A chemical peel is a procedure where a chemical substance such as glycolic acid or salicylic acid is applied to the skin, resulting in removal of dead/ old skin cells, rapid lightening of brown scars, revealing a clearer, smoother complexion.
Chemical Peels
It is useful for treatment of acne, blocked pores, pigmentation, mild acne scarring, fine lines and wrinkles. It is a quick, office based treatment. During the treatment, a slight stinging sensation may be experienced. After the peel is complete, the skin may appear slightly red for 1 to 2 days; mild dryness and peeling may be experienced for about 1 week. After a peel, it is important to avoid sun exposure and apply a sunscreen.
Depending on the nature of your skin problem, it may be beneficial to have a few sessions of chemical peel every 1-2 months. Your doctor will assess your skin and decide which type of chemical peel you are best suited for.
Fillers
As we age, our face gradually loses its facial fat and volume, resulting in a gaunt, haggard appearance. Fillers can be used to effectively replace volume and restore a more youthful, rejuvenated appearance. Fillers can also help to fill and smoothen out certain facial lines and wrinkles. Commonly, areas such as the nasolabial folds (lines along the sides of the nose), marionette lines (lines that run from the sides of the lips to the chin), glabella ( the groove in between the eyebrows), tear trough ( the hollow region below the eyes) can be treated. Fillers can also be used to add volume to the cheeks, chin and lips. Hyaluronic acid fillers are the most widely used fillers.
Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance found in our skin and body. In the skin, the main function of hyaluronic acid is to hydrate and add volume to the skin.
The filler is injected into the skin using a very fine needle. Usually, no prior anaesthesia is required. The whole procedure takes around 15-30 minutes.
The improvement is seen almost immediately after the injections.
Depending on the type of hyaluronic acid filler used, the effects last an average of 12 – 18 months.
The side effects from fillers are usually minor and temporary. It is common to have slight redness and swelling over the injection points. Occasionally, there may be slight bruising which takes a few days to disappear.
Neuromodulator / Botox injections
Botox is a natural purified protein that relaxes muscles that form wrinkles, creating a younger appearance. The active ingredient is derived from bacteria in much the same way penicillin is derived from mould. It is manufactured in sterile conditions.
When we make facial expressions like smile or frown, the movement of certain facial muscles result in the appearance of wrinkles. The wrinkles that form during facial expressions are called dynamic wrinkles. Botox can be used to relax specific facial muscles. Once these muscles are relaxed, these dynamic wrinkles do not form and new lines are also prevented from developing. Botox is very effective for: Frown lines and forehead wrinkles; crow’s feet (smile lines around the eyes); bunny lines(nasal scrunch), facial contouring(square jaw).
You will still be able to make facial expression, and look natural. The only difference is that the lines are smoothened.
A small amount of Botox is administered into selected facial muscles by a trained doctor using a very fine needle. Generally, a treatment takes about 10-20 minutes. Discomfort is usually minimal and no prior anaesthesia is required. Within 3-7 days, you will notice a softening in the appearance of your frown lines.
The side effects from Botox are generally minor and temporary. It is common to have slight redness, swelling and bruising over the injection points. These effects will usually go away within 1-2 days.
The effect from Botox usually lasts for about 4 months before the lines slowly begin to return.
Botox can also be used to achieve a slimmer-looking, V-shaped facial contour, as well as treatment of sweaty palms and sweaty underarms.
Ultherapy
Ultherapy is widely regarded as one of the most powerful non-invasive treatments for lifting and tightening of the face and neck without downtime. Ultherapy uses microfocused ultrasound to generate a thermal effect under the skin. Ultherapy penetrates deeply and precisely into the foundational layers of skin tissue, bringing about tightening and lifting of the brows, cheeks, jawline, and neck.
Collagen is an important natural structural protein that confers support and volume to the skin. As we age, our collagen and elastic tissue gradually degrade in strength and quality. Ultherapy jumpstarts a repair and renewal process that strengthens collagen and elastic tissue.
Ultherapy is the only nonsurgical cosmetic procedure that uses ultrasound to specifically target the foundational layer of facial tissue that doctors address in surgery. The use of ultrasound also enables us to actually see the layers of skin we are treating, allowing the energy to be delivered precisely to where it will be most productive.
Ultrasound energy has a proven track record, with its use in medical imaging for over 50 years. In addition, the procedure has been cleared by the FDA after demonstrating safety in clinical studies, and tens of thousands of treatments have been performed worldwide without any significant adverse events.
Ultherapy is ideal for people who are starting to notice some laxity and sagging of their face, jawline and neck. Ultherapy is also very helpful for reduction of lines and wrinkles on the upper chest/décolletage.
A full face and neck treatment usually takes about 60 minutes.
Comfort thresholds vary from patient to patient, but there can be some discomfort while the energy is being delivered, which is temporary and a signal that the collagen-building process has been initiated. We will take measures to make the experience as comfortable as possible, and this may involve the use of numbing creams and painkillers.
After Ultherapy, one will enjoy natural looking and noticeable results which are best seen around 2 to 3 months after the treatment. Results usually last for 1 year of more. One can consider having another Ultherapy treatment about 2 years later to keep pace with the ageing process.
There may be slight redness for a few hours following the treatment, and it’s not uncommon to have slight swelling, tingling or tenderness for a few weeks, but these are typically mild and temporary. There can be other post-procedural effects such as bruising and small areas of numbness but these are less common and temporary.
Hydrafacial MD
The “HydraFacial” treatment is the newest advance in non-laser skin resurfacing. HydraFacial is the only hydradermabrasion procedure that combines cleansing, exfoliation, extraction, hydration and antioxidant protection simultaneously, resulting in clearer, more beautiful skin with no discomfort or downtime. The treatment is soothing, moisturizing, non-invasive and non-irritating. The HydraFacial treatment improves the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, congested and enlarged pores, oily or acne-prone skin, hyper pigmentation and brown spots.
The HydroPeel tip hydrates the skin with nutrient-rich solutions, deeply cleanses the pores, and softens and lifts away impurities
The vortex effect is created to easily dislodge and remove blackheads, whiteheads, and sebum, allowing for quick and painless extractions
The patented HydroPeel tip has multiple abrasive edges that exfoliate the skin several times each pass to achieve better, even skin resurfacing results without irritation Vortex-Fusion
The unique spiral design Vortex-Fuses hydrating skin solutions and potent antioxidants into the skin, improving the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, oily skin and hyper pigmentation
The HydraFacial™ is a hydrating and non-irritating treatment. It not only removes surface damage such as dead skin cells and impurities, it also replenishes the skin with antioxidants through Vortex-Fusion®, the most advanced application of nutrients to the skin.
The HydraFacial™ treatment is designed for all skin types. Even the most sensitive skin easily tolerates the HydraFacial™ treatment. Your physician or skincare professional may choose specific treatment serums and/or customize the treatment for your unique skin conditions and needs. Consult your physician or skincare professional for a skin evaluation.
The HydraFacial™ treatment is a fast, efficient treatment that takes as little as 15 minutes. The treatment is often described as a feeling like “a cool paintbrush moving over the face”. You may put on make-up and return to your normal activities right after the treatment since there is no downtime.
Dermalux LED Phototherapy
Dermalux LED Phototherpay is a non-invasive, painless treatment that uses clinically proven therapeutic light energy to trigger the skins natural rejuvenation and repair processes without downtime.
Dermalux uses unique combinations of clinically proven Blue, Red and Near Infrared wavelengths to boost collagen production, calm redness and irritation and destroy acne causing bacteria. As the light triggers a cascade of skin enhancing processes, the benefits continue even after the treatment has finished.
Each treatment lasts up to 30 minutes. No numbing cream is required.
Limelight/IPL
Limelight is an Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatment. IPL uses filtered, non-coherent light which is able to destroy pigment cells, blood filled capillaries, and hair roots. Popularly known as a “photofacial”, this is a gentle yet effective treatment for lightening of pigmentation, fine blood vessels and overall improvement of skin tone. It can also help to reduce acne and minimize pore size.
Limelight is ideal for the face, neck and décolletage. It is an excellent treatment for blotchy skin, redness and telengiectasia.
When the pulse of light is delivered, you will experience a mild pinching sensation. Numbing cream is usually applied half an hour prior to the treatment, making the treatment comfortable.
One to three treatments are usually sufficient to see results. The recommended treatment interval is 1 month. Additional treatments may be recommended, especially for excessively sundamaged skin.
Immediately following treatment, brown spots will start to darken and your skin may appear slightly red.
The redness usually disappears within minutes to hours, and the brown spots with flake off in a few days. There is usually minimal or no downtime.
Within a few days, the darkened spots will flake off and fade. Diffuse redness or telengiectasia will decrease and your mottled complexion will improve. Your skin will appear visibly clearer and smoother.
MIXTO SX FRACTIONAL CO2 LASER
The MiXto SX Fractional CO2 Laser is a well-established treatment for fine and deep wrinkles and acne scars. A single treatment can show significant improvement in skin texture and color while softening wrinkles.
The MiXto fractional CO2 laser is a revolutionary delivery system that works by delivering controlled heat to the skin. The depth of penetration and amount of heat delivered can be controlled precisely through a high speed scanner, driven by an algorithm that divides the treatment area into four quadrants (or fractions), and skips the beam from quadrant to quadrant so that each strike is separated by the longest possible interval. The process is repeated until entire area is treated. Dividing energy this way allows maximum time for thermal cooling of the tissue, less pain for the patient and faster recovery, resulting in:
- New skin remodelling and collagen growth for up to 6 months after treatment
- Instant contraction of the damaged skin
- Fine lines being softened and age spots removed
- Acne scars, pore size, fine lines and textural irregularities are significantly improved.
- Removal of age spots, sun spots and skin discoloration usually associated with aging skin
Most patients will feel a warm sensation on the skin. A topical anaesthetic cream will be applied on the skin half an hour before the treatment to reduce the discomfort.
Treatment time for a full face is approximately 30 minutes.
Day 1 -2
The skin will look red and sunburnt for 1-2 days post treatment. Subsequently, the fine pinpoint pattern will begin to disappear and the skin will have a tanned look. At this stage, makeup can be applied.
Day 3 -4
The top layer of skin will begin to peel during normal washing, revealing new rejuvenated skin with improved colour and texture.
Day 5-6
The peel with will be complete in most cases. Avoid prolonged sun exposure for at least 3 months. Apply a moisturizing sun block with at least SPF30 daily.
Superficial wrinkles and skin lesions typically disappear after one treatment. However, deeper wrinkles and acne scars may need 2 to 3 treatments, spaced about 4 months apart.
You will see benefits by the time the skin is completely peeled and will continue to see results for up the six months with new collagen regeneration that “plumps” up the skin.
- Younger patients with acne scars
- Middle aged patients with fine wrinkles and age spots
- Older patients with wrinkles and age spots.
Although side effects are uncommon, one should note the following:
- Erythema (redness of skin): the laser-treated areas have a distinctive redness representing increased blood flow due to the growth of the superficial tissue and collagen. It will gradually fade during the first few days.
- Mild swelling may occur and this should subside within 24 hrs.
- Hyperpigmentation may occur days after the laser but this is temporary. It is important to avoid the sun for a minimum of 2 weeks after the laser.
Medlite Laser Treatment
Reduces Pigmentation, Pore Size And Fine Lines; Removes tattoos.
The Medlite laser is a Q-switched Nd: Yag laser. This laser is designed for the treatment of pigmentation problems. It is highly effective for removal of solar lentigines and Hori’s naevus (an acquired deep brownish pigmentation in the skin).
It can also be used to remove certain birthmarks like Naevus of Ota and tattoo pigments.
The well loved Medlite Laser Toning treatment can also help to rejuvenate and refresh skin, firming skin and tightening pores while achieving a smoother texture and more even skin tone.
Melanin is what gives our skin its color. The amount of melanin in your skin determines if you have a light or dark complexion. Pigmented lesions are dark in color because the melanin is concentrated in one area of the skin, usually as a result of overexposure to the sun’s damaging ultraviolet rays.
Q-Switched Nd:YAG lasers produce a special wavelength of light that is absorbed by pigmented lesions. The light vibrates and shatters the pigment, breaking the melanin into micro-particles and lightening the lesion.
In general, the Medlite treatment can:
- Restore your skin from sun damage
Over exposure to the sun can lead to increased pore size, skin pigmentation, and a dull complexion. The Medlite helps to lighten pigmentation, decrease pore size, and smoothen skin texture. The overall result is a refreshed appearance and younger looking skin. - Stimulate collagen remodelling to reduce wrinkles and acne scars
With aging, collagen is diminished resulting in wrinkles and fine lines to appear on the face. Acne scarring also occurs as a result of collagen damage. The PhotoAcoustic energy from Medlite stimulates collagen remodeling, thus helping to reduce wrinkles and improve acne scarring. - Remove tattoos
Lasers are the safest way to remove tattoos. But, not all lasers can erase tattoos. Hence the physician must choose the correct wavelength based on the color of the tattoo ink. The MedLite are considered the gold standard for single and multi-color tattoo removal. The PhotoAcoustic energy works to gently vibrate and fragment the tattoo ink into tiny micro-particles that are gradually eliminated by the body’s natural process.
Most people describe the Medlite laser toning treatment as a tingling sensation. As the light shatters the pigment and diffuses the pigmented lesions, the spot will turn gray or white for a few minutes as the skin absorbs the energy. Any post-treatment discomfort will feel similar to a mild sunburn, and any redness will dissipate within a day or two as the skin returns to its natural color.
Common pigmented lesions do not return with good skincare and sun protection. Some birthmarks may return after a period of several months to a year. However, the procedure can be repeated.
After the initial treatment series, most patients return for Medlite treatments bi-monthly or four times a year to maintain the great results. This anti-aging maintenance program is a good investment in the long-term appearance of your skin – and a clinically proven way to improve signs of photo damage and replenish ongoing collagen loss. Patients say their skin feels incredibly soft and many find they wear less make-up as their complexion becomes more radiant.
The Laser Genesis
The Laser Genesis procedure utilizes non-invasive laser technology to safely, discretely and effectively treat fine lines, wrinkles, large pores, uneven skin texture, diffuse redness and scars. You can expect to see subtle yet consistent results after each treatment, without any downtime.
By gently heating the upper dermis well below your skin’s surface, Laser Genesis improves the appearance of wrinkles through collagen stimulation. Additional heat is generated in dilated capillaries to reduce redness.
Over the course of four to five treatments, Laser Genesis can help restore the skin’s youthful glow and appearance by smoothing out uneven texture caused by aging, sun damage or scars. You will see a more creamy, healthy complexion as large pores are reduced in size, and minor imperfections are diminished. The individual treatment results are subtle, but the overall effect of multiple treatments can be quite dramatic.
The face and neck can be treated.
Diffuse redness is a general appearance of facial redness, such as rosy cheeks. This condition is caused by dilated capillaries, resulting in an appearance of general redness. The most commonly affected areas are the nose, forehead and cheeks. Diffuse redness is often associated with a condition called rosacea and it can be hereditary. Laser Genesis will help your appearance by gently treating and reducing this condition.
Patients often describe the treatment as relaxing and comfortable. You will experience a gentle warming of your skin’s surface during the procedure as the laser handpiece is moved back and forth about 1/2 inch above your skin. You can immediately return to normal activities, utilizing sunscreen if participating in outdoor activities.
On average, you may require four to six treatments in order to achieve optimal results. Every patient’s condition and needs vary. For more information about your expected results or the number of treatments necessary, consult your physician.