Frequently Asked Questions
MEDIK 8
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Do you test on animals?
Absolutely not. As per the strict requirements of European regulation, we do not test on animals. We will not ask any other company to test on our behalf. We take the matter of checking our supplier compliance very seriously as an integral part of our product development process. We look forward to the day when animal testing is banned worldwide forever.
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Can I use Medik8 products during pregnancy or when nursing?
Unfortunately, as a cosmetic brand we are unable to provide specific medical advice relating to our products. We would strongly advise speaking with your GP or Midwife so that they can give you an accurate recommendation.
The full ingredients list for each of our products can be found on the product pages of the Medik8 website.
However, for general guidance, the main ingredient we recommend to avoid during pregnancy or nursing is vitamin A; found in Intelligent Retinol, Crystal Retinal, any r-Retinoate and Night Ritual Vitamin A. We also recommend to avoid using Smooth Body Lotion during pregnancy/nursing.
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Are Medik8 products fragranced?
To create a beautiful product which we know our customers will want to use every day, we use a low level of essential oils to imbue each formula with a subtle and elegant aroma. We do not use any synthetic fragrance and openly declare our fully natural blend rather than adding simply "fragrance" to the ingredients list so that you can see exactly what goes in.
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The oils themselves are at low levels and with reduced allergens - less than 0.15% in total. We do not support the hypothesis of micro inflammation. As any toxicologist will explain, it is the dosage which is the poison, and we use extremely low levels in our products. The vast majority of our customers are not sensitive to these levels of essential oils and prefer to have a fragrance in their skincare products.
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Anecdotal social media evidence gathered from fragrance-free brands suggests no difference in the general very low occurrence of reports of allergies that we receive - possibly because we use very low levels of any fragrance - and no synthetic fragrances at all.
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What is Medik8’s approach to sustainability?
Medik8 is an anti-ageing brand that thinks like a natural brand. We believe strongly in doing our bit to reduce our environmental footprint at every opportunity. We know it’s a value we share with our customers and we just couldn’t do it any other way.
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Actions not words….. We have various ongoing initiatives; some big, some small; to help minimise our environmental impact. It is such a big priority that touches everything we do: from implementing cold manufacturing processes to minimise our energy consumption, to ingredient audits to ensure sustainable sourcing, to 100% recycled PCR plastics, paper and card and even soya ink printing. We really are tackling sustainability head on - in a big way. It’s not just greenwashing. This is serious stuff.
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LASER HAIR REMOVAL
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What are the negatives of laser hair removal?
Possible laser hair removal side effects include:
Mild swelling around the hair follicles. Pigment changes may occur, especially in those with darker skin – these changes are usually temporary. Slight redness of the skin. Temporary irritation resulting in blistering, crusting, scarring or other changes in skin texture.
Why do hairs continue to grow after the the treatment?
This is mainly due to the hair's growth cycle. Hairs in the anagen, or active phase will be affected by the laser. The hairs in the catagen, or dormant stage will be unaffected during the treatment and grows when it goes to the anagen phase.
Are there any long term side effects of laser hair removal?
Laser/light hair removal, carried out by trained professionals, is a safe procedure with a very low incidence of permanent sequelae. The majority of adverse effects are transient and minor.
What happens right after the treatment? Do the hairs fall out right away?
Does hair fall out after laser?
In many patients the skin is slightly pink for 1-2 days; in others (generally, fairer patients) there is no pinkness after laser hair removal. Hairs begin to fall out in 5-14 days and may continue to do so for weeks.
How successful is laser hair removal?
Laser hair removal eliminates at least 90% of hair growth. Instead of only removing the hair – as with shaving or waxing – the laser heats up the hair follicles, rendering them inactive and unable to grow hair.
Can I shave right before laser hair removal?
When you're getting ready for your laser hair removal procedure, make sure you shave the night before or the morning of your treatment.
Does lasered hair grow back?
Hairs that have been damaged with laser treatments typically do not grow back, although regrowth is possible. Hair does not grow back slower after laser hair removal. However, you will have fewer noticeable follicles with each consecutive growth phase.
Who can get laser hair removal?
Women and men alike. Most women seek to remove hair from their underarms, bikini lines, and legs, while men are more interested in treating hair on their backs and necks.
When hair removal lasers were initially introduced, the procedure was originally intended for patients with light skin and dark hairs. However, newer technologies, like SmartDiode 3 wavelength systems, safely and effectively treat patients of all skin types and hair colors.
What’s the standard procedure like?
During treatment, a light-based system emits bright flashes of light into the skin where the unwanted hair resides. The hair follicles absorb the light energy, heat up, and become damaged. Each pulse of light energy takes a matter of seconds and treats multiple hairs at once, making this procedure very quick and easy to perform. Treatments can last anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes depending on the size of the area being treated. SmartDiode hair removal systems feature larger treatment heads for faster treatment sessions.
Because hair grows in different stages, multiple treatments are needed to target the hair follicles during their growth phase. Most patients need at least 4 to 6 treatments to see permanent, long-lasting results. Touch-ups may be required over time. Patients should see results after the first treatment – their hairs will grow back finer and weaker and the skin will become smoother. Results will become more noticeable and impressive with each additional treatment until all follicles are destroyed, successfully stopping continuous hair growth.
How does it work? What’s the science behind it?
Laser hair removal works by destroying the root of the hair follicle. During treatment, flashes of light are distributed over the skin and absorbed by the melanin in the hair follicle. The energy from the laser heats up and damages the hair follicle, successfully stunting the cells that stimulate regrowth. It is important to note that hair grows in a cycle, and that hair removal is only effective during the active growth stage.
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Every hair goes through three stages of growth: the anagen phase, catagen phase, and telogen phase. The anagen phase, also known as the growth stage, is the duration in which your hair actively continues to grow. The catagen phase, also known as the transitional phase, is when the hair follicle shrinks and detaches from the papilla, a structure at the base of the follicle. The telogen phase, also known as the resting phase, is when the old hair is released and falls out. When the old hair sheds, the hair follicle re-attaches to the papilla and re-enters the anagen phase, repeating the cycle.
Each hair in your body can be at a different stage in the growth cycle at any given time. Thus, to target the hair during the anagen phase, multiple laser treatments are necessary to target the numerous hair follicles during their growth stage.
Which laser do you use?
A SMARTDiode treatment uses selected wavelengths of low energy light rapidly pulsed onto the skin to gently heat the target hair follicles to cause terminal damage directly to the hair's chromophores and prevent hair regrowth.
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CHARCOAL FACIAL
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What are the cons of carbon facial?
Redness, swelling and irritation are the common side-effects. It can cause permanent discolouration of the skin sometimes. The treatment can cause irritation and infection in some people.
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How long does it take to see results from the carbon facial?
You'll begin to see powerful results after only one session. A course of four to six sessions, spaced one to four weeks apart, can give great results for improved collagen production, reduced oiliness and tighter, more radiant skin.
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What to do before a carbon facial?
It's important that you avoid tanning or heavy sun exposure. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day for 4 weeks before your treatment. Do not use medications that cause sun sensitivity (such as doxycycline or minocycline) for at least 3 days before treatment.
Can I wash my face after carbon facial?
You can wash your face two to three times a day using a gentle facial cleanser. What is the aftercare like? Avoid direct sun exposure for a couple of days after the treatment. Avoid using cosmetics with harsh chemicals.
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Is carbon facial painful?
Carbon Laser Facials are a revolutionary, non-invasive, painless with virtually no-downtime procedure that helps rejuvenate the appearance of aging and damaged skin.
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Can I have Botox after carbon facial?
Yes! As long as you wait two weeks between your treatments, it's safe to perform Botox after a BBL photofacial or any other laser skin treatment.
Is carbon facial better than Microneedling?
If you have a specific skin condition you want to improve, such as wrinkles or acne scarring, micro-needling may be a more effective treatment for your needs. For overall skin rejuvenation, a carbon laser facial is a fast and effective way to achieve a smoother, brighter complexion.
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