Dr Fernando Aesthetics & Wellness

02/02/2022

This lady had a dermal filler injected to soften the lines of her lower face for an instantly youthful appearance.

Youthful skin is held tight and smooth by a firm, spongy meshwork just beneath its surface made of collagen, hyaluronic acid & elastin. As skin ages this meshwork loses its strength & integrity. Injecting hyaluronic acid dermal fillers can therefore help plump out & fill this thinned-out meshwork to restore firmer & smoother skin.
Volbella was used as it has a suitably fine consistency which integrates well just beneath the skin.

✉ Please get in touch via a DM or email to info@drfernandoaesthetics.co.uk if you want to know more about this treatment. If you decide this is for you, a complementary virtual video consultation can be arranged to conduct a preliminary facial assessment and assess your suitability for this treatment prior to your face-to-face appointment.

24/01/2022

Just 0.5ml of is the difference between this before & after. This young lady already had a beautifully shaped pout but just wanted a bit of volume without looking "done up." As you can see this subtle plumping harmonises well with the rest of her mid/lower facial profile.

You may notice there is a bit of swelling above the upper lip which is not uncommon immediately after a dermal needle procedure and this usually tends to go within a 3 days (in most people) to 2 weeks. Ice packs, avoiding strenuous exercise, alcohol and saunas for at least 24 hours can help minimise swelling.

✉ Please get in touch via a DM or email to info@drfernandoaesthetics.co.uk if you want to know more about this treatment. If you decide this is for you, a complementary virtual video consultation can be arranged to conduct a preliminary facial assessment and assess your suitability for this treatment prior to your face-to-face appointment.

22/01/2022

So this is the reason I've been off the radar for the last few months! As much as this little guy has become a big part of my existence now, I'm so looking forward to being back in action at Dr Fernando Aesthetics & Wellness. Riding the rollercoaster of being a new parent has been character building to say the least. It's had its euphoric thrills and its overwhelming struggles but I'm glad to say I'm finally feeling ready to get into the hustle of juggling my working life with being mama!

DM me if you wish to enquire further about upcoming bookings.

19/12/2020

https://graziadaily.co.uk/beauty-hair/skin/curious-about-facial-fillers-here-s-what-they-really-entail-sponsored/?fbclid=IwAR3YjFlh2nn9eHsvefX8l08HRXv209FueEtV5HmKHcK_kaGFIq5O4CkImOw

As an increasing number of people opt for non-surgical treatments, we’re here to fill you in (pun intended) on what they are and what they do

15/12/2020

Last week revealed on Instagram that she maintains her incredible skin with SkinPen microneedling in the hands of . How very perfectly timed as I launch this treatment, thank you VB! Other celeb fans including Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Aniston, Courtney Cox & Brad Pitt are hooked on this treatment, so what is it and what is all the hype about?

SkinPen is a type of microneedling which organically stimulates the skin’s ability to repair & rejuvenate itself. Microneedling devices create 1000s of controlled micro-injuries to trigger the skin’s natural wound healing process, resulting in the formation & remodelling of collagen which supports underlying skin tissue. This results in tighter looking skin, softened lines, reduced wrinkles & improved healing of scars and irregular pigmentation.

⭐Why SkinPen?
☆ It has the most excellent safety profile. Being the only micro-needling device with an ultrasonically sealed base, it prevents any bodily fluid from entering the pen hence eliminating the risk of cross contamination. It is also the only mechanical micro-needling device to hold all 4 certifications in the UK - FDA cleared medical device, CE mark Medical Grade Device, ISO certified for quality & assurance & BSI certification.
☆ It uses 14 Japanese needles in replaceable disposable cartridges which offer super precision & sharpness to prevent tearing often caused by poorer quality devices or at-home derma rollers.

⭐Is 1 treatment enough? You will definitely see some changes after just 1 go, but you will need >3 treatments with 4-6 week intervals & maintenance treatments every 4-6 months to really see its remarkable benefits.

⭐What if I’m needle phobic?
The needle length is 0.5 - 2.5mm which is incredibly tiny compared to a tiny needle. Anaesthetic numbing cream is also applied beforehand to optimise comfort.

👩‍⚕️Treatment time - 30 mins, £180 per small area (launch offer £150 until 31/1/20), minimal downtime.

💌 DM me for details & bookings.

13/12/2020

Here’s a glimpse of my bed & some of my framed sharpie pen doodles! Feeling inspired to write this post as just as I start thinking of winding down for bed...

We are all too familiar with the notion of beauty sleep just by the obvious fact that sleep deprivation causes puffy eyes, dark circles, tired eyes & sallow skin, but really what’s its importance for anti-ageing & skin longevity?

✨ There are some really fascinating scientific studies that demonstrate how our skin cells have their own internal clock and are busiest at night in their best state of repair & regeneration – this includes the fibroblasts which make collagen & melanocytes which produce pigment.

✨ Some evidence shows that cell proliferation is 30x higher at night compared to midday. The skin’s barrier is also more permeable at night & whilst we sleep, hence this is best time to utilise your targeted skin treatments. If ageing or uneven skin tone are your concern you should definitely think of using alpha-hydroxy acids (e.g. lactic acid, glycolic acid) and retinoids which further boost skin cell turnover & renewal.

✨ Chronic sleep deprivation triggers harmful free radical release which damage the skin barrier function, leading to accelerated wrinkling. It also diminishes blood flow to the skin to give a dull & ashen appearance. When blood is not circulating as well, fluid swelling collects under your eyes to give a puffier appearance. Staying well hydrated and keeping your head slightly elevated at night with an extra pillow can also help minimise this.

✨ The average adult needs 7-9 hours of quality sleep. Stress management, sticking to a sleep schedule and reducing caffeine & alcohol intake are important to ensure your optimal levels of sleep-inducing melatonin before bed but you should also avoid blue light screen time from phones & computers at least 1h before bed,
avoid heavy/ high carb meals 3h before bed and do regular exercise during the day, but avoid HIIT exercise 3h before bed.

✨ In the evening keep your lighting mellow and warm and use the blue light filter on your phones/tablets & invest in blackout curtains to prevent waking up too early from seeping light.

🌛Nighty night x

03/12/2020

In the UK aesthetic treatments lack regulation. In theory anyone who can get hold of fillers from any dodgy website can inject your face, so it’s important you do your research properly & choose your practitioner wisely. It’s equally important to note that even the most qualified practitioner may not be right fit for you because their approach does not feel right for you or their beliefs in beauty are misaligned with yours. It’s therefore absolutely your right to scrutinise me prior to deciding whether you trust me enough to treat you 😉.

❌ I’m not for you if:

🚫 You want to look “done up” as my goal is to enhance what’s already beautiful about you in the most natural looking way.

🚫 You want the most noticeable big lips. I’ll only do lip enhancements if this is going harmonise the proportions of your face.

🚫 You are not so bothered about the products I use. I believe in only using premium quality products which have been both FDA approved & CE marked with proven extensive research to be safe and effective. ​These products are all sourced from well established & tightly regulated pharmacies.

🚫 Cheap treatments are your priority. My prices are reflective of the products I use and how much I invest myself in continual education to ensure I am the best I can be in treating you & keeping you safe.

✅ I am for you if:

✔ You value a professional service with a holistic approach to beauty. I strongly believe that having solid understanding of facial anatomy & skin physiology is essential to ensure optimal treatment & minimise risk of complications. As a Lifestyle Medicine Physician I can also work with you to address any root causes which may be affecting your skin health and longevity.

✔ You want a treatment plan which is personalised to your concerns, expectations & budget.

✔ You want continuity of support from deciding & having your treatment, right through to aftercare. You’ll have a complementary pre-treatment & follow-up consultation. I am also easily approached if you have any concerns in the interim.

✔ You value evidence-based treatments. I only believe in treatments which have proven safety & efficacy from robust clinical research.

30/11/2020

🏖Admittedly nowadays I try to get my yearning travel fix by going through old holiday pics! Anyone else guilty of this?🏖

So the government has now revealed it will now be giving free vitamin D supplements to vulnerable people in an effort to protect against coronavirus. Vitamin D, AKA "the sunshine vitamin", created from direct sunlight on our skin, is important for optimal bone & muscle health and immunity. There's also some evidence to suggest it provides protection against some types of cancer, heart disease & diabetes, as well as having positive benefits for well-being & energy levels. Vitamin D furthermore benefits skin health as it contributes to skin cell repair & metabolism whilst having anti-inflammatory antioxidant properties. This is great as it may be benefit skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and acne. It's also been proposed it may have anti-ageing properties.

Understandably, when I emphasise the importance of SPF & avoidance of excessive sun exposure many of my patients question how they can get enough vitamin D. As much as I worship the sun, I advise the dangers of unprotected prolonged sun exposure still massively outweigh the benefits. Fortunately, the time taken to make vitamin D in the skin is relatively short & usually less than the time needed for the skin to become sun damaged – 10 min of midday sun often suffices. Continued sun exposure does not result in ongoing vitamin D production; there is little point in sitting out in the sun for prolonged periods of time to top up your levels.

In the UK with our current latitude we do not get enough UVB radiation to synthesise vitamin D in the months of October to March and Public Health England therefore advises we should take a supplement containing at least 10 mcg (400 units) during these months. Vitamin D can also be obtained from diet, though not as reliably. Richer sources include oily fish, eggs & fortified milks, cereals & tofu.

Symptoms of deficiency include fatigue, aches, recurrent infections & dry skin – check your levels if you are experiencing these as you may need to be prescribed a high dose by a doctor.

28/11/2020

I really can't wait to get properly started soon to continue building my portfolio of befores & afters with my newer & better camera!

Here's an old before & after of a lady who was astounded with the result of her first ever in-clinic anti-wrinkle treatment. As no premium high-end anti-ageing cream can achieve dramatic anti-wrinkle results, this specific treatment has no doubt gained a lot of popularity over the recent years.

Dramatic but natural results can be achieved for static wrinkles & dynamic facial expression lines if done with the most measured approach.This treatment is considered to be generally safe if conducted in the right hands, but needs a proper consultation with thorough exploration of your medical history beforehand.

✉ Please get in touch via a DM or email to info@drfernandoaesthetics.co.uk if you want to know more about this treatment. If you decide this is for you, a complementary virtual video consultation can be arranged to conduct a preliminary facial assessment and assess your suitability for this treatment.

27/11/2020

2020 has been tough on most of us to say the least and it was unfortunate that the opening of Dr Fernando Wellness & Aesthetics was postponed due twice due to lockdowns.

To celebrate my excitement for finally being able to fully open and also to express my immense gratitude for all the support I have received here I would love to offer you 20% off my services if you book between now and 4/12/20 for an appointment in December.

(Ts & Cs apply and cannot be applied onto additional discounts.)

Lots of love,

Dr Natasha ❤ x

22/11/2020

Although there is a lot less sun on the shorter gloomier days of winter, it is absolutely necessary to wear SPF during the day unless if you are spending all day indoors in away from any windows.

Up to 80% of UV light pe*****tes cloud cover and UVA light can pe*****te through window glass. In the UK, whilst UVB levels fluctuate with the seasons, UVA remains static throughout the year. Whilst UVB light damages the skin's upper layers, contributing to sunburn, UVA light pe*****tes the skin a lot deeper and is associated with ageing.

Preventing skin damage is far more cost effective than trying to reverse the visible signs of ageing. Indeed, there are some of us who spend £1000s on invasive treatments to correct skin damage when you could spend a miniscule fraction of that for a bottle of sunscreen.

As a minimum your sunscreen should have SPF 15-30 with UVA cover. SPF 15 is fine for those with darker skin, SPF 30 for most Caucasian skin and very pale skin needs SPF 50.

It is great that many cosmetic products such as moisturiser & foundation have SPF added to them, but most of us do not use enough of our cosmetic product to offer the same level of protection as sunscreen alone. There are however some great sunscreens which have added tints and moisturisers - my favourite is La Roche Posay Anthelios Hydrating Tinted Cream.

Those with oily skin should opt for matte, gel, or fluid textured preparations, whilst those with dry skin can go for the rich creams. If you have sensitive skin, you may wish to opt for sunscreens which use titanium dioxide & zinc oxide as alternatives to chemical filters.

Sunscreen should be the last skincare product applied before makeup and should be left to dry for 3-5 minutes before applying foundation.

If you wish to top up on some premium quality sunscreen from reputable Medical grade skincare brands (La Roche Posay, Alumier MD, Neostrata, ZO Medical, Obagi) please DM me and I'll showcase my virtual shelf from Get Harley.

📷 Photo of me playing tourist in Japan, taken in Kyoto, Dec 2018.

21/11/2020

Google "skin boosting recipes" and no doubt your search will cast an array of smoothie & salad recipes. Hardly surprising when we know they are typically packed with antioxidants, minerals and other nutrients. These act as co-factors to support our bodys' biochemical processes and neutralize those free radicals which are damaging to our skin. It is these harmful free radicals which cause skin inflammation and chronic exposure of this large amounts can contribute to DNA damage in skin cells, increasing the risk of skin cancer.

It is by far best to get these skin boosting nutrients naturally via unprocessed whole foods in your diet; solely relying on supplements will never quite achieve that optimal balance and variety of anti-oxidants.

Vitamin C & E, lycopene, beta-carotene and lutein are the most commonly found antioxidants found in fruit & veg and it is great that there's much evidence to suggest they offer some protection against UV ray damage.

The green of this smoothie bowl comes from the very modest dose of matcha I've added to it, anymore than that would have given a bittersweet aftertaste 😖. Matcha/ green tea has such a rep to be a skin booster as its incredibly rich in polyphenol antioxidants which mop up any free radicals in the skin generated from any sun damage. It's therefore no surprise that there's a lot of green tea skincare products on the market.

If you've read this far and interested, I created this bowl by blending: 1🍌, vegan Alpro yogurt, 1/4 teaspoon matcha 🍵, a handful of spinach & 1 cup of rolled oats.

I then topped it with: a bit of granola, chia seeds, banana cut into stars, blueberries, goji berries and sweet pea flowers just for the fun of decorating it! 😆