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Which aesthetic treatment is right for your skin?

“Facial aesthetic treatments” is a broad term covering all non-surgical treatments of the face. There are many options available, and the right procedures* can help you to achieve a naturally younger-looking appearance. By softening expression lines and defining facial contours you will refresh your skin and rejuvenate your look, giving your face – and your confidence – a boost. By targeting the areas most affected by the ageing process – the forehead, lips, cheeks, and nose/mouth areas – facial aesthetics can help create a more pleasing facial appearance.

* always make use of a trained professional for the best results. Please note that your medical aid will not reimburse you for these procedures as they are cosmetic.

Choose based on the results you are after:

  1. minimise wrinkles, dullness, hyperpigmentation, and scarring – try a chemical peel
  2. relax facial muscles with a non-surgical face-lift - Botox
  3. reduce fine lines and wrinkles, smooth & tighten skin – dermal fillers
  4. minimise wrinkles & scarring – micro-needling
  5. minimise a double chin – Kybella
  6. reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, lessen the appearance of scars and other skin imperfections – CO2 laser resurfacing.
  7. rejuvenate and restore ageing skin (non-invasive) – GF2 Skin Rejuvenation

Chemical peels

Many people may at first be alarmed at the mention of the word “chemical” peel. They think about blistering, peeling, scabs, and a long recovery period. With their rise in popularity and increased media coverage, people are learning there are various types and levels of chemical peels. Did you know there are even “lunchtime peels” you can do in your break and return to work looking radiant?

A chemical peel, as the name would imply, is the application of a chemical solution to the skin. This induces a healing process in the skin and the top layer of skin is shed, leaving fresh skin underneath. Peels improve the texture of the skin leaving it much smoother. Layers of sun-damaged skin cells are removed exposing fresh skin which has a more even surface and colour. This process also stimulates new collagen formation which further improves skin texture and quality. On the hands, legs and arms the procedure can remove age spots, giving the skin a more youthful appearance.

There are many types of solutions used for peels – the more commonly used include glycolic acid and trichloroacetic acid (TCA). These are mild acids that are helpful for those individuals with facial blemishes, wrinkles, and uneven skin pigmentation.

Superficial peels

Glycolic acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) and the mildest of the peel formulas producing a light peel. These types of peels provide smoother, brighter-looking skin for people who do not have the time to recover from a TCA peel. Glycolic peels are used to treat fine wrinkling, areas of dryness, uneven pigmentation, and acne.

Note: this will make your skin more sensitive to the sun and UV damage after the peel. If you have sensitive skin opt for lactic acid instead - a gentle AHA with exfoliation properties (great for age spots and pigmentation).

Medium peels

For medium-depth peeling, TCA is used. Fine surface wrinkles, superficial blemishes and pigment problems respond well to this peel. More than one TCA peel may be required to achieve your desired result. Expect an impressive improvement in skin texture with a reduction in blotchy pigmentation, freckling and solar keratoses (dry sunspots). Although fine wrinkles and acne scars will be less noticeable after the course of peels, this has no impact on deep furrows. Multiple TCA peels can also improve stretch marks significantly.

Note: Be careful with TCA if you have a darker skin tone as it could lead to further discolouration. Rather opt for a modified Jessner peel or even Mandelic acid which is safest on darker skins and better tolerated than Glycolic acid.

Deep chemical peels

This may be recommended by your doctor or dermatologist if you have deeper wrinkles, bad scars or precancerous growths. Please note these are only performed ONCE and must ONLY be done by a medical doctor.

Peels are contra-indicated if you:

  • have recently had cosmetic surgery or have any open sores,
  • have a weak immune system or are currently unwell,
  • have recently had permanent makeup applied (wait 3-4 weeks),
  • have recently waxed (wait 3 days),
  • have had injectables (wait 2 weeks),
  • have recently done botox (wait 1 week before and after),
  • have severe rosacea or acne or are sunburnt or have active dermatitis of any kind (eczema etc),
  • have a history of poor healing or you scar easily,
  • are pregnant or breast-feeding,
  • have recently had laser or dermabrasion or are currently having radiation treatments,
  • are diabetic, have high blood pressure or heart disease,
  • are on photo-sensitising medicine or using prescription retinoic acid,
  • have any active cold sores (herpes simplex)

NB if you have been on Accutane then a peel is contra-indicated for at least 1 year.

Remember that sun protection must be used after any chemical peel as your newly exposed skin will be very sensitive indeed.

Botox

Brow lift

If you want a brighter and more lifted eye area, ask your aesthetician about a Botox brow lift. Wrinkle relaxers, when used strategically around the eye, slightly lift the forehead muscles resulting in a natural-looking, non-surgical brow lift.

To slim the masseter and temporal muscles

The masseter muscles are located at the back of the cheeks. The temporal muscles are in front of the top third of the ears. These muscles help us talk and chew, but they can sometimes be overactive. This can result in temporomandibular joint pain and teeth grinding.

If you have oversized masseters and temporal muscles, Botox muscle injections can help to relax them, resulting in less pain and a slimmer appearance to the face.

This treatment takes under half an hour and results can last up to a year.

Note: Botox is not recommended if you are prone to keloidal scarring, have any neuromuscular disorders, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are allergic to the botulinum toxin.

Dermal fillers

Look for dermal fillers that contain injectable hyaluronic acid. These fillers can reverse the common signs of ageing in the skin. They help to build structure along the jawline and can also create a distinct edge where the jaw meets the ear. Injectable hyaluronic acid also plumps up the skin or lips and can enhance the cupid’s bow on the upper lip. It can help to define facial features or help to hide areas that are not attractive. Hyaluronic acid is hydrating for the skin, keeping it looking moist and supple. These injections can also help improve the skin’s resilience and promote the regeneration of skin cells.

This non-invasive, non-surgical procedure takes under an hour and results last anywhere from one to two years.

Injectables are contra-indicated in anyone with an active infection near the injection site, or those with a known allergy/hypersensitivity to any of the injection contents. Bruising, swelling or redness can occur after the injection in some people, so it is important to have this done by a trained professional.

Micro-needling

Micro-needling can improve the appearance of old acne scars or scarring from an injury.

This treatment creates multiple micro-injuries to the skin. This process encourages the production of collagen and elastin, which reduces the appearance of scar tissue. To obtain maximum results, you need between three and six treatments.

Treatments are generally spaced four to six weeks apart to allow the skin time to recover, but modern anti-inflammatory skincare products like Thoclor Labs GF1 Aftercare can reduce the inflammation within a day. This makes it possible to get back to your life without looking red or swollen. The accelerated healing from GF1 also allows the interim period between treatments to be shorter.

This procedure is generally well tolerated and safe, however, it is contra-indicated if you have active acne or any skin infections, moderate to severe eczema or psoriasis, if you are prone to keloids or if you are immunosuppressed (or having chemo).

If you are on any blood thinners or have recently had Botox please do let your therapist know.

Kybella

Kybella is an injection of deoxycholic acid into the double-chin area. Deoxycholic acid is a manmade version of a substance that your body makes to absorb fats. This injection permanently eliminates fat cells around the injection site. If you have excess submental fat under your chin that is resistant to diet and exercise, then Kybella may make a difference.

A series of treatments spaced 4-6 weeks apart is usually recommended for maximum results.

These injections are not indicated for other areas of the body. Also, let your doctor know if you have had (or are planning to have) any cosmetic surgery in the area, have any trouble swallowing, have a thyroid disorder, have swollen lymph glands or have any bleeding disorders. This treatment is also not recommended if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Temporary side effects include swelling, numbness, redness & itching at the injection site. You may also have a mild headache.

COlaser treatments

A favourite facial rejuvenation treatment is skin resurfacing with a CO2 laser. This treatment has many benefits for the skin including a reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles as well as an improvement in the appearance of scars and other imperfections.

The powerful CO2 lasers send beams of light energy into your skin to remove the outer layers, creating a controlled wound, which signals your body’s healing system to boost collagen production. These collagen molecules bind together to create collagen, which is tighter and firmer than those they replace, giving you softer, smoother skin.

After treatment, you are likely to have redness or irritation that can take around 10 days to resolve. Using Thoclor Labs GF1 Aftercare immediately after treatment will radically reduce inflammation and ensure organised collagen formation. The redness takes only three days to disappear with regular applications of GF1.

Talk to your therapist to ensure you are a candidate for laser treatments.

These treatments are contra-indicated with active acne, any open wounds or cold sores (herpes simplex infections). If you have used oral isotretinoin within the last 6-12 months then you should delay this treatment as you could have delayed healing or an increased risk of scarring. If you suffer from vitiligo or psoriasis, then you should not undergo this therapy.

GF2 Skin Rejuvenation

Our medical-grade skincare, specifically our GF2 formulations, are designed to eliminate and reverse the consequences of low-grade inflammation on the skin. This chronic inflammation results in inflammageing which slowly breaks down collagen and elastin fibres over time, resulting in a dried-out, saggy and wrinkled skin.

Whether you are looking to retain your youthful skin, want to restore healthy skin when dealing with acne, pigmentation and redness, or wish to rejuvenate skin that is ageing and lacking in hydration then our GF2 Skin Rejuvenation product is a vital addition to your daily routine. This product will also ensure you maintain your outcomes from any aesthetic treatments undertaken and will maximise the results you achieve from your skincare spend.

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