Defy Ageing: Anti-Wrinkle Treatments That Work
The government guidelines are constantly adapting to the pandemic’s impact. More specifically, thanks to the success of the vaccination programme both in the UK and around the world, from 24 October fully vaccinated passengers and most under 18s arriving in England from countries that are not on the red list (and they have not visited a red list country or territory in the ten days before arriving in England) can take a lateral flow test, instead of a PCR test, on or before day 2 of their arrival into the UK. These can be booked from 22 October.
What is a lateral flow test?
Lateral flow tests give a quick result using a device similar to a pregnancy test. This involves rubbing a long cotton bud (swab) over your tonsils (or where they would have been) and inside your nose, or inside your nose only. The test kit itself is a hand-held device with an absorbent pad at one end and a reading window at the other. Inside the device is a strip of test paper that changes colour in the presence of Covid-19 proteins (antigens). Research shows rapid tests are more than 90% accurate. This means the chance of getting a false-positive result (where the result shows as positive but is actually negative) is extremely low.
Different industry sectors and different countries use varying terminology to describe what lateral flow tests are. Common names include:
- Lateral flow test (LFT)
- Lateral flow device (LFD)
- Lateral flow assay (LFA)
- Lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA)
- Lateral flow immunochromatographic assays
- Dipstick
- Express test
- Pen-side test
- Quick test
- Rapid test
- Rapid antigen test
- Test strip
Rapid antigen lateral flow tests are highly convenient with just a 15-minute turnaround time, as well as the assurance that they can pick up moderate to high viral loads. Patients will have moderate to high viral loads about three days before symptoms start until between 7 and 10 days after symptoms start.
Lateral flow tests are now accepted for travel (while many international travel destinations still require a negative PCR test to travel abroad, some countries are accepting a negative rapid antigen lateral flow test for entry into the country – providing all other conditions and stipulations are met), as well as at most schools and workplaces.
It can also put you at ease immediately if you are worried about your health or those around you. Also, around one in three people that have contracted Covid-19 do not have symptoms. Therefore, a test that rapidly detects these otherwise hidden cases is a handy additional tool for tackling the virus.
According to Reuters:
“The government and health officials have said that rapid testing, via easy-to-use lateral flow tests, is crucial for tracking the spread of COVID-19, with regular testing of those without symptoms identifying around a quarter of all cases.”
Source: www.reuters.com
Test results
Using a lateral flow test is very straightforward. Follow the simple instructions you’ll find in the kit, and after 15 minutes, you’ll get one of the following three results:
Source: www.gov.uk
- Negative result: one line next to C shows the test is negative.
- Positive result: two lines, one next to C and one next to T, even faint lines, shows the test is positive. In that case, you must report the test result to the NHS, and you will get provided with a free confirmatory NHS PCR test.
- Void: no lines, or one line next to T, means the test is void. You will need to re-take with a new test kit.
How can Effect Doctors help?
The Effect Doctors team is working hard to keep as many people safe during the Covid-19 pandemic as possible. That is why we offer a range of tests, allowing you and your loved ones to stay safe.
At Effect Doctors, after conducting thorough research, we have identified the Flowflex and Healgen Lateral Flow Rapid Antigen Tests as the best ones on the market in the UK. They are FDA authorized, considered to be the most advanced lateral flow test in the world, have full Home Test Approval Granted in the UK & EU, are UK Government validated at Porton Down Laboratories, detect New Virus Strains, have a 98.8% accuracy rate, and are CE marked and ISO certified.
The tests are suitable for general testing and pre-travel (Fit to Fly Certificate), but please check your destinations on the government website beforehand as several countries still require a PCR test. You don’t need to send lateral flow tests to the lab for testing, and your results can be obtained in 15 minutes. The fast turnaround time of the lateral flow test is highly convenient, as you won’t have to make another flight cancellation/delay.
How it works
Our lateral flow test is easy to use and provides fast and highly accurate results. All you need to do is:
- Order your lateral flow test(s) online.
- Follow the simple instructions included within the kit package to complete the test.
- Upload the results of your test to our portal.
- You will receive your doctor-signed certificate within 12 hours (or less).
If you get a positive result from these self-tests, it is extremely likely you are currently infected with Covid-19 and risk infecting others. You must follow the information in the instructions for use provided with the kit. You must report your result to the NHS through one of the methods detailed in the instructions for use. When you report your result, you will be provided with further information on the next steps to take.
We strongly advise you to isolate yourself if you feel unwell (especially if you are around a high-risk individual), even after a negative test. Call us anytime if you would like to learn more about the test, the process and/or if you have any symptoms.
Here at Effect Doctors, we have streamlined the testing process to make it as easy as possible for you to get fast and accurate results whenever you need them. Follow the simple instructions and receive a doctor’s certificate within 12 hours. Couldn’t be any easier!
Order your rapid antigen lateral flow test here.
-
Beauty Sleep - Snooze Your Way to Youthful Skin
Saxenda® is an injectable prescription medicine that, when used with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, may help adults with obesity or overweight (excess weight) who also have weight-related medical problems
Initially approved for the treatment of diabetes, Saxenda contains the medication Liraglutide, a synthetic version of a glucagon-like peptide-1 hormone that works by slowing stomach emptying, increasing satiety, and reducing hunger.
It is delivered by once daily injections.
Weight loss from this medication was reported during trials:
- 63% lost at least 5% of body weight
- 33% lost at least 10% body weight
- 15% lost at least 15% of body weight
And 80% of participants kept the weight off at one year.
-
Anti-Ageing Habits For Your Lips
This once weekly injectable medication contains, Semaglutide, a synthetic version of a glucagon-like peptide-1 hormone that affects appetite and hunger. In trials, 75% of patients lost over 10% of their body weight.
Like all GLP-1 analogues, it works by slowing stomach emptying, increasing satiety, and reducing hunger.
What’s the difference between Saxenda and Ozempic:
- Ozempic is a once weekly injection, rather than once a day.
- Ozempic has been shown to be mire effective in longer term weight management.
- At the moment, Ozempic is prescribed off-label for weight loss, as it is not licenced for weight-loss (only management of diabetes)
-
Moisturise - Hydration Magic for Fresh, Plump Skin
Wegovy is the exciting new injectable weight loss drug, specifically targeting medical weight loss; it is a synthetic version of a glucagon-like peptide-1 hormone that affects appetite and hunger.
Wegovy is an FDA approved preparation of Semaglutide, licenced specifically for weight loss, which at present is not licenced in the UK. Approval is expected at some point in late 2022 or early 2023.
The starting dose for Wegovy, will likely be higher than Ozempic.
Like all GLP-1 analogues, it works by slowing stomach emptying, increasing satiety, and reducing hunger.
During clinical trials to evaluate the safety of Wegovy when used for treating obesity, participants without diabetes who were prescribed Wegovy lost on average, 12.4% of their initial body weight when compared to a placebo.
Ask our medical team about Wegovy today
Studies show you will lose about 5% of your body weight within 3 months
-
Retinoids - The Anti-Ageing Wonder for Your Face
Derived from vitamin A, retinoids are one of the most studied anti-ageing ingredients. Retinol is the only ingredient in skincare that both increases collagen production and stops collagen breakdown.
Retinoids increase cell turnover, which in turn encourages skin regeneration, promoting new blood vessels. This is especially useful to those looking to get rid of hyperpigmentation and acne marks.
It should be noted that using retinoids can cause skin dryness and irritation and so it is recommended to slowly incorporate it into your skincare routine. Start by using it every other day so that your skin can build tolerance towards it. Make sure to wear sunscreen during the day as retinoids can increase the skin’s sensitivity to light due to the high cell turnover.
It takes at least three to six months of regular use to see any change so make sure to be consistent, and positive results will follow!
-
Microneedling - The Perfect Anti-Wrinkle Treatment
Microneedling is an anti-wrinkle treatment in which you use small needles to create tiny punctures in the skin. These punctures, in turn, trigger a healing response with our skin and generate fresh, younger-looking skin.
Beauty professionals were once the only ones who could do micro-needling, but it is now possible to do this at home. You are essentially damaging your skin to create newer, younger, smoother skin. If you’re unsure or worried about doing a spot of micro-needling yourself, you may want to leave this one to the professionals.
-
Exfoliation - Shedding the Old, Embracing the New
As you age, your skin cannot replenish itself as quickly; parts of it break down. Collagen production slows, and your skin’s elasticity breaks down. Sagging and collapsing skin structure leads to lines, wrinkles, and an uneven appearance. Additionally, in those more profound points in the creases, bacteria and dirt can build up, causing blemishes, inflammation, and breakouts. Exfoliation helps prevent wrinkles as it also sends a message to the middle layer of your skin to make new collagen. And rejuvenate your skin.
When you exfoliate, you’re stripping away the outer layer or two of skin and leaving the fresher, younger, smoother skin beneath.
-
Coconut Oil - Love Your Skin with Nature's Emollient
Coconut oil is a natural emollient and great for wrinkles. When you apply it to your skin, it fills in the gaps in your epidermis and makes your skin feel smooth. Showing your skin some love with coconut oil doesn’t just make it smoother it also helps skin retain moisture, which makes your face appear fuller.
-
Lemon Balm Leaf Tea - A Sip of Elasticity and Tissue Repair!
One of the newer holistic strategies to emerge for wrinkle-fighting is lemon balm leaf tea. A study that compared a small sample of people drinking lemon balm leaf tea to another group drinking a placebo of barley leaf tea led researchers to conclude that lemon balm leaf extract makes skin more elastic and corrects tissue damage.
-
Bye-Bye Sugar - Wrinkles Won't Miss You!
Every time you eat sugar, you gain a wrinkle. A recent study examined people’s meat and fish intake, 5-a-day fruit & vegetables, fresh foods, packaged foods, alcohol, caffeine, sugar, and water to see which makes the most significant impact on visible ageing. Subjects visually five years younger than their actual age had the lowest intake of sweet, sugary treats. A theory that is gaining in popularity is that sugar contributes negatively to the skin and overall ageing process. It is believed that sugar (or glucose) creates ‘Advanced Glycation End (AGE)’ products in every cell and molecule in the body, creating inflammation.
-
Caffeine Vibes - Embrace Moderation and Age Gracefully!
The study also found that younger-looking people had the lowest intake of caffeine, but some good news: frequency of alcohol seemed not to affect visible ageing. However, the volume of alcohol did, so if you want to keep wrinkles at bay, it’s ok to have that post-work glass of wine but drink only in moderation.
-
Fishy Business - Omega-3 Goodness for Youthful Skin
The visually youngest participants were more likely to consume the recommended one portion of oily fish a week.
This is because Omega-3 is found in abundance in oily fish, such as herring, mackerel, sardines, fresh tuna and salmon, and has a plethora of skin and other health benefits.
If you are not a regular fish eater, perhaps because you don’t like oily fish, there are plenty of omega-3 rich supplements that provide skin-loving, anti-ageing benefits on the market.
-
Fillers - A Bespoke Experience for Age-Defying Changes
Experience the remarkable effects of our facial fillers, crafted with a keen understanding of subtlety and precision. Unlike many others, we take a bespoke and professional approach to ensure your desired changes are achieved just as you envision. Our expert doctors are trained not only to enhance your natural beauty but also to understand your individual preferences, promoting self-esteem and confidence.
