Immaculate Complexion

The four “R’s” to achieve a fresher and more youthful appearance.

You cleanse, moisturize and wear SPF religiously, but now you’re showing signs of aging and it’s time to up your game! Many of us have problem areas we’d like to fix and, lucky for you, there are a number of new and innovative treatments to help tick the boxes- Rejuvenate, Relax, Revolumize and Resurface. Dr. Ehsan Jadoon MBBS, FACAM from Medaesthetics in Perth tells RETREAT about the new wave of next-gen treatments that promise to achieve your best. 

 #1 REJUVINATE

Medical Strength Cosmeceuticals

The Treatment:

Rejuvenate your skin with medical strength cosmeceuticals.  Skin requires essential nutrients and antioxidants to fight signs of premature photoaging. Medical strength skincare with high concentrations of active ingredients like Vitamin A, B, C and E, topical hyaluronic acid, and exfoliating agents like alpha hydroxy acids form the essential basis of an active skin rejuvenation routine. 

The Experience:

Gone are the days when medical strength skincare came in bland, unattractive packaging without any soothing and moisturizing abilities, available only through a GP’s prescription. Current market-leading cosmeceuticals rival any designer labelled non-medical skincare in texture, fragrance and packaging. 

The Cost:

The good news is that most cosmeceutical products available on the market today are equal in price or even cost less than well-known cosmetic brands. However, it is important to choose a skincare range to fit your monthly budget. Look to spend no more than $100 – $150, and make sure the brand you choose is recommended by a qualified dermal therapist or a cosmetic physician / dermatologist. 

The Results:

Most of my patients notice a visible improvement in their skin tone and texture within a few weeks of using cosmeceutical skincare. Good skin health means that any cosmetic procedures carried out down the track to further reverse the signs of sun damage will have a longer-lasting effect, and will have less risk of complications and a faster recovery time. 

#2 RELAX

Anti-wrinkle injections

The Treatment: Relax the wrinkle-causing facial muscles with anti-wrinkle injections. Arguably the number one cosmetic medical treatment in the world, anti-wrinkle injections involve the use of a natural, purified protein that relaxes wrinkle-causing facial muscles, creating a smooth, rejuvenated and fresh appearance. Anti-wrinkle injection treatments are effective, relatively affordable and convenient with no downtime.

The Experience:

 Anti-wrinkle injections are extremely effective for the treatment of frown lines, crow’s feet, and forehead lines. These injections can also strategically relax jaw muscles to slim the jaw line, as well as stop the downward pull of lip depressor muscles. Anti-wrinkle injections are also used in a variety of medical conditions, including treatment of migraines and tension headaches, teeth grinding and excessive sweating in areas such as the underarms.

The initial consultation may take between 15–20 minutes, and the procedure itself takes approximately only 5-10 minutes. Most clients return to work or normal activities immediately following the treatment. It is recommended that you avoid strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, and massaging of the injected area for 24 hours.

The Cost: On average, the treatment of frown lines or crow’s feet costs around $300 to $360, while the treatment of forehead lines costs around $150 to $250.

The Results:

 The treatment will start to take effect within 2-3 days. The maximum effect is usually seen in 7–14 days. The degree of improvement varies from person to person. However, in most cases the results last for 3-4 months. Repeat treatment is recommended when movement in the area starts to return.

#3 REVOLUMIZE

Dermal Fillers

The Treatment: Re-volumize shrinking and sagging facial contours with dermal fillers. As we age, the effects of gravity, sun exposure, and facial volume loss contribute to the development of facial wrinkles, folds, hollowness and sagging. With the advent of modern cosmetic medical techniques, more and more people are opting for non-surgical facial enhancement procedures to correct these issues. Dermal fillers are at the forefront of this revolution.

The Experience:

 Treatment usually involves the application of a local anesthetic cream or local infiltration of anesthesia to the treated area. Dermal filler gel is comfortably injected into the area once it’s numb. Treatment time varies depending on the amount of dermal fillers required and the area treated, but it generally takes about 15 -45 minutes. After treatment, it is possible to apply makeup and go about your normal activities.

The Cost: The cost of dermal fillers depends on the amount used per session and the area being treated. This is assessed during the initial consultation with the treating doctor. A treatment plan is mapped out for patients based upon their budget and clinical improvement they want to achieve.

The Results: Results from carbohydrate gel dermal fillers are usually visible immediately after the treatment. However, these results improve over the next two weeks. This is because fillers attract moisture and “mature” after they are injected in the skin. There can be some swelling immediately after the treatment, but this will subside within a few days. Bio-stimulatory fillers tend to work over a period of several weeks and require three or more treatment sessions before the results are visible.

# 4 RESURFACE

Advanced Skin Resurfacing

The Treatment: Advanced skin resurfacing with a fractional CO2 laser stimulates deeper collagen and takes away fine lines, wrinkles and pigmentation. 

The Experience:

Ablative fractional lasers effectively create micro-channels of thermal injury to the skin using multiple focused beams of laser energy. From the uppermost layer of skin down to deeper layers, the ablative laser’s penetration depth depends on the power setting used. The treatment can make a significant improvement to deep wrinkles, surface wrinkles, skin texture, and skin discoloration.

Ablative laser treatment normally requires topical anesthesia and a few days of post-procedural downtime. The two main types of lasers used are carbon dioxide (CO2) and Erbium YAG lasers. Both of these laser devices operate in a wavelength that is attracted to the water molecules contained in the skin. At Medaesthetics® we use both these laser platforms to offer the widest range of dermatological, ablative fractional skin resurfacing treatments, and we are proud to have the only Fraxel Repair™ Laser System in Western Australia.

The Cost:

 Between $600 and $3500, depending upon the extent of treatment.

The Results:

 Many people notice results within a week after their first treatment.  Results include smoother, fresher looking skin, improved tone and texture, reduced wrinkles around the eyes, and improved appearance of acne scars and surgical scars.

Dr. Ehsan Jadoon MBBS, FACAM

For more, visit medaesthetics.com.au.