 18 weeks, after which your skin usually looks great. After 18 weeks you need to go on to a simpler maintenance regime to avoid rebound pigmentation. If you suddenly stop the treatment, the pigment usually comes back. Occasionally, stubborn Melasma may need a peel to complete the treatment on this system.
Cystamine is a fantastic skin-lightening agent used to treat hyperpigmentation disorders such as age spots, melasma and post-inflammatoryhyperpigmentation.
It is a novel, highly effective alternative to prescription treatments such as hydroquinone and tretinoin. All skin types can use Cysteamine Cream, including dark skin and is a great option for stubborn pigmentation, including melasma and post-inflammatory pigmentation.
The Perfect Peel can be used on its own for melasma in fair-skinned patients. Peels should be used very carefully for darker skin types and often, a combination of treatments are required. This is because they are associated with a higher risk of post‑inflammatory hyperpigmentation ( PIH) after skin injury. Hence a consultation is required before having this peel.
At Cheshire Lasers, we do not like to use our Intense Pulsed Light or ND Yag Laser to treat Melasma. There is a higher risk of side effects and the response rate is poor.
The challenge with treating melasma and some pigmentation is that it commonly relapses after treatment.
The most important way of preventing pigmentation is to wear a good sun protection all year round and a sun block in the Summer.
To try and prevent melasma and stubborn pigmentation maintenance therapy is required. This can be performed using similar skin care to what is used for its treatment but on a maintenance regime. We recommend you start skin care immediately after treatment. We also advise you attend regular reviews at the clinic in case your regime needs changing. So we can help you manage the pigmentation to reduce the risk of it returning.
For a more holistic approach there is increasing evidence that diet has a significant impact on skin inflammation, post inflammatory acne, and melasma. If you struggle with pigmentation and can not get it under control. We highly recommend an assessment with Dr Priyanka at Cheshire Lasers to look at your Pigmentation, your removal treatments so far and to explore this holistic approach.
Earwax is produced by glands in the ear canal the colour can vary from yellow to bright orange, to dark brown.
It has the important function of keeping the ears clean and helps to protect the sensitive ear canal from things like bacteria and debris that can cause infections. In a healthy ear, the wax collects dirt, dead skin cells and bacteria and simply falls out without you noticing, cleaning as it goes.
Why do we get a build-up of Earwax?
Our ears are self-cleaning, with the help of cilia which are small hairs in the ear canal, which help gently and slowly remove the wax. Normally, it produces enough earwax to protect the ear without causing a build-up, but sometimes, this wax can become hard and impacted.
Some people are more prone to ear wax, especially if you have hairy or narrow ear canals or if you are unlucky and make more wax than normal. As we age, our wax can become hard, making it more difficult to fall out.
The use of cotton buds in an effort to ‘clean’ the ears from excess wax can damage the cilia hairs along the ear canal, which helps remove the wax and can actually cause earwax to build up. Cotton buds can also push the wax further into the ear, which leads to impacted wax.
The use of hearing aids, earbuds, earphones, earplugs and any other trauma to the ear canal can also lead to a build-up of wax.
Problems caused by Earwax build-up
Earwax build-up can lead to problems like hearing loss, tinnitus and discomfort.
The discomfort can vary and sometimes may cause only mild irritation but it can be much more severe and has even been known to cause severe discomfort enough for people to present to Accident and Emergency departments because of the distress caused.
How can you treat earwax build-up?
Do not use your fingers or any objects like cotton buds to remove earwax. This will push it in and make it worse.
Earwax usually falls out on its own. If it does not and blocks your ear use ear drops. Put 2 to 3 drops of olive or almond oil in your ear twice a day for several days. Over 2 weeks lumps of earwax should fall out of your ear this tends to happen more often at night when you’re lying down.
Do not use drops if you have a hole in your eardrum (a perforated eardrum). Speak to a pharmacist about earwax build-up. They can give advice and recommend chemical drops to dissolve the earwax. The earwax usually falls out on its own or dissolves a week or two.
See a nurse at your GP practice if:
your ear will not clear
your ear is badly blocked
you can’t hear anything
Traditionally, medical professionals would use ear syringing to remove an earwax build-up.
This would involve irrigating the whole ear canal with water to loosen the wax built up to try and clear it. This procedure can also damage the cilia in the ears leading to further wax build up later. There is also a small risk of infections and a very rare risk of damage to the eardrum. Ear Microsuction is now the preferred method of wax removal; however, this is not available in most GP surgeries.
Preventing earwax build-up
Once your ears are better, you can keep using ear drops to soften the wax; this will help it fall out easier, preventing a further build-up.
Ear Wax Removal Treatments at Cheshire Lasers in Middlewich
At Cheshire Lasers Middlewich, we provide Hopi Ear Candling yo help clear ear wax.
Cheshire Lasers is excited to share some of our before and after images taken after a course of Ultraformer MF2 Wrinkle Treatments.
Before and After two Ultraformer MF2 Wrinkle treatments for the upper lip :
This photo shows the improvements we have seen after two treatments. The collagen stimulation has improved the upper lip/smokers lines without the need for dermal fillers.
Before and After three Ultraformer MF2 Wrinkle treatments for the eye area :
This photo shows the improvements we have seen after three treatments. The skin looks plumper and tighter due to the collagen stimulation in the skin.
Before and After two Ultraformer MF2 Wrinkle treatments for the eye area :
This photo shows the improvements we have seen after two treatments. A third treatment was needed 4 months later to maintain the results.
Before and After a Single Ultraformer MF2 Wrinkle treatment under the eye :
This photo shows the improvements we have seen just 2 weeks after a single treatment. The results should improve further over the next few weeks. For best results, a course of three or sometimes four treatments is required.
Here is a review after an Ultraformer MF2 Treatment:
5/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Absolutely fabulous service as always at Cheshire Lasers by all the staff I have met.
After having the Ultraformer treatment with Natasha, who is professional caring and explains every step. I am so very pleased with the results. I had the treatment for the under-eye area and has brightened, plumped and tightened exactly what I wanted. The treatment itself is quick painless and has no downtime, brilliant!
Will carry on having this as a maintenance treatment when needed and would highly recommend it to anyone looking to improve their under eye area.
Lucia
Cyspera was the original and first cysteamine cream. It contained 5% Cysteamine cream, which can lighten skin and treat hyperpigmentation disorders such as age spots, melasma, and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation.
This product was discontinued in 2022.
It was replaced by an improved version called Senté Cysteamine HSA Pigment & Tone Corrector containing 5% Cysteamine Cream, niacin amide and HSA in a 50ml tube.
How does Cyspera work?
As the name implies, the cream contains cysteamine, a metabolite of L-cysteine and a natural cellular component. L-cysteamine inhibits the production of melanin in the skin in several different ways which is why it is so effective.
A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial confirmed the efficacy of cysteamine cream in treating epidermal melasma.
A reduction in pigmentation is usually seen after 6 weeks of consistent use. To achieve optimal results, it takes 8 to 12 weeks of regular use.
Contraindications to use:
Cysteamine cream should not be used by anyone with a personal or family history of the depigmenting disorder, vitiligo.
Do no use if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
Can I use Cyspera in the summer?
You can use this treatment any time of year regardless of the intensity of sunlight, it is not a photosensitiser.
I have a dark skin tone can I still use it?
Yes it is suitable for all skin types and skin tones.
How to use Cyspera Cysteamine Cream
Intensive phase: Once per day for up to 16 weeks.
Maintenance phase: Twice-weekly, once per day, indefinitely.
Use a high SPF sunblock to prevent activating the pigmentation.
For best results, you need to make sure you are consistent and apply it daily for the full 15 minutes.
What are the side effects and risks?
Local side effects at the site of application may include:
Temporary heating up or burning sensation and redness that clears within 30 minutes
More persistent irritation and dryness, which you can treat with an emollient.
A burning sensation and mild redness might occur immediately after application, but it will usually disappear after 30 minutes. This is a normal reaction and may happen during the first few days of application.
No significant side effects, other than light to mild irritation are reported in only a few cases.
In case of sustained redness, irritation or dry-skin, suspend Cysteamine application and carefully hydrate the area with your basic hydration cream. You can then gradually resume Cysteamine application once your skin has recovered — once again, not washing it off your face until it has been on the skin for 15 minutes.
Undesirable side effects are rare if:
You leave the cream on for longer than 15 minutes of exposure.
You do not wash your face less than 1 hour before application.
How do I avoid cysteamine cream side effects?
You can minimise side-effects by:
Avoid washing your face just before applying.
(always wait for at least 1hr before applying)
Avoid prolonged application time use for 15 minutes only.
Avoiding concomitant use with other topical products.
Cheshire Lasers’ prices for Cyspera Cysteamine cream
The original Cyspera Cream is no longer available you can find the prices of the available alternatives here:
If you are interested in purchasing one of our available Cysteamine creams and would like to discuss which treatment is suitable for you, please complete the consultation form here. We will then contact you to book a consultation.
Do you have a special occasion to go to and your dress is too tight?
Perhaps you have added a few extra pounds over the Christmas Holidays?
Whatever the reason you can get your New Year fitness plan off to a great start by booking a course of Shrinking Violet body wrap treatments.
A Shrinking Violet body wrap is a painless, effortless way to remove fat in problem areas, such as upper arms, thighs, buttocks and abdomen. The fat cells are reduced in size and easily removed from the body via your lymphatic system. Spot reduction is impossible by exercise alone, but with the help of this body wrap used along with healthy diet and exercise, this really can help you improve the overall look and condition of your skin and help reduce those stubborn fatty deposits.
Is it permanent?
Yes… But it’s not a short cut. A Shrinking Violet body wrap reduces the size of your fat cells and removes the waste via your lymphatic system. But if you continue to eat more calories than you use, you will increase the size of those fat cells and regain the inches. We recommend that you combine your Shrinking Violet inch loss wrap with a healthy diet and exercise to keep the inches off. The amount of fat reduction varies depending upon your build and metabolism, but some people may lose up to 1 whole dress size after the first treatment. The maximum effect is seen after 72 hours, providing you follow the aftercare advice.
Shrinking Violet is an excellent way to kick start your inch loss programme and, used regularly, enables your skin to shrink as you lose pounds and inches.
The Shrinking Violet Inch Loss Body Wrap Process
Following your personal consultation, a before photo will be taken (with your permission). Then you will be lightly dry body brushed to stimulate blood circulation and the lymphatic drainage system, and shed dead skin cells. You will then be measured in certain areas in inches. Shrinking Violet is then expertly massaged into your skin from mid-calf to upper arms and a unique heat-inducing wrapture is specifically wrapped around your body. Finally, you will lie on a heated bed (as heat is the activator needed for optimum slimming results) for 1 hour. During this time, you will feel relaxed and can take advantage of a complementary treatment.
After 1 hour, the wrapture is removed and a further set of body measurements are performed to reveal your total inch loss. The best part is that for the next 72 hours, we expect the inch loss to keep on going!
How does it work?
Shrinking Violet wrap is painless, effortless process that can successfully remove fat in problem areas such as thighs, buttocks and abdomen. The fat in the cells is broken down by a process called lipolysis and then is excreted by the body through the lymphatic system.
What does the Shrinking Violet Wrap feel like?
You are wrapped up, squeezed and it itches a bit.
Are there any side effects to the Shrinking Violet Wrap?
A slight increase in urination for one to two days after treatment.
Will the results of the Shrinking Violet Wraps last?
As mentioned earlier, Shrinking Violet is not a short cut. However, it is an excellent kick start to a new and slimmer you. For the fat to come back new cells have to form and that would only happen if a person continued to eat excess calories. Combine Shrinking Violet with exercise and healthy eating for optimum results.
How often can I have a Shrinking Violet Treatment?
Every seven days.
How many Shrinking Violet sessions will I need?
It depends. The number of treatments you have will depend upon the results you wish to achieve. Whilst this can be done as a one-off treatment, most people start with an initial course of 6 treatments. After this maintenance treatments a few time a year depending on your needs. Just as an athlete continues to work out once the desired fitness level is achieved, to be sure that the fat stays away for good and your body remains toned and firmed.
Single Treatment – £60 ( £5 discount)
A course of 6 Treatments – £300 (£90 discount)
These treatments are currently not available at Cheshire Laser due to staff changes. However, we hope this service will be available soon. In the meantime, you can access this treatment at Devine Beauty on Wheelock Street just opposite us.
