The Best Cosmetic Procedures - How to Improve Your Face and Body Without Surgery

FACE

YOUR CONCERN: Thin or lopsided lips, premature lines, filling out hollow cheeks, laugh lines, sunken eyes.

• Fillers like Restylane and Juvederm. These contain hyaluronic acid (HA), the intercellular goo that is skin's own moisture magnet, or HA stimulators to attract water to skin cells and keep it there, plumping them up and smoothing out lines. Fillers are the domain of plastic surgeons, dermatologists and aesthetic doctors, not skin-care therapists.

YOUR CONCERN: Depressed (hollow) scars from chicken pox or acne

• OR Light/L600 - a new-generation square pulsed light (laser).
  This quick, pain-free treatment reduces scars while improving general skin texture through triggering your own collagen production.
• 2B Bio Beauty Maestro Peel: A 5-day skin repair chemical peel with an innovative exfoliation action which results in astonishing skin improvement especially on acne/scarred skin. Expect downtime but this is absolutely worth the results. Best of all, it's 100 % natural and suitable for all skin types (subject to consultation). For more info click here.
• Accor - a non-invasive cosmetic corrector that vaporises targeted skin with plasma technology, so that the raised edges of an acne crater are eventually levelled out. Collagen production is also stimulated in the hollow area. It's also good for tightening loose skin around the eyes.
• Réjuvapen Micro Needle Pen - Mesotherapy injects vitamins and supplements into the skin through micro-channels made with microscopic needles. The healing response boosts new collagen, elastin and blood vessels. New FDA-approved Réjuvapen has nine tiny needles that can be adjusted to different depths, depending on the level the therapist wants to reach. Peptides that stimulate elastin and collagen penetrate the micropunctures (which close within 24 hours) created by the pen. Its small head makes it easy to target scarring accurately.  

YOUR CONCERN: Oily skin, enlarged pores and/or acne

• Affinity liquid jets skin delivery system (a type of mesotherapy) - it boosts skin health, repair & healing without any injury to the skin. Instead of using needles, jet therapy uses suction to propel the active liquid (which is compatible with your pores) through the pores into the dermis. This stimulates the production of 'immune cells'' in the skin for general skin repair. Different ingredients (like glycolic or lactic acid) are used for different results. It helps with acne breakouts as the immune cells destroy bad skin bacteria, reduces oiliness and improves pore size. 
• Serenity LED - NASA-based pulsed LED technology scientifically proven to improve skin texture and complexion. It's excellent for 'fast repair' and elimination of acne and blemishes through its simultaneous anti-bacterial and repair effect.
• 2B Bio Beauty: Bio Peel and Maestro Peel - 100 % natural cosmeceutical peels for treating oily skin and pigmentation.
  • Bio Peel: one-hour in-salon peel addressing a multitude of skin conditions in 1 treatment.
  • Maestro Peel: 5-day skin repair chemical peel leaves a marked skin improvement - especially beneficial for acne, scarred and oily skin.
  • Caution: subject to consultation, these peels may be used to treat any ethnicity. Not suitable for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

YOUR CONCERN: Melasma (dark pigmentation marks) influenced by hormones (from 'the Pill' and pregnancy)

• OrLight /L600 new-generation square pulsed light (laser). This offers outstanding results for epidermal sun damage & freckle removal. If done correctly, the marks will be successfully and safely removed in five to 21 days. Be prepared for downtime.
• Serenity LED: NASA-based pulsed LED technology scientifically proven to improve skin texture and complexion. It's excellent for 'fast repair' and elimination of blemishes.
• Affinity liquid jets skin delivery system. Delivers an excellent result as a full-face treatment for pigmentation, showing a significant improvement on dermal pigmentation, while creating a 3D skin repair effect.
• 2B Bio Beauty Peels. A highly effective holistic approach to treating pigmentation using safe, active botanicals that work both internally & externally. 

YOUR CONCERN: Double chin, jowls, slack jawline

• BTL EXILIS® Elite Radio frequency (RF) skin firming and contouring
  The globally renowned BTL machines are relatively new in SA. If a firmer jawline is your desire, the BTL EXILIS is the one for you. It works by using RF to heat deeper skin layers and stimulate collagen. The heat also shrinks loose skin tissue, causing it to tighten and lift up. Your body eliminates the ‘melted’ fat cells naturally.
  You need at least four sessions for best results.

YOUR CONCERN: Under eye dark circles/bags

• Orlight /L600 (skin rejuvenation setting) - a new-generation square pulsed light laser. This quick, pain-free treatment improves general skin texture through triggering your own collagen production and gives an immediate 'mini-lift' to tired looking eyes. Instant reduction in puffiness with no downtime.
• Accor - Non-surgical blepharoplasty procedure that tightens loose skin around the eyes and leaves eye area dramatically improved. Between 1-3 treatments needed.
• Affinity - a type of mesotherapy that boosts skin health and repair without any injury to the skin. An effective, painless treatment that will improve dark circles, lines and wrinkles over a series of treatments through stimulating production of immune cells. 

YOUR CONCERN: Age prevention, skin quality on face, neck and décolletage (chest area)

• Fractional Resurfacing - Fraxel - laser
  Fraxel has excellent results in improving skin texture, tone and firmness (by treating elasticity loss) and generally strengthening skin. The laser works by targeting and removing damaged collagen, so the body has no option but to replace it with new, healthy collagen. Instead of targeting the skin in wide layers, it works in columns, so it's able to penetrate deeply deeper than an ablative CO2 laser without leaving the skin raw and oozing (as happens with an ablative laser). You only treat about 20 percent of the skin at a time and the gaps in between serve as a safety network, so the skin doesn't peel. It flakes a bit, but there's no rawness or oozing. The damaged collagen, felt as slightly rough patches on the surface a few days later, is extruded from the skin.The depth of penetration of the light determines the area the doctor treats. Pigmentation is treated more superficially layers of the skin, whereas mild to moderate wrinkles are treated in the mid dermis. Scars are treated as deeply as the patient can tolerate (the new collagen fills up the scar from below). Fraxel works very well on darker skin to improve texture and to treat scarring from acne and even stretch marks could be improved. And results keep improving as the collagen reinfiltrates the treated area. As Fraxel increases the skin's elasticity, it improves the success of any other surgical or laser treatments that come later, and their effects last much longer.
• Orlight/L600 (skin rejuvenation setting) - a new-generation square pulsed light laser. An instant skin booster with obvious signs of reduced lines and wrinkles. Instant glow and smoothing of skin is achieved in under 2 minutes, leaving skin looking rested and lifted. No pain/downtime.
• Serenity LED - NASA-based pulsed LED technology scientifically proven to improve skin texture, complexion and reduce signs of ageing. A painless and relaxing 30-minute treatment which stimulates and rejuvenates the mitochondria of every cell, tightening skin and promoting muscle cell growth.
• Accor - Soft surgery - tightening of skin around eyes, removing smokers' lines and mini 'facelifts'. 5-14 days' downtime.
• 2B Bio Beauty Bio Peel - 100 % natural cosmeceutical peel for premature ageing. One-hour in-salon peel which addresses a multitude of skin conditions in just 1 treatment.                                                              
• Affinity liquid jets skin delivery system (a type of mesotherapy) - boosts skin health; repair & healing without any injury to the skin. Instead of using needles, jet therapy uses suction to propel the active liquid (which is compatible with your pores) through the pores into the dermis. This stimulates the production of 'immune cells' in the skin for general skin repair. Different ingredients (like glycolic or lactic acid) are used for different results. This is a gradual, non-invasive approach to softening and reducing ageing signs with no pain/downtime.

FACE & BODY

YOUR CONCERN: Overgrown bikini lines, underarms, upper lip hair, chin whiskers and other undergrowth

• Orlight - a new-generation square pulsed light laser. This French technology offers very fast, almost painless progressively permanent hair removal for all skin types and skin tones. It uses selective thermolysis, where light is attracted to the hair follicles, travelling down the shaft and zapping the living root bulb, carbonising the hair and follicle. Different hand pieces are used for lighter and darker skins. If you want an independent and glowing review on the effectiveness of this treatment and why it is worth the money, click here.
• The alternative is the L600 series, the predecessor to OrLight.
• Cryogen Specific Hair Removal Laser. This treatment targets the pigment in the hair and not the surrounding tissue, making it safe to use on almost all skin types. It cools the skin precisely before each pulse with cryogen, instead of the non-specific air cooling generally used. Length of treatment: The aim of this treatment is to destroy the hair follicle of actively growing hair (in the anagen phase), so a course of treatments at six week intervals is needed to show good results. If you’re predisposed to hormonal issues, come in at 5 weeks. Six to eight treatments usually get rid of at least 80-90 percent of hair, unless there are are complications.
• Cautions:
  • If you have unmanaged hormonal challenges, such as polycystic ovarian syndrome, adult acne breakouts, insulin-resistance, this is what’s causing hair growth on your chin, and these hairs can be resistant. You need to manage the hormonal issues first (see an endocrinologist to help rectify your hormone imbalance), then have the hair removal treatment, or the results will not be satisfactory. You may also need to accept that this will be a hair management programme rather than permanent hair removal.
  • On very dark complexions, underlying conditions can make you more photosensitive (prone to sunburn). Consultation is important before as a precaution, and have a test patch.
  • Prone to cold sores? You may have a breakout afterwards, so use prophylactic Acyclovir.
  • With any laser treatment, Be more vigilant about sun exposure for at least four weeks before treatment. It is essential you use a good quality sunscreen, such as Bioderma Photoderm Max SPF 50+ or BioNike 50+ Defence Sun Cream between treatments. 

• Electrolysis. The therapist inserts a tiny needle into the follicle, and zaps the bulb with electric current. It is the only clinically proven method able to eliminate white or blonde hair permanently. It may also need multiple visits to catch the growth stage of each hair. 

YOUR CONCERN: A deep frown that makes people remark you look angry all the time. Your one eyelid is lazy. Your brows are lopsided. You’re starting to see horizontal lines on your forehead because you have a very expressive face.

• Botulinum toxin (an enzyme purified from Botulinum bacteria). This muscle-relaxing agent treats any overactive muscle by blocking the nerve signal. You probably know it as Botox®, but that’s the brand name of the product by Allergan available in SA. The other approved brand is Dysport.
  Many of us find the idea of injecting a lethal toxin into our faces scary, but it must be understood that the dose is miniscule and that it’s been used safely for thirty years in much higher doses to treat medical conditions like muscular spasm and migraines.
  Botox has many uses. It smooths lines, prevents compulsive frowning and it can be used to treat stringy necks. But it’s very popular for eyebrow shaping as injecting it with precision can lift droopy eyes very effectively.
  Botox is seen as a preventive treatment, and regular use improves the skin condition. For the time the muscle is immobilised, it can’t perform the repetitive motions that contribute to lines. Repeated injection causes the overactive muscles to atrophy, a similar effect as happens when you have your leg in a plaster cast.

YOUR CONCERN: Hyperhidrosis (overactive sweat glands in your armpits or your hands)

• Botulinum toxin - commonly known as Botox. It is injected into the area, and blocks the chemical signal from nerves, without which sweat glands can’t turn on the sweat. You must see an experienced medical professional for this.

YOUR CONCERN: In-grown hairs or alopecia (hair loss on head, face and body)

• Serenity LED - NASA-based pulsed LED technology. It works on the principle of stimulating cell mitochondria to help hair grow. Use combined therapy with a stimulating shampoo, hairloss treatment and vitamin supplements.  

YOUR CONCERN: Benign moles and skin tags

• Accor non-invasive cosmetic corrector. Plasma technology which vaporises the targeted skin without downtime. Quick & easy removal of moles, skin tags, brown spots & small tattoos. 

WHERE YOU’LL FIND THESE TREATMENTS