Within this section of the website you will find information on the various procedures undertaken. Please select from the list below or the Procedure Info list on the right hand navigation bar.
LASER HAIR REMOVAL
WHY LASER HAIR REMOVAL?
Laser hair removal is the most effective way of getting rid of unwanted hair. It is also extremely safe. Generally speaking, brown and black hair respond the best, while white, blond and grey hair does not respond much. Men and women can be treated and all parts of the body are amenable to treatment. It is important that you do not tan while you are receiving hair removal treatment.
We use the latest and most sophisticated laser technology. This allows us to treat people with different skin types from fair Celtic types to dark Asian and Black skin types.
IS IT PERMANENT
Most people will have long lasting benefits with laser hair removal, if they complete the recommended course of treatments (approximately 6 for the face and 8 to 12 for the rest of the body). As hair follicles can regenerate, some people require touch up treatments once or twice a year.
SAFETY OF TREATMENT
Laser treatment has a proven safety record when carried out in a safe environment by trained personnel. The main side effects are darkening or lightening of the skin. This is uncommon, even in Black and Asian skins, but may take six months to settle. Lasers do not cause cancer.
HOW DOES LASER WORK
Laser works on the principal of tissue destruction (hair follicles) by heat. The laser light heats up dark coloured hair follicles and destroys them. At any one time, a proportion of hair follicles are in the resting state and cannot be heated by the laser. Hairs come out of the resting phase after a period of time. This means repeated sessions are required to complete a course of treatment.
UNWANTED EFFECTS
You may experience some discomfort during the procedure, which is relieved by cold air. The treated area will sometimes turn red and may have goose pimples for an hour or so. The skin will often feel sensitive for a day to two and occasionally some peeling or scabbing may occur. You may also notice some changes in skin colour. These side effects settle down with time. Some extremely rare side effects include scarring, patchy loss of skin colour, loosening of dental veneers and clotting of blood in small veins.
PREPARATION BEFORE COMMENCING TREATMENT
It is very important that you stop plucking or waxing your hair four to five weeks before starting the treatment and also during treatment. We advise you to shave, trim with scissors or use depilatory creams to manage your hair while you are receiving treatment. It is important that you follow this advice to achieve good results.
AFTER CARE
It is important to keep the skin moist following treatment. We recommend that you regularly use an Aloe Vera moisturiser to soothe your skin. You should also wear a high factor sun block (25 or stronger) at all times. This applies to all skin types. Please note that if you have darkened skin as a result of sun exposure, you are more likely to get side effects from laser treatment and we may have to postpone your treatments.
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LASER FOR DAMAGED AND PIGMENTED SKIN
SOLAR LENTIGOS (ALSO KNOWN AS 'AGE' OR 'LIVER' SPOTS)
These are very common and appear as flat brown patches on sun exposed areas, such as the face, arms, and back of hands. They have nothing to do with your liver but occur as a consequence of years of sun exposure in fair skin types. They can be cleared extremely effectively with laser treatment.
SEBORRHOEIC KERATOSES
These are harmless warty growths, which can be flat or raised. They also occur in sun exposed areas, particularly the face, back and chest. They can be effectively treated by minor surgery or laser.
MOLES
There are several sorts of moles. Moles that you are concerned about should be looked at by a specialist. Moles can be treated in a number of ways including surgical removal.
MELASMA
Melasma causes dark, blotchy patches on the face. The condition commonly affects women who take birth control pills, hormone replacement therapy or during pregnancy. Melasma is often called "the mask of pregnancy," and may disappear after pregnancy. Therefore, women who have pregnancy related melasma (chloasma) should wait several months after delivery before considering a cosmetic procedure.
POST-INFLAMMATORY HYPER PIGMENTATION
These are a result of change in skin pigment because of inflammation from any skin disorder such as acne, burns, scars, eczema etc. Some types of post inflammatory hyper pigmentation can respond to fading creams and chemical peels.
CAFE AULAIT MACULES
These are large flat evenly coloured birth marks. Approximately half of these can be improved with laser treatment but they have a tendency to return.
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LASER ABLATION OF PROMINENT VEINS
Tiny blood vessels can become noticeable on the face, neck, upper chest and legs and are often difficult to hide with make up. They respond well to laser treatment. We can advise you of how many treatments may be required at your consultation.
FACIAL THREAD VEINS
Facial thread veins develop as a result of sun exposure or surgery on the face. They are very effectively cleared by lasers, sometimes in as little as one or two treatments. However, laser treatment does not stop new thread veins forming in the future.
LEG VEINS
We recommend micro-sclerotherapy as the first choice of treatment for thread veins on the legs. Lasers can also help and we are able to offer both treatments.
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LASER TATTOO REMOVAL
The Nd:YAG laser is very effective in removing/fading tattoos. The bright light of the laser heats up the tattoo ink and causes it to fade. The fading is slow and many treatments are usually required. Black ink responds the best. Some coloured inks are very tough (such as green) and will not fade with any laser. Amateur Indian ink tattoos respond very well to treatment. Multi coloured professional tattoos do less well.
WHAT IS INVOLVED IN TATTOO REMOVAL
Laser is fired at tattoos to fade them. It is usually no more uncomfortable, than having a tattoo applied. You may choose to use an anaesthetic cream on the skin one hour before the treatment, which may be bought without prescription.
The tattoo will feel hot for a while afterwards and it will probably be red and swollen for the rest of the day and often for few days. Occasionally, this is followed by a scab or crust. With time, the tattoo will fade but this may not be obvious until you return to compare it with the initial photographs.
UNWANTED EFFECTS OF TATTOO REMOVAL
Scarring is uncommon but can occur. If this happens, it is usually in the form of some change in texture of the skin. This is more likely if you pick any scabs. There can also be some loss of natural tanning ability in the treated area, which usually improves with time. Some colours may even get worse.
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BOTOX
ABOUT BOTOX
Botox and Vistabel are trade names for Botulinum Toxin, which is a toxin that paralyses muscles. It was initially used in the 1970s for treating patients with hyperactive muscles around the eyes. Currently, it is widely used for cosmetic reasons, such as wrinkle reduction and medical conditions related to dysfunction of muscles.
HOW IS THE TREATMENT PERFORMED
Initially, a thorough assessment of the facial wrinkles is carried out to determine the exact areas (muscles) that require Botox injection. Botox is then injected into the required muscles using a tiny micro needle. Following the treatment with Botox, the skin over the muscles remains smooth and even. Injected muscles are paralysed for about two to three days while untreated areas continue to work as normal
DOES THE INJECTION HURT
The needle used is very fine and as very small quantities are injected, the pain is minimal and therefore no anaesthetic is required. You may experience some discomfort over the treated area immediately after treatment. You can resume normal activities immediately.
BOTOX SAFETY
Botox is injected in tiny quantities and is very safe. The most common side effects are temporary and localised bruising, slight redness of the skin and occasionally slight swelling at the injection site. The side effects of Botox are completely reversible and are temporary, lasting only a few hours and occasionally up to one or two days.
HOW LONG WILL IT LAST?
The effects of Botox usually last for three to four months. The effects fade gradually, at which point wrinkling begins to reappear and you may return for renewed treatment.
Generally, with repeated injections, the effects last longer and the frequency of injections gets lesser. The duration of effect varies from patient to patient and may be less effective in older people.
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SCULPTRA
WHAT IS SCULPTRATM
Sculptra
TM is used to improve and restore wrinkles and contour defects in the face The main ingredient of Sculptra
TM is Poly-L-lactic acid. Poly-L-lactic acid based materials have been used with safety in surgical procedures for over 25 years. It is a biocompatible and biodegradable product, which means the body accepts it without ill effects and digests it. The results of Sculptra
TM rejuvenation last over two years.
HOW DOES SCULPTRATMWORK
Sculptra
TM works in the deeper layers of the skin by stimulating connective tissue build up in about 6-8 weeks after injection. The net effect is smoothing and firmness of the treated areas of the face. The number of injections required to obtain the desired effect depends on many factors. After the initial assessment, we will be able to give an idea of the number of treatments you may require.
DOES THE TREATMENT HURT
As with all injections, you will feel some discomfort. You may notice a burning sensation at the injection site. Anaesthetic cream applied before the treatment and an ice pack applied after the treatment will help to calm your skin.
CARE AFTER TREATMENT
We will give you special aftercare instructions. These include massaging the treated areas of your face in the first few days after the treatment. All you need is a few minutes twice a day.
SIDE EFFECTS
The most common side effect with the use of Sculptra
TM is injection-related such as tenderness or pain, redness, bruising or swelling. These are rare and generally resolve in 2-6 days.
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RESTYLANE
WHAT IS RESTYLANE®
Restylane® is a safe and natural cosmetic dermal filler that restores volume and fullness to the skin to correct facial wrinkles and folds. It is made of hyaluronic acid, a natural substance that already exists in the human body. The hyaluronic acid in Restylane is a crystal-clear gel called NASHA
TM or Non-Animal Stabilized Hyaluronic Acid. NASHA is completely biocompatible with human hyaluronic acid.
WHERE CAN RESTYLANE BE USED
Restylane® is used to correct a variety of wrinkles and to enhance the appearance of the lips. It is also used to fill areas such as nasolabial folds, which are the lines from the nose to the corners of the mouth.
HOW LONG DOES RESTYLANE LAST
Restylane® is proven to deliver long-lasting results and in most people effects generally last for about six months. Follow-up treatments are typically scheduled at six-month intervals, though individuals vary.
DURING AND AFTER TREATMENT
Restylane® is injected directly into the skin in tiny amounts by an ultra fine needle, resulting in minimal discomfort. The procedure is simple and convenient and results are practically instantaneous. If you have concerns about pain during injections, we will use anaesthetic to numb the area. After your treatment, you may have some redness or swelling, which will normally last less than seven days. Sunbathing and cold outdoor activities should be avoided until any redness or swelling disappears.
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PERLANE
Perlane, like Restylane, is dermal filler with long lasting effects. Once injected into the skin with an ultra-fine needle, perlane adds volume and helps to diminish fine lines. It is made of hyaluronic acid. The hyaluronic acid in Perlane simply supplements the body's age-depleted hyaluronic acid to plump-up the lip or to raise the skin and 'fill in' the particular wrinkle being treated.
The difference between Restylane and Perlane is the size of the particle (with Perlane containing more hyaluronic acid - larger particles). This means that Perlane does a better job of filling deep lines, while Restylane is used in fine lines or in thin skinned people. Perlane is, therefore, an excellent treatment for wrinkle correction, lip enhancement, smile lines and deep folds.
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