Advanced techniques

BOTOX® (Botulinum toxin type A) has been used therapeutically for a range of medical problems since the 1980's. After it was noted around 1990 that treatment of facial tics resulted in improvement in wrinkles its use in cosmetic treatment has grown dramatically.

BOTOX® is an effective and now well-established treatment for lines and wrinkles. The most commonly treated areas are crow's feet/smile lines, frown lines between the eyebrows and forehead lines. BOTOX® can also be used to soften lines around the mouth, chin and neck and to elevate mouth corners. Other effects that can be achieved include eyebrow shaping and improvement in lack of symmetry.

BOTOX® can only be obtained by a doctor's prescription following medical assessment. Detailed understanding of the anatomy of facial muscles is required to achieve the best results and needs to be combined with careful individual assessment.

Our aim at Mulberry House Clinic is to give you a fresher more youthful appearance, not an artificial "frozen" look. The compliments our clients report are that they are told they look "well" or "refreshed" (unfortunately for us they sometimes go on to reply that its thanks to some new make-up or a refreshing holiday!).

An initial consultation is important to establish that this is an appropriate treatment for you, and to explain what results you are likely to see, as this depends on various factors. We believe it is equally important that you are offered a follow-up appointment after two weeks to ensure you have achieved the optimum effect.

BOTOX® is administered by a series of injections of small amounts of solution via a fine needle so that any discomfort is minor and short-lived. Slight swelling and redness settles within half an hour or so. Lines and wrinkles diminish as a result of a relaxing effect on the specific muscles whose repeated movements have caused them. The effects of treatment start after a few days and are complete within two weeks; benefits of treatment will last usually for 3 or 4 months. Repeated treatments at 3-4 monthly intervals will give optimum results over the long term - both in terms of preventing wrinkle formation but also by allowing remodelling of skin to occur so that any fixed creases will improve over time.

Quite commonly after a series of treatments the effects last longer, so quite a number of our clients only need treatment twice a year.

These are injectable gels that lift and fill folds and lines, enhance lips and restore volume to cheeks and cheekbones. Different products are available, and for best results the right product needs to be selected for an individual problem. We use predominantly Restylane and Juvederm, the leading and most established brands.

Effects of treatment look very natural and results usually last from 6 up to 18 months, depending on the product used and the area that is treated. It has been shown that treatment enhances natural collagen production and we find that after a second top-up treatment results seem to last even longer still.

The main group of dermal fillers are the "hyaluronic acid fillers" such as Restylane. Hyaluronic acid is a natural component in skin and gives our skin its "bounce" and water-retaining property.

Treatments involve a series of small injections, and effects are immediate. We prefer to use local anaesthetic cream prior to treatment. 

Restylane Vital

Sculptra is a unique injectable treatment for improving the firmness of the skin and increasing volume. As more is understood about the ageing process it is clear that much of the problem relates to loss of volume of subcutaneous tissues in the temples, under the eyes, cheekbones, cheeks, chin and jawline. By giving a generalised increase in volume in these areas a rejuvenating and lifting effect can be achieved over a series of treatments.

Sculptra works by stimulating the collagen-producing cells under the skin, so a gradual but natural and long-lasting result is achieved. Typically the effects of a treatment follow after 6 to 8 weeks. After a course of treatment the benefits usually last for 18-24 months and somtimes longer.

Sculptra is suitable for any age group: modest treatment in a younger person can give a valuable boost to natural features, while for the older age group lifting of the cheekbones and jaw line can make a major difference. 

Dermaroller Therapy stimulates the skin to regenerate and repair itself naturally and safely. The result is smoother, brighter, healthier and younger-looking skin. As well as helping with ageing or sundamaged skin, Dermaroller is indicated for acne scarring.

Dermaroller uses a specially-designed device to create multiple fine needle-points in the skin over the course of a treatment that lasts about half an hour. These tiny "injuries" then stimulate the repair and regeneration process, which takes place over the following few weeks with further improvement over a series of treatments. Although it sounds as though it might be painful and unpleasant our clients have found it genuinely relaxing - because the needling is quite superficial local anaesthetic cream works very well.

We like this treatment because it is safe and recovery time is brief, with some redness rather like sunburn that is most pronounced for a couple of hours, settling completely over the next day of two.

Compared to aggressive laser treatments that might otherwise be used Dermaroller avoids the risks, downtime and considerable costs involved.

Here are some examples of results achieved with Dermaroller:

You can also purchase a Dermaroller device for home use. This has been shown to increase absorption of skincare cream or serum by 200%. We recommend using this twice a week in conjunction with appropriate skincare regimes.

A new dramatically different, clinically proven treatment.

Portrait® skin regeneration is unlike any other treatment available today. It is not a laser, radio frequency, or light-based treatment. It is a completely new plasma energy technology that works both on and below the surface of the skin to modify the skin's architecture so that new collagen is generated.

Portrait® is effective in reducing the look of fine lines and deep wrinkles, treating sun-damaged skin, improving skin tone and texture, improving acne scars and tightening skin. It works on a variety of skin types.

During the short procedure, the unique scientific action of Portrait® transfers plasma energy to the treated area without direct contact to the skin. This technique preserves the skin's outer layers which act as a protective dressing until new skin regenerates. Downtime is minimal and clinical studies show that the improvements you see following your treatment will become even more dramatic over time.

True skin regeneration for smoother, more beautiful skin.

Portrait® skin regeneration can be used to treat an entire face or a specific area. Treatment for an entire face can take as little as 20 minutes; a regional treatment can be as short as 10 – 15 minutes. Shortly after, you will see improvements in your skin texture and tone and diminished wrinkles giving you a new, more vibrant and youthful appearance. Over time you will see continuing improvement that is truly unique.

The results are comparable to aggressive laser resurfacing but the downtime is dramatically reduced. It keeps working, stimulating collagen production that has a unique matrix and increasing elastin for up to one year with continued improvement to the skin. And, Portrait® is safe and effective. It gives you the results you want without the lengthy downtime or the risks associated with other treatments.

Ideal candidates for Portrait®

There are many ideal candidates for Portrait®, including:

• Individuals considering laser surgery, a face lift and/or plastic surgery
• Individuals seeking to repair photo-damage and improve the appearance of age spots, or hyperpigmentation
• Individuals seeking to remove pre-cancerous lesions
• Individuals wanting to reduce the appearance of fine lines and deep wrinkles
• Individuals wanting to tighten the skin
• Individuals wanting to improve the overall skin tone and texture to recapture a youthful skin quality they have not enjoyed for years
• Individuals wanting to reduce acne scarring

Laser uses a specific wavelength of light energy that is absorbed by the area of tissue we wish to treat.

Sometimes people are initially wary of laser treatment (there are some connotations with James Bond!) but they are then surprised to find how straightforward it is.

In our mind laser is the best form of treatment for facial threadveins and permanent hair reduction, and can also be the treatment of choice for leg veins and pigmentation.

After-effects with our treatments are mainly some mild redness that usually settles within a few hours or by the following day.

By using 2 laser wavelengths - 532nm (KTP) and 1064nm (Nd:YAG) - we have the flexibility to offer a range of effective treatments. Most treatments are painless, the exceptions being hair removal and leg veins - for these treatments we recommend a local anaesthetic cream beforehand.

Our laser treats the following:

Facial veins, Rosacea, Acne, Pigmentation, Leg Veins, Hair Removal (brown or dark hair only), Pseudo-Folliculitis Barbae (shaving rash).

A programme of Enhanced Skin Rejuvenation combines laser treatments for reducing background redness and discolouration of the skin for clearing of the complexion and tightening of the skin.

The aim of treatment with Vavelta is to give a gradual, natural and subtle improvement in scarring, skin structure, texture and elasticity that you can see and feel.

Vavelta has been developed over a number of years' extensive research. Human dermal fibroblast cells are carefully injected into the skin, and their activity over the following weeks and months results in remodelling of scar tissue and production of new collagen, to improve scarring, skin texture and quality.

Mulberry House Clinic are proud to have been chosen as one of a select group of clinics authorised to offer Vavelta, and are please to have the opportunity to offer this treatment for our clients.

Peels are useful for an improvement in the skin tone and texture that you can see and feel. They are also used as treatment for acne and acne scarring. We recommend one of two peel regimens:

Agera Rx: These are vitamin C and fruit acid peels that exfoliate and stimulate the skin from within, rather than burning through the outer skin layer. Given as a course, the strength of peel can be increased as the skin gets used to the treatment. These peels do not interfere with day-to-day life, as they cause minimal or no redness afterwards.

Innovation Concept Peel (ICP): This is a stronger peel that is applied in the clinic and then removed at home after a number of hours. The package includes skin treatments that are then applied over the next one month. Following the peel there is some redness for 1-3 days afterwards, but there is no weeping or breakdown of the skin.

Useful for antiageing effects, acne and pigmentation.

Unusually for a stronger peel, this can be used safely on the darkest skin types, making it especially useful for pigmentation problems for individuals with Asian and Afro-Caribbean skin types.

TCA peels - OBAGI blue peel and Easy-TCA peels

These are deeper peels that are given over one to four treatments. The results will be more pronounced than with Agera Rx peels, but there will be some downtime in the form of redness and peeling for 7 - 10 days afterwards.

Increasingly we are finding that Portrait offers greater results with similar or less downtime than the stronger peels.

This treatment exfoliates and stimulates the skin by using mildly abrasive crystals and a vacuum pressure - in essence a mechanical peel rather than a chemical one. In our clinic we often combine Microdermabrasion with a course of peels. This gives more flexibility and a stronger overall effect.

The effects over a course of treatment are an improvement in skin smoothness and texture, reduction of fine lines, and improvement in blackheads and acne outbreaks.

In August 2007 Thermage won 'best in class' award for most effective treatment for skin laxity.

Thermage is an award-winning treatment to tighten, contour and rejuvenate skin using radiofrequency. Its key advantages are that it is safe, non-invasive, involves no downtime and gives natural results. Some people see immediate effects, although the full effects occur over 6 months, when a second, top-up, treatment is recommended.

The treatment employs patented technology to deliver heat via a specialised tip to the deeper tissues while cooling the skin surface. The treatment is easily tolerated, and is ideal for anyone with some skin laxity who wishes to delay the need for surgery or avoid it altogether. As this is not a laser treatment we can treat all skin-types.

We offer a package that covers both the initial treatment and the top-up treatment at 6 months.

There is now convincing scientific data that shows that certain treatments, in the correct formulation, applied to the skin regularly really do make a difference in the short and long term. We are interested in helping you look after your skin and will advise on cost-effective ways of doing so.

We offer three main ranges, including prescription-only skincare, to suit the needs of all skin types.

OBAGI Nu-Derm is prescription skincare that delivers the best result we have seen with any skin creams - you only need to look at our clients comments in our testimonials section to see what they think. For top-class skincare at a sensible cost we believe OBAGI Nu-Derm is unbeatable, whether you are seeking a general improvement in appearance and function of the skin, anti-ageing benefits to last you your lifetime, or treatment for pigmentation problems or acne.

The OBAGI range was developed 20 years ago by Dr Zhein Obagi, a dermatologist from Beverley Hills, and we don't believe there is anything that has been developed since that will beat it.   

The system is easy to use and involves an initial, more intensive, treatment phase followed my maintenance treatment that you can continue with for ever. 

There is evidence from clinical trials that shows that people who use OBAGI Nu-Derm gain better results from any other cosmetic treatment they may have done, whether it is BOTOX, fillers, laser or Thermage.

OBAGI CRX is a range that offers protection and pigmentation reduction in a younger age group who are seeking to look after their skin before signs of sun damage and ageing start to occur.

We also offer Agera Rx treatments. These are ideal for someone who is perhaps not quite organised enough to use the OBAGI products on a regular basis, or who wants good skincare that bridges the gap between pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, and without risk of irritation.

This is a safe and well-established treatment for thread veins on the legs. A solution is injected with a fine needle very superficially into the veins, causing the lining of the vein to swell and become sticky. Compression is then applied to close the veins. Over a period of time the vein will heal closed and fade away.

Surprisingly to many, treatment is virtually painless.

This is a very refined method for removing moles and skin blemishes without a scalpel. This method causes minimal disruption to the tissues so that healing is rapid.

Fat deposits stored under the skin in certain body areas are relatively diet resistant, so that even without being overweight there may be an excess of fat in these areas, making an undesirable contour or body shape.

Areas that are commonly affected include the abdomen, inner or outer thighs, love handles, the jawline and under the chin.

There are now treatments available that can address these problems in a minimally-invasive way without any anaesthetic, so surgery can be avoided.

These treatments can also result in skin tightening over the treated area. This compensates for the fat reduction but can also be particularly useful on the jawline, where a combination of jowl reduction and skin tightening can produce very pleasing results.

Regulations regarding advertising in this country prevent us from being more specific about certain treatments on this public website, but during a personal consultation, we can advise you regarding the best option for your problem.

Although we do not carry out such surgery we readily make recommendations where we feel that this is indicated for you, and can help you choose an appropriate surgeon for Cosmetic Surgery or Varicose vein surgery.

Contact Information

Mulberry House Clinic
Mulberry House
32 The Green
Hardingstone
Northampton
NN4 7BU

Telephone
+44 (0) 1604 702 630