Lithgow Laser Clinic

Introducing two new next generation solutions from Marini SkinSolutions (formerly Jan Marini Skin Research). The first one is Neurosmooth. It rapidly refines skin like no other skin care product. And rapidly it does, within a few days I noticed pores were smaller and fine lines much less noticable, then in a week-the famous glass skin look! The second product is Marini Reboot which contains polydeoxyrobonucleotide (PDRN for short) which is derived from concentrated salmon s***m DNA. This also rapidly give results within the first few uses. It improves the appearance of fine lines, firmness and skin smoothness. Replenishes moisture, enhances plumpness and reduces redness.

Now stocking the new Marini NeuroSmooth. A specialised peptidecomplex antiageing serum designed for "glass-like" skin. It reduces pore size, refines texture and fine lines, as well as boosting collagen. Apply once or twice per day after cleansing and before moisturising. Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin. RRP $295

Black Friday sale from Monday 25th November to Saturday the 30th November-20% off all Jan Marin Skin Research products.

Pre order now;

e [email protected]\
P 1300 465 273
SMS 0402 788 877

or purchase via online shop from 25th to 30th November-link below;

Shop - Lithgow Laser Clinic Go beyond simple hydration with this luxurious, patented growth factor, peptide and antioxidant solution. The ultimate in advanced hydrators to reduce the appearance of ageing and damaged skin. Balances ageing skin and excellent for individuals with dry skin seeking to reduce the visible signs of ag...

Retinol
Everyone is talking about how good retinol is for your skin, so what is it and what does it do to your skin?
As we age, the natural rate at which our skin cells turn over starts to slow down. Skin that used to look fresh and glowing, starts to look dull and uneven with pigmentation, open pores and wrinkles. Retinol is a powerful form of vitamin A that jump starts dwindling production of collagen (the proteins that give our skin its bounce and structure) by accelerating cell turnover and boosting collagen production. It does this in two ways. Basal cells are known as precursor cells that sit at the bottom of the skin waiting to produce new cells. Retinol increases cell turnover by binding to retinol receptors in your skin encouraging basal cells to divide more rapidly resulting in more new healthy skin cells. Retinol also activates fibroblast cells. These are the cells that generate collagen. With more collagen tissue, the skin will appear brighter and more even in tone, firmer and healthier in appearance. Think of using retinol as giving your cells a shot of energy, supercharging them so that they work more efficiently.
Our bodies can’t make vitamin A, so we get it from our diet eating leafy green vegetables, eggs and carrots. So, if I eat lots of these will it have a noticeable impact on my skin? In short, no. Our bodies prioritize our vital organs (brain, eyes, heart, liver, kidneys etc.) and send most of the vitamin A to the vital organs, so skin is right at the end of the queue. This is why they are best applied topically.
So when and how often should you use retinol? Retinol is broken down by UV light (sunlight) so is best applied at night. The skin can take time to acclimatise to retinol, so it is important not to use too much too quickly. Start by using it sparingly every second or third night for at least 2 weeks, then increase to each night if there is no sensitivity. Also, retinol is not compatible with vitamin C, so use the vitamin C in the morning and retinol at night. Retinols make the skin more sensitive to light, so it is very important to wear sun protection as you will burn more easily.
In the early stages of use, retinol can cause irritation in some people and is called a ‘retinoid reaction’. This is not an allergy. The retinol works too well in some people and results in dryness, flaking, pink and sensitive skin. So, do I stop using retinol completely if I have a retinoid reaction? No. Retinol accumulates in the skin over a few days, so skip using the retinol for a few days and restart every second or third evening when the symptoms have completely settled. Some people take longer to acclimatise and will need to be on it every second night for much longer before increasing to each night or only need to use it every second night.
Retinols were originally used to treat acne in the 1940’s and it was also found that it produced excellent anti-ageing benefits. An increase in skin cell turnover results in a decrease in acne breakouts as well as reducing wrinkles and open pores. Pores are less likely to become blocked if the top level of skin is being constantly resurfaced. Think of it as regular housekeeping, removing the top layer of dead skin cells so that there is no build-up of dead skin cells, oil and dirt. If you resurface the skin every day with retinol, it will reduce acne breakouts. Retinoids have hugely increased in popularity since the 1980’s and are now commonly used to treat skin texture, wrinkles, sun damage/pigmentation, open pores, excessive oil production and acne.
Are all retinols the same? No, there are several different types of retinol that have different names and strengths and level of irritation.
Retinoic acid is the highest strength and is in the fully active form and available by medical prescription only. This retinol is the most likely to cause retinoid reactions and is a common reason I get when speaking with clients that they say they will never use retinol again.
Retinal (retinaldehyde), the second highest strength, requires one conversion step to become retinoic acid. It converts when it is inside the skin, so causes slightly less irritation than Retinoid acid.
Retinol, the third highest strength, requires two conversions to become retinoic acid. This is the most used form of retinoid in the cosmetic market. However, as it starts to convert to retinoic acid on the surface of the skin, can cause irritation in some people, especially if not introduced slowly to let the skin acclimatise to it.
The best retinols are the ones that combine soothing ingredients to counteract any potential irritation. The Jan Marini Retinol Plus MD contains two types of retinol as well as soothing ingredients such as peptides, antioxidants, shea butter, hyaluronic acid and bisabolol which counteract any irritation that the retinol may cause.
It is important to not use retinol as a moisturiser. It is a treatment product and can make the skin dry, so always moisturise after you apply it.
All retinols are not suitable for women who are pregnant as they can cause miscarriage and birth defects such as foetal retinoid syndrome. They are also not suitable to use whilst breastfeeding as it can cause harm to the infant.

Coming Soon!
Xen Medical Grade Light Emitting Diode (LED) made in Australia. The Xen LED uses three clinically proven wavelengths in one array-red, blue and near infrared to treat conditions such as acne and rosacea and also has anti ageing affects such as collagen stimulation to reduce fine lines and open pores. The treatment is totally painless with no down time. A series of treatments are recommended to get the best results. More comprehensive information will be available on Lithgow Laser clinic website as soon as the treatments are available.

BLACK FRIDAY SALE
STOCK UP FOR CHRISTMAS AND THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS!
20% off all Jan Marini Products from
Thursday 23RD NOVEMBER to SATURDAY 25TH NOVEMBER.

How our skin Ages
What causes ageing?
1. Smoking is one of the main avoidable causes of premature ageing. Stop smoking and your skin will love you for it!
2. UV exposure is another main cause of premature ageing that is avoidable. Slip, slop, slap and you will look much younger than your peers will as you age!
3. Poor diet can cause ageing. Eating a lot of processed foods low in fibre and natural vitamins and minerals will have a negative impact on your skin.
4. Genetics-there is nothing you can do about this-blame your parents!
So what happens to the face when you age?
Ageing does not just occur on the surface of the skin. It occurs right down to the bone that gives structure to the soft tissues of the face. From the age of 35 years, we start ageing. Every 7 years we lose about 1mm of bone mass. Ageing also occurs in the muscles of the face, fatty tissue, collagen and elastin as well as the surface of the face. Ageing is different in different people. Some people age more on the surface of the skin, while other people lose more of the deeper structures. As well as the bone loss, the soft tissue of the cheeks move downwards giving way to nasolabial folds and jowls. If this isn’t enough, the ligaments that are around the eyelids and jawline also stretch and descend. When you are young, you have a nice upside down triangle on the face. As you age, the triangle inverts as muscle sags, fat pads move downward, ligaments descend and you lose collagen and elastin.
You lose about 3-5% of skeletal muscle mass every decade from the age of 40 and the muscles sag in the cheek area. You also lose about 1% collagen per year from about the age of 30. If this isn’t enough, you also produce an enzyme that breaks down collagen. Collagen loss is around 10% each decade after your thirties, so in your 40’s you lose about 10%, 50’s 20 %, 60’s 30% and so on it goes. This is why it is important to start stimulating collagen and tightening the deeper muscle at an earlier age, rather than waiting until you are in your 60’s or older.
What treatments are available for deeper skin tightening and lifting?
The good news is there is technology available today to counteract sagging facial muscles and collagen and elastin loss. One of my favourite treatments is High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) that has been around for cosmetic treatments since 2008, and medical treatments since the 1950’s. This treatment uses controlled heat that is deposited into different layers of the skin, and goes right down to the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) layer, the muscle layer that plastic surgeons work on when performing a surgical face-lift. The diagram below shows the depths that laser, radiofrequency and HIFU treat in the skin.
HIFU is the only non-surgical treatment out of the three that goes down to the SMAS muscle layer. The HIFU treatment focuses on tightening the deep muscles that support the soft tissues as well as stimulating collagen and elastin production in the dermis, the middle layer of the skin. Collagen is a protein, and by heating the skin, we cause the collagen to contract, firming the skin. In addition to this the heat also stimulates the production of new collagen and elastin and the body’s production of natural hyaluronic acid, which hydrates the skin, giving it a ‘plumpness’ and ‘glow’. As you age, the skin also loses its ‘healthy’ colour. By stimulating collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid, you also get more of a healthy colour to your skin. The benefit of the HIFU treatment is that it is all natural, so no cutting or surgery and nothing artificial injected into your skin. The HIFU treatment stimulates our body to tighten muscle and produce its own collagen, so there is nothing artificial injected in the skin such as with fillers. The results of a HIFU treatment is more natural than other treatments like fillers that can sometimes look unnatural. Everyone has seen the ‘fish lips’ when someone has had too much filler injected into their lips. The downside of fillers is that they have adverse reactions, some very serious, such as bleeding, bruising, swelling, infections, allergic reactions, death of skin cells if accidentally injected into a blood vessel (skin necrosis) and embolism leading to blindness.

Who doesn't love a sale 😍 Jan Marini 25th Anniversary Sale-25% off all Jan Marini Products from Monday 10th July to Saturday15th July

Pairing of active ingredients-this is a long article so grab a cuppa!
The science of cosmetic chemistry is forever changing with new developments. The power of serums that provide individual ingredients in high concentrations can accelerate skin improvement if used correctly. There is a move recently to combine treatment actives to increase results.
So which ingredients do you combine to get the best results?
Peptides and Retinoids are an excellent combination. Retinoids have excellent collagen building properties. Peptides enhance the pe*******on of retinoids, which optimises skin firmness. The soothing properties of peptides can also mitigate some of the unpleasant side effects that can accompany retinoid use such as dryness, flaking and redness. This is why Jan Marini have added peptides to their Retinol Plus/Retinol Plus MD products. If using Peptides in addition to the retinol product, apply the retinoid first, then the peptide over the top.
Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin C are a match made in heaven! Hyaluronic Acid naturally found in the skin and is a humectant that helps the skin retain moisture by tying moisture from the air and your skin care products together. This acid has the ability to store many times its weight in water, making it an excellent hydrator (moisturiser). Well hydrated skin has a plump/full appearance and can minimize the appearance of fine lines and volumise or plump out the skin. Vitamin C lightens/brightens the skin as well as promoting the production of elastin and collagen. It is also an antioxidant-protecting the skin from harmful sun (ultra violet ray) exposure. When used together, hyaluronic acid and vitamin C can improve skin texture and clarity.
Retinol when combined with Niacinamide are an excellent combination for sensitive skin. While using retinol alone, may be too drying for sensitive skin, adding niacinamide can help protect the skin. Retinol is excellent all round treatment product for;
Anti ageing-reducing fine lines and open pores, and lightening pigmentation
Acne skin-lightening pigmentation, clearing congestion, reducing oil production, exfoliating the dead skin cells that block pores.
Retinoids and moisturiser and a great combination. One of the unwanted side effects of retinoid use is sensitive, dry irritated skin. The cell renewal turnover slows with age-Retinoids are a form of vitamin A which work by increasing the rate of skin cell turnover while the moisturiser prevents water loss. Retinoids are broken down in UV (sun) light, so should be applied at night.
Skin ingredients combinations to avoid!
Benzyl Peroxide and Hydroquinone (medical prescription only) cause a ‘bleaching effect’ which can leave hypopigmentation marks on the skin. Hydroquinone is prescribed to treat dark spots and scars. Benzyl Peroxide is an over the counter product used as a spot treatment for acne. Due to the bleaching affect, these two ingredients should never be used together.
Both Vitamin C and Niacinamide are benefical to overall skin health, however, should never be used together at the same time as the Niacinamide reduces the effectiveness of vitamin C. If you want to use both, apply the Vitamin C before your sunscreen in the morning and the Niacinamide as part of your evening routine.
Vitamin C & Retinol, used separately these two ingredients brighten the skin, lighten pigmentation, slow the effects of ageing and assists with the clearance of acne. However, combining both at the same time can cause irritation. Also, retinol is broken down by UV (sun) light, so it is preferable to apply the retinol in the evening and the vitamin C in the morning.
EXTRA PRECAUTIONS
To exfoliate or not to exfoliate?
Too much of a good thing may be harmful.
Avoid stacking multiple, powerful resurfacers (exfoliators) at the same time. Retinoids and hydroxyacids eg. Glycolic acid can cause peeling and irritation so using them together will increase the chance of irritation to the skin. Also, do not start two new resurfacers together at the one time. Start with one, then after acclimatised in a few weeks or months, incorporate the second one. This will reduce the chance of irritation. Also, if you want to use two resurfacers, split them up and use one in the morning and one in the evening.
Hyaluronic acid is not an AHA or BHA and is very hydrating, so may be applied after retinol or hydroxyacids for hydration.
There is no need to use a loofa or scrubs when you are using the chemical exfoliants/resurfacers mentioned above-there is a high chance they will irritate your skin.
Don’t forget to include an antioxidant!
Vitamin C is one of the most popular and powerful antioxidants. It protects your skin from the free radicals produced in response to sun exposure, boosts collagen production and improves skin tone.
Always moisturise after using Retinol!
Retinol can be drying and irritating, particularly when you first start using it, so always apply a good hydrator (moisturiser) after retinol and as mentioned earlier, apply retinol at night as UV rays(sun light) breaks it down.
Ingredient Strengths for skin improvement
Vitamin C
6% or more, however don’t just look at the percentage-look at how long this ingredient stays in the skin. You may think you are getting more using a higher percentage of vitamin C, but if it there is low absorption or it breaks down in a couple of hours, you may get more out of a lower percentage that stays in the skin for 24hours and has a percentage of absorption. Jan Marini C Esta Serum is 7% Vitamin C and contains Ascorbital Palmitate which is much more stable than ascorbic acid, which looses potency rapidly once opened. It is also much more readily absorbed-87% of Ascorbital Palmitate is absorbed. In addition to this, it is lipid (fat), rather than water soluble making it more compatible with the cell membrane. It also does not require an acidic base to enable absorption and is pH neutral so can be used long term without irritation. Jan Marini’s C Esta serum is not only a vitamin C solution-it also contains DMAE complex which is a potent free radical scavenger and is a precursor to acetylcholine which is responsible for muscle tone, firming the skin.
Retinol
0.5 to 2%. Again, it is not all about the percentage of one ingredient in the product. Jan Marini uses the latest form of stabilized retinol in it’s retinol plus line and is the only product that incorporates the latest generation anti-aging myristolated peptides which contain a smaller molecule to increase skin/cell pe*******on, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory ingredients, ingredients that break down iron in the skin and hydrators-hyluronic acid, shea butter and essential fatty acids. No surprise that they have won ‘best retinol product’ in the US. Time and time again, we are getting clients that have stopped using prescription retinol due to the irritation it causes but easily tolerate Jan Marini’s Retinol Plus.
Glycolic Acid
Again, percentages are not all the same. The lower the pH (the more acid) the solution containing the glycolic acid the stronger the acid will be. For example a 12% glycolic acid cleanser with a pH of 3.5 will be stronger than another 15% glycolic cleanser with a pH of 5. Jan Marini’s Bioglycolic Cleanser is 12% Glycolic acid with a pH of 3.5 and also contains a buffer system which won’t cause redness or irritate skin and plant-derived humectants that leave the skin soft and hydrated.
Salicylic Acid (BHA)
Up to 2%
Hyaluronic Acid
1 to 2%
Benzyl Peroxide
2.5% to 10%. Like Retinol, benzyl Peroxide is very drying and irritating, so always apply a hydrator (moisturiser) afterwards
A short note on UV filters
Contrary to popular myth, zinc oxide does not block the UVA spectrum well. It has a low compliance of use due to the greasy feel of the sunscreen, no matter how finely the zinc particles are Nano phased (ground to less than 100nm)-who wants a greasy/shiny face? Many people think, because they are not getting sunburnt, they are covered, but zinc only blocks UVB rays (B for burning). UVA rays (A for ageing) cause pigmentation/sun spots, skin cancer and degrade collagen and elastin.
We think Jan Marini’s Antioxidant Daily Face Protectant is superior for the following reasons;
1. Exceptional UVA and UVB protection from 280nm to 400nm.
2. Use of phytomelanin (date fruit extract)-a black, inert, organic material that forms physical block against UV rays by mimicking DNA protecting Melanin.
3. Use of octyl methoxycinnamate-an organic compound that absorbs UVB rays from the sun protecting the skin from damage.
4. Use of avobenzone-an organic filter that provides protection against UVA rays that cause premature ageing.
5. More than a sunscreen-also contains Hyaluronic acid for hydration and antioxidants to protect skin - Beta Glucan protects Langerhan’s cells from UV rays.
6. Microscopic oil absorbing particles so never looks shiny or feels greasy and doesn’t leave a chalky residue so much better compliance wearing this sunscreen.

Just a reminder that will be closed for the Christmas and summer break from 1pm on Saturday the 24th December and reopening Monday the 9th January.
Wishing everyone all the best for Christmas and a Happy and Safe New Year in 2023!