What does a treatment entail?

Your face will be cleansed and photographs will be taken.  Depending on the strength of treatment you are having, a topical anaesthetic may be applied for 30-60 minutes prior to your treatment.

Cold air is blown onto the treatment area and the FRAXEL laser head is moved over your skin in a systemic fashion, feeling like tiny pin pricks.  A number of passes are made, depending on your treatment prescription.  Afterwards, your skin will feel warm and will throb as if you are sunburnt.  You will be placed under an infra-red PDT (photo dynamic therapy) light for 20 minutes which accelerates healing and aids in the collagen stimulating process.  A soothing serum and sunblock will be applied before you leave.

Is there pain and downtime?

Redness and mild swelling will occur and you will look like you have been sunburnt.  This lasts for 1-4 days, according to the strength of treatment done.  Thereafter, your skin may darken and will feel like sandpaper before gradually flaking off.  This lasts for 5-10 days.  If your treatment has been prescribed for collagen formation, darkening and flaking may not occur. Typically, most patients lie low for the first day or two.  After that, the residual redness and dryness can be covered with a tinted sunblock.

Discomfort is mild and usually does not require analgesics.  Paracetamol can be taken if required, but please avoid anti-inflammatories which may hamper the formation of new collagen.  A complementary microdermabrasion treatment is offered 7-10 days after high strength FRAXEL treatments to get rid of any residual dryness and flaking skin.

When can I expect to see results?

If a FRAXEL treatment is done for sun damage and pigmentation, you can expect to see results within a week or two after the treatment.  The collagen building effects take 4-6 months to become evident and continue for up to a year.

How many treatments do I need and how often?

No one treatment regimen is suited to everyone and individual responses to treatments differ widely, depending on the strength of the treatment done, the condition being treated, the severity of the condition, and the patient’s specific skin type.  Your treating practitioner will assess you and discuss the best treatment options for you personally.  More than one FRAXEL treatment is usually needed for optimal results, with a minimum of 14 days between each treatment.  Please ensure you protect your skin during and after treatments by applying sunscreen liberally and regularly, wearing a hat, and avoiding the sun.

FRAXEL facials are mini FRAXEL treatments which are ideal for improving skin with minimal sun damage, or as maintenance treatments after you have completed a course of full FRAXEL treatments. .

Recommended Supplements:

Taking an oral collagen supplement may help you get better results.

What device is used?

We use a DERMAPEN 4  for all of our skin needling treatments.  This device has strong and straight needles that allow us to make precise and microscopic injuries in the exact depth that we are targeting.  Other devices often have needles of varying penetration that can tug on the skin or cause scratch marks, leading to variable results and an increase in downtime.

What does a treatment entail?

A topical anaesthetic is applied for 15 – 45 minutes, and then removed before skin is thoroughly cleansed.  An active serum or your own PRP is applied and the needling process begins.  The DERMAPEN is moved across your skin in different directions, ensuring you get optimal  penetration of serums and collagen stimulation.  After your treatment, more serum or PRP is massaged onto the skin and left to penetrate for 10-60 minutes.

Is there pain and downtime?

Most people find the treatment very easy or experience minimal discomfort.  Downtime is dependent on the intensity of the treatment and the depth of needle penetration, but most people have very little.  You can expect redness and a small amount of swelling for 24 hours.  Some people may have tiny needle prick bruises.  After that you can expect to feel a dry, tight sensation and some minor skin flaking.  Within 4-5 days you will have full recovery and normalised skin function.

When can I expect to see results?

Your body’s biological repair mechanism starts immediately after treatment and some conditions that we are treating will show results more quickly than others.  Collagen formation and final maturation takes time.  Expect to see results within about 3 weeks and improvement for up to 6 months.

How many treatments do I need and how often?

We recommend at least three treatments spaced  2-4 weeks apart.  Having more treatments will likely give you even better results in the long term.

Is there any specific aftercare?

Taking a collagen supplement may help get better long term results.  Use of a mild cleanser and products which do not contain any active ingredients is recommended for the first few days after treatment.  Your treating practitioner will give you proper aftercare and skincare advice.

Skin Needling Using Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)

What is it?

Skin needling using platelet-rich plasma (PRP), is a trend that took Hollywood by storm.  This treatment (also known as the Vamp Facial) entails a skin needling treatment using stem cells and growth factors derived from your own plasma, to rejuvenate your skin and stimulate maximal collagen production.

What does a treatment entail?

A topical anaesthetic is applied to the area to be treated and left on for 20-40 minutes.  A small tube of blood is taken from your arm and put into a centrifuser which spins it down, separating the red blood cells from your plasma. This plasma is rich in stem cells and platelet-derived growth factors which help to stimulate maximal collagen production.  We use your plasma as a treatment serum, using a Dermapen 4 to “needle” it into your skin.

The needling process causes minute and controlled micro-injuries to your skin and creates thousands of entry ports for deep penetration of your plasma.  Both the micro-injuries and the stem cells and growth factors in your plasma stimulate a healing cascade in your skin that creates collagen and results in healthier, tighter skin with fewer fine lines and wrinkles.

Is there pain and downtime?

There is no pain and downtime is minimal.  Your skin will be red and slightly swollen afterwards, but usually settles in a day.  Some areas may have tiny, petechial bruises which disappear quickly.

What do I need to do afterwards?

You need to leave the “serum” on your skin for a few hours afterwards and avoid using skin care products containing active ingredients for a few days.  Your treating practitioner will be able to advise you on proper aftercare.

When can I expect to see results?

Most people see results within a week after treatment but the collagen stimulating effects continue for up to three months.

How many treatments do I need and how often?

We recommend at least three treatments at 1 monthly intervals for optimal results.

Can other areas be treated?

A skin needling treatment with PRP can be done on almost any area of the body where collagen stimulation is required.  We often treat necks, decolletages, abdomens, and arms to improve the quality of the skin, with an improvement in texture, tone, and fine lines and wrinkles.

The outermost, dead cell layer acts as a barrier to penetration of skin care ingredients and removing it prior to many of our in-house treatments and facials helps us obtain maximal penetration of the active ingredients we are using to treat your specific skin concern.  The beneficial exfoliating effect lasts for 1-2 weeks, allowing increased absorption and increasing efficacy of your skin care products at home too.

We often do a microdermabrasion treatment before applying topical anaesthetic to your skin to help accelerate the numbing process, or a few days after a FRAXEL treatment or chemical peel to remove the last of your flaking skin.

With age, cell turnover decreases and results in a build up of the outermost dead cell layer and dullness of the skin.  Regular exfoliation of this layer with microdermabrasion helps to restore a youthful, healthy glow to the skin.

What does a treatment entail?

The treatment area will be thoroughly cleansed prior to treatment.  A small handpiece is moved across your skin which “blasts” tiny crystals, removing the superficial dead cell layer.  A few passes are made in varying directions, ensuring a uniform exfoliation.  Treatment intensity can be varied according to your skin sensitivity.  Afterwards, your face will be cleansed again and skin care products and/or sunblock applied.

Is there pain and downtime?

Most people find the treatment very easy and experience no discomfort whatsoever.  There may be mild redness afterwards due to the exfoliating effect as well as increased blood flow, but this settles within a few hours.  There is no downtime after a microdermabrasion treatment.

When can I expect to see results?

Results are immediate.  Your skin will feel soft and smooth and will have a healthy glow which will last for 1-2 weeks.

How many treatments do I need and how often?

We recommend at least three treatments spaced  2-4 weeks apart.  Having more treatments at monthly intervals will likely give you even better results in the long term.  Conditions such as active acne will benefit from having an exfoliating treatment monthly to remove the dead cell layer which traps bacteria and clogs pores.  Conditions such as enlarged pores and rough skin texture tend to recur and monthly treatments are recommended to maintain good results.

Is there any specific aftercare?

Use of a mild cleanser and products which do not contain any active ingredients is recommended for the first few days after treatment.  Your treating practitioner will give you proper aftercare and skincare advice.

We use laser genesis in patients who have:

• Premature ageing
• Sun damage
• Rosacea (excessive redness)
• Enlarged pores
• Uneven texture
• Acne scarring
• Sallow complexion

What areas can be treated?

The face, neck and décolletage are usual treatment areas, but any area on the body can be treated with lasergenesis.

What does a treatment feel like?

The laser resembles a small wand attached to a large machine. It is moved systematically back and forth across the treatment area, leading to a gradual build up of heat in the skin. It is a pleasant and comfortable experience and is often described as a feeling of “warm rain” on the skin. You will be asked to wear eye protection goggles during your laser genesis treatment. Treatments generally last from 10-20 minutes, depending on the size of the area being treated.

Is there pain and downtime?

There is no pain or downtime whatsoever. Very mild redness and/or mild swelling may be present for 1-2 days after a treatment, giving skin a healthy glow.

How many treatments do I need and how often?

A course of 6-8 lasergenesis treatments is recommended for best results. These can be stand-alone treatments or can be added onto your facial.

No one treatment regimen is suited to everyone and individual responses to treatments differ widely, depending on the strength of the treatment done, the condition being treated, the severity of the condition, and the patient’s specific skin type. Your treating practitioner will assess you and discuss the best treatment programme for you personally.

When can I expect to see results?

Results are cumulative with a gradual improvement in skin quality with each treatment. Most patients can see a visible difference in their skin after 1-3 treatments.

Please ensure you protect your skin during and after treatments by applying sunscreen liberally and regularly, wearing a hat, and avoiding the sun.

Recommended supplements:

Regular use of a collagen supplement may help you get better results from this treatment.

What conditions is it used for?

Photodynamic light therapy is used in the following conditions:

• Treatment of active acne
• Shortens recovery time after Fraxel laser treatments
• Calms the skin after intense chemical peels
• Shortens duration of bruising
• Pre and post surgical procedures such as facelifts, wisdom teeth removal, nose jobs
• Activates ALA treatments (intense precancerous skin lesion treatment)
• As an anti-aging treatment

We use PDT extensively in our practice, both as an adjunct to other treatments, and as a stand-alone treatment by itself.

What does a treatment entail?

Cottonwool pads and block-out black goggles will be placed over your eyes.  The PDT light is positioned over the area to be treated and the light switched on.  This intense red light is warm and soothing and is left on for 20 minutes.

Is there pain and downtime?

There is no pain or downtime whatsoever.

When can I expect to see results?

The anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, healing, and anti-aging benefits of PDT start immediately and continue for a few days after a treatment.

How many treatments do I need and how often?

The number and frequency of treatments required is dependent on the condition being treated.  Only one treatment is needed after a Fraxel laser treatment or intense chemical peel.  Active acne requires one treatment weekly for the first month, and then one treatment monthly.  We recommend that patients with significant bruising have a treatment every 2-3 days to accelerate healing.   For anti-aging benefits, a PDT treatment every two weeks is recommended.

Your treating practitioner will be able to advise you on the best treatment regimen for your condition.

• Actinic keratoses – most common sun-related precancerous growth found in fair-skinned individuals. These small, rough, crusty patches are often found on sun-exposed areas such as face, hands, forearms, ears, and scalp.  If left untreated, these lesions may develop into skin cancer later on.
• Skin tags – harmless growths that often appear in middle age, typically on the face, neck, and underarm areas.
• Cherry angiomas – bright red or purple papules on the skin caused by abnormal proliferation of blood vessels. These tend to become more prominent with age and are often found on the breasts and body, and can range in number from a few to hundreds.  Also known as Campbell De Morgan spots or senile angiomas.
• Dermatosis Papulosa Nigra – a condition of multiple small, benign skin growths that are often found on darker skin types. They are darkly pigmented and found commonly on the face and neck and increase with age.  Also known as Morgan Freeman spots.
• Fibromas – benign, usually colourless growths that are often found in skin creases.
• Broken capillaries and spider naevi – small, dilated blood vessels near the surface of the skin which often worsen with age, particularly on the nose and cheeks.
• Xanthelasma – soft, yellowish plaques of lipids, slightly raised and found just under the skin in the peri-orbital area around the eyes.
• Milia – small, hard white plugs of sebum usually found on the forehead, cheeks, and around the eyes, particularly in oily skins.
• Sebaceous hyperplasia – benign yellowish dimpled papules on the skin, particularly forehead, cheeks and nose caused by an overgrowth of sebaceous glands.
• Blocked pores, subcutaneous cysts, and acne pustules – the current released by the lamprobe helps to extrude all of the contents of a blocked pore, cyst, or acne pustule.
• Stubborn hairs – the lamprobe works like electrolysis to permanently remove hairs by damaging the hair root. This is particularly helpful in removing blonde or grey hairs that do not respond to laser hair removal.
• Benign moles and sun spots – may be removed using lamprobe.

What does a treatment entail?

Topical anaesthetic may be applied to certain lesions for 15-30 minutes before treatment.  A tiny probe which has a radiofrequency electrical current is used to treat lesions.  Depending on what is being treated, the probe may treat the surface of the lesion, or it may be inserted into the skin before the current is released.   You may experience mild discomfort.  Lesions may sting or be slightly raw after treatment.  An anti-bacterial ointment such as Fucidin will be applied afterwards.

Is there pain and downtime?

Most lesions are treated painlessly or with minimal discomfort.  Electrolysis and vein treatments are often uncomfortable for the few seconds of treatment.  Some lesions may scab afterwards and these scabs can take 1-3 weeks to heal.  Rarely, pigmentation changes may occur.

How many treatments do I need and how often?

Most lesions require only one treatment.  Veins, cherry angiomas, and other vascular lesions may require additional treatments for a permanent result.  Hair removal by electrolysis may need to be repeated as permanent removal is dependent on what phase of growth the hair follicle is in at the time of treatment.