Latest news with #MilenaAlMansuri
Vogue Arabia
5 days ago
- Health
- Vogue Arabia
Ultracol is The Cool, New K-Beauty Injectable in Town
It's safe to say that K-beauty's innovative and avant-garde approach to beauty has got faces glowing across the globe. And its latest, Ultracol, seems to be painting an equally promising picture. Developed by the Korean company Ultra V, this injectable has gained popularity for its collagen-stimulating properties, resulting in safer and longer-lasting results. But what makes it such a crowd favourite? The experts break it down. What is Ultracol? 'Ultracol is a polydioxanone (PDO) based injectable biostimulator designed to stimulate natural collagen production in the skin,' explains Dr Christine Hall, a K-beauty expert and GMC registered general practitioner in medical aesthetics. 'It's primarily used for volumising, lifting, and improving skin texture on the face, neck, and even certain body areas.' Also known as liquid threads, PDO threads began their journey in surgery as a suture material. Ultracol uses this material and a unique technology to turn it into microparticles. Dr Milena Al Mansuri, dermatologist and founder of Dubai's Milena Aesthetics Clinic Group, says that it's the perfect example of technology transfer from classical medicine to aesthetic practice. 'Having become the basis for mono lifting threads, PDO proved to be a reliable and biocompatible component. The cosmetic industry went further: Ultracol is the world's first PDO microsphere filler and is a controlled injectable powder that can be diluted with injection-grade water and administered into the skin,' she adds. How does it work? The magic of Ultracol lies in these very PDO microspheres. According to both experts, when injected into the dermis, they trigger a controlled reaction or an inflammatory response, activate immune cells called macrophages, and stimulate fibroblasts responsible for stimulating the production of collagen types I and III. Over time, this results in the natural restoration of volume, reduction of wrinkles, and improvement in overall skin texture. 'The PDO particles in Ultracol begin to degrade after approximately six months and are completely absorbed by the body within 12 months, leaving no residue,' clarifies Dr Hall. 'This process ensures that the skin remains rejuvenated with no long-term foreign material left behind.' Additionally, Dr Al Mansuri says that the PDO breaks down into glycolic acid during biodegradation and gets completely eliminated from the tissue. What to expect? Ultracol is an injectable biostimulator, which means that it doesn't add instant volume. It can be offered in two forms — Ultracol 200 mg for deeper volumising effects and Ultracol 100 mg for finer applications. 'The treatment is primarily used for facial rejuvenation, targeting areas such as the under-eye region, cheeks, nasolabial folds, marionette lines, and even the forehead,' adds Dr Hall. 'Additionally, Ultracol can be applied to body areas requiring lifting and skin tightening, such as the neck and hands.'
Vogue Arabia
7 days ago
- Health
- Vogue Arabia
We Have a Tech-Neck Problem — Here's How to Deal With It
Heads down, shoulders hunched, spines strained — welcome to the age where millennials and Gen Zs carry the weight of their digital lives on their shoulders…quite literally. The result? Tech or text neck. The epidemic can be attributed to mindless doom scrolling, binge-watching, or spiralling down the TikTok rabbit hole, where poor posture and unhealthy skin, specifically in the neck and chest region, await. 'Tech neck is a modern, 'trending' term used to describe neck and upper back pain, stiffness, and postural dysfunction caused by prolonged forward head posture often from looking down at phones, tablets, or laptops,' explains Florence Penny, consultant musculoskeletal physiotherapist and founder, Flow Physio London. The side effects of tech-neck Picture this: the head weighs 4.5 to 5.5 kgs, but for every inch it moves forward, the relative weight on the cervical spine doubles, putting continual stress on the neck. According to Penny, this isn't a 'new' problem. It's a modern evolution of classic postural imbalance that is simply amplified by the unrelenting presence of technology in our lives. 'Tech alone isn't to blame — we're moving less, exercising less, and carrying more day-to-day stress,' explains Penny. 'It's not the posture itself that causes harm, but the prolonged time spent in one static position, often under pressure, that creates strain on the body.' Tech neck isn't about posture; your skin gets caught in the crossfire, too. Dr Milena Al Mansuri, dermatologist and founder of Dubai's Milena Aesthetics Clinic, explains that the constant downward movement of the neck leads to horizontal lines known as 'neck rings' which accelerate skin laxity. 'Over time, these creases deepen, leading to premature ageing in an area we tend to overlook and forget.' Additionally, blue light from screens penetrates deeply into the skin, triggering oxidative stress and collagen breakdown. Dr Al Mansuri believes that the neck and decolletage are particularly vulnerable, often left unprotected and under-moisturised, leading to pigmentation, dullness, and thinning skin. The posture fix As a physiotherapist, Penny emphasises that people often overlook upper body and postural strength training. 'It's not just about stretching or sitting upright, but it's about challenging key muscles against resistance to build the strength needed for long-term postural support,' she explains. She recommends simple exercises like chin tucks, wall angels, and scapular retractions to help activate deep postural muscles and open up the spine, along with stretches for neck and thoracic extension to relieve built-up tension. 'For lasting change, I suggest a physiotherapy review, as a tailored strength programme is key in helping to rebuild the postural support system so that symptoms not only improve, but are less likely to return or become chronic.'
