Acne Archives - Enhanceskin

August 9, 2016 by admin

Focus on IPL skin rejuvenation.

This time of year is an excellent time to address your skin concerns and sun damage with IPL skin rejuvenation. So, in this article we wanted to answer some of your frequently asked questions around one of our most popular and effective treatments

IPL

What exactly is IPL?

IPL stands for ‘intense pulsed light’. This practice is used for the treatment of pigmented spots, freckles, and sun damage, small veins and capillaries, rosacea and hyperpigmentation from acne scarring. The IPL machine releases an extremely strong light, which can be selectively filtered to different wavelength bands to work on different lesions within the skin.

What can I expect to happen during my IPL treatment?

Before commencing IPL you will have an initial consultation with Lacey, our Registered Nurse to determine if it’s the most suitable treatment for you. If it is, we’ll discuss the timing for your first session, because IPL shouldn’t be carried out for two weeks after sun exposure so you need to be using sunblock as part of the preparation.
When you come for your first treatment appointment we’ll cleanse your skin and a cold gel will be applied to your skin to help improve conductivity.
Using the IPL, we will fire short bursts of light onto each patch of your skin. It feels a bit like a rubber band being flicked onto your skin (at worst). Following treatment, we’ll cleanse your skin and apply the all important sunblock.

How many IPL treatments will I need?

Occasionally you will see significant change after just one treatment. Over the course of 3-5 treatment sessions, most people see a gradual and continual improvement of their skin tone. The total number of required sessions varies depending on the condition of your skin and your skin type.

Does IPL hurt?

It’s probably fair to say that there is a degree of discomfort. Individual experience varies. Sometimes clients are a little shocked when they feel the first burst of the laser on sensitive areas of the face. But once you know what to expect the treatment is fairly easy to bear and over fairly quickly, with most treatments taking no more than about 30 – 45 minutes, including skin preparation and post treatment care.

Is there any downtime after IPL?

Because it works on lower layers of the skin, IPL leaves the top surface unscathed so you can immediately apply makeup and return to your daily activities. Your age spots and pigmentation will darken initially following treatment. After around 7-10 days these darkened spots will flake off leaving a clearer, more youthful appearance.

Is IPL safe?

Treatment is generally safe and effective for most skin types and colours, except for very dark skin. We will often do a test patch prior to any treatment to determine the best settings for your skin and reduce the risk of any side effects. Expect to have a patch test at your initial consultation, and return for treatment a week or so later.

How long will the great results from my treatment last?

People with significant sun damage will need ongoing ‘top up’ treatments, perhaps each winter, because we haven’t cured you of your sun damage. After treatment you should continue with a healthy regard for the sun, as sun exposure can increase the risk of side effects or pigment coming back. As per our mantra… You should wear your recommended sun protection every day.

Phone now for your complimentary cosmedical consultation.

May 18, 2016 by Kate C

The seasons are a changing… Which means your skincare should too!

Well we’ve had a pretty good run of summer, but winter is on its way… When the temperature does take a dive so too does your skin’s moisture.

During the winter months we see many clients suffering from distressed skin. The loss of humidity and repeated traipsing from overheated shops and offices back into the cold can also increase the suffering from various common skin conditions such as rosacea.

So it’s time to fight redness and add moisture… Up the anti by feeding your skin with serums.

We’d like to introduce you to our favourite winter skin saviours…

Aspect Dr Hyaluronic Serum: This is a goodie and Robyn’s new favourite product! It uses a unique blend of hyaluronic acid to effectively replenish your skin’s moisture content. Rich in antioxidants it will alleviate reactive, inflamed skin concerns including dry, flaky or sensitised skins. It hydrates, calms, soothes and reduces transepidermal water loss.

PCA Skin A & C Synergy Serum: Even if you think you have an oily complexion, it will require extra hydration in the winter… This advanced treatment serum is designed for breakout-prone skin and uneven skin tone. It promotes a clear, even complexion, and can be used morning and night. It includes the following key ingredients…
Vitamin A – helps promote a clear complexion and an even skin tone.
Vitamin C – an antioxidant that minimizes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, while promoting an even skin tone.
Licorice Root Extract – helps calm skin and promote an even skin tone.

Treatment Solutions…

Winter is the perfect time to treat your skin to a medi-facial. Lacey is now taking bookings for these.

Years of accumulated discoloured skin cells that dull your complexion are removed, while your pores are deeply cleansed of embedded dirt and impurities.
You will be amazed at just how much healthier, clearer and more vibrant your skin and complexion will appear.
You will enjoy seriously visible results that will no doubt leave your friends wondering what your secret is.

Contact Us to find out more.

December 4, 2015 by admin

A cleanser for everyone

Sadly, the humble cleanser often takes a back seat whilst serums and night creams become the stars of the show. Here at enhanceskin we know that your cleanser is a vital part of your skin care regime. That’s why we carry different cleansers to suit individual skin types.

Sensitive Skin

We recommend Aspect Dr Mild Clean. This gentle foaming cleanser is calming and soothing, with key ingredients Vegetable Glycerin and Canadian Willowherb.

Normal Skin

We recommend Aspect Dr Deep Clean Facial Cleanser. This cleanser exfoliates and detoxifies, with key ingredients Multifruit BSC, Canadian Willowherb and Lanablue.

Normal to Dry Skin

We recommend PCA Skin Creamy Cleanser. This gentle, hydrating cleanser effectively removes dirt, debris and makeup without stripping the skin of necessary moisture.

Acne Prone Adult Skin

We recommend PCA Skin BPO 5% Cleanser. This powerful 5% liquid benzoyl peroxide daily cleanser eliminates existing and prevents future acne breakouts.

We can help you choose the right cleanser for your complexion, pop in and see us to view the range. Remember all of the products we stock really work; they have proven results, because the skincare companies (Skin Medica, Aspect Dr and PCA Skin) put their money into science rather than fancy packaging and branding.

Here are a few tips for applying your cleanser…

Watch the temperature; Moisten your face, but at the risk of sounding like Goldilocks, you don’t want the water to be too hot or too cold, you want it just right; just right means tepid!
Most of the products we sell come with pump dispensers. Use 2 to 3 pumps of cleanser, depending on how much make up you have on. You might need more at the end of the day than the beginning.
Removal is important. You can use a fresh facecloth (but you’ll need a new one every day) or cotton pads, we moisten these to prevent pulling at the skin.

November 6, 2015 by admin

Keep Calm… It’s only Christmas

It’s around this time of year, leading up to the silly season, that stress levels start to rise. The pressure is on to attend events, create the perfect family Christmas, get work deadlines completed prior to the holidays, and all of this takes its toll on your skin.

When you’re stressed, your digestive system can become unbalanced, leading to skin problems, including dryness, oiliness, break outs and dullness.
Stress can also exacerbate skin issues you may already have, like rosacea and eczema.
In the longer term stress can contribute to fine lines and wrinkles. Either through dryness and dehydration or through the facial expressions that typically manifest themselves with stress.

There are so many ways you can help yourself and combat stress:

Eat well – Fresh fruit and vegetables provide an array of vitamins and minerals that are great for reducing stress. Make the time to sit down and enjoy your meals, chew well. This will help avoid putting your digestive system into overdrive.
Sleep well – Check out this infographic for tips on “How to Sleep Better.”
Walk well – Regular exercise is good for your skin, and the rest of your body.

Don’t forget, no matter how busy you may be, to keep your regular skincare routine going. Call in and see Robyn or Lacey for advice on skincare solutions.

Why not prepare yourself for the holiday season in advance…

Cosmetic Botulinum to treat frown lines and crow’s feet
Dermal Fillers & Liquid Facelift for immediate results
Fractora Firm naturally revitalises and renews your skin
Lip Restoration for a youthful look

Everybody will say how great you look, but nobody will know why! Call us for your FREE cosmedical consultation.

October 22, 2015 by admin

3 things you didn’t know about Dermal Fillers

As you age loss of volume is one of largest contributing factors to facial lines, wrinkles and crow’s feet. As the years pass, the bones of the face shrink, as well as fat and soft tissue being lost from under the skin. This leaves hollows under the eyes, at the temples and at the corners of the mouth, pleating across the cheeks, and grooves running from the nose to the mouth. The ‘apple’ of the cheek may also sink. Here at enhanceskin we can help you address these aging issues. We hope it’s no secret that dermal fillers give your face youthful volume with instant and long-lasting results.

But here are a three things you may not have known about dermal fillers.

Dermal fillers can also hydrate your skin. They draw in water molecules to plump up and hydrate your skin, and can be thought of as internal moisturisers. Dermal fillers can also effectively hydrate your décolletage area and the backs of your hands, two other areas that often show visible signs of aging.
Dermal fillers have the potential to reduce acne pitting and scarring, along with other treatments.
Dermal fillers are reversible. If you dislike the effect of your dermal fillers, most can be reversed using a reversing agent called hyaluronidase, this breaks up the hyaluronic acid present in dermal fillers. This is unlikely to be necessary, because following your cosmedical consult with Dr David, he’ll know exactly what you’re trying to achieve and he’ll make sure the results look natural and effortless.

You can expect your dermal fillers to last from 6-18 months. You will normally benefit from repeat injections before the full effect wears off, with lesser volumes required to maintain the effect.

At enhanceskin, a safe natural result is our prime goal for you, and we can select from a range of products that best suits your needs and budget. If you would like to book a complimentary cosmedical consultation. Please call us!

September 7, 2015 by admin

5 lesser known tips to banish acne

BanishAcne Acne is one of the most common issues people have with their skin. It mainly effects teenagers, but many adults can also suffer from acne. Acne ranges in severity from mild to severe, and can cause scarring, as well as psychological problems.

The good news is that acne is treatable, and there are many things you can do to help yourself; some of these are more well publicised than others. You probably know that lifestyle choices in terms of diet, physical exercise and adequate rest can help with healthy skin… So we’ve made a list of our top 5 tips (you might not be aware of) to help banish acne…

Sanitise your smart phone – Cell phones are breeding grounds for germs. Your phone is regularly exposed to thousands of bacteria, these spread from your fingers to your face whilst texting and talking. The heat generated by your phone can help bacteria to multiply. Use headphones wherever possible and wipe the surface of your phone with a little hand sanitiser on a daily basis.
Rest your weary head on fresh pillowcases – Oil, bacteria, sweat and other impurities can build up on your bed linen, so change your pillowcase regularly, daily if possible.
Don’t skip the sunscreen – There are a couple of reasons you might be tempted to do this… Firstly, you notice that after a day in the sun, your skin looks clear and breakout-free. Secondly, you might find sunscreen oily to wear and be worried it will exacerbate your acne. However, inflammation from sunburn can make your acne worse; if you haven’t found a great facial sunscreen visit us in the clinic, we can definitely help with this. A good facial sunscreen shouldn’t be gloopy or oily, we love PCA Skin Weightless Protection.
Do skip the styling products – Or at least use them sparingly. Oily hair products can be a common cause of acne, specifically around the hairline… Trapping acne-causing bacteria in the pores.
Embrace Retinol – Retinol has amazing anti-inflammatory effects, so it’s as effective at treating acne, as it is at fighting aging. It’s a #winwin situation! We love Aspect Dr Exfol A Plus Serum A.

Over recent years there have been rapid improvement in treatments for acne scarring, utilising techniques that you may not always have considered such as Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), Fillers and Botox, and the highly effective, Fractora – Fractional Resurfacing PLUS.

June 1, 2015 by admin

Stress and your skin…

If you’re feeling stressed out, it’s highly likely that your skin is too.

stressedskin

Think about it… A lot of nerve endings are connected to your skin… It’s the reason you blush when you’re excited or embarrassed; so it stands to reason that your skin will also react to other emotions and feelings such as anxiety, stress and exhaustion.

When you’re stressed, your brain releases the hormone cortisol into your bloodstream. This can affect your skin in several ways…

It can increase oil production in your skin, causing breakouts.
It can cause inflammation, breaking down collagen leading to dryness and fine lines.
It can dilute blood vessels causing redness and aggravating rosacea. Read more about rosacea HERE.

How we can help you:

Call in to see us and we’ll prescribe a skincare routine tailored for you. We will happily guide you in the application of prescription products which can help with acne, rosacea, ageing and stressed skin. Skin Medica, Aspect Dr and PCA Skin products have been selected for use in our clinic because they literally do what they say on the packet; all have proven results, and each of these skincare companies puts their money into science rather than fancy packaging and branding.

If your skin has seen the result of too much stress over the years book a consultation with David, he can advise you on a cosmedical treatment plan; one of several solutions that may be offered is Fractora Firm, a natural and effective treatment that reverses the signs of aging (often stemming from stress). This clinically advanced skin care treatment is designed to revitalise and renew your skin, allowing you to look good and feel great!

How you can help yourself:

Routine… No matter how tired or stressed you are, always follow your skincare routine, remove your make-up and the daily grime. Don’t use soap, this will only exacerbate any skin conditions. Ensure that your skincare regime is tailored for you… Did we mention we can help with that?!
Treat your stressed skin from the inside out; aim to significantly reduce or eliminate caffeine, alcohol, sugar and processed foods from your diet. Instead feed your face with foods that are great for your skin! Check out THIS ARTICLE from our blog archives.
Workout! Exercise is good for your skin and the rest of your body.
Take 5 minutes. For yourself! Meditate, read a book, have a cup of green tea or simply breathe deeply.
Be a sleeping beauty. Inadequate levels of sleep can seriously increase your body’s production of cortisol. So make your bedroom your haven and settle in!

December 2, 2014 by David

Acne Scarring – We can help!

I was recently at conference in Melbourne where acne scarring was the focus in a couple of the presentations. Upon my return I read an article in the online version of the Dermatology Terms with input from Greg Goodman, M.D., of The Dermatology Institute of Victoria in Australia.

You can read the full article HERE.

The article focuses on the rapid improvement in treatments for acne scarring, utilising techniques that you may not always have considered such as Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), Fillers and Botox. We perform all the procedures mentioned in the article, including the most effective, Fractora – Fractional Resurfacing PLUS.

Acne occurs when the pores of your skin become clogged, most often on the face, neck, back, and chest, it can be triggered or worsened by;

Hormones
Some medications
Diet
Stress

You can help minimise acne scarring by having a good skincare routine in place. We recommend the Teen Aspect Kit, stocked in clinic, as the ideal start to clean, clear skin.

teenaspect

The kit contains:

Teen Aspect Cleanser
Teen Aspect Toner
Teen Aspect Facial Lotion
Teen Aspect Stop Spot Travel Stick