So some of you may remember that last December I was picked to be on ITV's This Morning as part of their 'Make Me a Christmas Cracker' feature.
After seeing a plea on the show for participants I wrote and basically asked (begged) them to pick me to re-vamp my look, sort out my teeth and give me back a little of myself. After taking over looking after my Mother and being a single Mum myself, it all affected 'me' and I really had lost who I was and what I wanted to do with; what little of my life I had to myself.
So that was 6 months ago and I thought it was about time I blogged a little update to compare my skin after the treatments I underwent and to see what changes the show had brought about, both physically and mentally!
THE TREATMENTS
I had 3 Hydrofacials with Mr Alex Karidis, at his clinic at The Hospital of St. John & St. Elizabeth - this is an amazing treatment and basically sucks out all the dirt, impurities and opens up the pores then pumps the skin full of hydrating fluids and helps tone and resurface the skin. This was combined with a gentle peel and exfoliation heads on the machine itself.
My skin really had not felt as good since I was about 15 or so. The texture was completely different as was the skin tone and feel.
I was given injectable fillers and Botox treatment. In 3 main areas around my eyes, my mouth and between my eyes.
I had a slight sensitivity from above my right eye up to my hairline and apparently this is quite common and because it was near the sensory nerve. Generally though the Botox and fillers were painless and the procedure quick and with fast results. Obviously the Botox has worn off now and I have not been able to afford to have it again but I will especially before my 40th birthday this year!
The fillers I can still see are working and together with the Ulthera treatment have plumped up my cheeks and jowls internally.
Ulthera Treatment
I want to explain this correctly so have taken the produre from Alex Karidis
The Ulthera treatment works by utilising an energy based device to transmit and target deeper facial structures. This then generates heat which both tightens the skin and induces new collagen to form in the deeper skin and muscle layers, giving an appreciable rejuvenated result. The ultrasound energy used is capable of reaching the same depths as a surgical procedure. The ultrasound waves also work to stimulate the production of new collagen, giving your skin a refreshed look.
Now some people and one of the girls that was also on the feature with me found this procedure very painful.
I took 2 paracetamol and 2 Ibuprofen an hour before and to be honest found it less painful than waxing! I have quite a high pain threshold but really the only place it was slightly sensitive was when the treatment went close to my cheekbone (where the skin is thinner) but even that only made me flinch slightly.I could see immediate effects but truly I don't think I realised HOW much it has done to my skin's firmness and texture until recently. I should also state there is NO downtime at all so you can even do it in your lunch break!My chin has firmed up, my cheeks, jowl area, lips all have defied gravity and gone back up towards my eyebrows! (Now I need that for my boobs!)I am a devout convert to this treatment and highly recommend it to anyone!
And so here is the update pic I went from being this depressed brown haired bag woman back to me and for that I can never thank ITV enough....
You can see how much my jaw has lifted and skin plumped up - the collagen repairs itself back to as if you are in your 20's! It is incredible. I am going back for botox and fillers again as I personally love the effect (so does my son as I can't look cross when I have it) and I still have expression just not as much as I normally would, which I think is a good thing as I tend to over frown etc.
To find out more about Ulthera treatments please go to Mr A Karidis or on twitter
