by Sue Carroll | Jul 31, 2021 | Uncategorized
Our beauty within is revealed through our eyes. This does not mean they have to show our age. It is so frustrating when no matter how much sleep you get, someone will always let you know how tired you are looking. There are many options to improve the fine lines, wrinkles and hanging skin around the eye area which might include surgery, skincare, radiofrequency, Tixel, chemical neuromodulators, plasma treatments, or a combination of the above.
Compared to our facial skin, the skin around our eye area is as much as 10 times thinner. The eye area does not have as many moisture and oil glands as the rest of our skin, and this is one reason aging shows very quickly in this area. This is another reason why the eye area needs a helping hand and more support than other skin areas of the face.
A new medical-grade treatment available is called the Tixel. It uses heat, or thermo-mechanical ablation, to resurface, rejuvenate and tighten the skin of the face, eyes, neck and body. It is safe to use right up to the upper and lower lash lines, making it a unique and result-driven treatment. The Tixel treatment can be used on its own, but may also be used in conjunction with surgery and other in-clinic procedures in order to improve the texture of the skin. The Tixel will deliver similar results to those of a fractional CO2 laser, but without the risks, pain and downtime. A most fascinating alternative way to use Tixel is to infuse ingredients including anti-wrinkle injection and hyaluronic acid. This will assist in reducing the crepey texture and help with deep hydration of the skin in the orbital area. It is normally suggested to have 2-3 treatments that are spaced 4 weeks apart.
An alternative treatment for skin tightening and wrinkles is using the Accor Plasma Cosmetic Corrector. This is a gentle and low pain procedure, where the conductor tip creates a tiny plasma flash from the tip of the needle. The tip does not touch the skin but leaves the skin with very small, superficial brown carbon spots that look like a henna tattoo. These small dots contract the skin in their direct surroundings and will shrink and tighten the skin. This is a non-surgical treatment providing a result where the skin has shrunk and wrinkles and small bags have been reduced. Again normally 2-3 treatments are scheduled about 2-3 months apart.
The use of neuromodulators such as anti-wrinkle injections, along with fillers using hyaluronic acid is an amazing treatment when performed by qualified injectors. The easiest treatment for the furrows between the brows and the crows’ feet at the sides of our eyes is injecting a neuromodulator. These injections temporarily disrupt the muscle contraction in the eye area and therefore reduce the appearance of the wrinkle. The neuromodulator can also be used to give the eye a browlift, allowing a more youthful and awake appearance. This usually lasts 3 months and if the result is to be maintained the injection is then repeated. The hollows under the eyes can be injected with a very fine filler. The filler can also reduce the appearance of darkness which may be caused by the loss of volume as we age. This injection may last from 9-12 months depending on how active we are and our overall health and age.
Radio Frequency and PEMF treatments are the most relaxing and effective when it comes to a gentle firming and hydrating result. These treatments stimulate the circulation so efficiently, we have seen in our clinic the reduction of puffiness, darkness and fine lines. The warmth of the RF wand is so relaxing we often see clients going to sleep during their treatment. These treatments are necessary to be performed every 5-7 days over a 6-8 time frame. In order to maintain the result, it is recommended to have 1 every month. Radio Frequency is one of the best treatments to be used in conjunction with surgery, Tixel and Plasma.
The delicate periorbital area needs some extra love and attention, compared to the rest of the face. When combining a healthy internal lifestyle and a proactive external clinic treatment regime, the eyes will reflect our own kind of beauty, being the best version of ourselves.
by Sue Carroll | Jul 19, 2021 | Uncategorized
Skin Facts You Might Not Know
A few snippets of information we are regularly asked in the Clinic.
Dead Sea Salt is blessed with at least 21 different minerals. It is extremely high in the magical mineral, magnesium, the king of all nutrients and our anti-stress mineral. One of the best ways to get minerals into our system is through our skin,and it has been proven that taking baths with dead sea salts will elevate minerals in our system.
Minerals applied topically to our skin creates an osmotic pump. Unlike Epsom Salts, Dead Sea Salts are 100% pure sea salt, naturally dehydrated in the desert sun. Do not remove the salt after your bath, dry your skin and then apply generously a dead sea salt body cream such as the AHAVA Dermud. Enjoying a Dead Sea Salt bath inspires wellness and self-care along with easing muscle aches, calming the mind and eliminating pathogens all in one sitting
White bumps appearing on our skin may be milia or whiteheads. These often appear around the hairline, forehead, and nose in adults, teenagers, young children, males and females. There can be a few causes of milia ranging from an overproduction of oil or sebum to face and hair product ingredients.
When undergoing treatment to remove or improve milia:
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Follow a well-balanced diet with lots of water and eat the rainbow (all colours of fruit and vegetables). Reduce sugar and all refined carbohydrates and include good fats.
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Change bed linen each week and pillowcases every other day
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Do not wear hats where possible, as they will trap oil, dirt, sweat and coconut-based ingredients
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Check product ingredient index lists found on the back of products and reduce coconut-based ingredients, waxes and silicones as much as possible
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Clean makeup sponges and brushes.
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Do not pick, as a milia cannot be squeezed out. The end result can be infection, scarring and PIH (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation).
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Cleanse and tone (using gauze squares morning and night) using pH-balanced products so the skin is not stripped of natural oils which act as a protective medium to help stop bacteria from entering the skin. When using a treatment product they usually contain plant extracts and a combination of mandelic, salicylic or glycolic acids. Just as you clean your teeth morning and night, do the same for your facial skin with appropriate home care products that are specific to your skin concerns
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One of the easiest methods of treating milia is with a treatment in a professional clinic using diathermy (a treatment using a fine needle and a high-frequency electric current). Often only 1 treatment is required, dehydrating the milia, and within a week they have dissolved, leaving the skin clean and bump-free. Remember this is treating the condition but is not preventing new milia from forming.
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If the milia are large it may be professionally lanced and extracted by a qualified aesthetician
If you are not sure if your white bumps are milia check with your doctor, dermatologist or professional aesthetician/dermal therapist.
Tinted Sunscreens are ideal for everybody’s regular skincare regimen. It has been proven by scientific findings that sunscreens, which normally contain iron oxides, provide much more protection compared to regular sunscreen. It is true that we need to discuss sunscreens even in winter.
Sunscreens need to be considered as part of your daily skincare regimen to prevent sun damage, instead of as an extra step taken to prevent sunburn during outdoor occasions. This is especially relevant for Australia since the sun is so damaging,and therefore sunscreen needs to be worn year-round on any exposed areas. Especially on the face to prevent the risk of melanomas and skin cancers, chronic skin inflammation, and premature aging.
Tinted Sunscreen provides optimum protection as well as a number of important skincare benefits including antioxidant protection, soothing, and hydrating.
by Sue Carroll | Jun 1, 2021 | Uncategorized
After an outdoor lifestyle during the hotter months, we are left with the ravages which are reflected on our skin in the form of hyperpigmentation or brown marks.
As the season changes, the humidity dissipates and the cool weather brings welcome relief from the heat of summer, it is the perfect time to review our skincare concerns, practices, and home care regime.
Many of us aim for glowing, radiant skin, but regrettably, many also battle some level of hyperpigmentation. It is not a skin type, rather a common condition brought on by many factors ranging from medicines to sun exposure to hormonal changes and trauma or acne.
Any skin type can experience Hyperpigmentation – dry, oily, dark, also light. Simply put, it is the extreme stimulation of melanin in the skin that produces darkened, uneven, skin tone. Extreme melanin production can occur from systemic (with-in the body) and extrinsic (outside the body) causes.
There are numerous explanations of hyperpigmentation (dyschromia) and uneven skin tone as well as several depths of harm to the skin. The changes indicated in the skin happen as melanocytes are either destroyed causing hypopigmentation or over-stimulated, resulting in hyperpigmentation.
Our melanocytes, or colour producing cells are there for the protection of the cell initially. We require them in order to assist combating the impact of UV rays. Nevertheless, after that security process has actually taken place you are now entrusted with underlying damage and we see this in the kind of pigmentation.
Types of Pigment Changes Include:
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Hyperpigmentation – darkened pigment
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Hypopigmentation – no melanin
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Demarcation – irregular pigmentation from picking, scratching and procedures
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Melasma – Patches that appear denser and larger
There Are Three Types of Hyperpigmentation:
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Epidermal – the surface is not as dense and light brown in colour
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Dermal – The Skin is ashen-grey and deep brown, it also seems more solid
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Mixture – Both levels are usually dark brown
Some Typical Causes of Hyperpigmentation Can Include
PIH (Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation)
Birth Control Pills Estrogen (HRT)
Pregnancy
(Melasma) Long-Term Sun Exposure
Acne
Razor Bumps
Severe Sunburn
Eczema,
Chemical Irritations, Electrolysis
Certain Prescription Medications
Chicken Pox Picking
Scratching, Insect Bites
Trauma to Skin
Surgical Procedures
Perfumes Sprayed on Sun-Exposed Areas
Two primary elements that affect hyperpigmentation are the sun and heat. So please wear an SPF during the day, stay cool and be careful with overuse of products that contain hydroquinone. This active ingredient remains in numerous non-prescription lightening items and has numerous debates connected with it. Your skin may develop resistance, or immunity, and can even end up being darker with continued use of hydroquinone.
Professional Treatments
The goal for the in-clinic treatment is to combine both brightening and skin building treatments and active ingredients which will assist with reducing hyperpigmentation, sun damage concerns, and assist with resetting the skin towards healthy, clear and radiant.
There are numerous outcome-driven peels offered in the hands of a qualified expert, ranging from progressive to mid-depth and deep peels. One such peel is the Pigmentation Solutions Peel which is a progressive to mid-depth peel designed to begin cellular turnover, enhance skin and lower pigmentation. With simply the right balance of TCA (Trichloroacetic Acid), sake and potent melanin suppressors, skin will be left toned and fine-tuned for luminous skin.
Other Clinical treatments available to assist with lowering colouring are IPL (Intense Pulsed Light), Skin Needling, Nano-Fractional Laser, Fractional Laser, Q-Swithch Yag, Diathermy and Tixel.
When any intensive in-clinic treatment is undertaken, it is recommended to prepare your skin with supportive home care products to assist with strengthening and/ or lightening the skin for at least a few weeks prior for optimal results. This will help in the preparation of the melanocytes so there are no rebound results such as darker spots of pigment a couple of weeks post-treatment.
Diagnosing and repairing hyperpigmentation and sun damage is sadly not one size fits all. In order to reveal the best version of you, a mix of excellent house care and in-clinic professional treatments is typically the very best method to help with healthy, glowing and more youthful skin.
by Sue Carroll | Feb 17, 2021 | Uncategorized
Compression therapy, also known as a Lymphatic Body Booster may be the ideal relaxing and beneficial treatment to assist with increasing blood flow and is perfect for clients with a BMI over 50 to support weight loss, the elimination of toxins after fat freezing or those with lymphedema.
Compression therapy is known also as Intermittent Pneumatic Compression (IPC). It improves blood flow movement in the limbs by stimulating vein support through specially designed garments and intermittent pneumatic compression pumps. However, there are many more uses and health issues it can support.
IPC therapy may also help post-partum women strengthen loose skin (the result of pregnancy or weight gain). It improves skin nutrition and helps recover skin elasticity. The results can be assisted with dry body brushing daily at home along with Radio Frequency treatments in the clinic.
IPC can help with swelling due to sitting for long periods during travel, especially air travel. In the most acute case, it can lead to something called “traveller’s thrombosis,” a grave ailment during which a blood clot forms in a deep leg vein. Heavy, tired legs, swollen feet and “cankles” are some of the less desirable effects of air travel and stationary lifestyles. IPC may assist in reducing bloating, swelling, cellulite, leg fatigue by improving oxygen flow, improving extracellular fluid clearing and lymphatic drainage throughout the whole body.
IPC may also benefit those suffering from a poor circulatory and lymphatic movement as a result of their occupation. Posture can be impaired during long periods of sitting as well. It relieves tiredness and heaviness in the arms and the legs and improves general mobility.
For those with poor circulation issues, IPC can stimulate venous and lymphatic return blood flow, therefore maintaining the normal return circulation.
Effective lymphatic drainage with IPC can promote the body’s naturally occurring toxin clearing functions to promote general body detoxification. More importantly, IPC can be used to help prevent DVT in the aging population or for those who smoke heavily, both of who carry an increased health risk.
IPC is a safe and non-invasive treatment post-liposuction, and it provides immediate comfort. It also helps with pain and swelling, as well as skin recovery.
IPC can be used to prevent the appearance of varicose veins and the prevention of hematomas after varicose vein stripping.
IPC therapy can be used to prevent hematoma and DVT in post-operative edema (post-mastectomy, etc.) and post-traumatic edema. IPC not only reduces leg swelling but also augments the veno-lymphatic pump, which is essential for the recovery of the damaged microcirculation of the skin.
For diabetic neuropathy balance dysfunction, IPC increases nutritional supplies to the peripheral nervous system, which shows significant increases in standing time with eyes either open or closed by performing functional balance tests.
IPC promotes sleep management, improves energy and relaxation. Firm but gentle pressure can relax the nervous system. When deep pressure is applied to the body, the body switches from running the sympathetic nervous system to the parasympathetic nervous system. When the parasympathetic nervous system takes over, this causes the heart rate to slow down, muscles to relax and circulation to improve. The body then produces endorphins and releases dopamine and serotonin.
IPC improves recovery and endurance for active people that are competitive in sports. IPCs allow the lymphatic and cardiovascular systems to expedite the removal of metabolic waste, which is meant to speed recovery and filter the lactic acid out of the system.
There are contraindications for the IPC therapy such as pulmonary edema, pulmonary embolism, known or suspected deep vein thrombosis, non-pitting chronic lymphedema, thrombophlebitis, acute inflammation of the skin such as cellulitis, severe peripheral neuropathy and active metastatic diseases affecting the edematous region.
Intermittent Pneumatic Compression or body boost lymphatic drainage treatments are relaxing and beneficial to assist with optimum circulatory functioning within the body. If there are medical concerns a doctor’s authority should always be given before the treatment. Treatments are beneficial every other day to achieve optimum results.
by Sue Carroll | Jan 17, 2021 | Uncategorized
Skin Rejuvenation during the summer can be more limited with choice compared to winter due to the Australian sun and associated pigmentation repercussions. This does not mean that skin rejuvenation must halt, we simply need to make slightly different choices.
There are many different types of skin rejuvenation using skin needling and depending on what condition is being treated, and your lifestyle, it may determine your choice of treatment to be undertaken in summer. The most popular skin needling treatments providing excellent results include; Venus Viva™ Nano-Fractional Skin Needling, Rejuvapen, Tixel Infusion Micro Channel Technology and Dermal Rollers for home use.
All of these procedures will treat open pores, fine lines and wrinkles, scar tissue, stretch marks and refine the texture of coarse skin. The above procedures work by stimulating your collagen which regenerates below the surface layer down into the second layer known as the dermis.
New skin cells are regenerated and blood supply is enhanced over the 4-6 weeks post-treatment. In conjunction with prescribed home care products, a gradual improvement of skin texture, pore size and fine lines will be achieved.
Some of the more intensive treatments may require a numbing cream to be applied 40 minutes before treatment for greater comfort. Depending on the condition being treated it is recommended to have a course of 3 treatments spaced about 4 weeks apart and then repeat one treatment every 3-4 months to maintain and improve the appearance of the skin.
With some of the more intensive treatments, the skin will appear red or pink for a day or two and makeup can be applied to assist with concealing this. Often a small amount of dryness and light flaking can occur so protective nourishing creams, along with sunscreen during the day, must be applied morning and night to ensure optimal skin healing and rejuvenation.
Venus Viva™ is the Rolls Royce when it comes to skin resurfacing treatments. 160 micro pins deliver heat via Radio Frequency, through the skin’s surface. These micro pins create thousands of mini wounds to the dermis which the body naturally heals assisting with skin regeneration. Venus Viva™ is also a non-surgical skin tightening treatment when used in conjunction with multi-polar radiofrequency and pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF).
Rejuvapen Skin Needling or CIT (Collagen Induction Therapy) procedure uses 12 stainless steel needles and can be programmed for the depth required, from 0.02-2.6mm Many years ago we only had manual rollers at the Clinic’s disposal and had to use several different rollers with varying needle lengths to achieve the results we can achieve today with Rejuvapen.
Tixel Infusion treatments utilise pure radiant heat and small needle-like prisms to rejuvenate the skin, reduce skin laxity and restore the dermal signs of aging such as fine lines, thin skin and a dull complexion. Tixel Infusion, unlike other needling treatments, opens thousands of tiny channels which are open for 5-6 hours allowing various topical serum cocktails of peptides, vitamin c, hyaluronic acid, growth factors and anti-wrinkle ingredients to be massaged into the skin each hour over this period. With consecutive Tixel Infusion treatments, it not only stimulates cellular renewal but may also reduce and improve rosacea, dehydration and a lacklustre complexion all without pain and downtime.
Skin Needling Rollers and Micro Channel Technology delivery systems are an extremely valuable tool for home use to boost in-Clinic treatments, skin refinement and serum absorption. In-Clinic, treatments can be boosted by using a home dermal roller every other day for five minutes and Micro Channel Technology once a week.
Skin needling treatments are a great boot camp for skin rejuvenation during the summer months in Australia. The body and skin are continually aging and to improve and maintain the appearance of the skin, regular treatments need to be undertaken in conjunction with a good product home care routine morning and night along with a healthy lifestyle.
