Face
Medical Aesthetic Treatment
BOTOX
How does it work?
This is a neurotoxin that binds to nerve endings and prevents the release of chemical transmitters that activates muscles or glands. It is injected into the skin to paralyze the targeted muscle or gland which, when functions normally, causes unwanted effects. Therefore this toxin inhibits facial lines from occurring and prevents permanent lines from forming. Interesting is that the dose of Botox makes that this substance is not a toxin. The areas mainly treated with Botox include the following: horizontal frown lines on the forehead, frown lines between the eyebrows, laugh lines around the eyes (crow’s feet), low eyebrows, hanging mouth corners, a golf ball-appearance of the chin as well as excessive grinding of the teeth (bruxism).
Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) under the arms can also be treated with botox.
What are the benefits?
If the muscle doesn’t move, the skin won’t form a wrinkle, therefore making this a preventative measure. Starting at a young age with this treatment is advantageous because it is an effective anti-aging method. The effect is temporary and lasts for 1 - 6 months. This is good to hear if you don’t like the effect then you can stop anytime you want with no consequences.
Bruxism treatment will relieve headaches and excessive tooth wear caused by grinding of the teeth.
Hyperhidrosis treatment will reduce excessive sweating under the arms.
Are there any side effects?
Yes. Due to the use of a needle, there is likely to be some bleeding at the injection site. Reactions giving rise to redness, bruising and swelling may occur after the injection. This may be associated with pain, stinging, itching, burning or discomfort in the treated area. These side-effects usually occurs for a short period.
Is it safe?
Botox has an excellent safety profile. Extensive testing has shown no long-term side effects. The product has been in use for cosmetic purposes all over the world for more than two decades.
DERMAL FILLERS
How does it work?
This is a hyaluronic acid (HA) gel. HA is a substance that naturally occurs in the skin. The filler product is designed to be injected into the dermis (skin) to correct wrinkles, folds and lines of the face, into the lips to replace volume loss or to augment cheekbones. It will temporarily add volume and restore a smoother appearance to the face.
What are the benefits?
The results are immediately visible and will improve during the next few weeks due to the ability of the product to attract moisture (hydrophilic). The effect is temporary and lasts for 6 -18 months, because these substances, that are found naturally in the body, will be absorbed. There is also a stimulation of the production of collagen. Collagen is a natural protein that is the primary substance of connective tissue which holds the body together. As we age, collagen decreases and leads to dramatic changes in the skin like wrinkles and sagging due to loss of elasticity. By stimulating the production of collagen, it reduces the appearance of these changes.
Are there any side effects?
Yes. Due to the use of a needle, there is likely to be some bleeding at the injection site. Reactions giving rise to, for example, redness, swelling and bruising may occur after the injection. This may be associated with stinging, itching or discomfort upon pressure at the injection site. These side effects, if they do occur, are temporary in nature.
Is it safe?
Filler treatments are very safe and because HA is a natural occurring substance found in human tissue, it is therefore totally biocompatible and thus carries almost no risk of allergies.
CHEMICAL PEELS
How does it work?
This is a controlled wounding of the skin with an acid based solution to a predetermined level in order to generate a healing response with improved growth and reorganizations of skin cells. It is not always the only solution to certain problems, but depending on the type of peel, it may in many cases either solve the problem or play a major role in treating it. Most often the peel will be used to improve and maintain skin health as well as play an important part in the treatment of acne-prone skin.
Peelings are divided into different categories depending on the depth of the wound:
• Very superficial
• Superficial
• Medium
• Deep
• Very deep
What are the benefits?
A chemical peel treatment optimises and maintains the result of all the other facial aesthetic procedures and makes the skin look healthier and younger with a radiant glow. It also improves active ingredient penetration when using the post-treatment skin products.
The peels stimulate collagen and elastin production, therefore making it effective in improving skin tone and elasticity. It removes the appearance of sun damage, age spots and reduces pigmentation to even out the skin tone. This helps with the management of acne by clearing up inflammation. Little recovery time is needed and by using the post-treatment skin products it puts everyone in the habit of a proper skin care regime.
Are there any side effects?
Yes. Due to the use of a chemical agent, there is likely to be a slight tingling feeling or heat sensation during the procedure. This may also be associated with stinging, itching or discomfort and redness in the area. This sensation may still be present after the treatment which is normal. Flaking or peeling of the skin may occur from the third day after treatment. These side effects, if they do occur, are temporary in nature.
Is it safe?
If it is done by trained personnel and the correct post-peel instructions are followed, this is a very safe procedure.
MESO-NEEDLING
How does it work?
Aesthetic anti-ageing meso-needling from Filorga is a biologically active treatment that globally targets the consequences of skin ageing and also the causes. The treatment combines, in one simple and effective procedure, NCTF135HA and a sterile single-use medical roller with 600 very fine micro-needles mounted on 10 independent rotating disks. These micro-needles are made of surgical stainless steel with a length of 1mm and a thickness of 0.15mm. NCTF135HA is an anti-ageing mesotherapy Filorga range consisting of a nutritive and revitalizing cocktail of various active ingredients essential for skin rejuvenation. The penetration of the NCTF135HA into the skin is facilitated by the several micro-perforations made by the micro-needles. Moreover, these needles induce a process of skin repair, which stimulates collagen and elastin production as well as micro-circulation which brings more nutrients to the area. The indications for this treatment include dull skin with loss of brightness, dehydrated, dry and sagging skin, loss of skin density, skin tonicity and skin suppleness as well as excessive sun exposure.
What are the benefits?
With the meso-needling treatment there is no downtime with minimal or no bruising. Less pain will be experienced with the use of a roller instead of a needle and therefore no anaesthesia is necessary, but a numbing cream can be applied before the treatment. This is a very safe and quick treatment session of about 20 minutes. All areas of the face, neck, décolleté (chest area) as well as the hands can be treated. Natural and progressive results that last can be expected - additional skin tightening occurs over the next few months as the collagen fibers keep on healing. In the long term the skin tone becomes progressively more radiant and even. The skin is restructured, more dense and firmer. The skin is visibly rejuvenated.
Are there any side effects?
Yes. Due to the use of a roller with 600 micro-needles, there might be some bleeding at the site of treatment. Reactions giving rise to redness and swelling may occur and this could be associated with stinging, itching or discomfort in the treated area. These side effects, if they do occur, are temporary in nature.
Is it safe?
The mesotherapy treatment has no risk with no need for post-treatment recovery.
GEM-PL LASER TREATMENT
What is it?
GEM-PL technology (Geometrical Energy Management - Pulsed Light) is a unique way to deliver energy to a predetermined target.This technology manages to concentrate a bulk of energy in a geometrical plane positioned under the skin while other IPL and laser machines scatter much of the energy on the skin. The GEM-PL’s precise positioning enables selective targeting of hair follicles, pigments and acne, with minimal discomfort to the patient.
This non-invasive treatment is suitable for permanent hair removal on the face and body, skin rejuvenation, acne treatment, pigmentation treatment as well as tattoo removal.
What are the benefits?
The process works - most people experience long-lasting results when the abovementioned areas and problems are treated.
Are there any side effects?
Yes, the skin can become red and itchy with possible local swelling immediately after the treatment. However generally no side effects are experienced and the skin reactions that do occur usually disappear within a few hours. Rarely more serious side effects like burning, skin discoloration, blistering and infection can occur.
Is it safe?
The technique is considered to be safe if performed properly. The GEM-PL laser machine is FDA approved.
PERMANENT HAIR REMOVAL
How does it work?
Hair grows in 3 stages: anagen, catagen and telegen. Anagen is the first phase of the hair growth cycle and is the optimal stage for hair removal. In this stage the hair is targeted with the GEM-PL system where it is attached to the hair bulb. The melanin of the hair draws the heat energy down the hair shaft and heats up the bulb to around 84°C, this results in killing off the blood supply that feeds the root of the hair. The targeted hair then completes its cycle but will not regrow in the next cycle. The treated areas will become patchy and the hair growth is slower. This is gradual process, therefore several treatments are indicated.
PHOTO-REJUVENATION
How does it work?
Young skin is elastic, firm and has no wrinkles, but on the other hand old skin is thin and wrinkled. The reason for the differences lies in the occurrence of 2 proteins in the skin, namely collagen and elastin. Collagen plays an important role in the protection function of the skin and it also gives the skin its strength, firmness, suppleness and waterproofing. Elastin is elastic and allows the skin to return to its original position when it is poked or pinched. Collagen, together with elastin, is also vital for skin elasticity, which is essential for the flexibility of the skin without stretching. Collagen and elastin fibers support and need each other and because of this dependency it is important to build both with rejuvenation treatments. Collagen has greater properties of strength than of elasticity. Elastin, on the other hand, is not so strong, but has more elastic properties.
The body of a young person is able to provide the skin with adequate amounts of collagen and elastin. Throughout life the body absorb certain levels of collagen and elastin, yet more is always produced. This happens up to a point and during ageing the replenished levels of collagen and elastin fall and the body stops producing them.
As skin ages, it becomes thinner and more easily damaged due to the drop in collagen and elastin levels. Skin ageing is therefore noted by brittleness and less elasticity leading to sagging and wrinkling.
During the photo-rejuvenation treatment the GEM-PL laser is applied that emits a flash and causes a thermal shock to the skin. This causes the skin to react as if it would to heal itself, by stimulating collagen and elastin as well as a rush of nutrients and oxygen to the skin. With a series of treatments skin elasticity is improved, fine lines and wrinkles are reduced with a smoother, clearer complexion and rejuvenated looking skin.
ACNE TREATMENT
How does it work?
Acne forms due to increased activity of the sebaceous glands which secrete more sebum. The excessive sebum blocks the opening of the hair follicle. Rapid multiplication of the P. Acne bacteria that lives inside the hair follicle is the result of lack of oxygen in the blocked follicle. The body’s immune system reacts by fighting the bacteria, leading to an inflammation. This inflammation can be experienced as pimples and lesions that might develop into scars. As long as there is continuous bacterial activity, the inflammation continues and the acne will flourish.
P. Acne bacteria normally generate an organic compound called porphyrin. The energy of the light pulse triggers the porphyrin to release single oxygen atoms called free radicals. Free radicals search for other atoms to attach themselves to. They attach to molecules they are not supposed to attach and by doing so they destroy the functionality of these molecules. The activity of many free radicals destroys the P. Acne bacteria, resulting in the clearing up of the inflammation and acne. This is gradual process depending from person to person as well as the severity of the inflammation. A number of treatments will be necessary before there will be complete resolution of the problem.
PIGMENTATION TREATMENT
How does it work?
Pigmented lesions, age spots or sun spots are caused by an increased number of pigment-producing cells, named melanocytes, in the skin. Pigmentation ranges in colour from light brown to black and are located in areas most often exposed to the sun, mainly the hands, face, shoulders and arms. Melanocytes occur in response to long-term sun exposure and are associated with ageing of the skin. The skin tends to get thinner with age and melanocyte activity increases therefore more pigment (melanin) is produced.
During pigmentation treatment, the melanocytes absorb the energy of the light pulse. This light energy turns into heat energy that coagulates only the melanocytes. New melanocytes are later formed without this high concentration of melanin. After the treatment, the pigmentation is darker, may crust slightly and then it will flake off. As the pigmentation starts to surface it will appear darker before it gets better. This is gradual process depending from person to person, therefore several treatments will be advised.
TATTOO REMOVAL
How does it work?
The process of tattooing entails pigment to be placed into the dermis. After the initial pigment placement, the presence of foreign material (the pigment) causes the activation of the immune system’s phagocytes (white blood cells). These phagocytes then engulf the pigment particles. With healing granulation tissue forms, where it is later converted into connective tissue as a result of collagen growth. This process repairs the upper dermis, where pigment particles remain trapped. The pigment particles then concentrate in a layer just below the dermis/epidermis boundary and remain trapped there for many years.
Now to remove the tattoo, the energy of the light pulse is absorbed in the pigments of the tattoo. The light pulse shakes the connections between the pigment particles and gradually breaks the big pigment particle into smaller ones. As soon as a pigment particle is small enough to pass between the cells, it is recognized by the immune system as a foreign body. Now it will be driven out of the blood stream and the body. After a number of treatments, the tattoo will fade away.