Keeping clients happy. Lasermed
4Nov

Oh yes, we simply love keeping clients happy.

Thank you very much Izanne Human for this sterling review: “My laser hair removal treatment with Alta van der Merwe is AMAZING!! She is professional and I am looking forward to my treatments because Alta makes you feel exceptionally comfortable. She is the BEST! And the results are instant and unbelievable. Thank you Lasermed and Alta. What a wonderful experience!! “

Laser hair removal. Lasermed. Ingrown beard hair
4Nov

Men, please take note: laser hair removal is one solution for ingrown beard hair. Most men suffering from pseudofolliculitis barbae know that the condition is painful. Reason being the ‘mechanical irritation’ causes inflammation.

Ingrown hairs are formed thus: it can happen when a hair that’s already grown out impacts the skin and punctures it. The sharp tip of the hair left behind after shaving can snag on your skin while beginning to grow out of the follicle. And in cases where the pores are clogged by dead skin, the hair can turn around as it grows. It then presses back into the follicle or surrounding skin.

While an infected ingrown hair cyst starts off as a regular ingrown hair, acne cysts are caused by a combination of bacteria, oil, and dead skin cells that accumulate deep under the hair follicle. Of course, the solution is good hygiene practices. Give your face a good scrub at least twice daily.

Know the rules of beard care

It certainly helps to know the basic rules of good beard care:

  • Always shave with a sharp blade
  • Use the blade once only
  • After applying shaving cream, wait for five minutes before shaving
  • And shave only in the direction of beard hair growth.

The good news

However, because the condition is genetic, you might want to consider laser hair removal. The ingrown hairs are reduced significantly in one or two sessions. After six sessions, the result is quite dramatic and you might not ever have to shave again.

Men suffering from pseudofolliculitis barbae will be pleased to know that the condition improves with age when the hairs become softer.

Alternatively, dermatologist Dr Jonathan Smith recommends systemic (antibiotics, especially tetracyclines) and topical (keratolytics and antimicrobials) therapeutic modalities for a short-term treatment.

Manage rosacea effectively
15Oct

The good news is that you can manage rosacea effectively. Redness, swelling and irritation around the cheeks and eyes are the prime characteristics. It basically looks like you’re blushing all the time. But worse still, it may trigger itching and burning discomfort.

Triggers

Redness can intensify due to triggers inside and outside your body. External triggers include hot, spicy food, alcohol and direct heat. And these flare-ups may lead to thickened skin, visible blood vessels (called telangiectasia) and a permanently flushed face. Some people also may experience ‘adult acne’.

Dry skin is a possible sign of rosacea, but so is oily skin. This rosacea subtype tends to affect middle-aged women and features greasy skin and acne-like bumps. Problem is, people of all skin colours and any age can develop rosacea. That’s why early intervention is best.

Tips

To manage rosacea effectively, do follow these tips:

  • Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 50 or higher every day. If the sunscreen irritates your skin, try a brand that contains only titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, or both
  • Wear a wide-brimmed hat when outdoors
  • Avoid the sun between 10h00 and 15h00
  • Cleanse with a mild cleanser
  • Skip the brushes, sponges, washcloths, toners, astringents and fragranced soap
  • Use green-tinted makeup to hide the redness

Treatment

Lasermed has a reputation for treating rosacea with IPL (Intense Pulsed Light). Many clients see excellent results in clearing their redness. And luckily, this good result can last for years.

Lasermed’s Alta van der Merwe said, “Most people need a series of treatments to see results. And fortunately, in our skilled hands, side effects are minimal. Temporary redness and swelling resolve within hours. Importantly though, a dermatologist should advise whether you’d be a good candidate for this treatment. Not everyone who has rosacea is.”

Photo: medicalnewstoday.com

6Oct

Although skin cells renew in any event, help along the process to rejuvenate your skin cells. And there are several tried-and-tested ways to boost renewal.

Vitamin C

Topical application of vitamin C assists in stimulating collagen synthesis and antioxidant protection against UV-induced photodamage. Choose from many good vitamin C-based cosmeceutical products. And don’t forget, boost skin health further with nutritional vitamin C intake.

Retinol

In short, retinols increase the rate at which your skin cells reproduce – thus shortening the 27-day cycle. It also happens to thicken the dermal layer over time. Not only does this help clear blemishes, but after a while, your skin will look younger and brighter.

Tretinoin is said to be the most potent and widely investigated retinoid for photoageing therapy. However, the downside is that many people react with burning, scaling or dermatitis after using this. Luckily, many cosmeceutical products deliver a pared-down dose of retinol in their serums or moisturisers. This means that skin irritations might be less severe.

Microneedling

Needling stimulates natural collagen production while creating fine channels in the skin, allowing for better product penetration. This treatment is especially good for treating deeper lines.

Chemical Peels

Rejuvenate your skin cells with Alpha Hydroxy Acid peels. These AHAs gently dissolve outer layers of dead skin, repair damaged collagen and speed up cell turnover. After one peel, the skin will appear healthier, plumper and tighter.

Microdermabrasion

This is a gentle, yet effective modality to rejuvenate your skin cells. Stimulating collagen and blood circulation, it improves the overall skin tone and appearance. The result is a smooth and healthy skin.

Aloe Vera gel

Lauded for its various dermatological benefits, the mucopolysaccharides in the gel help bind moisture to the skin. Meanwhile, the polyphenols act as antioxidants to help manage oxidative damage. What’s more, aloe vera also contains anti-inflammatory properties to help manage skin inflammation.

A cucumber mask

Yes, it’s true! A cucumber mask does wonders to rejuvenate your skin cells. Cucumber extracts contain antioxidants, plus vitamins A and C. These can help moisturise, brighten and soothe irritated skin. Grate half a cucumber and mix it in ½ a cup of yogurt. Apply the mask to your face and neck. Rinse with lukewarm water after 20 minutes.

29Sep

We’re delighted to report that all Lasermed staff are now fully vaccinated with two Pfizer doses. For the safety of our clients, this is good news indeed. As everyone knows by now, widespread vaccination is a critical tool to help stop the coronavirus pandemic.

Since after lockdown, Lasermed has adhered to all COVID-19 prevention measures. This helped to ensure a COVID-safe environment for clients. These measures include compulsory wearing of masks, thorough sanitisation after every client and daily screening of staff.

With all staff fully vaccinated, we still can’t rest on our laurels. We politely remind clients to please cancel appointments should you suspect that you’ve contracted COVID. The safety of our staff and clients remains a top priority at Lasermed.

15Sep

Now that winter is behind us, it’s time to prep your skin for spring and summer. Icy cold air and heaters aren’t exactly a recipe for a flawless complexion. In fact, our clients often complain about dry and rough skin this time of year.

Dermalux LED

First choice is to book for the award-winning Dermalux LED treatment. This has been hailed as the perfect complexion boost. Dermalux energises skin cells instantly, revitalising a dull and tired complexion.

Peels

Then there’s the option of a light chemical peel to prep your skin for spring. Time-tested, peels show terrific results in improving skin tone and texture.

Combo Frax & IPL

Your third choice will be our latest combo treatment of Frax 1550, followed by IPL. This successful treatment will help reclaim your skin’s youthful look, texture and tone. Your Lasermed healthcare provider will discuss the number of sessions needed.

Microdermabrasion

Fine crystals sand the face and remove dead skin cells. Also called the ‘lunch time peel’, it’s a super skin boost.

Microneedling

Finally, there’s also Dermapen 4 Advanced Needling to make your skin pop. With the ability to stimulate collagen and elastin growth, it’s a popular choice to prep the skin for spring. Reason being that both collagen and elastin are key to youthful-looking skin. Even better, it uses the body’s own natural healing mechanisms to provide natural results.

After treatment

After any of these treatments, step up your moisturising and cleansing routine. Choose a gentle cleanser that’ll give you a soft, comforting cleanse. Then focus on moisturising with a light, summery moisturiser. Ideally, we recommend something with a hyaluronic acid- or water-based formula. Ingredients such as glycerol and urea are perfect for winter. But it might just make you sweatier in summer.

Our final tip: sunscreen, sunscreen! Apply sunblock every day come rain or shine – 30 minutes before stepping out into the world. And reapply every two hours. This is undoubtedly one of the most effective anti-ageing products in your skin regime arsenal.