We recently exhibited at the Health Mela in Preston which was a first for Laserase but something I am sure we will repeat next year, as we had such a fabulous time.

The event is a celebration of health and healthcare in Preston and was aimed at the whole community - young and old.  There were lots of exhibitors there promoting health, healthy eating, nutrition, screening, diagnostic testing, advice, information and a whole load of experts to talk to.

As well as all the advice on offer there was also lots of fun activities from smoothie making to Bollywood dancing displays and I think it’s fair to say that everyone, visitor and exhibitors alike, had a great time.

As the leading laser clinic in the region, we felt it was important we had a presence at such a prestigious health event to talk to people about the benefits of laser treatments for a whole host of health programmes.  We also wanted to get the message across that if you have a NHS consultant referral for laser treatment for certain conditions, such as acne or acessive hirsuitism for example, you can have laser treatments with us on the NHS.   

Throughout the event there were hundreds of people through the doors and Laserase staff were kept busy talking to visitors about their skincare concerns from excessive hair growth, its causes and treatments, to dealing with skin pigmentation and everything in-between!

As well as providing our own advice and mini consultations we also gave out goody bags and information packs to visitors to our stand and it was really lovely to have an opportunity to meet so many people on an informal basis like this.  In addition, it was really useful to network with other healthcare providers in the region and share good practice.

We would also like to say congratulations to xxxx who is the successful winner of a dermaroller treatment worth £400 which they won after entering a competition at the Health Mela.

See you in Preston next year!

Actress Gwyneth Paltrow admitted to getting laser skin treatments as an alternative to plastic surgery in a recent interview with Harper’s Bazaar.

Despite not ‘liking the Botox thing’, Gwyn who is 39, admits to having ‘little things like lasers and regular facials’ to keep her skin looking red-carpet fabulous.

Here at Laserase Bolton, our laser treatments are always a popular alternative to going under the knife. Our clients always see effective results, particularly after using one of our most popular treatments, Laser 360™.

This laser combines three revolutionary technologies to provide comprehensive skin rejuvenation. It can improve skin colour, wrinkles and skin texture in just 60 days, revealing brighter, younger looking and healthier skin. AFT intense pulsed light evens out skin colour and reduces tiny broken blood vessels.

The reason we get lines and wrinkles is to do with the amount of collagen we produce. Collagen is produced naturally by cells known as fibroblasts and is very important in maintaining the elasticity of skin, but as we age the skin’s ability to replace damaged collagen fibres diminishes. Gaps and irregularities appear in the skin’s collagen mesh and this eventually leads to the appearance of lines and wrinkles which deepen and widen with time.

Other laser treatments are available at Laserase Bolton such as the Harmony Pixel laser, which can be used on the face and neck. We are also currently using this laser for other skin problems such as acne scarring and studies have also been made into the effects of laser treatment on burn recovery and trauma scars.

So if you want to have fresh and fabulous wrinkle-free skin like a Hollywood starlet, then give us a call on 01204 570900 for expert advice and to book a free consultation. 

Spring is just around the corner and that means we can come out of winter hibernation and get out and about!  So if bad skin or acne is getting you down why not consider a laser treatment to complement your existing regime or replace it entirely?

A large proportion of the population suffer from acne at some point in their lives. The acne will generally resolve itself within five years but for some it will continue into adulthood - and if the acne is severe it may lead to acne scarring if not treated appropriately.

And acne is by no means just an adolescent problem. An estimated 80 percent of all people between the ages of 11 and 30 have acne outbreaks at some point- some people in their forties and fifties still get acne.

Most of our clients who come for acne treatment are adults, some wanting advice on the scarring that has been caused by past acne, and some who have been dealing with persistent acne for most of their life.

So what are the treatment options for you if you suffer from acne or acne scarring?

The NLite laser has been described as the gold standard of acne treatments by many.  It is suitable for all skin types and some clients notice an immediate difference even after just one treatment.

Of course, other laser treatments are available and here a Laserase Bolton we believe in using a variety of well targeted and properly formulated treatments and products that are based entirely around YOU.

Your treatment begins with a consultation where we’ll look at your current skin management regime, including all the products you are using. While some products may be good for continued use, it is not unusual to discover that some products are not appropriate, or could be replaced with something milder and more "skin-friendly".

We will then take your full medical history and carry out an examination of the skin to assess your current situation. We will inform you about the products and treatments that we think would be of most benefit to you, such as a mixture of a home care regime and in-clinic procedures like laser.

The treatment regime is always different for each client, as what is suitable for one person with acne might be unsuitable for another.

So don’t delay any longer in combating that acne. Put a spring in your step with the confidence that comes from having a clear skin.  Call on 01204 570900 to book your consultation.

Happy New Year from all of us here at Laserase Bolton!

Many people say that without women, Christmas would just not happen.  The ladies buy all the gifts, send out the cards, stock up on food and drink, put up the decorations and generally make sure everyone is having a good time.  It’s no wonder we get so fed up in January!

A post-Christmas pampering session is just the thing to wind down after a busy couple of weeks, and all that partying is bound to have taken its toll.

Skin rejuvenation treatments at Laserase Bolton are idea to revitalise tired skin that’s in need of some TLC. One of our most popular treatments, Laser 360™, combines three revolutionary technologies to provide comprehensive skin rejuvenation.

It can improve skin colour, wrinkles and skin texture in just 60 days revealing brighter, younger looking, healthier skin. AFT intense pulsed light evens out skin colour and reduces tiny broken blood vessels.

This quick fix will see a significant improvement in the appearance of wrinkles, lines and stretch marks after undergoing the procedure.

As professional health practioners Laserase Bolton can offer advice on which treatment is best for you, so book a free consultation now – and if you book and pay for your treatment before the end of January you can take advantage of some fabulous savings!  Go to our home page for full details of our current offers

The importance of having laser treatment from a fully qualified practitioner was further reiterated this week after journalist Charlotte Cripps reported she may have been permanently scarred following an Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatment which went wrong.

She was left with ‘bright red burn marks’ after undergoing a treatment at a London spa.

Laserase Bolton is a Laser clinic that is licensed with the Care Quality Commission and we only use fully NHS trained and qualified doctors and nurses.  Indeed we have voiced our concerns several times about the deregulation of laser treatment.

We want to remind anyone considering laser treatment as a pre Christmas or new year treat to fully research who is carrying out their treatment – lasers can be extremely dangerous in the wrong hands.

For further information about IPL or any other laser treatment call us on 01204 570900 and go to our peace of mind checklist.

See the full article and image here.

Getting a tattoo is a decision that many people regret later in life, particularly when it’s in a very visible place on the body such as the face.

We’ve had a few clients in the past at Laserase Bolton who have had facial tattoos removed, but nothing quite as extensive as Bryon Widner, an American man who hit the headlines this week.

Mr. Widner had a past he wanted to forget, and his heavily tattooed face was preventing him from moving on with his life. Since becoming a father, he felt it was important that he was a good role model for his children, and so made the decision to go ahead with laser tattoo removal.

The picture on the Daily Mail website speaks for itself in showing how effective the treatment was, looking at Bryon now you can barely tell that 16 months ago his face was full of dark and menacing looking tattoos. He’s now able to get on with his life as a happy family man and respected member of society, tattoo-free.  Read the full article here:

Laserase Bolton has been using lasers for tattoo removal since 1994, and since then we’ve carried out over 25,000 procedures. We currently operate a Q-switched Ruby laser which is suitable for most skin types and tattoo colours, and effective on even the most drastic of tattoos.

So how does it work? The laser we use at Laserase Bolton produces extremely short pulses of high-energy light. This light is absorbed strongly by the tiny particles of tattoo pigment but not very well by the surrounding skin. The tattoo pigment particles then heat up and break down into smaller particles which are then targeted by the body's own immune system and removed.

Because the energy is selectively absorbed by the tattoo pigment, surrounding tissues are not heated up to such a high temperature and there is no lasting damage to the skin.  It is the safest and most effective tattoo-removal method available, with minimum side effects.

Costs of treatment, and the amount of sessions needed will depend entirely on the nature of the tattoo. If laser tattoo removal is something you’d be interested in, we recommend that you book a consultation, in which we can perform a test patch to see how effective the laser will be, and we can then advise you on costs and the number of treatments.

To book a consultation call us on (01204) 570900 or visit the homepage for more information: http://www.laserase-bolton.co.uk/       

In many action films the ‘bad guys’ often use laser technology in their quest to take over the world.  And while cosmetic laser safety is not quite on the same scale – we do know that there are some laser practitioners who are not operating as safely as they should.  This won’t cause the downfall of civilisation as we know it – but it could cause burning or scarring to a client.

In order to ensure that you are in safe hands – we recommend you tick off the following peace of mind checklist.

Is your provider registered and licensed with the Care Quality Commission (CQC)?

This body is the independent regulator of health and social care.  We have been registered for the use of lasers since 1994 but not all facilities are.  The Commission governs and inspects registered facilities and so you know to expect a high standard.

Does your Practice use medically qualified nurses and doctors to apply treatment?

Would you prefer a procedure to be carried out by somebody who’s just been on a short course or a fully qualified nurse or doctor?  We employ expert medical practitioners and nurse practitioners so you can be assured of the very best standards of treatment and care. The Laserase clinic is a provider to the NHS and is the Preferred Provider for local Primary Care Trusts for certain specialist treatments.

Does the practice or clinic have a good reputation?

This is important.  Use internet search engines to find reviews, check with the local authority to ask if the trading standards team has received any complaints and ask to see customer testimonials.  Laserase North West is the only purpose built laser clinic in the UK and we have been in business for over ten years. As part of the Laserase national network we have a name you can trust.

When considering laser treatment and looking to find the right clinic for you – make sure you choose the good guys and use our peace of mind laser check list.

In the USA actress Heather Locklear and the singer Smokey Robinson are just two celebrities sparking debate around whether they look perfect or just plastic - due to their obvious surgeries.

Going under the surgeon’s knife can be daunting and may not always result in the look you want, but the latest in laser technology means anyone looking for fresher, younger looking skin doesn’t have to endure surgery any more.

The Harmony Pixel laser at Laserase North West has been described as the world’s most sophisticated, aesthetic laser, providing effective anti-aging beauty treatments.  The results are extraordinary and represent a major leap in laser technology.

Prior to the introduction of the Harmony Pixel, clients who wanted skin resurfacing would suffer sometimes painful, often unsightly skin as the old skin ‘peeled off’ and the new fresher skin underneath came through.  This ‘down time’ could last for weeks and could cause permanent loss of pigment of the skin.

The Harmony Pixel works by creating thousands of tiny perforations in the skin, (micro injuries) similar to pore sizes.  The skin around each of these perforations remains intact and the epidermis rapidly heals from these tiny holes.  The client may suffer some redness for a couple of days but avoids the skin falling off the face.  As make-up can be applied quickly after treatment, there is no painful downtime.

As well as skin resurfacing, the laser can also treat fine lines and wrinkles, sun damage, hyper pigmentation and can even be used for acne scarring and other skin conditions such as broken capillaries and rosacia.

I think this is a real breakthrough in laser technology and offers safe but effective results after just a few sessions.

Book your skin consultation for the Harmony Pixel today and reveal a younger looking you – without the dangers associated with surgery.

If you want to check how skin damaged your skin is just compare the skin on your bottom to your skin elsewhere on your body!  No, I’m not mad – our bums are very rarely exposed to the sun and as a result the skin is thicker, smoother and less wrinkled than anywhere else.

Summer is upon us and whether you are jetting off abroad on holiday or hoping the sun will rear its head again in the UK make sure you protect your skin – the risks are really not worth it.

Despite warnings every summer to wear sunscreen, many people are still unaware of, or simply ignore, the risks the sun can pose – and men in particular don’t think they need to wear protection.

A tan may look healthy but sun damage is one of the biggest causes of premature skin ageing and it can also cause skin cancer.

Here at Laserase we regularly treat fine lines and wrinkles caused by sun damage using state of the art lasers. We always impress upon our clients the danger of the sun and the importance of wearing skin block at all times – even on cloudy days here in the UK.

To avoid burning in the sun, keep in the shade at the hottest part of the day, from 11am to 3pm, wear protective clothing such as t-shirts and sun hats and wear sunscreen at all times.

If you want to find out more give the clinic a call and make an appointment for your FREE assessment

The presenter and broadcaster Fern Britton recently explained that she is enjoying a disgraceful old age by getting her first tattoo aged 53.

Fern is part of a growing army of older ladies who decide at a certain ‘milestone’ age to follow the trend for getting a ‘tatt’.  However, at the same time here at Laserase, it’s our experience that ladies over the age of 40 are usually first in the queue when it comes to having their tattoos removed!

The thing with tattoos is that what looks good at 20 may not look quite so good at 50.  Even though tattoos are very fashionable and more popular than ever – older women can feel uncomfortable with them.

I recently asked a client why she had decided to have her tattoo removed.

“Well one day it hit me that my favourite ‘short’ skirt was no longer appropriate,” she said.  “Around the same time I felt that my tattoo had also lost its appeal.  I’m not a celebrity, I’m a Manageress in a clothes store – it just looked silly.

“My 19 year old has a tattoo and I think it looks great on her – but I wanted to redefine my look when I hit fifty and the tattoo was one of the first things to change.”

Regardless of your age -tattoos can be decision that are made in haste and repented at leisure.  Here at Laserase Bolton, we have seen around 25,000 of those decisions!  If you have a tattoo that you think no longer suits you or your look, book your free consultation and we’ll talk you through having the tattoo removed.

Tattoos are now an accepted part of our culture and over the last ten years there has been unprecedented tattoo mania.

As with any big business, new trends emerge and one of the latest is the introduction of UV or black light tattoos.  As the name suggests, these tattoos are made from a special ink that is only visible under an ultraviolet or black light.  This is quite a new phenomenon in the UK where practitioners have only recently started advertising UV tattoos – but they have been popular in the US for some time.

As with any new product that is applied onto, into or under the skin - consumers must be aware of safety issues and we recommend that only highly experienced tattooists apply UV tattoos.  The tattoos should be done with the practitioner working with a black light and you can expect them to take some time to apply. 

In the States there have been many cases of poorly applied UV tattoos which look like a burn or scar because they have not been applied professionally.

While tattoos remain popular, so does tattoo removal and these tattoos in particular could be problematic to eliminate.   UV tattoo customers like to have bright vibrant colours which mean the tattooist has to use the highest possible pigment content in their ink. 

Unfortunately this makes our job much harder as the brighter the colour the longer the treatment needed to remove the tattoo. 

As UV tattoos are fairly new to the UK market we have not yet been asked to remove one, but we’ll let you know if we do.

In the meantime, as always check and double check your tattooist is experienced and has all the necessary qualifications and health and safety checks in place.

It’s said that Cleopatra loved her luscious lips so much she had her slaves crush carmine beetles so she could use the beetle blood to stain her lips.  Elizabeth I made bright red lips fashionable but Queen Victoria banished lipstick as she believed it was just for prostitutes!

Today women still see associate their lips with beauty and youth.  Most women want lovely luscious lips with usually means lips that are well defined, plump and moisturised.

But like elsewhere on the body - lips do fall foul of the natural aging process which means they can lose their elasticity and appear thinner.  And of course not all women are blessed with lips like Angelina Jolie and have to look at techniques to make the most of naturally thin lips.

Thankfully advances in science means that we can now give nature a helping hand with injectables like Restylane.  Many people don’t realise that products like these have been used safely in medical procedures for many years and it’s only in recent times that their benefits have been recognised for use in the beauty industry.

Before embarking on any procedure at Laserase we carry out a full consultation and assuming you are accepted for treatment, a lip enhancement can usually be carried out in under an hour.  The lips are anesthetized and then the lip filler introduced.  It’s uncomfortable but not painful.

Lip enhancement is a popular treatment for women of all ages and is ideal if you want to redefine cupids bow, plump up your lips and make them more kissable.  Just the thing for Valentine’s Day!

The festive season is fast approaching which means we have had a steady influx of people who want to look their best for special occasions by having a Botox treatment.

Injectables like this can give a real boost to self esteem and you may not realise that before they were used as a beauty treatment, they were used for many years to treat muscular problems including eye deviation, eyelid spasm and facial spasm - and so they have a tried and tested history.

The treatment involves a small number of painless injections into the muscle groups that cause the wrinkling and immediately after the injections there may be some mild swelling that usually subsides within 24-48 hours.  The injections work by causing a temporary relaxation of the target muscle. This produces a reduction in wrinkling of the skin surface above the target muscle.

Results can take up to 5 – 14 days to work so if you want to dazzle this Christmas and New Year book your consultation NOW.  The good news is that after the party’s over you will still be looking fab as results obtained after a single injection can last for four to six months or even longer.

If you are thinking about using Botox for the first time, here at Laserase we only treat you after we’ve given a consultation so that we can ensure it is suitable for your needs.

Give us a call now to book your FREE consultation.

I was interested to read a recent report that said as a result of having stretch marks or scars, one in two women suffer from psychological problems.  Half of the100 women interviewed said it knocked their self confidence and images of seemingly perfect celebrities and models in the media made them feel worse.

This report certainly backs up our own experiences here at Laserase North West where we use the latest in state of the art laser technology to address these problems.

Stretch marks look like thin, stretched tissue. They appear when the lower layer of the skin containing the collagen and elastin become thinner and broken. At first, the marks look reddish-purple. This is because the stretched skin is more transparent and the small blood vessels that lie deep in the skin show through. Later, the blood vessels contract. The colour then fades to white, which is simply fat under the skin showing through.

The laser we use pulses to create tiny ablative zones, removing the epidermis and upper dermis. The treatment then triggers the body’s natural healing process, stimulating the growth of new, healthy skin tissue.  If your stretch marks are relatively new – in other words still red – the laser treatment works best.  Similarly new scars get the best results from laser treatment.

If you want to find out more give the clinic a call and make an appointment for your FREE assessment.