If you’ve recently given birth and are struggling to come to terms with unsightly new stretchmark’s, then now is the time to head for a consultation at the RiverBanks Clinic. We can help advice you on our treatment options and how they will enhance the appearance of stretch marks, reducing them dramatically or even removing them completely. This summer could be the turning point for your body confidence! Get ready to show off your skin without any insecurity. We have two treatments that work particularly well in most cases, meaning you could be ready to walk around confidently in a bikini within months.

Firstly there is Rioblush’s Carboxytherapy. This is a non-invasive treatment that needs no anaesthetic and is virtually pain free. It works by injecting carbon dioxide to the areas which need to stimulate new blood supply and in turn improve tissue growth. Usually, between 5-10 sessions are needed over a period of several weeks. Treatments can be continued until the desired effects are achieved.

Another option for removing stretch parks is through micro needling such as the Genuine Dermaroller. This technique uses fine pin pricks that stimulate new blood supply and increase tissue growth and collagen growth. Only around 3 sessions are needed (about 6 weeks apart) for impressive changes to be noticeable!

To see which method is best for your body and stretch marks ring us and a book a consultation today. In the meantime we sell a body refining gel that can also help reduce the appearance of stretch marks somewhat too. This weightless gel from VITAGE encourages that breakdown of cellulite and reduces other surface imperfections. It’s a really nice option to use if you feel surgery isn’t for you; whilst obviously not as effective, you will see improvements.

In the UK, many of my patients at Riverbanks Clinic often ask me whats the best dermal filler for them: is it Restylane or is it Juvederm Ultra? I have always answered them honestly, explaining that in my experience each brand has a particular benefit over the other and that it depends on the patient and the area being treated.

I have been fortunate enough to have been involved in the late stages of the release of a brand new hyaluronic acid dermal filler called Emervel, released by pharmological giant Galderma, the suppliers of Azzalure. And I must admit both my patients and I have been extremely impressed with its results. I have found reduced inflammation, excellent blending in the to skin and extremely natural looking results in a pain free injection. In other words, my initial evaluation of this exciting new product is that it has drawn on all the best qualities from other dermal fillers and rolled them in to a new,  safe and effective hyaluronic acid.

Emervel can treat fine lines, lips and all areas of the face and when combined with botulinum toxin type injections, can really take years off someones appearance, giving them an amazing fresher look.

For more information book a consultation with our specialists doctors at Riverbanks Clinic on 01582762877.

We’re delighted to let you know that Isabel and Banu will be hosting a coffee morning at Riverbanks Clinic on Wednesday 28th July between 9am and 12 noon.

Why not come and join us, have a  tour of the clinic, and then listen to our talks on Coffeeberry Minerals and new skin care for 2010? Banu and Isabel will be offering makeovers with  Coffeberry Minerals so you can see just how well they work!

And of course, if the weather is nice, you can take a look at our beautiful grounds and wildlife at the same time.

Places are limited, so please book soon, either on our Facebook event page, or by calling Banu or Isabel on 01582 762877 to reserve your place!

As the Baz Luhrmann song famously says, “Wear sunscreen”

He goes on to say:

If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists.

And that’s Riverbanks Clinic’s very own Dr Ravi Jain’s advice too – wear factor 30+ sunscreen every day to keep your skin safe as well as looking good. SPF30+ should be an essential part of any anti-aging skincare regime, and you should be even more vigilant as the Summer grows closer.

Gone are the days when basting yourself in searing heat to achieve a golden tan was a pastime to be commended. Nowadays, we’re constantly being reminded of the dangers of skin cancer, and being told to cover up and apply high-factor sunscreens.

As we age, and spend more time in the sun, our skin becomes weaker and less elastic. Collagen, the protein that makes up 80% of our skin, loses its ability to stretch and recoil and we develop wrinkles and age (liver) spots that make us look much older than we are.

Doctor Jain highly recommends the sunscreens featured in our online shop – each one having been tested and proved to work – whether or not you’ve had a procedure at Riverbanks. Why not take a look and buy sunscreen online now?

As for the Baz Luhrmann song? We’ll give him the final word:

trust me on the sunscreen…

That’s right – the offer of the summer! Simply purchase 4 or more skin care products from our online shop (one of which must be a skin corrector) and we’ll give you £100 off our June  Advanced Skin Peel courses!

So why not take a look at the following products and start the Summer with fantastic looking skin?

Prevage MD 1%

Priori Advanced AHA Perfection Facial Gel

Priori Idebenone Even Tones Mini Kit

VITAGE Phytoestrogen Gel

Want to know more about our Advanced Skin Peel Courses?

An Advanced AHA skin peel is ideal for sun-damaged skin, or certain kinds of acne, pigmentation issues or fine wrinkling around the mouth and eyes. The process is less aggressive than some chemical peels, but nonetheless highly effective.

The peel generally causes some flaking, redness and dryness, as the old skin gives way to fresh, young skin. However unlike harsher THC peels, the much milder side effects diminish within a day or two. Once the body heals itself naturally, the outer layer of skin exfoliates, with patients usually able to engage in normal activities within 24 hours.

• As skin ages the exfoliation rate of dead cells from the stratum corneum slows dramatically thus increasing the appearance imperfections manifested in this dead cell layer.
• As skin ages the moisture content of skin is reduced due to reduced levels of the skin’s natural moisture binding substance – Hyaluronic Acid.
• AHAs work by two main mechanisms of action- they are natural chemical exfoliators and potent moisturizers.
• The result of topical AHA use is skin NORMALIZATION – a return of the skin to “normal” moisture content and proper exfoliation rate – back to basic skin fitness and health.

To find out more, please visit our Advanced Skin Peel page

As a specialist in cosmetic dermatology and Founder of the RIVERBANKS CLINIC in Bedfordshire – United Kingdom, The Montebury asked DR. RAVI JAIN for his advice on the daily facial routine that every man should follow in order to look after his skin.

The resulting article is available to download on PDF below, and features ranges available from the Riverbanks Clinic online shop, as well as great advice from Dr Jain.

PDF Link: TheMonteburyMagazine_January2010_FacialDiscipline

Okay, okay, hands up, I admit that I use this word a lot, so it’s time that I explained what it actually means. In plain English, a cosmeceutical is the bringing together of pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. Pharmaceuticals are loosely termed as chemical substances used for medical purposes. Whereas cosmetics, as we know, are substances that are designed to enhance the appearance of an individual.

When we tie these two together, we feel the benefits of a medical product combined with the personal enhancements of a cosmetic. But to actually get the official label of ‘cosmeceutical’, the products must be applied topically, such as creams and lotions.

A really simple example is shampoo. Your regular old shampoo is a cosmetic shampoo, designed to clean the hair and improve its smell, whereas an anti-dandruff shampoo uses a pharmaceutical ingredient to fight the causes of dandruff. Another great example is whitening toothpaste, the whitening agent is a pharmaceutical chemical intended to help with the cosmetic appearance of your teeth – hence, it’s a cosmeceutical dental paste.

In our line of work, a cosmeceutical is most likely to be something like an anti-wrinkle face cream. An ordinary face cream would simply be a cosmetic, whereas the active ingredients used in our types of face creams, which fight the signs of aging, use perfectly safe pharmaceutical drugs to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. You see, whilst cosmetics sit on the surface of the skin and mimic the effects they claim, a cosmeceutical will actually penetrate the skin to positively affect the skin cells directly, enhancing your look from within.

At Riverbanks Clinic, alongside the professional cosmetic procedures such as Vaser Lipo, Laser Hair Removal and Sculptra – the non-surgical alternative to the face lift, we also stock a range of professional skincare products that we would call cosmeceuticals. They are professional healthcare products that can be achieve great effects when used to enhance certain aspects of your appearance.

One such product is the VITAGE Age Defence Hydrator, it’s a light moisturiser that can be used every day and its active ingredients help hydrate your skin and protect it from environmental stresses such as the weather and pollution. Protecting your skin is a vital part of your anti-aging skin care regimen, which should also include cleansing and exfoliating – a good moisturiser will include SPS protection for your skin against the harmful effects of the sun.

It’s always worth considering where you get your cosmeceuticals. I’m a qualified medical practitioner, a doctor, a former GP and cosmetic physician – I look upon the cosmeceutical products we use as an important element of the treatments that we offer to people that come to our clinic looking for help with changing some part of their appearance that they are troubled by. I would ask you to take care when choosing cosmeceutical products, the ones that you can get from a beautician or hair salon, are not always as good as they should be. So, I’m asking you to take care when you choose.

Our online store has a full range of cosmeceutical products, why not take a quick peek at our professional cosmeceuticals and treat yourself, go on – you know you deserve it!

OK, so we don’t get MUCH of a summer in the UK, but it’s still important to protect your skin. Even when it seems cold outside, with wind or clouds, the sun could still be there, and prevention now could help you to avoid sun damaged skin later!

The Riverbanks Clinic Shop has a number of products you should consider if you want to spend time in the sun and avoid any bad after effects:

Priori Advanced AHA Daily Defense SPF30

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Contains 3% LCA Complex (2% Lactic Compound + 1% MFAS) plus broad spectrum UVB and UVA active ingredients to protect against the sun’s damaging rays that lead to premature skin aging. An essential part of any anti-aging skincare regime. pH 3.8

VITAGE Skin Protector SPF30

3g

Our Price:

£14.00

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Contains powerful antioxidants Vitamins A, C and E to protect against environmental stresses.

VITAGE Age Defence Hydrator SPF15

Our Price:

£36.00

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A light daily moisturiser to hydrate and protect the skin from environmental stresses fighting the signs of ageing before they start.

You can buy these and other products in our online shop – protect your skin this summer!

At this time of year you’ll probably reveal more of your body than usual, whether with shorter dresses or strappy tops – or simply sunbathing in a swimsuit or bikini.  Does your body pass the reveal test?

Here’s Dr Jain’s recipe for a great summer silhouette and strokable skin!

• Facial & Body scrub – do this once a week to exfoliate the skin at a deep level and allow your moisturising and other care products to work more effectively.
• Hand & Body Lotion – dry skin on your arms, legs, shoulders and hands is simply not attractive.  It’s just as important to remember the rest of your skin, not just your face.

And if you need to streamline your shape, choose from these body treatments to boost your confidence this summer:

• Accent – to reduce cellulite and tighten flabby arms, legs, bums and tums
• Coffeeberry Body tightening gel to get that toned look and feel
• Vitage Body Refining gel to create a softer, smoother skin surface that is irresistible.

You can make a real difference to your skin with a little effort – and reveal your body with confidence!