Wedding Day Prep: What to do to get ready for that big day!

Preparations for a wedding happens long before the actual day and this is especially true for getting the bride ready for her big day. Your skin needs to be at its best and it’s important not to leave this to the last minute.

At Britannia Dermedics, we suggest incorporating skin and body care into your wedding planning well in advance. These are our suggestions of what you can do now to make sure you look and feel your very best when the big day arrives:

1. Lots of couples decide to hit the gym to slim down and tone their body for the big day. Sometimes, there are areas that are impossible to target. At Britannia Dermedics, we offer body shaping and contouring with our newest SculpSure treatments. These treatments are fast, effective and require no downtime. The treatment safely and effectively breaks down body fat, resulting in a more defined shape. You will need 2-3 treatments, each at 4 weeks apart and full results are seen 8 weeks after your last treatment so this treatment is ideal to start well before your big day.
2. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be hair free for your wedding and, of course the honeymoon! Laser hair removal is a great alternative to waxing or electrolysis or razors. Treatments deliver permanent hair reduction and can we can treat a wide range of skin types and tones safely and effectively. You will need 8-12 treatments at 6 weeks apart so this is a treatment that should be considered early in order to be ready for your big day.
3. You want to look your most radiant and youthful on your big day. Regular facials are often not enough. Consider a non-invasive skin rejuvenation treatment with our top of the line laser technology. The result will be a brighter, more even skin tone.
4. If you have more serious skin concerns such as acne scarring, stretch marks, or enlarged pores, we offer Venus Viva skin resurfacing treatments. This non-invasive treatment is amazing for improving skin’s texture and tone. Booking 2-3 treatments spaced 30 days apart before your wedding is ideal to ensure your skin is at its best for your big day.
5. Talk to our injection specialist about reducing wrinkles and restoring volume and fullness to give you a refreshed appearance. At Britannia Dermedics, our specialists can help reduce wrinkles as well as lift and fill the contours of your face to regain your youthful appearance.
6. Being on a regular routine of a good skin care line is also essential to having the best skin on your big day.

Call us to book your complimentary consultation so we can let you know what treatments we think would be best for you so that you can reach your goals of looking your best on your big day!

Laser Hair Removal

In ancient days, hairy legs and armpits were just a fact of life. Today, unwanted hair is clogging up shower drains, sticking to waxing strips and dulling razors around the world. Both men and women are anxiously looking for hair removal solutions. Here are some interesting facts:

• In the US, 85% of women regularly spend time removing unwanted hair daily?
• Women who shave, will spend over $10,000 on shaving products during their lifetime.
• Women spend 2 entire months of their lives shaving!
• Women who wax 1-2 times per month, end up spending about $23,000 on waxing products in their lifetime.

Luckily, in this day and age, we have options for hair removal other than shaving, waxing, threading and even electrolysis. The problem with older options is that the results do not last and some of them are quite painful. Laser hair removal is on the rise, however, likely due to the effectiveness found in modern laser technology.

We are often asked if laser hair removal actually works. Each laser works lightly differently, however the basic process is the same. The laser targets the pigment in the hair follicle, either through intense pulsed light (IPL) or by diode. The heat and energy combined are absorbed into the follicle, damaging the areas that produce the actual hair. With repeated treatments over the growth cycle of the hair, the follicle becomes unable to produce the hair from that follicle. After each treatment, the hair stems from that follicle will lose its course texture and speed of growth will be significantly diminished after each treatment.

So, is laser hair removal painful? Depending on the laser used and the settings of the laser, laser hair removal can be painful. This is one reason why choosing a certified laser hair technician and clinic is vitally important. Not only can the laser technician impact your result, they can also be responsible for the wavelengths that affect your pain threshold.

Seeing results after laser hair removal is highly dependent upon genetics, where the hair is in the growth cycle and the part of the body being treated. Typically we advise clients to have multiple treatments per area for optimal results. Hair grows in a cycle and at any given time can be in one of 3 phases. Laser hair removal only targets hair in the growth stage and any number of hairs may be in this or a different stage. Because of this, multiple treatments are necessary to target all hairs.

The ideal candidate for laser hair removal is someone with light skin and dark, course hair. These candidates respond faster to the laser technology. This is not to say that someone with darker pigment will not benefit from the laser, the results may just take longer to achieve. Choosing a clinic with the appropriate laser for your skin type is vital for optimal outcomes.

Call us today to find out if laser hair removal would work for your hair concerns.

Frustrated with Ingrown Hairs?

Whether you wax, shave, pluck, ingrown hairs can still happen. They’re frustrating, unsightly, and sometimes, painful. With spring here, and summer around the corner, here are some tips to help keep your legs and underarms in great shape and comfortable.

What causes ingrown hairs?

An ingrown hair occurs when a newly shaved, plucked, or waxed hair starts to grow -  but back into the skin. This causes inflammation, irritation, and may result in a painful infection if untreated or treated improperly.

Prevention

1. Don’t dry shave.

Lathering up with a skin-sensitive shaving cream, or at the very least, conditioner will make the hair less likely to be taut and pull back into the skin. The more malleable the hair, the less likely for it to be ingrown.

2. Shave with the grain.

You’ve been hearing this since you started shaving, and it is true. Many people shave against the grain because it gives a closer shave. While this is understandable (going straight against the hair cuts it off at the lowest point), it may mean ingrown hairs and irritation. The look and feel of shaven legs varies little between against or with-the-grain shaves, but its effect on the way the hair grows is significant.

3. Use a new, sharp blade frequently.

Using a sharp blade is essential to cutting the hair instead of tugging at it. This also promotes cleanliness, which keeps the growth clean.

4. Exfoliate.

Whether for shaving or waxing, exfoliate your skin frequently enough that it feels more smooth each time you do it, but not so much it becomes red or irritated. Removing layers of dead skin promotes good hair growth, as hairs are able to penetrate the skin more easily.

Laser Hair Removal

Consider Laser Hair Removal as an effective alternative option. Professional Laser Hair Removal is painless and permanent. All skin types can be accommodated by professional treatment. Laser hair removal provides a much better result than shaving or waxing plus, once the treatments are completed, the hair is gone permanently.

Benefits of Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal is the best way to stop waxing and shaving and say goodbye to unwanted hair forever.

Laser Hair Removal FAQ

Is laser hair removal permanent?

•  Yes, laser hair removal is permanent.

Is laser hair removal painful?

•  No, our laser hair removal is not painful. Our team is highly skilled and knowledgeable about how to conduct the procedure gently and without pain.

What areas can be treated?

•  Laser hair removal can be done to face, legs, arms, underarms, back, and sensitive areas: chest, bikini, and nipples.

Does skin tone matter?

•  As the laser treatment targets dark pigment, you may have heard that dark skin tones cannot be treated. However, high quality treatment can now accommodate every skin tone. This system is able to treat light-to-dark skin tones, as well as tanned skin.

How long does it take?

•  The treatment is done in a minimal amount of time. Depending on skin tone, the treatment takes three to six sessions and should not need to be repeated.

How it works

Professionals use lasers to break down and destroy the dark pigment within hair using a strong light. The repeated sessions break down the follicle that produces the hair, stopping it from growing again. As a result, the dark hairs stop appearing up to seventy percent of the time, and no in-grown hairs grow because the follicle is not able to produce them.

A Good Investment

Shaving can irritate the skin and requires an expensive cycle of purchasing razors, as well as time commitment for up-keep. Waxing lasts longer than shaving, but also involves costly appointments and often comes with rashes or in-grown hairs. Laser hair removal is a rewarding treatment that will leave you with positive and permanent results.

Make sure to go to a medical spa facility to ensure the best treatment from a team of professionals. High quality laser hair removal is a good investment for your time and appearance.

No More Ingrown Hairs

No matter how we change our hair removal technique–wax, shave, or pluck–ingrown hairs always seem to make a magnificent comeback.

A Sign of the Time–Time to Deal with That Ingrown Hair

A short and dark hair, or red and irritated spots around your armpits, legs, or crotch, all suggest that an ingrown hair is forming. Ingrown hairs occur when the hair starts to grow back into the skin, causing inflammation, pain, and annoyance. Here’s how to prevent and how to deal with them when they are already there.

Prevent Ingrown Hairs from Forming

• Shave with the grain. It’s what your mother or shaving mentor told you and you ignored. Unfortunately, they were right. While shaving against the grain causes a closer cut, the shortness actually causes ingrown hairs to form. Cutting to close to the skin doesn’t allow for the hair to continue growing in the same direction, causing the  hair to grow back into the skin and cause irritation, or even infection as dirt gets caught and oils are trapped under the skin.
• Exfoliate when you shower. Exfoliating, by using a loofah (not too rough), helps to remove dead skin cells which can trap oil or dirt in your pores and cause infection with the ingrown hair. Hair has an easier time growing in to smooth skin with no barriers caused by dead skin cells.
• New razor. A new blade gives a cleaner cut, has less bacteria on it, and most importantly does not tug at your hair. Tugging causes irritation and affects the direction of hair growth, while cutting keeps the growth cycle clean.

Your Hair and Winter

Got hat head? From flat hair to static hair, dry fuzzy hair and split ends…winter can be frustrating.

Just like your skin, you need to make adjustments in how you care for your hair during the colder months.

The bad news

Calgary’s harsh winters are tough on your tender follicles and you need to take extra time to ensure your hair doesn’t get damaged. Alongside that, sun exposure on the ski slopes can be just as harmful as it is on a beach. Wind, snow and cold temperatures can make hair dry and brittle.

And then there’s indoor heating. Don’t get us started. It’s like spending an entire afternoon with your head stuck under an old fashioned salon hair dryer.

The good news

You can protect your hair by spending a little extra time, and perhaps a few extra dollars on a moisturizing conditioner—one that is thick and rich, and has these key ingredients: essential fatty acids and humectants. As well as moisturizing your hair, they will do double duty, attracting and holding moisturize in your hair.

Take good care of your hair – you spend time and money on your skin. Make sure your hair is also in good condition.

A Good Time for Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal might not be the first thing you think of when you hear the word “January.” However, after a few treatments the fabulous smooth effects will be long lasting. Winter is also a preferable time for beauty treatments if you are concerned with brief post-treatment redness!

What Areas Can Be Treated?

• Face
• Chest
• Arms
• Legs
• Back
• Bikini
• Nipples

How long does the treatment take?

The number of treatments to completion varies depending on skin tone–anywhere from three to six brief sessions. When your treatments are complete you should not need to come back as it is highly successful.

How it Works

A strong, non-invasive laser breaks down pigment within dark hairs. Eventually through repeated treatments, the laser breaks down the follicle that produces the hair, stopping regrowth completely. The hair is no longer able to produce, drastically reducing the appearance of hair on your body.

Be Good to Your Skin

Laser hair removal is a few short treatments that produce smooth, hair-free skin for the rest of your days. It is a non-invasive treatment that removes the routine of shaving or waxing from your life. Opting for laser hair removal can be beneficial to your skin in that it replaces these practices which are aggravating to your skin–waxing and shaving are rough activities that cause rashes and in-grown hairs. Consider laser hair removal this winter for a smoothness that will feel good this summer and in years to come.