ABOUT Afterglow

Afterglow is a full-service medi-spa, founded in 2005 by Dr. Shehla Ebrahim, a practising family physician. Dr. Ebrahim's passion for wellness and beauty - the underpinnings of self-confidence - has led to Afterglow's growing reputation as a respected provider of professional skincare services in the Greater Vancouver area. Although the medi-spa is situated in North Vancouver, it attracts clients from all over the province: a testament to the satisfaction of those who have experienced Dr. Ebrahim's professional and friendly manner as well as her technical ability.

 

COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTIONS

COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTIONS

Photo by Mandana Zaidi

The staff of Afterglow Medi-Spa believe strongly in corporate social responsibility. Our special role as health professionals enables us to give back to the communities in which we live, as well as to the world at large.

In 2002, Dr. Ebrahim travelled to Tibet to provide free medical services to the nomads of the eastern regions. In 2006, she climbed Mount Kilimanjaro to raise money for BC Children's Hospital.

In 2010 Dr. Ebrahim is preparing to climb Mount Everest Base Camp with a mission to promote and support community-based education, especially for girls, in remote, underserviced and war stricken areas of Northern Pakistan. She believes that the best hope for a peaceful and prosperous world lies in the education of all the world's children.

In collaboration with the Central Asia Institute, a non-profit organization, Dr. Ebrahim has been donating 2% of the profits from Afterglow, since January, 2009.

 

Afterglow for Men

Afterglow for Men

Now, the guys have their own treatment facility at Afterglow! Our unique men's skin care program will give you a firmer and smoother face and body and specializes in result-oriented solutions in a confidential and discreet atmosphere.

Dr. Shehla Ebrahim and her highly-trained staff offer the latest medical advancements in cosmetic medicine and skin care for men using state-of-the-art technology.

Take advantage of our men's skin care program today! Eliminate wrinkles, acne, excess body hair and age spots. Improve your looks and enhance your self-image...

 

We're in the news!

We're in the news!

Our reputation is growing. The following article appeared in the March 2009 edition of Fashion Magazine:

Those looking to get that certain covetable glow might want to book a visit with Dr. Shehla Ebrahim at her fully licensed and medically supervised medi-spa in North Vancouver. Asian-influenced decor is the finishing touch on a relaxed, private and no-pressure environment, where informative Power Point presentations about Botox, photofacial and laser hair removal help set realistic expections and put clients at ease. Menopausal women wary of synthetic hormones can look into bioidentical hormone replacement therapy....

To calm any pre-procedure jitters, enjoy complimentary tea and nibble on chocolates as you wait."

 

August 12, 2009

GOODBYE TO CHEST WRINKLES

Goodbye To Chest Wrinkles

Goodbye To Chest Wrinkles

One of the more common concerns voiced by women of a certain age is the development of a delta-like pattern of wrinkles on the chest. Combined with the finer all-over wrinkling often seen on the fine skin of the décolletage, this can add significantly to the appearance of aging.

The delta pattern of wrinkling, where the wrinkles start just under the collarbone and “flow” towards the cleavage is not a true sign of aging. Rather, it is caused by the compression of the soft structures of the chest when a woman sleeps on her side or stomach. (Sleeping in these positions is also responsible for wrinkling and creasing of the face.) If you stand in front of a mirror and push your breasts and upper chest area together with your arms, you will notice how marked the delta creases become.

The best way to prevent delta creases, and-if they are relatively shallow-lessen their appearance, is to sleep on your back. You don’t have to lie staring up at the ceiling, but simply make sure that your shoulders are facing upwards. Positioning your hip sideways will feel more comfortable, and placing a pillow under each arm will help retrain you to stop turning on your side.

If the creases are very marked, they can be treated with the profractional laser or a mild peel to markedly reduce their depth. Very deep creases can be filled with Restylane or Juvéderm to restore the appearance of youth. Dr. Ebrahim also uses Botox® to address wrinkling in the cleavage area.

The network of wrinkles that often appears in conjunction with hyperpigmentation (freckles, age spots) is caused by UV light and frequently worsens after menopause, when the skin thins. This fine, crepey appearance can be addressed by the use of an Afterglow retinoic acid formulation, and/or treatments with the profractional laser. Dr. Ebrahim or her staff will also be able to recommend a skin cream that can address the hyperpigmentation, to restore a youthful, even tone.

Finally, to help prevent deepening of chest wrinkles, be sure to wear your sunscreen every day!

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Category: Body Skincare,Sun Damage/Protection
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Posted by: Dr. Shehla Ebrahim

February 25, 2009

The Aging Face, Part 1: the lips

The Aging Face: The Lips

The Young Face: The Lips

As we age, a number of changes affect the contours of the face. Some of the more obvious changes take place in and around the lips. Take a look at the picture to the left. The young woman’s lips are generous and curve outwards at the borders, giving them a full, sensuous look. The area between the nose and upper lips (called the philtrum) is well padded and soft-looking, with well-defined ridges.

The Aging Face: The Lips

The Aging Face: The Lips

Now take a look at the older face. The lips have become flatter, rather like a deflated balloon, and have lost a lot of their youthful fullness. Their border (known as the vermilion border) is indistinct, and the philtrum has also flattened, its vertical ridges almost invisible. The corners of the lips have begun to turn down, giving a droopy look.

Is your mouth showing the signs of aging? If you are bothered by thinning lips and a lengthened, flattened philtrum, simple, “lunch hour” techniques can help restore the look of youth. Injectables such as Juvéderm, Restylane or Perlane can be placed in the philtral ridges, and around the vermilion border, and the lips themselves plumped up. A small amount of filler at the corners will reverse the droopy appearance. The overall result is a natural return to a more youthful-looking mouth area.

If you would like to know more about lip rejuvenation, please give us a call to set up an appointment for a consultation. Then be prepared for compliments!

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Category: Facial Skincare,The Aging Face
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Posted by: Dr. Shehla Ebrahim

January 8, 2009

All about fillers

All About Fillers

All About Fillers

Injectable fillers, as the name suggests, fill in the indentations and folds that develop as the face ages. They may also be used to fill in scars caused by acne, or to enhance the shape of the chin, jawline, cheekbones, or nose. So effective are fillers in rejuvenating the face, that their use is sometimes referred to as a “liquid face lift.”

The most common places where fillers are injected are the nasolabial folds (the folds that develop from the nose to the sides of the mouth when the cheek fat decends under the effect of gravity), the marionette lines (folds that run from the outer lips down to the jawline), and in the tear troughs at the inner corners of the eyes, to reduce the appearance of dark circles. These fillers are also injected into the lips to restore the fullness of youth or enhance the appearance of naturally thin lips.

There are three categories of injectable filler: temporary, semi-permanent, and permanent. Dr. Ebrahim uses both temporary and semi-permanent fillers to enhance the features and/or restore a youthful appearance to the face.

Temporary fillers last on average from three to six months, and include Restylane, Juvéderm and Teosyal. They consist of non animal-based hyaluronic acid that is completely compatible with the skin’s own hyaluronic acid. Using a very fine needle, Dr. Ebrahim carefully injects the filler into the skin, causing it to plump up. The effect is immediate. Prior to treatment, a numbing cream will be appplied to your face, minimizing or eliminating discomfort during the procedure but, if you are sensitive, a topical anaesthetic may be injected to numb area being treated. This is more common with lips, which are more sensitive than other areas of the face. Juvéderm is now available with an anaesthetic, ensuring comfort during the procedure.

Semi-permanent fillers may remain in the skin for a year or more and include Radiesse® and Evolence.™ Radiesse contains hyaluronic acid and calcium-based microparticles which have the added benefit of stimulating the skin’s production of collagen. Evolence contains a highly refined form of collagen that, unlike other forms of collagen, requires no skin test.

One of the advantages of dermal fillers is the “lunchtime treatment” aspect, meaning there is no downtime and no one need ever know what you have done to make yourself look – and feel – so much better!

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Category: Dermal Fillers,Facial Skincare
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Posted by: Dr. Shehla Ebrahim