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.
Melasma is one of the most difficult forms of pigmentation to improve, and one of the most likely to return. On this page, we explain what melasma is, why the deeper type resists treatment, which of our treatments help — and which we deliberately do not use for it.
What is 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.
Treating melasma can be challenging. Superficial (epidermal) melasma often responds well to therapy. However, deeper melasma (dermal melasma) can often be resistant to many treatments. That is why the first step in treatment is 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.
The Obagi Nu-Derm system delivers fantastic results for melasma; even after a few weeks of use, the pigment usually looks much better. You need to continue on the system for 18 weeks, after which your skin looks brighter and smoother, with fewer fine lines and wrinkles. After 18 weeks, you need to move to a simpler maintenance regimen 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.
Obagi Nu-Derm is a prescription system. To start it, book a consultation with Dr Kathryn Hazlehurst.
Cysteamine 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, including dark skin and it is a great option for stubborn pigmentation, including melasma and post-inflammatory pigmentation
At Cheshire Lasers, we do not use Intense Pulsed Light or the ND: YAG laser to treat melasma. There is a higher risk of side effects, and the response rate is poor.
Preventing melasma from coming back
The challenge with treating melasma and other pigmentation disorders is that they commonly relapse after treatment.
The most important way to prevent melasma is to wear good sun protection year-round and use sunblock in the Summer.
Where you can, avoid medications that may trigger melasma. If you take the combined pill, it is worth discussing alternatives with your GP.
Continue your treatment on a maintenance regimen. You can do this with the same skin care products used for treatment, but you can also use them less often or move on to something less potent.
For the Nu-Derm system, it’s important to arrange a review with your prescriber to make sure you are on the best maintenance regimen. This helps you manage pigmentation and reduce the risk of it returning.
For all conditions, a layered approach to melasma treatment works best:
Reduce pigment production
Remove existing pigment with your treatment of choice
Prevent recurrence
A High SPF and topical products are an important part of your regimen.
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.
Alluzience, manufactured by Galderma, was launched in the UK in June 2022. It has a quicker onset of action and can start working within 24 hours. Alluzience can also have a longer duration of action than other available toxin brands.
Nuceiva (Evolus) and Letybo (a Korean-developed toxin) were first available in the UK in 2022
Relfydess by Galderma was then available in 2024. This can also last slightly longer.
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 facial muscle movement, 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, when administered in the correct manner by a skilled medical professional, it 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:
An impaired skin barrier can cause inflammation and redness. This can be caused by stress on the skin some as extreme heat or cold, or products applied to the skin, as well as skin conditions such as Dermatitis, Eczema, and Psoriasis. Sometimes the skin appears angry and inflamed; other times dry and flaky, but sometimes the barrier breakdown can be more subtle in appearance.
To improve redness in these situations, we need to repair the skin barrier first before addressing any remaining redness.
Skin with Inflammation
Inflamed skin can be treated with:
pHformula CR Treatments
pHformula’s CR home prescription treatments have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects to improve chronically red skin.
Chronic Redness Treatments can help skin with problems such as Flushing, Sensitive Blotchy Reactive Skin, Angry Inflamed Skin, Rosacea and Acne-prone skin.
Dermalux LED Light Treatments
Dermalux LEDis an excellent treatment for red skin. It helps improve inflammation and sensitive skin due to any cause, including skins with Acne, Rosacea and Eczema
Home Treatments for Redness
pHformula Prescription Home Treatments
pHformula has an extensive range of prescription products to treat red skin.
Vita D Cream: Vita D booster complex, Prebiotic complex, and the pHformula 24-Hour Moisturising complex. It is indicated for Photoageing and premature ageing, Acne, Atopic dermatitis Psoriasis, Impaired barrier and Inflammation
VITA B3 cream: 5% Niacinamide and 24-Hour Moisturising complex. It is indicated for Photoageing, Dark spots, Acne, Transepidermal Water Loss, Impaired barrier Inflammation
pHformula 24-Hour Moisturising complex consists of Shea butter, Avocado oil, Sesame seed oil, and Sunflower seed oil. Contains vitamins A,B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9 and B12, D, E, F K. It also contains minerals such as Potassium, Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium and Iron as well as trace elements such as Iodine, Selenium, Zinc, and Manganese, omega 3 and 6 fatty acids.
SOS rescue oil This dual-phase S.O.S. rescue oil is a unique combination of oil blends and naturally sourced actives, infusing the skin with a healthy glow and youthfulness. Collagen production improves, helping soften the look of fine lines and wrinkles while visibly firming skin. Provides natural barrier protection for the skin.
SOS repair cream is an ultra-rich repair cream that helps to protect the skin against moisture loss, providing hydration and comfort to extremely dry or sensitized skin.
G.E.L. cleanse A gentle, soap-free cleansing gel for all skin types. Thoroughly removes impurities without disturbing the skin’s natural moisture balance, leaving the skin fresh and clean. A gentle anti-inflammatory cleanser that reinforces the natural barrier of the skin and also thoroughly removes make-up, oil and impurities
Neostrata Redness Neutralizing Serum
Neostrata Redness Neutralizing Serum is a powerful anti-ageing treatment for red skin.
It helps restore and strengthen the skin’s important protective barrier and also helps to calm sensitive skin, such as Rosacea.
This light cooling serum is formulated with Neostrata Biocalm Complex, a blend of ingredients to target the sources of redness.
Instructions: Apply twice a day under moisturiser
6% PHA (Gluconolactone and Lactobionic Acid):
Gluconolactone is found naturally in the skin and provides antiaging and gentle exfoliating benefits without sun sensitivity. It acst as an antioxidant and also strengthens the skin’s moisture barrier.
Lactobionic acid is also part of the PHA family and is also non-irritating. It has a powerful hydrating effect and also helps strengthen the skin’s lipid barrier. It has some antioxidant properties and the benefit of other acids by improving the texture and thickness of the skin.
BioCalm Complex: Formulated to enhance the skin’s resistance to drying environmental stressors.
Willow Herb + Algae Extract: Known to provide antioxidant protection.
For best results, we recommend a Neostrata Cleanser, Moisturisers and SPF.
ZO Skin Health Redness System
The ZO Skin Health Redness System is a home treatment for Redness.
For best results, a ZO Skin health Regime is recommended
ZO Cleanser am and pm
ZO Oil Control / Toner
ZO Polish/ Scrub
ZO Daily Power Defence am and pm
ZO Rozatrol
Rozatrol is a serum for red, sensitized skin. It works to normalize skin by reducing excess surface oil. Exfoliating properties provide ultra-mild exfoliation to prevent the signs of premature aging.
Benefits of Rozatrol include
Advanced amino acid complex helps to restore skin to a more radiant appearance
Provides mild exfoliation to help smooth skin texture and even skin tone
Antioxidant protection helps minimize the appearance and feel of inflammation and damage induced by daily oxidative stress
Helps replenish hydration and support healthy skin barrier function
The Key Ingredients include:
Lactose, milk protein, brassica oleracea italica extract: Helps soothe skin through hydration, minimizing the appearance of red, sensitized skin.
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, which can lighten skin and treat hyperpigmentation disorders such as age spots, melasma, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
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 Cysteamine cream
The original Cyspera Cream is no longer available. You can find the prices of the available alternatives here:
At Cheshire Lasers Clinic, Sharron Roughton and Tara Shotton provide Reflexology for Menopausal Transition Symptoms.
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.
Reflexology can help manage and improve symptoms during Perimenopause, Menopause, and beyond.
It offers a holistic approach to hormonal regulation and supports women through the natural life cycle. Reflexology is thought to help manage and improve symptoms and support health and general well-being.
Menopause reflexology focuses on key reflexes for common menopausal symptoms. The treatment aims to reduce symptoms on a physical and emotional level.
Reflexology can be helpful for ladies looking for a natural approach to managing their menopausal symptoms and for those on HRT.
You can book a course of treatment as part of your menopause care or you can book a one-off treatment for relaxation or an ongoing management of symptoms.
What is the Perimenopause?
Before menopause, a woman’s periods typically become irregular, which means that periods may be longer or shorter in duration or be lighter or heavier in the amount of flow. During this time, women often experience hot flushes/flashes; these typically last from 30 seconds to 10 minutes. They may be associated with shivering, sweating, and skin reddening. Hot flushes often stop occurring after a year or two. Other symptoms may include poor memory, general aches and pains, vaginal dryness, trouble sleeping, and mood changes, including anxiety. The severity of symptoms varies between women. These symptoms can occur at any time in the perimenopause and can affect women in their 40s until their later 50s and sometimes beyond.
What is the Menopause?
Menopause is the time in most women’s lives when menstrual periods stop permanently, and they are no longer able to bear children. Menopause typically occurs between 49 and 52 years of age. Medical professionals often define menopause as having occurred when a woman has not had any vaginal bleeding for a year. It is due to a decrease in hormone production by the ovaries.
The following studies demonstrate the benefits of Reflexology during the Menopause:
Ultraformer is an advanced High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) treatment. It is a non-invasive treatment that uses focused ultrasound waves to penetrate deep into the skin and underlying tissues without damaging the surface to deliver a non-invasive face, neck and body lifting treatment.
Benefits
Tightens and firms the skin.
Destroys fat cells.
Increases the elasticity of the skin.
Ultrasound Energy has a Thermal Effect.
The body treatments focus the energy precisely to specific depths between 1.5mm to 13mm below the skin. The energy generates tiny pockets of heat in the targeted areas ( around 56-70c).
Fat Cell Disruption
This heat is enough to disrupt the fat cells and cause them to break down.
The destroyed fat cells are then naturally processed and eliminated by the body’s lymphatic system over the following weeks. This reduction in the fat cells leads to a reduction in body fat.
Skin Tightening
The heat generated by the ultrasound waves also stimulates the production of collagen. Collagen helps keep the skin firm and more elastic. By stimulating collagen production, HIFU helps tighten loose or sagging skin on the abdomen and thighs.
Results are not immediate and can take up to 12 weeks to become noticeable as the body processes and eliminates the destroyed fat cells; however, some clients may notice immediate tightening.
What parts of the body can the Ultraformer treat?
The Ultraformer III can treat most body parts. At Cheshire Lasers, we mainly treat the abdomen where it works the best; sometimes, we also treat above the knees and upper arms.
We can, however, also treat the face, jowl area, neck and chest.
How long does an Ultraformer Body Treatment take?
Ultraformer III has a fast shooting speed, which means some treatments take only 45-60 minutes.
How many Ultraformer Body Treatments will I need?
For body contouring, approximately three treatments are usually enough for most people; however, some may need less and some more for the best results.
Treatments are usually carried out every month.
The results can last up to a year, so you may decide to have further treatment when the results start to wear off.
When will I start to see results after an Ultraformer Body Treatment?
Ultraformer III can show some immediate results as the stimulating heat can make your skin look more rejuvenated, fresher, tighter and firmer. However, the final results develop 60 to 100 days after the treatment, when the fat reduction and collagen regeneration become more noticeable.
What is the recovery time for Ultraformer treatments?
You can go back to work and normal life immediately after the treatment.
Is the Ultraformer treatment painful?
During the treatment, you will feel warm pulses of ultrasound energy deep under the skin, causing the collagen and muscle layers to contract. Some people may find this uncomfortable, but others report no pain with the treatment at all. Some people will need to take some simple painkillers before the treatment; however, this depends on the pain sensitivity level of each individual, the area to be treated, and the size of the area to be treated.
Does Ultraformer have any side effects?
The heat levels created by the Ultraformer device only treat the targeted area and do not damage the surrounding tissue. The energy targets the deeper levels of the skin and not the upper layers, so there are usually few visible signs on the skin’s surface post-procedure. The only noticeable effects are usually tightening and redness an hour or two after treatment. A small percentage of patients may have slight swelling, tingling or tenderness to touch over the treated area, but these are mild and tend to last no more than a few days.
A small proportion of people may experience slight tingling or tenderness in the area treated for several weeks as the growth of new collagen occurs.
The most frequently reported side effects are:
Swelling
Redness
Tingling of the skin
Tenderness
Bruising
Is Ultraformer safe?
Ultraformer has been cleared by the Korean FDA after demonstrating safety in clinical studies. Tens of thousands of treatments have been performed worldwide without significant adverse events. Ultrasound energy has a proven track record and has been used in the medical profession for over 50 years, including pregnancy scans.
Contraindications to Ultraformer Treatments include:
Pregnancy
Metal implants in the treatment area
Tumours
Uncontrolled Epilepsy
Recent surgery
Heart conditions
Severe skin laxity
Excessive fat
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 addresses the deep skin layer and the foundational muscle layer that lifts and supports the skin, similar to cosmetic surgery. Therefore, the two technologies can be used together depending on your skin concerns.
Rozatrol is a serum for red, sensitized skin. It works to normalize skin by reducing excess surface oil. Exfoliating properties provide ultra-mild exfoliation to prevent the signs of premature aging.
A large area is A4 size in total.