Even though aesthetic treatments are very effective, it’s important to remember that in-clinic treatments are not enough to achieve the desired results we hope for within a desired time frame. So, that’s why we recommend home care products, to not only support your aesthetic treatment but also help speed up the effects of it.

 

Botulinum toxin

Botulinum toxin, commonly known as Botox (brand name), is a neurotoxic protein produced by a specific bacterium. It is widely used in the aesthetic industry to prevent the formation of static wrinkles by temporarily limiting the movement of the facial muscle into which it is injected.

When choosing an injector make sure it’s someone with a medical background, preferably a doctor specialising in aesthetics. Botulinum toxin is temporary, it usually lasts between 3-4 months depending on the injection site, and lifestyle factors of the individual. Results can be seen anywhere from seven to ten days after the treatment. Botulinum toxin is not recommended to be used on pregnant or breastfeeding women.

 

Botulinum toxin also has a few medical benefits:

• Muscle spasms: Cervical dystonia, Cerebral palsy, twitchy eye, and tension from stress carried in the neck muscles.
• Lazy eye.
• Sweating: Excessive sweating conditions such as hyperhidrosis, commonly found on the palms of the hands.
• Migraines.
• Overactive bladder.

There are also some side effects associated with Botulinum toxin, but these are mostly temporary

• Headache.
• Drooping of the eyelids.
• Skin redness.
• Numbness.
• Skin tightness.
• Local muscle weakness.
• Facial pain.

 

Not everyone is affected by these side effects! However, we highly recommend that you contact your doctor if you are concerned about any of the above-mentioned side effects. Unlike dermal fillers, Botulinum toxin is better used to prevent ageing, rather than treat it. You could use all the Botulinum toxin in the world, but if you are not using the right home care to also support the skin from the outside, your results might be greatly impacted.

 

Here’s what we recommend:

Cleanser: Lamelle Nourish Daily Cleanse

Exfoliator: Lamelle Correctives AHA 5% Solution

Serum: NeoStrata Antioxidant Defense Serum

Eye cream: CeraVe Eye Repair Cream

Moisturizer  AM+PM: Lamelle Dermaheal Cellular Repair Cream

SPF: La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMUNE400 Invisible Fluid

 

Dermal fillers

  Dermal fillers come in temporary (3-5 months) or semi-permanent (two years) forms. Fillers are usually used to correct wrinkles and plump-up areas where loss of muscle tone, and loss of fat padding has caused an increase in depth of the facial structure.

What can dermal fillers be used for?

• Smooth outlines.
• Restore or enhance cheekbones or temples.
• Removes unwanted lines.
• Fill in a chin crease.
• Increase facial volume.

There are also a few different types of fillers, your doctors will determine the type most suited for the patient’s concern. These include:

• Hyaluronic acid.
• Calcium hydroxylapatite.
• Poly-L-lactic acid.
• Polymethylmethacrylate.

 

Why Dermal fillers is not enough if you are not using the correct home care:

Dermal fillers are fantastic for correcting the visible signs of ageing, but unfortunately, the skin still naturally ages. That’s why if you are not using the right home care to also support the skin from the outside, like SPF and growth factors, conditions linked to the skin’s topography and discolouration, will not improve.

Here’s what we recommend:

Cleanser: Lamelle Dermaheal Foaming cleanser

Exfoliator: NeoStrata Smooth Surface Glycolic Peel Pads

Serum: Lamelle RE-FIRM Serum

Eye cream: SkinCeuticals A.G.E Complex

Moisturizer  AM+PM: Lamelle Dermaheal Renewal cream

SPF: Heliocare Age Active Fluid SPF50

 

Lasers

Ablative skin layers work by vaporising the outer layers of the skin, effectively improving conditions such as:

• Acne scars.
• Pigmentation.
• Wrinkles.
• Skin texture.
• Pore size.

Non-ablative skin lasers do not ablate the outer layers of the skin but still work very effectively to improve conditions such as:

• Scar reduction.
• Correction of pigmentary conditions.
• Vascular lesions reduction.
• Skin rejuvenation.

Most aesthetic treatments come with potential risks or complications. For lasers, temporary side effects include:

• Redness.
• swelling.
• Discomfort.

Here’s what we recommend using post-laser (unless you were instructed otherwise by our doctor or therapist):

• Lamelle Restorative Balm
• SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Masque
• La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 (non-ablative only)

 

It’s important to keep in mind that the effectiveness of laser treatments depends on multiple factors such as skin type, the severity of the conditions being treated, and the body’s response to the treatment. Here are a few products we recommend using to enhance and prolong the effects of your laser treatment (unless you were instructed otherwise by our doctor or therapist):

Cleanser: SkinCeuticals Soothing Cleanser

Serum: La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Serum (non-ablative only)

Moisturizer AM+PM: La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 (non-ablative only)

SPF: Heliocare Mineral Tolerance Fluid SPF50

 

Microneedling

A procedure where tiny needles are used to make micro-channels in the skin, causing the natural healing cascade of the skin to trigger. This then results in the production of collagen and elastin. Treatments are usually done 4-6 weeks apart and a minimum of 4-6 treatments are required to see an improvement (depending on different factors).

 In South Africa, most healthcare individuals make use of numbing cream before doing microneedling on their patients. The option of numbing cream pre-microneedling is only given in South Africa and Italy. The reason for this is that it is believed that the Lidocaine ingredient in the numbing cream causes vasoconstriction. The practitioner or therapist doing the treatment can then not see if pinpoint bleeding is present or if they are working too deep or even deep enough in some cases. 

 

Microneedling can pretty much be done anywhere on the body and can effectively improve conditions such as:

• Enlarged pores.
• Acne scarring.
• Burn scars (to a certain degree).
• Stretch marks (pink/beginning stages).
• Skin discolouration.
• Alopecia areata.
• Hyperhydrosis. 

There are also a few conditions that microneedling unfortunately cannot help with:

• Cold sores.
• Dermatitis or eczema.
• Keloid scars.
• Skin tags.
• Moles.
• Psoriasis.
• Acne.

 

What are the risks post-treatment:

• Bruising (very common on bony areas).
• Scarring (if done incorrectly).

 

 Mirconeedling is great for both internal remodelling and external visible concerns of the skin. However, these benefits are short-lived if we do not continue to take care of our skin at home.

Here are a few products we recommend using to enhance and prolong the effects of your microneedling treatment (unless you were instructed otherwise by our doctor or therapist):

Cleanser: NeoStrata PHA Facial Cleanser

Serum: NeoStrata Redness Neutralizing Serum

Moisturizer AM+PM: La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5

SPF: SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF50

 

LED (light-emitting diode) therapy

LED devices emit infrared light in specific wavelengths, and different skin concerns can be targeted. The great thing about these devices is that they can be used at home, not just in practice or clinic. These devices work by slightly heating the treatment area, stimulating blood flow in the treatment area.

Different colours of LED and what they help with:

• RED: (Wavelength between 620nm – 750nm) Anti-ageing benefits, collagen stimulation, and elastin production.
• BLUE: (Wavelength between 405nm – 420nm) Anti-bacterial benefits that help to improve acne and stimulate the production of oxygen radicals which helps to eliminate P. Acne bacteria (bacteria which causes acne).
• AMBER (yellow-orange): (Wavelength between 590nm – 620nm) Help to boost lymphatic flow, increase cellular growth, and improve cellular turnover.

 Even though this therapy sounds like it’s for everyone, there are a few exclusions to the criteria.

These include:

• Pregnant women.
• Breastfeeding women.
• Cardiovascular conditions.
• Those suffering from fever or flu.
• Active cancer.
• Recent surgery.
• Pacemaker implants.
• Bleeding disorders.

 

Even though this great everyday treatment can help you to improve multiple concerns, our skins need help from all angles. Below are a few products we recommend using to complement your LED therapy based on your skin concerns.

 

Sensitive skin:

Cleanser: Lamelle Serra Cleansing Gel

Exfoliator: NeoStrata PHA Renewal Pads

Serum: SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective

Eye cream: NeoStrata PHA Eye Cream

Moisturizer AM+PM: Lamelle Serra Restore Cream

SPF: Heliocare Mineral Tolerance Fluid SPF50

 

Acne:

Cleanser: Biretix Cleansing Gel

Exfoliator: Lamelle Cathepzyme 1

Serum: SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Gel

Eye cream: Lamelle Nourish Revitalise Eye Cream

Moisturizer AM+PM:Biretix Tri Active Gel

SPF: Heliocare 360 Gel Oil-Free SPF50

 

Anti-ageing skin:

Cleanser: NeoStrata Glycolic Mousse Cleanser

Exfoliator: NeoStrata Smooth Surface Glycolic Peel Pads

Serum: Lamelle Intensive GF Serum

Retinol option: SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.3

Eye cream: SkinCeuticals A.G.E Complex

Moisturizer AM+PM: NeoStrata Skin Active Dermal Replenishment

SPF: Heliocare Age Active Fluid SPF50

 

Embarking on an aesthetic treatment journey can be a transformative experience, not only enhancing one's external appearance but also boosting confidence and self-esteem from within. There’s no shame in getting aesthetic treatments done, whether you are revitalizing your skincare routine, making subtle enhancements with injectables, or even getting a more significant procedure done, the key lies in making informed decisions and prioritizing safety above all else.