In recent years, collagen-boosting products have seen a steep increase in popularity. Many of us have probably seen collagen as a featured ingredient in several different beauty products, foods, drinks and other edible products (including coffee beverages, energy bars and other items that have started popping up in your local grocery aisles). Professional facials that include collagen have also risen to an all-time high. But, why collagen? And why is it important?

Here we’ll explain what collagen is, explore its benefits for your skin’s health and describe how collagen facials can help revitalize your face and keep you feeling youthful for years to come.

What is Collagen?

Collagen is a structural protein and a key element of your dermal tissue. It naturally retains the moisture of your skin and increases its hydration levels, which in turn helps keep your skin’s texture smooth and the appearance of fine lines at bay. Your skin has a natural ability to synthesize collagen, which is how it stays looking taut and healthy during your younger years.

However, as we age, our collagen production levels dwindle and our skin begins to look less plump and smooth, thus increasing the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles. Our continuous exposure to excessive sunlight and pollution, as well as our susceptibility to stress, poor diet and bad habits (such as smoking and drinking alcohol) also contribute towards the depletion of our collagen levels and slow its natural synthesis rate over time. All of these factors result in our skin eventually losing its elasticity and becoming more loose and wrinkled, which increases the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and sagging.

There are several collagen-based products and treatments that have sprung up within the health and beauty market. These have been designed with the intent to boost collagen levels and combat the signs of aging. This means that increasing the levels of collagen in your skin is a great way to stop the aging clock and keep it looking nourished and revitalized.

What Are the Benefits of Collagen?

Recent studies have shown that collagen intake can increase your skin’s moisture levels, which improves its elasticity and thus helps reduce the likelihood of skin irregularities and wrinkles. Collagen also makes up the soft padding in our joints and bones, which means that consuming collagen-based products can help mitigate any pain associated with joint or bone deterioration, improve physical performance and improve our overall well-being.

What Are Collagen Facials?

A collagen facial treatment is designed to help return elasticity to loose or aged skin. During the procedure, the fibres of your skin are penetrated with an ample amount of collagen-supportive ingredients. These will help jump-start your collagen levels, which in turn will help preserve your skin’s elasticity and rejuvenate your natural collagen synthesis process. 

Collagen facial treatments bring life and vitality back to dull, aged skin, successfully reducing the appearance of fine lines and adding years back onto your face.

What our Collagen Facials Can Do For You

For optimal results, our team recommends booking a collagen facial treatment once a month for at least six to eight months. Afterwards, the frequency of treatments can be reduced to once a year. According to professionals, this frequency of treatment helps maximize the effects of rejuvenating your collagen synthesis process. Several of our clients have reported successful results from this procedure.

Contact Us For More Information

If you are looking for a way to keep your skin looking healthy and youthful, our team at Westside Laser & Light may be able to give your face the treatment it needs. For any further questions about the benefits of collagen for your skin and health, as well as the treatments offered at our clinic, feel free to contact us and one of our staff will be happy to help. 

FAQ

WHAT IS THE ULTRA FEMME 360™?

The ULTRA FEMME 360 is a new procedure that improves women’s intimate well-being.

WHO IS THIS PROCEDURE RIGHT FOR?

This procedure is a great option for women who desire non-surgical improvement of their intimate health.

IS THE PROCEDURE SAFE?

The ULTRA FEMME 360™ procedure meets strict safety standards. The built-in Energy Flow Control system provides uniform heating during the therapy. For you, the patient, it means the treatment is typically without any discomfort, while the optimal amount of energy reaches the target tissue. Heating at lower temperatures compared to ablative lasers decreases risk for infection or discharge.

HOW MANY TREATMENTS DO I NEED?

Your provider will tailor an individual treatment plan for you based on your needs. Recommended number is 3 treatment sessions scheduled once a week.

WHAT DOES THE TREATMENT FEELS LIKE? IS IT PAINFUL?

While the ULTRA FEMME 360 homogeneously heats the treated area, you will feel a pleasant and comfortable heat.  Following the treatment, you may notice mild redness and swelling in the treatment area. This usually disappears within a few hours. You may resume normal activity immediately afterwards.

ARE THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS OR DOWNTIME?

There is no downtime with the ULTRA FEMME 360. The whole procedure is non-invasive and requires no recovery time. You can easily have the treatment during your lunch break and return to your daily activities immediately.

HOW FAST WILL I SEE RESULTS?

Patients have reported improvements after a single treatment session. The results will typically continue to improve over the therapy time and the follow up period.

WHAT DOES REALSELF.COM SAY ABOUT ULTRA FEMME 360?

Read actual patients describe how this treatment affected their lives with their own testimonials at RealSelf.com . <Click the link>

Fraxel re_store DUAL Patient Diary

Nail Fungus Laser Treatment: A Combination Approach.

The unsightly problem of nail fungus (or onychomycosis) affects as many as 1 in 5 Canadians. Nails can appear yellow or brown in color with uneven texture and often a thickening of the nail. Nail fungus is a cosmetic concern and spread through contact. One can contract nail fungus by in public places like pools or showers or by living in close proximity with someone with fungus, or sharing shoes or socks.

Treating nail fungus has been difficult historically and prescription medications have been shown to be have the risk unwanted side-effects or not effective topically.

Laser treatment has emerged in 2010 as an alternative to oral and topical remedies with a reported success rate of over 70% with laser alone.

To ensure the best chance of a successful treatment outcome, we employ a combination approach using multiple treatment options, education/home-care, in-shoe sterilization and optional prescription or non-prescription remedies.

Treating Nail Fungus From All Angles

Here at Westside Laser & Light, we avoid oral prescription medication at all costs with our nail fungus treatment primarily because they are known to have numerous unwanted side-effects. We have developed a combination approach that substantially increases positive outcomes.

1. Fractional laser treatment – tiny holes are prepared to allow for topical remedies like oregano oil or prescription medication to penetrate deeply.
2. Laser Genesis treatment – creates heat in the nail-bed to kill the microorganisms.
3. SteriShoe UV Shoe Sanitizer – kills 99.9% of fungus in your footwear with ultraviolet light.
4. (optional) Prescription topical JUBLIA – is a new and safer prescription that is applied on the toes.
5. (optional) Wild-Oregano spray is an effective natural remedy for treating fungal infections.
6. Education / Home-Care – Last but not least, it is important to understand where fungus can be contracted, how to avoid it, how to care for your nails during treatment, and more. Treating nail fungus is a partnership between the clinic and the patient.

Each item on the above list performs a vital role in a successful treatment series. Not all cases result in successful outcomes but we find that our approach gives one the best chance for eliminating nail fungus completely.