Frequently Asked Questions

Wrinkle relaxing injections

How does Wrinkle relaxing injections work?
Wrinkle relaxing injections blocks impulses from the nerves to the tiny facial muscles that are related to expression lines. Wrinkle relaxing injections relaxes the muscles so they do not contract. After treatment, the overlying skin remains smooth and unwrinkled while the untreated facial muscles contract in a normal fashion, allowing normal facial expression to be unaffected.

Are Wrinkle relaxing injections treatments safe?
Wrinkle relaxing injections injections have been used safely and effectively for over ten years to treat many ophthalmologic and neurological disorders. Each year thousands of patients receive Wrinkle relaxing injections treatments for a variety of conditions and it is quickly becoming a popular treatment for reversing the visible signs of ageing.

What is the treatment like? Cosmetic denervation with Wrinkle relaxing injections is a simple and safe procedure. Using a tiny microneedle, a very small amount of Wrinkle relaxing injections is injected, very precisely, into several locations on the face. Because the needle is so fine and only a small amount of liquid is used, the pain associated with injection is minimal. Most patients compare the sensation to a bug bite. No sedation or local anaesthetic is required, and you can resume normal activities immediately. You can even drive yourself home or back to the office. Some patients experience a slight temporary bruising at the injection site. This can be covered with make-up.

Dermal Fillers

What are gel fillers such as restylane and how do they work?
Gel fillers work by replacing a lost substance in your skin. This substance is called hyaluronic acid, and works by binding water molecules together and keeping your skin moist. These water molecules act as a cushion for your skin, and is why young, healthy skin is often described as 'plump' skin. Over time, the moisturising properties of hyaluronic acid lose their effectiveness and cause sagging and creasing in the skin. By injecting a gel filler into affected areas, the product acts in the same way as hyaluronic acid and fill out the targeted area. In addition to lines and wrinkles, gel fillers have also been seen to be effective for reducing the appearance of scar tissue on the face.

How do longer-lasting fillers work, and are they safe?
In recent times, product testing in the US and Canada has found that a number of longer lasting materials are suitable for use as injectable fillers. These operate in a similar manner to other fillers, but results can last for up to two years. These semi-permanent fillers work by injecting extremely tiny amounts of the product (i.e. Radiesse) underneath the skin surface. These droplets of the product stimulate your bodys own use of collagen, which should subsequently grow around the beads of the filler. Semi-permanent fillers require several treatments to build up effectiveness and allow your body's collagen to settle around the product. The result is smoother, firmer and plumper skin, with results that last a considerably longer time than other fillers.

Are the treatment and recovery times for these fillers similar to Wrinkle relaxing injections?
Restylane and Perlane are quick, fairly painless treatments that can be carried out in your lunch hour, just like Wrinkle relaxing injections. However, semi-permanent fillers such as Sculptra require several consecutive treatments and is a more intensive process than other fillers. Therefore, it is recommended that you allow a longer period of time for visible results and recovery.

RESTYLANE/PERLANE
Restylane is a non-animal crystal clear hyaluronic gel, a substance which occurs naturally in the body. The injectable gives an instant result of natural enhancement and volume to the skin without affecting your natural expression. A simple injection of RESTYLANE replenishes the lost volume and improves your looks by enhancing your facial profile, creating fuller lips and smoothing out lines and wrinkles.

RESTYLANE SUB Q
Restylane SUB Q is used for facial augmentation. It is a minor procedure that requires a local anaesthetic. A small incision is made with a disposable scalpel and the product is inserted underneath the muscle tissue. It is most effective in creating cheekbone enhancement or chin implants. The overall product will last for up to 12 months.

RESTYLANE VITAL
Restylane Vital is a natural beauty treatment which gently replenishes hyaluronic acid, reversing the tell tale signs of aging. It can be used in all skin areas that 'give away' your age. These include the face as well as the neck, dcolletage and the backs of your hands.

RADIESSE
Radiesse is an injectable implant which is naturally compatible with the body as its formulation has similar characteristics to bones and teeth (in a gel form). This product can be used for nasal labial folds, marionette lines, the vermillion border, radial lip lines and chin or cheek augmentation. Radiesse can last for between 12 and 18 months.

SCULPTRA
Sculptra is a long lasting dermal facial filler which is made from poly-L-lactic acid. It can restore your facial contours and get rid of disturbing lines and wrinkles without surgery. The results of Sculptura can last for up to two years but the patient may require more than one treatment.

IPL (Intense Pulsed Light)

What is the Pulsar Treatment?
The Pulsar Multifunction Intense Pulsed Light System is a technological breakthrough that can effectively and virtually without pain treat the following conditions:

  • Permanent Hair Reduction
  • Aging Skin
  • Bacterial Acne
  • Sun Damaged Skin
  • Birthmarks
  • Facial Thread and Spider Veins
  • Rosacea
  • Pigmented Lesions
  • Vascular Lesions

How does it work?
The Pulsar IPL treatment works on the basis of selective absorption of light by tissue (photo-thermolysis). The treatment is:

  • Safe and effective
  • Virtually pain free
  • Proven clinical results

What will the treatment be like?
The procedure is as follows:

  • A trained, clinically certified person will always carry out the treatment.
  • The area to be treated is prepared.
  • A clear, hypo-allergenic gel is applied to cool the skin.
  • The Pulsar Applicator is then applied directly to the skin and the selected area is treated via a series of intense bursts of light. Each burst of light represents a 5cm squared treatment area.

Microdermabrasion

What is microdermabrasion?
Microdermabrasion is an aesthetic procedure where the skin is exfoliated mechanically. Focused columns of fine, sterile, inert aluminum oxide crystals are targeted at the outer layer of the skin, which removes cells of the skins outermost layer. The crystal and skin cells are vacuumed off of the skin by the unit simultaneously. This process rapidly removes the damaged layer of surface skin cells revealing fresh skin and stimulating cell rebuilding.

How does microdermabrasion work?
A fine jet of medical-grade aluminum oxide crystals are applied to the skin gently via a hand piece of the main unit. When the crystals make contact with the skins surface, the dead outer layer of skin is removed. The vacuum pressure of the system removes the dead skin and crystals at the same time, and transport them safely to the units waste container. Sessions usually comprise of around 45 minutes each.

What skin complaints does microdermabrasion treat?
Microdermabrasion offers a solution to a wide variety of skin complaints including acne, acne scarring, congested and spotty skin, enlarged pores, blackheads, dull skin, chicken pox scars, fine lines, wrinkles, brown spots or pigmentation.

Can any type of skin be treated by microdermabrasion?
Yes, regardless of age or skin colour. Almost any area of the skin can be treated with microdermabrasion, including the face and neck, elbows, knees, hands, feet, and shoulders. Microdermabrasion is also a useful treatment for stretch marks on the abdomen or hips.

Medical Skin Peel

What Is A Chemical Peel?
A chemical peel is most commonly performed for cosmetic reasons, to enhance appearance and self-confidence. Chemical peel therapy may be performed in conjunction with other treatments. However, a chemical peel is not a substitute for a facelift, and does not prevent or slow the ageing process.

How Can I Find Out If I Am A Candidate For Treatment?
If you would like to learn more about available cosmetic options, and find out if peel treatment might work for you, please call and arrange an appointment for a consultation with the practitioner. Chemical peeling uses a chemical solution in order to improve the skin's appearance It can reduce or eliminate fine lines under the eyes and around the mouth, correct uneven skin pigmentation, treat acne and soften the appearance of scars caused by acne and stretch marks. The procedure can also reduce the appearance of wrinkles caused by sun damage as well as skin blemishes common with age and heredity. Chemical peels can be performed on the face, hands and all other body areas.

What Is TCA?
Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) can be successful in the effective treatment of:

  • Reduction of smooth fine surface wrinkles
  • Reduction of superficial blemishes
  • Correction of pigment problems
  • Reduction of Acne/Acne Scarring and stretch marks

Anaesthesia is not required for TCA peels.
TCA Peel patients are advised to avoid sun exposure and to use a sun protection cream (minimum SPF 30) for several weeks following treatment. Failure to comply with this recommendation may produce some unintended colour changes in the skin.

TCA
Used in more then 50 countries and on all phototypes, Easy TCA is considered to be the safest and easiest trichloroacetic acid peel. This product, applied according to different protocols, allows for a wide spectrum of depths of action and therapeutic indications from acne to blotches, photo-ageing and stretch marks. It can be applied to both face and body. It requires no prior preparation and allows patients to keep an active social life. It can be associated with laser, depilation, botunlinic toxin, surgery, telangiectasies treatment and more.
This is progressive regeneration of the skin. Photo-ageing, acne, hyperpigmentations, melasma, chloasma, keratosis and fine lines. There are special protocols for decolletage, stretch marks, acne scars, combination with deep TCA or phenol peels.

How Is Treatment Administered?
The procedure involves a chemical solution that is applied to the skin. The solution causes the layer of skin to separate and peel off. The new regenerated skin underneath is usually smoother, less wrinkled and more even in both tone and colour than the old skin.

How Long Will The Treatment Take?
The practitioner will carefully apply the TCA solution. You will feel a prickly sensation as the peel solution is applied, but the feeling will quickly pass when the neutralizing cream is applied. A full face TCA peel usually takes no more than 15 minutes. Each course duration is four weeks with one peel each week.

Are There Any Medical Exclusions?
Pregnant or breast-feeding women should not be treated. If you have a history of cold sores, you should inform the practitioner prior to the procedure. The practitioner will review your medical history with you during your initial consultation prior to administering any treatment. During your initial consultation it is important that you discuss your expectations with the treatment practitioner. Don't hesitate to ask any questions or express any concerns that you may have. You will be able to ask any treatment related questions and the practitioner will explain the planned procedure in detail, including the risks and benefits, the recovery period, and the costs.

Possible Side Effects
All products have a potential for allergic reactions. It is important that the patient informs the practitioner of any allergies they may have. Transient reactions may include redness to the skin, itchiness, dryness, and in some cases swelling.
It is common for most patients to experience transient hyper pigmentation. This will settle during the course of treatments and with use of the appropriate treatment creams and sun protection.
Although very rare, there may be in some cases a risk of blistering.


Expected Reactions Immediately Following A Peel:
  • Slight redness
  • Increased feeling of heat to the skin being treated
  • Occasionally, patients experience an itchy feeling