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Laser facelift

LASERS have also made it possible to have a facelift in your lunch-hour.

Laser wrinkle and scar removal is nothing new but in the past the process has been lengthy, painful and traumatic, involving taking off the top layer of skin.

The latest N-lite laser, passes through the surface of the skin without damaging it to the blood vessels underneath. The blood vessels think the upper skin has been attacked and set up a healing reflex stimulating the cells to produce collagen.

The collagen restores the support structure under the skin so that it fills out previous marks such as fine lines, acne or chicken pox scars.

The process is swift - around 45 minutes - and has no side effects. If you want, you can have your make-up back on and be back at work in an hour.

Dr Mary Adams who offers the treatment at the respected Laserase Medical Clinic at Bolton said: “The low-level stimulation starts a cascade of healing.

''The difference is not instant. Patients are assessed after six weeks to see how the skin is responding and most will have a top-up treatment.

''After three months about 50% of the filling out will have happened and people notice a difference. That is why people like it.

''The process is quick and the results are gradual so no-one need ever know you have had it done.''

Results depend on the condition of the skin initially - very badly marked skin would not be suitable - and age.

The best results are on the under 50's. The treatment costs between £600-£1,200. How long the results last again depend on the starting point.

Some may need twice yearly treatments, in others effects may last up to three years. Dr Adams, also a GP, said: "People can be very badly psychologically affected by the state of their skin and this treatment works although results are obviously subjective.