Why Women get those dark circles under the eye?

There are actually four reasons for those annoying dark circles under the eyes. Read along and enjoy this informative blog.

1- The first is the translucency of the skin. The skin of the lower eyelid is very thin. Actually, it’s the thinnest in the body and you can actually see through it. You can see the blood vessels and you can also see the orbicularis muscle underneath the skin.

The only thing you can do for that is build up the thickness of the skin and the best thing that does that is Vitamin C. There was a good publication in 2013 that showed that 6 months of Vitamin C on the skin at a concentration of 20% can significantly thicken the skin.

2- The second reason are brown pigmentation which is very common. Some patient’s have these dark pigments pretty dark. It’s a natural defence mechanism to have dark pigment under the eye. You see, the darker the skin around the eye the less likely that light will reflect into the eye and cause glare. By the skin darkening on the lower eyelid it sorts of increase your visual acuity. That is good, right? Well it doesn’t look that good.

What can we do for brown pigmentation under the eyes? Well, chemical peels, specially TCA peels, photo-rejuvenation with broadband lasers or brightening skincare creams that contain Azelaic Acid, Retinol and Hydroquinone derivatives like Arbutin.

3- The third cause of dark circles under the eyes often comes from shadowing and light refraction from prominent bags under the eyes or deep hollow tear troughs.

If you have the fat bags that aren’t too big, then fillers can help camouflage the undulation and irregularities surrounding the eyelids and promote a more even and brighter reflective surface. If it’s a deep tear trough, which runs like a groove from the inner corner of the eye to the outer face descending down as it crosses the midline, then a filler could be the best answer. There are two types of filler to be used on this occasion. Your own fat, taken from another area like the love handles or lower belly, a process called nano-fat, an advanced form of lipofilling. Alternatively, you can opt to use a synthetic soft dermal filler that is made specifically for that region, a filler that is not too hydrophilic (that means its doesn’t swell or take too much water), for this purpose I like using homogenous fillers like Juvéderm Volbella or Teosyal Redensity I or II.

4- The last reason is related to the ageing process. As we get older the cheeks that were prominent in yesteryears lose their fat, regress into the facial bones and the cheeks actually descend as the fibrous tissue loosen up giving way for the overlying skin to fall down and that’s what leads to an eventual midface gaunt. For those affected they can take their finger and press on the fat part of their cheek only to notice that they don’t have much of those dark circles anymore.

In this era, in 2020, one of the easy ways to deal with this is to inject dermal filler in the cheek area. A treatment called the Softlift where long lasting quality dermal fillers Restylane or Belotero restore that lost volume and prop the cheeks back up again. This kind of treatment will cause more swelling than elsewhere in the face, so be prepared to hide for a day or two.

What do you think? Did you find this blog helpful? Why not join me for
meaningful and educational social media posts on Instagram I’d love to hear your comments comments@castleknockcosmetics.ie or tweet me @dr_h_kahlout. If you found this blog helpful I’d appreciate a positive
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Are chemical peels worth it?

There are three levels of chemical peels and the original one was phenol peel. Phenol peel was first used in 1962. I got trained on that peel in the late 90’s when I worked with a great doctor called Dr McGuiness and that is a peel I did until probably 2003. We usually don’t do those phenol peels anymore because they are so unpleasant for people, but I tell you something, when you have a phenol peel your wrinkles are really decreased. I have been seeing 15 years later that I have treated with deep peels that still do not have wrinkles. However, most people who have had phenol peel will say they’ll never have it again.

In the early 2000’s, Tri-Chloroacitic Acid, TCA peels became popular. TCA peel can be performed in the office and patients heal in about 5 days. TCA peels gets rid of brown splashy pigmentation of the face, tighten pores but it doesn’t really do a good job on the wrinkles.

The third level of chemical peel which is the lightest is Glycolic peels, or lunch hour peel. Those peels are the ones I do if you have a hectic social or work life and you cannot take time off. These patient’s who tell me they don’t have any free time and we just have to do the best we can with what we can, because taking time off from busy life schedule is no option for them. So, in these patients I do glycolic acid peels and I do a series of at least 6 peels spaced three to four weeks apart. At the end of that series of peels we get to a good point where maybe we are at one TCA peel equivalent. So we can decrease pigmentation of your skin, make your skin look better, more radiant, make the elasticity better and there is less blemishes because we really clean those pores with these peels.

Nowadays skin care has come a long way. I find Demani Skincare very effective and has a simple easy to follow protocol and scientifically proven ingredients. I advise my patients to get into the routine of using maintenance AHA, glycolic or milk or fruit acids combined with one of the three retinols they offer, and that regimen gives similar results to undergoing office based procedure and all from the comfort of your home. Long term results are similar for those who embrace the skincare routine care. For those I recommend Rejuvenate day serum, Recover night cream following a good cleansing using Prepare soothing cleanser.

What do you think? Did you find this blog helpful? Why not join me for meaningful and educational social media posts on Instagram I’d love to hear your comments comments@castleknockcosmetics.ie or tweet me @dr_h_kahlout. If you found this blog helpful I’d appreciate a positive review on Google Review and our Facebook page.

Sculptra is becoming increasingly popular as a non-surgical option for buttocks enhancement. Results can last between two and three years, although some have reported that Sculptra can continue to enhance collagen production for as long as five years, or even longer.

Is Sculptra a filler?

Unlike hyaluronic acid fillers, which provide immediate results by immediate lifting the skin, Sculptra effect is gradual and works by stimulating collagen production in the injected area over the course of several months. Sculptra is a poly-L-lactic acid injectable filler that has typically been used in the face to smooth out deep creases and wrinkles.

An immediate increase in size can be noticed after the Sculptra injections have been performed, but that’s only because they also contain a biological saline-based solution. The skin returns to its normal state a few days later. It’s only then that the medicine starts to work, as the Sculptra microspheres are absorbed into the treated area and the body is coaxed into reproducing lost collagen.

Suitability for Sculptra butt lift?

Although I have been using Sculptra for facial augmentation since 2003, Sculptra buttocks augmentation are more and more popular part of my treatment repertoire over the last three years.

Enhanced buttocks are viewed as a modern beauty ideal. A decade ago, people wanted to be thin, with the smallest bum projection. Nowadays curvaceous buttocks are viewed as a more appealing body shape.

Sculptra butt lift can enhance the appearance of patients looking for a modest increase in buttock volume and a defined profile. For those who want to greater changes, the Brazilian Butt Lift is still the ideal procedure. During the BBL excess fat is removed from areas like the stomach or thighs by VASER liposuction and lipofilled into the buttocks. However, petite athletic people may not have enough fat to harvest and inject in the first place. That’s why they are considered ideal candidate for the Sculptra butt enhancement.

Flat Bum

Women can develop certain changes to their bodies, some are age-related, and others are mechanical or hormonal. The perky contour of the buttocks may loses its firmness and becomes flat. Changes that cause this flattening of the buttocks include weigh loss, pregnancy and hormonal changes which cause loosening of the ligaments that support and hold up the buttocks in younger people. This leads to a flat bum which loses its curvy shape. The problem can be remedied by injecting Sculptra into the fatty layer over the gluteal muscles.

What is the procedure like?

The procedure begins with me getting a clear understanding of your expectations and what type of change you wants. I’ll assess wither your needs can be met with Sculptra injections or you’re better off getting a BBL, I’ll also assess the approximate total amount needed in your case. Sculptra is more of a planned sculpting skill. Some patients want round butt, another person may want a C-shaped bum while others desire a more side contoured buttocks, or a combination of both.

After marking the areas that need enhancement, through an
interactive process to targeting safe anatomical vectors of lift and placed avoiding
important nerves and vessels. The patient then lies face down on the treatment
couch and the injections are administered pain free using a long cannula under
strict sterile environment.

Is there any downtime?

After the injections there may be some aching sensation for
a couple days, like a hard workout. To encourage the Sculptra to spread evenly,
I recommend that patients massage their bottoms for five minutes, five times a
day for five days. Patients can return to their regular activities right away.

How long does a Sculptra butt lift last?

In my practice I agree with experts around the world that results last between two and three years, although some have reported that Sculptra can continue to enhance collagen production for as long as five years, or even longer. However, I recommend that touch-up session is required after two years to maintain the effects of your treatment.

What do you think? Did you find this blog helpful? Why not join me for meaningful and educational social media posts on Instagram I’d love to hear your comments comments@castleknockcosmetics.ie or tweet me @dr_h_kahlout. If you found this blog helpful I’d appreciate a positive review on Google Review and our Facebook page.

Retinol from back in the day has really come a long way. In the past you used to get a prescription for Retin-A and call it a day. You’ll be flaky all the time and have sensitive skin and irritated. You stopped and started between loving the effect and hating the side effects. Hate love relationship with retinol plagued people for such a long time. Over the counter retinols were either too weak and didn’t cut the mustard or too harsh and caused as much sensitivity as prescription Retin-A.

What is Retinol

Retinol is over the counter medication while Retin-A is by prescription only. The two compounds are forms of retinoids, which are a form of vitamin A. They promote skin cell renewal and enhances collagen production in your skin. They are the only skin compounds that are proven as the gold standard for skin cell renewal and collagen production.

Collagen is what makes your skin plump and youthful. As we age collagen production is slowed down and we also lose collagen in our skin on day to day. The replenishment of fresh collagen cannot catch up with attrition and our skin thins out becomes dull and sags.

Benefits of Reinoids:

Acne prone skin with acne breakouts. Retinol clears your pores and strengthen your collagen matrix in the skin firming and plumping the collagen layer of your skin.

Retinol is brilliant for anti-ageing and that’s why many people opt to use it on regular basis

Retinol is good for hyperpigmentation as it helps to clear damaged dark blemishes.

Drawbacks of Retinol:

Increased sensitivity to the sun

Dry out your skin and can give you flaky skin and shedding

You can’t use it while you’re pregnant (at all)

Skin may look worse before it gets better especially when using high strength retinol without acclimatising the skin properly.

When to use retinol:

Ageing prevention from as young as in your twenties and you don’t stop, ever. You just increase your usage of it.

It you’re an acne sufferer you should start as a teenager

Which Retinol:

You can start with a low strength retinol like Demani Recover which contains 0.5% Retinyl which can be gentle and compounded with active calming ingredients. Start using it twice a week building up to every second day. Acclimatising your skin and getting used to it. When your skin can tolerate it every day, then you can move on to a stronger formulation like the Demani R+ 1% which is a serum rather than cream.

If you jump into the stronger retinols, you’ll get flaky, irritated especially in the T-Zone area. It almost feels like a contact dermatitis and could deter you from continuing to use it.

How to use Retinol:

Use retinol preparations only at night. Use retinoids after cleansing your skin preferably with a calming cleanser like Demani Prepare which is a soothing cleanser. Use it every second night to start with and increase the frequency according to your skin’s tolerance.

Do’s and Don’ts of Retinol:

Use only at night time as the sun does two things to retinol. First it deactivates the active retinoid and second it causes sensitivity to retinol covered skin.

Use with good SPF during the day, the higher the better. Demani do Protect SPF 50 which is moisturising and tinted.

Use gradually to find your sweet balance between benefit and irritation. Some use it every second night, others three nights on three nights off! Find what’s best for you!

Use a good oil free moisturiser to keep the skin calm and aid hydration potential. Demani Hydrate is super hydrating non oily hyaluronic acid moisturising serum.

What do you think? Did you find this article blog helpful? Why not join me for meaningful and educational social media posts on Instagram I’d love to hear your comments comments@castleknockcosmetics.ie or tweet me @dr_h_kahlout. If you found this blog article helpful I’d appreciate a positive review on Google Review and our Facebook page.

We know that our hands and our face can show signs of ageing but sometimes we forget to look at our neck. The neck is an area of concern to many patients and this blog will help you if you’re looking for a no-scalpel solution for that sagging skin around the neck.

In this blog I’ll be discussing non-invasive skin tightening treatments. There are more invasive ways to deal with loose skin around the neck like neck lift surgery, VASER lipo, and fat melting lipodissolve which are fat dissolving injections. These alternative methods are available at Castleknock Cosmetic Clinic Dublin to deal with excessive laxity and fat deposits around the neck.

The waddle or your turkey neck has to do with genetics, how fast does fat deposits in your neck and how your skin sag over time. There is something for everyone depending on your existing skin laxity, your desired tightness level and also how invasive you want to go. The radiofrequency skin tightening is a multipolar radiofrequency (MPRF) energy and not invasive. It utilises the power of electromagnetic energy. During the treatment a wand is passed repeatedly over the neck area causing thermal remodelling.

You can get a course of six treatments, one a week that will actually melt the fat in the skin and tighten the loose neck. As well as dissolving the fat away the skin tightening treatment increases production of new collagen and stimulates local vascularity for improved circulation. Being non-invasive it’s suitable for people on the go who want to come to the clinic in Castleknock for 30 minutes and relax, get the painless treatment and go back to their daily routine. 

With a surgical you’re going to get a very definitive, dramatic and long lasting results, but at a high cost with long downtime and not to mention scars. With the multipolar radiofrequency skin tightening you get subtle long lasting results without the downtime.

What do you think? Did you find this blog helpful? Why not join me for meaningful and educational social media posts on Instagram I’d love to hear your comments comments@castleknockcosmetics.ie or tweet me @dr_h_kahlout. If you found this blog helpful I’d appreciate a positive review on Google Review and our Facebook page.