Be kind to your skin
17Mar

Because your skin is the poster child of your face, you’ll want to preserve it as best you can. After all, who wants to sit with a face like a prune?

Beware the sun

First up, sun exposure is the number one culprit in causing photodamage. So once again, we stress the importance of using a sunscreen with SPF50 or higher. Don’t skimp on this! Follow the rules and you’ll be rewarded many times over in the years to come. Apart from preserving your skin, you’ll minimise the risk of skin cancer. In white populations skin cancer is directly related to UV exposure. So in addition to a high-factor sunscreen, wear long-sleeved clothing, a hat and stay in the shade between 11h00 and 15h00 on sunny days.

Extra help

In the dance of anti-ageing, it’s also a good idea to schedule regular chemical peels to slough off those dead skin cells. In fact, there are many people out there who wouldn’t dream of foregoing their regular chemical peel treatments – no matter what.

But we all need some extra help on our skincare journeys. That’s why Lasermed offers gold-standard treatments in IPL, microdermabrasion, Mini Frax 1550, Dermapen Advanced microneedling and skin tightening.

Some TLC

Be kind to your skin. Moisturise as soon as you step out of the bath or shower and look for ingredients such as glycerin, mineral oil, or hyaluronic acid in the product you choose. Those ingredients hold moisture in the skin.

Stick to mild cleansers that are free from strong fragrances and alcohol that can dry out skin. And in cold weather, turn on a humidifier to add moisture to the air.

Finally, the secret to looking beautiful comes from within. Love yourself!

Mini Frax 1550 Lasermed
7Mar

If you want to know all about Mini Frax 1550, read on. This non-ablative microscopic laser only targets a fraction of the skin at a time. Hence the name fractional skin resurfacing treatment.

Unlike ablative lasers that remove the outer layer of your skin, non-ablative lasers are ‘non-wounding’ because they only heat up the tissue beneath your skin to stimulate new collagen growth. The 1550 wavelength of Fraxel is designed to smooth your skin’s texture by specifically targeting fine lines, wrinkles and acne scarring.

Downtime

The downtime for Mini Frax 1550 is actually quite brief when you consider the dramatic results that it can produce. Expect some redness and possibly puffiness (depending on your type of skin). However, according to Lasermed’s Suzette La Grange, with a dab of foundation, most clients are back to their normal routines the next day.

Preparation

If you have a history of herpes virus or cold sores, tell your laser specialist before they start the procedure. Reason being, the heat of the laser may result in an outbreak.

Avoid sun exposure for four weeks prior and after the procedure. Also, don’t have chemical peels and other exfoliating treatments for two weeks before the treatment. And discontinue topical retinoid, glycolic acid and salicylic acid 10 days before your appointment. Importantly, if you have active acne, rather postpone the procedure until the breakouts have cleared.

The treatment

We apply a numbing cream 45 minutes before treatment. But the procedure itself takes only about 20 minutes. And although it feels hot, it’s quite tolerable. After the treatment, we apply a soothing serum and sunscreen. You’ll look a bit flushed, but that should settle soon.

Remember, it’s imperative to choose a well-trained provider who understands the structure of the skin as well as laser mechanics.

But please stay out of the sun for a few days after treatment and apply sunscreen with broad-spectrum protection daily.

For best results, schedule your follow-up treatments at least once a year. Now you know all about Mini Frax 1550!

Good aftercare after microneedling
23Feb

Aftercare is the cornerstone of any skin rejuvenation treatment. Remember, the products you apply to your skin subsequently are just as important as the procedure itself.

Possible side effects

Most side effects, such as redness (erythema), dry skin and a bit of swelling, typically subside within 48 hours. Depending on your skin, occasionally there may be breakouts, flaking and peeling. However, bruising or bleeding rarely occurs.

If you experience one or more of these side effects, bear in mind that they’re temporary and can be treated quite easily during aftercare.

Pre-treatment tips

For a week before your treatment avoid:

  • blood thinners such as fish oil and vitamin E
  • sun exposure and tanning beds
  • anti-inflammatory medication
  • exfoliants, acids, topical antibiotics, retinoids and hydroquinone
  • threading, hair removal creams, electrolysis and waxing

Before the treatment, our therapists will clean the area thoroughly before applying a topical anaesthetic. The latter will reduce discomfort from the pricking sensation.

Aftercare

Good aftercare post-microneedling is imperative. Therefore, Hyaluronic Acid immediately after treatment does wonders in stimulating collagen production. And for best results, avoid makeup for at least 24 – 48 hours post-treatment.

Hyaluronic Acid can be applied every three hours for the first 24 hours. Then, continue twice a day for the first week to keep the skin moisturised.

After 24 hours, nutritional supplements and topicals such as Vitamin C and E may be applied. But don’t forget the sunscreen!

Should peeling start on day 3 – 5, allow the skin to flake off naturally. Don’t pick at it.

For the rest of the week post-treatment, keep skin hydrated with hyaluronic serum or moisturisers with ceramide or collagen-stimulating peptides.

Importantly, avoid sweating and gym environments for a week. Also, give alcohol-based skin products or toners a miss for two weeks. And try not to take inflammatory medications for a week after the treatment.

So, to enjoy your new-look glowing complexion, remember that good aftercare post-microneedling is imperative.

Luminous skin
9Feb

Nothing beats a luminous skin. And Lasermed is with you every step of the way on your journey to a healthy glow.

With technology accelerating daily, there always are bigger and better treatments, products, tools and innovations in the skincare market. And rest assured, the Lasermed team members keep their finger on the pulse to serve clients better. Our top priority is always to present the latest in cost-effective approaches to pausing the ageing process.

Less is more

Seeing that less is more these days, we specifically promote multi-tasking treatments such as:

  • Dermapen microneedling to boost collagen, refine the skin and improve atrophic scars
  • Fractional laser for smoother skin texture, wrinkle reduction, reduced pore size and improved skin elasticity
  • IPL for reducing the visible signs of photo-ageing and sun damage, plus managing rosacea
  • Microdermabrasion improve the overall appearance and tone of skin
  • Chemical peels for enhanced smoothness and clarity, as well as treating acne

Skin barrier

We’re big on the health of your skin barrier – especially after your rejuvenation treatments. A healthy moisture barrier retains water better, keeping your skin hydrated. Plus it also helps your skin to fend off environmental aggressors.

Be sure to choose your skin products wisely. Products with healing ingredients and hydrating makeup are at the forefront for 2023. Use tinted sunscreens instead of foundation to protect against the ageing effects of sun damage. And opt for deeply hydrating face serums to create a nourished base for makeup application.

Be pro-active

Millennials and Gen Z might not suffer from ageing skin. However, they’re increasingly focused on prevention and preservation. In their twenties and thirties, they choose to have a range of treatments to stave off premature ageing. This is indeed a good investment.

At the end of the day, nothing beats a luminous skin.

hand rejuvenation
31Jan

Let’s give a show of hands! Remember, we tend to focus on facial rejuvenation and forget that our hands give away our true age.

First up you’ll notice that your right hand looks older than the left one. This is purely because of sun exposure when driving.

Ageing hands

Hands often start ageing between the ages of 30 and 40. Patches of hyperpigmentation (dark spots) appear. Plus, the skin becomes dehydrated and starts to wither.

Between the ages of 40 to 50, the dark marks grow and solar keratosis (rough sun spots) are visible. Sometimes hypopigmentation (white spots) will also appear.

But when you hit 50, ageing accelerates. You’ll start noticing signs of thinning in the epidermis, while veins become quite prominent. Some people develop rheumatic disorders and fragile capillaries easily cause bruising.

Repair your hands

Alas, we can’t stop the ageing process. But we can take steps to repair our damaged hands. Chemicals peels, IPL and microneedling are ideal for smoothing flat sun spots while boosting rough and dehydrated skin.

After completing a course of 3 to 4 treatments, you’ll notice that the skin quality is better, stronger and well hydrated. And if you’re diligent about applying topical active products and sunscreen, you’ll be on a winning streak.

To maintain your hands in top-notch condition, we advise a course of treatments annually.

Products

We recommend the following products to treat your hands: Skin Tech DHEA Cream, Atrofillin Cream, Zone Night Cream, Dermastine Emulsion with Vitamin A. Good sunscreens are those from Heliocare, Bioderma, Avene and Skin Tech.

Then, when your hands look as young as your face, you’ll be in a position to give a show of hands!

Tattoo removal
16Jan

You’ll be pleased to know that a tattoo needn’t be forever.

Our dermatologists consider laser removal to be the most successful and cost-effective way to remove tattoos. What’s more, the scarring risk is low.

Gold-standard laser

In line with our world-class treatment ethos, we use the gold-standard Q-switched Nd:Yag laser for all tattoo removals. Emitting energy in one strong pulse, this in turn heats up the ink on the skin to dissolve it.

Number of sessions

Alas, one treatment won’t be enough. It usually requires about 7 to 10 sessions at 6- to 8-week intervals to remove a tattoo. But in all instances, we offer an initial free consultation to assess your tattoo and quote accordingly.

Old, uncomplicated tattoos in black, brown, dark blue and green require fewer sessions. But newer, larger, multi-coloured tattoos are more time-consuming, thus requiring more sessions than the smaller single-colour ones.

However, you shouldn’t have unrealistic expectations. Lasermed’s Alta van der Merwe said, “Some colours are very stubborn. So, in some cases, lasers might not remove a tattoo completely. But you can rest assured that the tattoo will be very much faded, meaning it would be less noticeable.”

After-care

Following each session, it’s imperative to follow our aftercare instructions. You’ll need to apply antibacterial ointment to your skin for several days and change the wound dressing. Keep the treated area clean and dry for at least two weeks. Don’t pick at scabs. And under no circumstances should you expose the treated area to direct sunlight.

So, it’s good to know that a tattoo needn’t be forever