TREATMENTS: MEDICAL AESTHETIC

All Medical Aesthetic treatments are done by Dr Miems Fourie at the Advanced Dermatology Clinic. Bookings for any of these procedures can be done so directly via Whatsapp: 082 377 0636 or Landline: 012 492 7871 or Email: info@drmiemsfourie.co.za

Botulinum Toxin Injections

A muscle relaxant/neurotoxin is injected in tiny amounts into muscles. The muscle relaxant partially blocks the nerve impulses to muscles, so the muscle relaxes, and thereby the skin gets a chance to rest and dynamic wrinkles (caused by muscle contraction) are softened / improved.

Areas which can be treated with wrinkle-reducing injections:

On-label Treatments:

  • Frown (Glabellar Area)
  • Crow’s feet (laugh lines around eyes)
  • Forehead Lines (horizontal lines)
  • Excessive sweating (Hyperhydrosis)

Off-label Treatments:

  • Brow Lift
  • Bunny Lines
  • Smoker’s Lines Around the Mouth
  • Gummy Smile
  • Drooping Mouth Corners
  • Dimpling Chin
  • Platysma bands of the neck
  • Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)

A muscle relaxant which is injected in tiny amounts into muscles.

The muscle relaxant  partially blocks the nerve impulses to muscles, so the muscle relaxes, and thereby the skin gets a chance
to rest and dynamic wrinkles (caused by muscle contraction) are softened / eliminated.

  • Pregnancy and lactation
  • Infection at the proposed injection site
  • Myasthenia gravis/muscle disease

The effect lasts on average 3 – 4 months, but this may vary with muscle mass, metabolism and specific areas treated.

It starts working in 3 – 7 days time, with visible results (improvement in lines) in 14 – 21 days time.

Wrinkle reducing injections  can effectively  be combined with Fillers (even in the same session), chemical peels and
mesotherapy (preferably during different sessions) for great results.  The best, and most natural results are seen when combination therapy is used to treat the face as a whole.

  • Please tell the doctor if you are on any medication (antibiotics, cortisones etc.)
  • If you have a perfume allergy you should also notify the doctor
    POST CARE:
  • Do not rub/massage the injected areas for the first 12 hours – VERY IMPORTANT! This will prevent
    you from pushing the muscle relaxant into the wrong muscle
  • No facials/brow shaping or any other facial treatment for the first 24 hours
  • No cardiovascular exercise, sauna or sunbed for the first 24 hours
  • If you notice any signs of infection (redness, swelling or pain) please call the doctor

Excessive Sweating

A neurotoxin is injected very superficially into the skin to treat the symptoms of severe underarm sweating (severe primary axillary hyperhidrosis) when medicines used on the skin (topical) do not work well enough or have too many side effects. The hands and scalp can also be injected for hyperhidrosis.

Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition in which a person sweats excessively – even during cool temperatures or at rest.

It usually starts during the teenage years and continues throughout life. It can lead to significant physical and emotional discomfort – interfering with work and social interactions. Sweating can be generalized – all over the body, or focal – mostly the armpits/axillae, hands and feet.

Botulinum Toxin is very effective to reduce excessive sweating for up to 6-7 months.

Focal Hyperhidrosis can be effectively treated with neurotoxin injections in the area needed.

Within a couple of days sweating will reduce drastically to a normal sweating pattern.

Every 6 – 7 months.

  • Pregnancy and breastfeeding
  • Infection in the treatment area

Dermal Fillers

Dermal Fillers are injectable gels made of hyaluronic acid (a substance which naturally occurs in the skin). Dermal Fillers are placed in the skin to help restore volume, fill deep folds and wrinkles, and to rehydrate the skin. Fine, medium and volumizing fillers are each used for different purposes.

Areas which can be treated with Dermal Fillers:

  • Deep folds/wrinkles
  • Cheeks
  • Lips
  • Dark under eye circles
  • Chin
  • Neck & Decolletté
  • Hands

Active infection in/close to the area to be injected

Dental work/cleansing in the past 4-6 weeks

Any systemic infection in the past 4-6 weeks

Auto-immune diseases

Pregnancy/Lactation

You will notice the difference immediately, but remember that the hyaluronic acid attracts water and the plumped effect
may improve over time.

Most medium fillers used last 9 – 12 months , and the volumizing fillers last 12 – 24 months.

More fillers can be injected at any time after the first treatment if needed.

  • Please stop blood thinning aspirin 5-7 days before procedure, if medical condition allows it.
  • Also stop omegas, and vitamin C and E to reduce the chance of bruising
  • If you are prone to cold sores around the mouth area, please tell the doctor before or during the procedure so that antiviral medication can be prescribed to prevent a breakout
    POST CARE:
  • Do not massage/rub the treated area unless instructed to do so.
  • Use some ice compresses the first couple of hours to reduce swelling and redness
  • No heavy cardiovascular exercise, sunbed or sauna activities are allowed the first 24 hours.
  • Please call the doctor if there are any signs of infection (redness, swelling or pain which lasts for more than 1 – 2 days) , or if after 2 weeks you notice any irregularities.

Bruising/swelling is possible after any injection

Some discomfort and irregularities might be visible or palpable in the first 2 weeks post-filler. Please contact the clinic if you have any severe pain, discomfort, swelling, skin discoloration or redness.

Mesotherapy

Mesotherapy is a medical procedure where superficial microinjections of active ingredients are delivered into the skin, via needle or cannula to maximize absorption.

The active ingredients can be a combination of hyaluronic acid, peptides, amino acids, vitamins, minerals.

Mesotherapy provides a gradual, natural improvement of the skin’s quality, hydration and elasticity and collagen synthesis.

Another benefit is that specific areas can be targeted – for example the fine lines around the eyes, smoker’s lines on the upper lip, cheek lines, neck and hands.

Mesotherapy products can also be combined with dermal fillers to give long-lasting hydration and improvement of the skin

Indications:

  • Dull, sagging, dehydrated skin
  • Fine lines and wrinkles periocular (around the eyes)
  • Smoker’s lines around the mouth
  • “Concertina” lines on the cheeks
  • Thin, crepey skin in the neck/decolletté

Usually no to little downtime (slight swelling, erythema or redness)

2 – 6 sessions spaced 4 weeks apart, then maintenance as needed.

Dermapen

Advanced skin needling treatments – fractional delivery of needles creating micro-injuries into the epidermis and dermis. Effective treatment for aged sagging skin, fine lines & wrinkles, skin tightening, enlarged pores, stretch marks etc.


Advanced Skin Needling Treatments for:

  • Aged sagging skin
  • Fine lines &wrinkles
  • Smoker’s lines
  • Skin tightening and rejuvenation
  • Enlarged pores
  • Stretch marks
  • Acne scarring

Rejuvenation:  4 – 6 treatments 4 weeks apart

Acne scarring:  6 treatments 6 weeks apart

Stretch marks:  +- 10 treatments 4 – 6 weeks apart

Redness of the skin for 24 – 48 hours is experienced by most patients.

  • Topical anaesthetic cream should be applied 30-45 minutes before treatment
  • Specific cream/serums will be prescribed for after care
  • Daily sunscreen is recommended

Threading

  • An exciting new treatment which involves injection of absorbable suture threads into the skin to give a lifting effect by stimulating collagen
  • Can be used on the face and various part of the body
  • No / little downtime
  • Very safe product which have been used for years during operations
  • Excellent, natural results
  • Can be combined with wrinkle reducing injections, fillers and skin needling

  • Please stop taking any blood thinning medications (aspirin, omegas,etc)
    5 days before procedure
  • No other facial treatments for 1 week after the treatment

Tixel R

TixelR is a novel Fractional skin rejuvenation treatment – it uses patented Thermomechanical Action (TMAR ) technology via a medical-grade Titanium tip to apply direct heat to the skin. A variety of skin conditions can be treated safely and effectively.

The settings can be adjusted from non-ablative (milder treatment) to ablative (a more intense treatment with results similar to Fractional CO2 laser). Certain medications/treatments can be infused into the skin via Tixel – for example to treat pigmentation or stimulate collagen.

Indications:

Skin:

  • Skin laxity (face/neck/eyes/decolleté)
  • wrinkles
  • Smoker’s lines around the mouth
  • Rough texture (face/neck/eyes/decolleté)
  • Acne scarring
  • Surgical/traumatic scars
  • Stretch marks
  • Pigmentation/uneven skin tone

Depending on the settings some erythema (redness of the skin), swelling/puffiness around the eyes might be visible on day 1-2. The skin might feel dry,tiny brown spots might be visible and micro-crusting will start. Most patients heal completely after 5-7 days.

3-6 depending on condition of skin, spaced 4 weeks apart.

Sclerotherapy

advanced dermatology sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is a very popular treatment and has been performed for over 100 years by doctors to treat spider veins and varicose veins of the legs with great results.

Sclerotherapy is the treatment of varicose/spider veins of the legs with a sclerosing agent. The sclerosing agent is injected into the veins, causing the walls of the veins to become ‘sticky’, collapsing and then gradually fibrosis develops, with the vein disappearing.

Most patients have a 70 – 80% improvement of their varicose/spider veins, but maintenance treatment is recommended.

It can take 3-6 months to see results, therefore autumn, winter and spring is the best time to do sclerotherapy.

  • Varicose veins of the legs  (the bigger blue veins)
  • Spider veins of the legs (telangiectasis /small superficial purple or red veins)

Mild, small areas of bruising will be visible initially. Some veins might get darker and look worse before improving.  Some patients develop brown staining of the skin post sclerotherapy which eventually fades in most cases.

Usually 40 – 50 minutes

2 – 4 sessions spaced 6-8 weeks apart, then yearly maintenance.

  • Bring a pair of shorts with you on treatment day
  • No hot baths/saunas allowed for the first week after treatment
  • Moderate exercise is recommended:  brisk walking for 20 minutes per day for the first 2 weeks
  • Excessive exercise/weight lifting should be avoided during the first week
  • If you have to travel within 2 weeks after the treatment, you have to wear the compression hosiery
    and also take a low dose Aspirin
  • If you have any tingling, numbness, severe pain/swelling in the legs after the treatment you should contact the doctor immediately.

PRP Treatment

advanced dermatology prp treatment

PRP or Platelet Rich Plasma treatment is a very effective collagen stimulating treatment where a patient’s own platelets are used to naturally rejuvenate the skin.

Platelet rich plasma therapy is a procedure during which a sample of the patient’s own blood is taken, centrifuged (red blood cells and plasma gets separated) and then the plasma is re- injected or microneedled into the areas of the skin which requires rejuvenation.

PRP has been used in Sports medicine for years for its healing properties. In Aesthetic medicine it is used for Rejuvenation of the face, neck, decollate, hands and to stimulate hair growth.

The growth factors and platelets in the plasma help stimulate your own skin’s cells to form new collagen – improves elasticity, texture, fine wrinkles, and overall quality of the skin.

PRP can be combined with Dermapen microneedling or use as a standalone treatment.

Indications:

  • Sagging, dull skin
  • Fine lines and wrinkles
  • Dark under eye circles
  • Hair loss/thinning

  • Acute and Chronic infections
  • Abnormal platelet function
  • Anti-coagulation therapy (aspirin should be discontinued 7 – 10 days before procedure if possible)
  • Skin cancer

2-6 depending on condition of skin, spaced 4 weeks apart.

PRP combined with microneedling treatments  (Dermapen) is an excellent boost for new collagen formation.

Collagen Biostimulators

Collagen Biostimulators are molecules (PLLA-SCATM or Poly-L-lactic acid) injected deep into the skin to stimulate your skin’s own collagen and elastin production, and to kickstart regeneration of the skin.

 This is a non-invasive treatment which delivers gradual, natural results over a few months’ time, and can last up to 2 years. It improves the skin’s underlying structure and surface appearance resulting in firmer, radiant, healthy skin.

Indications:

  • Skin laxity, sagging and thinning skin
  • Wrinkles and fine lines (cheeks, neck, decolleté)

None to minimal downtime.

2 – 6 sessions spaced 6-8 weeks apart and then yearly maintenance.