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The Conventional Carbon Dioxide Laser is used to vaporize and remove growths on the skin, such as moles, warts and unwanted lumps and bumps.

The advantage of this laser is that it seals blood vessels and small nerve endings, resulting in a relatively quick procedure with the aim of less post-operative pain.

The Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser has a beam that is split into multiple small columns. Each tiny beam treats a microscopic section of skin, leaving the adjacent untreated skin intact. In this manner, the skin is able to heal quickly with fewer complications.

The skin on the treated area is resurfaced and develops new collagen for up to a year, minimizing the effects of scars, fine lines, wrinkles, skin laxity, pigmentation and rough skin texture.

Typically patients require 2-4 sessions, 4-8 weeks apart to achieve the intended results. Redness and microcrusts may last for 2-5 days. In most patients, the crusts shed within 5 days. Direct sun avoidance is important after any procedure.

Your dermatologist will prescribe medicated creams for use before and after the procedure to optimize the beneficial results of the procedure.

Please see https://www.dekalaser.com , www.mixtoskinresurfacing.com and www.international.lutronic.com/eco2_ba for more information

Dark, thick unwanted hairs are a concern of both men and women. Aside from being cosmetically displeasing to some, they can cause superficial skin inflammation called folliculitis, which are red, itchy or painful unsightly bumps on the skin of hair bearing areas.

Excessive hairs on the face, chest, back and abdomen is called hirsutism and this tendency can be seen within families. Sometimes blood tests are necessary to exclude conditions such as polycystic ovarian syndrome and will be discussed with your doctor.

Shaving, plucking, waxing and threading methods remove only the hair shaft and results are temporary. This leaves the hair follicle in place to grow new hair.

For permanent hair reduction, consider laser hair removal (Long pulse Nd Yag) or IPL.

As we age, the skin contains less collagen, elastin fibres and underlying fat. The skin becomes thinner and drier, leading to ‘crepey’ fine lines. These contribute to the formation of wrinkles, and subsequently deep grooves and sagging skin. The number and depth of wrinkles increase with habitual facial expressions, premature aging due to sun damage and smoking

Multiple treatments are available for wrinkles and fine lines –

• Topical creams and lotions
• Dermal Filters
• Injectable Wrinkle Relaxant
• Microdermabrasion
• Fractional CO2 Laser
• Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
• Radiofrequency(exills, thermage)
• Chamical Peels
• Non-Ablative Laser Rejuvenation(Laser skin toning and tightening

Rejuvenation of the face restores a more youthful appearance. A person can consider the following procedures to aim to
‘look less tired’
even out skin tone, reduce pigmentation and ‘brighten’ the complexion
tighten pores and decrease ‘oiliness’
smoothen skin texture and decrease ‘dryness’
tighten the skin and reduce wrinkles
restore volume

Non-invasive skin rejuvenation can be safely performed in the clinic.

The following treatments are available:

Topical creams and lotions

Topical retinoids help to reduce the appearance of fine lines, superficial wrinkles, scars, smoothen skin texture and reduce pigmentation. They also complement the other treatments such as laser therapy to decrease side effects and optimize the results.
Cosmeceuticals contain glycolic acids, antioxidants such as vitamin c, arbutin, kojic acid and certain peptides amongst others to control and improve the signs of skin aging and laxity.

Dermal Fillers

Injectable Wrinkle Relaxant

Microdermabrasion

Chemical Peels

Chemical peels use a solution to remove the outer layers of skin and stimulate new skin growth. There are different strengths of chemical peels and your doctor will tailor the regime to one that is suitable for your skin concerns. It can be used on the face and hands for skin aging, on the face and back for acne and also to improve the appearance of scars.

The regenerated skin that grows in response to a peel is smoother and less wrinkled, and has a more consistent texture and tone.

Chemical peels may produce reddening and superficial peeling similar to a sunburn, which typically lasts a few days

Laser Facial / Laser Skin Toning (Non-Ablative Laser Rejuvenation)

Laser rejuvenation with “minimally-ablative” lasers can work on the deep layers of the skin to stimulate collagen production and tighten skin. Pores, fine lines, wrinkles and pigmentation will be targeted. There is also minimal downtime.

Fractional CO2 laser

Intense pulsed light (IPL)

IPL is a non-invasive treatment that uses high intensity pulses of visible light to treat a variety of skin conditions, including facial lines, wrinkles, pigmentation and pore size.

Radiofrequency tightening ( Exilis, Thermage)

Radiofrequency waves can be targeted to the deepest layers of the skin, resulting in skin contraction and tightening. This non-invasive approach can lead to gentle lifting and tightening of the face, neck, brow, and cheeks with minimal downtime. Repeated sessions are necessary to achieve the cumulative benefit of the treatments and a maintenance regime is required to optimize the results.
The abdomen, underarms, inner and outer thighs and other areas with excess localised fat deposits may also benefit from the latest technology that combines both radiofrequency with ultrasound.

Surgical Excision and Cautery

Some skin lesions, such as moles, scars, and benign skin growths, may be surgically removed

As with any minimally invasive , non –surgical treatments, multiple sessions are required to achieve the desired results. Your doctor will recommend a treatment best suited to your personal needs, aims, medical history and skin type. After which, an individualized maintenance regime will be discussed to maximize and prolong the beneficial effects of the procedures.

There are many causes for brown patches on the skin (pigmentation).

What are freckles and lentigenes?

They are also called ‘sun spots’. Freckles are small brown spots often scattered on both cheeks and nose and they darken and lighten depending on how much sunlight the skin is exposed to. Lentigenes do not lighten much on their own despite sun protection. Additional steps listed below are required to remove lentigenes.

What are Hori’s Nevus?

These are grayish brown small circular spots on both cheeks. It tends to occur in other family members too.

It can be treated with the appropriate laser. Repeated sessions are required for the pigmentation to clear.

What is melasma?

Melasma appears as brown patches of skin affecting the cheeks, forehead, upper lip, nose and chin. The neck and, rarely, the forearms can also be affected. Areas of melasma are not raised.

What causes melasma?

The exact cause is not known, but several factors contribute. These include pregnancy, hormonal drugs such as the contraceptive pill, and medical conditions affecting hormone levels.. Sunexposure usually worsens melasma.

How is melasma diagnosed?

Melasma is usually easily recognized. Occasionally, your dermatologist may suggest that a small sample of skin (numbed by local anaesthetic) is removed for examination under the microscope (a biopsy) in order to exclude other diagnoses.

Can melasma be cured?

At present there is no cure for melasma, but there are several treatment options which may improve the appearance. Superficial pigmentation is easier to treat than deep pigmentation.

How can all the above pigmented skin patches be treated?

• Avoiding known trigger factors, such as the oral contraceptive pill or perfumed cosmetics.
• Adopting appropriate sun avoidance measures and using sun-block creams.
• Skin-lightening agents.
• Chemical peels, microdermabrasion and laser treatment.
• Cosmetic camouflage.

Skin Pigmentation darkens more than the surrounding skin with exposure to sunlight, so sun-avoidance and sun-protection are important. Broad-spectrum fragrance-free sunscreens, with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or greater and a high ultraviolet A (UVA) star-rating, should be applied daily, and broad-brimmed hats are recommended. In particular, avoidance and protection measures should be employed during the period of most intense sunlight ( eg between the hours of 10am to 4pm)

Skin lightening creams and medication

Certain chemicals can reduce the activity of pigment-forming cells in the skin, and of these, hydroquinone is the most commonly used. Hydroquinone creams may cause irritation, and care must be taken to ensure that they are not used for too long.

Topical retinoids help to smoothen skin texture and reduce pigmentation. They also complement the other treatments such as laser therapy to decrease side effects and optimize the results.
Cosmeceuticals contain glycolic acids, antioxidants such as vitamin c, arbutin, kojic acid and certain peptides amongst others to control and improve the signs of skin pigmentation.
For melasma, an oral medication may be used to help lighten the patches. Not all patients are suitable for this treatment so check with your doctor.

Chemical Peels, Dermabrasion, IPL, Laser-treatment

Chemical peels and dermabrasion can improve pigmentation by removing the cells of the epidermis which contain the excess pigment. Some types of laser also remove the outer layer of skin, whereas others specifically target the pigment-producing cells. Multiple sessions with various methods can be used and your doctor will recommend what is most suitable for you.

If your skin pigmentation improves with treatment, in order for the improvement to be maintained you should continue to protect your skin from the sun and keep to a recommended skin care regime

As we age, the skin contains less collagen, elastin fibres and underlying fat. As a result, the skin loses its fullness and starts to sag.

On the face, the loss in volume results in hollowed areas near the eyes and cheeks. Lines between the nose, mouth and chin become deeper and more pronounced. The jawline becomes uneven and develops ‘jowls’. The upper eyelids may droop and this can impair vision and the eyelashes may irritate the eyes. Skin around the eyes and mouth will start to develop fine ‘crepey’ lines and wrinkles.

On the neck, loose skin appears below the chin and horizontal lines become more pronounced.

On the chest and sun-exposed limbs, mottled pigmentation, loose skin and unwanted growths may appear.

On the hands, tendons and blood vessels may become more noticeable.

Aging skin is thinner, has fine lines and wrinkles and has an uneven skin tone (pigmentation). It becomes drier and prone to itch and eczema. Unwanted growths can appear ( eg seborrheic keratoses, sebaceous hyperplasia, moles, skin cancers).

To slow down the signs of aging, try to minimize prolonged and excessive exposure to sunlight, avoid artificial tanning using sun beds and stop smoking.

If you are a smoker, you may see improvement in your skin quality after quitting, even if you have smoked for many years.

If you are bothered by visible signs of aging, there are a variety of treatments available to improve your appearance.

See Skin Tightening and Rejuvenation.

When the skin has sustained an injury, whether the result of an accident, surgery, acne, or a burn, scarring will occur wherever multiple layers of the skin have been affected. Once a scar forms, it is permanent but may be made less visible. There are various types of scars.

Keloids

Keloid scars are a result of the skin’s overproduction of collagen after a wound has healed. These occur after surgery, trauma or acne. Keloids can be painful or itcy and occasionally they grow rapidly. Treatment usually entails injections to soften & flatten the keloid. They do improve symptoms of itch & pain on keloids too. Regular repeated treatments are required to achieve the desired result. Occasionally, adjunctive treatments such as laser treatment my help enhance the improvement.

Atrophic Scars

These are depressed sunken scars that make looks like small pits occasionally. They usually result from previous acne or sometimes, chicken-pox. Various treatment options may be employed to improve the appearance of the scars. Some of these include prescription topical agents, chemical peels, fillers or lasers (e.g. non ablative lasers, ftractional lasers etc.)

Occaionally, surgery may be necessary to improve the appearance of keloid or atrophic scars. As no two scars are the same, treatment options are individualized to attain maximum results.

Hairs on the eyebrow and eyelash thin with age. There are topical lotions that can lengthen and thicken individual hairs.

Please see www.latisse.com for more information.

A hair transplant procedure can also be performed to improve the density of hair in these areas.