Getting stronger with EMSCULPT, the no-pain, muscle-building, fat-loss medical device*

*In collaboration with S-Thetics, Beaconsfield.

My husband is super-fit, works out most days with weights and the odd run. But although I have a chronic pain condition, I've recently done far more sit-ups in half an hour than he - or anyone - could ever dream of. Twenty-thousand to be precise.

While I let that sink in, I’ll admit, it wasn’t under my own steam. I've used medical technology for my abdominal muscles to benefit from the physical effects of the equivalent of 20,000 sit-ups and without actually moving myself.

Intrigued? Who wouldn't be?

Lack of body strength

In recent years I’ve found myself with a bit of a problem. I have a structural weakness in my back thanks to Ehlers Danlos syndrome, but repeated abdominal surgeries have decimated my stomach muscles, leaving me with a dangerously weak upper body.

The result has been regular episodes of my back giving way, with my weak abs leaving me crawling on the floor, unable to hold myself up. One recent, memorable incident meant my husband and son had to roll me, shrieking, onto a large drawing board to carry me to bed.

Something had to change - but my EDS and PoTS preclude me from doing sufficient - or really any - exercise. Even standing up still for long can be a challenge.

Then I came across something that changed my life.

Magical muscle machine

The answer was EMSCULPT. This miracle medical device makes you not only stronger but also slimmer in just four sessions of half-an-hour each. I was introduced to it by Miss Sherina Balaratnam at her multi-award-winning medical aesthetics clinic, S-Thetics, in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire.

I'm a huge fan of S-Thetics and have had a number of beneficial and life-enhancing treatments there previously.

This video I've put together explains what it’s done for me - and could do for you.

*I received this particular session of EMSCULPT courtesy of S-Thetics Clinic.

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A sharper look with EndyMed's V-shaped facial treatment

The paradigm of the older 'invisible' woman has now been demolished, as business leaders, movie stars, musicians and supermodels are showing the world that vitality, relevance and beauty do not end at 40, 50 or above.

We may tell ourselves that for people like Kylie (Minogue), Nicole, Sandra, Cindy, Sharon, Meryl, etc, looking good is part of their job. But whatever your lifestyle, time constraints or bank balance, taking care of yourself should be taken seriously, whatever your age.

In the last few years since I've been living with chronic pain, I've tried to help myself by taking up meditation, giving up eating meat, drinking more water and stepping up my skincare. None of it takes too long and, for me, looking my best gives me an 'armour' to face the world. It also plays a vital role in supporting my mental health.

The life experience that comes with being older is something to be cherished. But I've discovered you don’t need to resort to drastic measures if you feel you the mirror isn’t reflecting back how you still feel inside. There are new, non-invasive, clinical facial treatments that you can have in your lunch-hour. I think of them as a 'facial plus'.

I’ve written about EndyMed 3DEEP before and how it restores the skin's elasticity that the young take for granted. Now there’s another tool in the EndyMed kit – a V-shaped head that is specifically for the jawline – it’s the enemy of emerging jowls and the secret weapon of many mature celebrities of both genders (note, it's not suitable for everyone - you'll need a consultation first).

I’ve been lucky enough to be invited back to Miss Sherina Balaratnam’s award-winning clinic in Beaconsfield to try it out. Here's the short video review I made about it...


See the other videos I've done with S-Thetics here

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The Hydrafacial: an easy way to beautiful skin

When you have a chronic illness, everyday life can seem like walking head-on into a hurricane. Putting one foot in front of the other, both physically and metaphorically, can seem like you are up against an unseen but powerful opposing force that, with one unwise step, will whip you off your feet into a maelstrom with an unknown ending. It's an uncertain and exhausting existence.

That's why having nice things happen can mean far more than you might ordinarily expect. It lifts your spirits and reminds you that the sun's warmth can still reach you. You remember that you are still a woman first, not just a patient or a carer or a parent.

That's especially true when it's something as delicious as a facial. And not just any facial, but the treatment that's sought after by A-list celebrities: The Hydrafacial.

When Miss Sherina Balaratnam of the state-of-the-art S-Thetics clinic in Beaconsfield, asked me if I'd like to try out the Hydrafacial for myself, it was just the thing to help prepare me for a challenging three-day conference that was coming up. In fact, just being in the clinic, with its all-white decor and hi-tec clinical equipment, makes you feel like you're about to experience something really special as Sherina and her team make you feel so welcome and at ease.

I've been lucky enough to test several other treatments at S-Thetics, the Fire and Ice treatment, Juvéderm fillers and my absolute favourite, the EndyMed 3DEEP, none of which I would have been able to do without Sherina's generosity in exchange for an honest review. And from the description of the Hydrafacial as a six-step, personalised, pore-deep treatment, I knew my tired-feeling skin was in for a treat.

Sherina even sent me on my way with a divine bottle of Copper Mist firming mist, to keep my skin happy and hydrated.

Sherina's Copper Firming Mist gift from iS Clinic

The Hydrafacial

The Hydrafacial can be tailored to match whatever needs your skin may have, and this can be analysed first with S-Thetics' Visia which analyses the state of your skin deep into the dermis. I already knew from a previous Visia that I have sun damage from being fair-skinned and the signs of ageing you would expect. Sherina selected the Hydrafacial Skin Health for Life treatment which, which detoxes, exfoliates, brightens, extracts impurities and then treats the skin with pure botanicals to rejuvenate, plump and firm.

You can buy the same serums that the Hydrafacial uses separately

The Hydrafacial uses a multi-functional wand, attached to a machine that pumps through the right serum for each stage of treatment. The wand has different heads according to the job it's doing, from exfoliating dead skin cells, to extracting deep down dirt from the pores to delivering the soothing and firming serums, hyaluronic acid and peptides to leave you looking your best.

The Hydrafacial kind of reminds me of when I first got a Dyson vacuum cleaner. I thought my carpet was clean until I used the Dyson. It sucked out deep down fine silt that other cleaners hadn't touched. The Hydrafacial is a similar premise: you might think your skin is clean, but wait until you see what clean really looks like. It means your face looks fresh, more youthful (if that's what you need) and with any skin troubles greatly improved.

Rather than just tell you about the treatment, I made a short video with everything you need to know. And I just know you'll want to try it out yourself.

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How to rejuvenate your skin in two easy steps

You may have seen my previous post about visiting the S-Thetics medical aesthetic clinic in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire when I sampled the delights of Allergan Juvéderm fillers. If not, take a look at the video I made demystifying and informing you about the procedure, which really made a difference not only to my 48 year old face but also to my confidence.

*Scroll to the end to watch the short video

Surgeon, Miss Sherina Balaratnam, who owns the clinic, invited me to return to try out her Signature facial treatment, which consists of a session with a revolutionary non-invasive EndyMed™3DEEP® radiofrequency treatment.  That's followed by a luxurious Fire and Ice facial tratment that is described thus:

"Pioneered in Beverly Hills and coveted by A listers globally, this renowned intensive treatment is clinically formulated with the purest pharmaceutical grade ingredients and designed to offer the ultimate results driven facial treatment.

The Fire & Ice treatment gives the skin a deep cleanse, leaving it with a beautiful glow. Your skin will feel plumper, smoother and more hydrated, leaving you ready to face the day! This treatment is ideal as a one-off skin rejuvenation treat, but for more intensive and long-lasting results, we recommend using once per week over a six week period."

How does the EndyMed™3DEEP® work?

The EndyMed™3DEEP® is a non-invasive radiofrequency treatment, designed to stimulate collagen, combat loss of elasticity, wrinkles and impaired texture that, let's face it, are for most of us, part of life's little expectations when we are lucky enough to have made it thus far. But it doesn't have to be that way.

"Using radio frequency (RF) energy, EndyMed™3DEEP® safely heats the collagen in the skin making it contract, providing an immediate change in skin appearance.  The treatment also triggers a second process of new collagen production, stimulating your body’s natural collagen renewal process leading to skin tightening and a reduction in the appearance of wrinkles."

You see, this is why those celebrities look so amazing for their age. It's not just good genes, it's great maintenance and luckily, it's not so expensive that it's completely out of reach if you are not famous.

Back at the S-Thetics clinic in Beaconsfield, Bucks, Sherina shows me the Endymed machine, which does indeed look very medical. Reassuringly so. The other factor that takes away any concern is the fact that Sherina is a highly experienced medical doctor and surgeon (hence the 'Miss' and not Dr).

Why did I go for it?

I had noticed in recent months, the skin of my lower jaw feeling a little thinner, less taut and more fragile. Almost certainly no one else would have noticed it, but it was just that the 'quality' of it I could feel had changed. So when Sherina offered me the chance to try out the treatment, I didn't hesitate, especially knowing I was in such good hands.

In any case, I'm not interested in pleasing anyone else - my husband loves me as I am - but I'm just not ready to see in the mirror a face that doesn't reflect how I feel inside. Living with a chronic pain condition can make you feel battered and old before your time, so for me, looking the best that I can helps keep my spirits up.

Back at S-Thetics

In the quiet sanctuary of the S-Thetics clinic, I lay on the treatment bed while Sherina began the EndyMed Facial Tightening treatment. The hand-held part of the EndyMed device reminded me a bit of an ultrasound and as Sherina applies it to the area being treated, my lower face, I could feel the heat penetrating through some contact gel into my skin. It wasn't unpleasant and it didn't hurt. The temperature is monitored and when I indicated, as instructed, that it was approaching the limit of comfort, Sherina knew that it had done its job.

The treatment was very quick, painless and you could have gone straight back to work if that's what you wanted to do. Of course I was just testing out one session, but a course of six is recommended for long lasting effects.

On to the Fire and Ice

The second part of the 'Signature treatment' is the Fire and Ice facial treatment. Most of us have had facials, but this one is a multi-step procedure that peels and resurfaces the skin with 18% unbuffered glycolic acid, citric acid, lactic acid, malic acid, vitamin B3, retinol and potent antioxidants, including green tea extracts. That's the 'Fire' part but it didn't hurt in any way. I have very sensitive, allergy-prone skin and I was a bit nervous that I might have a reaction, but everything is based on natural, botanical ingredients and I was perfectly fine.

The Fire part is an intensive clinical treatment designed to reduce fine lines and wrinkles and provide deep cleansing of blocked pores. 

The second 'Ice' stage is another masque application that is cool, soothing and intensively hydrating. It contains hyaluronic acid, often described as 'the fountain of youth',  Japanese green tea extracts, aloe vera gel, liquorice extracts, rosemary extracts and grape seed extracts. This second masque cools the initial resurfacing and is left on for about 5 minutes. 

After a final cleanse, a moisturising serum and a strong sunscreen are applied to the face because the treatment will leave your face susceptible to the sun for a short while afterwards. 

The Verdict

I'm often sceptical of facial treatments because I rarely feel any different afterwards apart from a bit lighter in the wallet area. But the S-Thetics Signature treatment honestly made a big difference to my middle-aged skin.

It immediately felt plumper and firmer and to me, it looked much brighter and less tired. 

But it was the EndyMed radiofrequency treatment that has made the lasting difference. The fragility I was feeling in my neck and lower jaw has disappeared along with any slight loss of elasticity I had noticed. Now it's back to what it was at least a decade ago. 

My neck especially has shown the benefits. The treatment has tightened all the collagen in my skin so that it's all back where it used to be and I am delighted! 

Ideally, I would have the full course of six treatments but even with just one, the effects have already lasted several months. I'm rather late with this review but in this case, it means I have had a chance to see how the treatment has lasted - and it really has nipped that first sign of sagging skin in the bud and I would recommend it to anyone my age or even younger (depending on how your skin is faring). 

It works just as well for older men and women too - possibly it would have even better results - and its benefits are not restricted to the face. It can treat sagging body areas as well including the abdomen, arms, breasts and bottom. It really is an amazing treatment and if I sound as if I'm raving, it's because it really is worthwhile having, to give you a confidence boost. 

It's true that for many mums, this kind of thing is a luxury we can't often afford, but when I work out how much I've saved by giving up alcohol for example, that would easily cover a treatment every so often. 

And of course, it's nearly Christmas, so if you're looking for a no-down-time treatment to give you that skip in your step for the festive season, look no further than S-Thetics Signature EndyMed™3DEEP® and a Fire and Ice facial.

Thank you once again to Miss Sherina Balaratnam of S-Thetics in Beaconsfield for her generosity (and her patience!) I cannot recommend her enough.

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Not ready for wrinkles: My facial rejuvenation with Juvéderm CosmeticFillers

The years zip by so quickly, especially when you have children. You're naturally more focused on them especially, as in my case, when they have special needs.

Throughout my 30s, it was just head down, full-on searching for the right help and the right school as well as dealing with their difficulties.

Then, in my mid-forties, just as I was starting to get more time to start working part-time (besides founding Special Needs Jungle), I was knocked down by a huge and lasting flare up of Ehlers Danlos syndrome. It was prompted by hormonal changes and regrettably throwing myself into a new work challenge on top of everything else. My body ended up in a state of collapse. Since then, I've lived in pretty much constant pain, with limited mobility and that definitely takes its toll.

I remember catching a glimpse of myself in the mirror one day; it took a second before I realised it was me, worn out with dark shadows under my eyes. I looked again, a little closer, noticing the lines on the forehead, around the eyes and from nose to mouth that seemed to have appeared or become more pronounced in a short space of time. I tried to shrug it off, after all, I was getting older and lucky to be so, having lost dear friends to cancer in recent years.

But still...I didn't feel ready for wrinkles.

Sherina explaining my skin analysis

Soon after this, almost as if the universe was watching, the BritMums Blogging team put a call out for someone prepared to have a consultation about Juvéderm® cosmetic fillers and in exchange, to write about it. Well,  I didn't need asking twice - this might just be the pick-me-up I was looking for!

As we grow older, our skin loses moisture and elasticity and begins to show the signs of ageing. You've probably heard of hyaluronic acid; it is often called the "fountain of youth" and can be found in moisturisers, serums and is also used medically to improve joint disorders, so it's a safe substance.

Juvéderm® by Allergan, make injectable fillers using hyaluronic acid and say it's the only way to replenish the hyaluronic acid deep within skin. Juvéderm® says it was developed to be smoother than most hyaluronic acid dermal-filler treatments. This makes it easy to inject and gives the face a very natural look and feel once it’s in the skin.

I've had facials before of course, even had a facial with acupuncture, but I didn't know much about cosmetic fillers. However, thanks to Britmums, Allergan and Miss Sherina Balaratnam at S-Thetics in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, I decided to take the opportunity to find out, up close and personal...

It's fair to say I'm pretty thrilled with the results. Several people have said how well I'm looking and one medic I saw at an appointment had to do a double take at my age on the form when I saw her. Now that's a result, I'd say!

If my video has started you thinking that perhaps it might be something you would consider, then these links will be of use:

• Juvéderm® UK: http://www.juvederm.co.uk/
• S-Thetics clinic and Miss Sherina Balaratnam: http://sthetics.co.uk/

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