Apart from surgical face and body procedures, our medical center offers cosmetic medicine procedures as well. These non-sergical procedures provide opportunities for atraumatic treatment of various aesthetic problems.
Procedures:
Dec
17
Botulinum Toxin Treatment (Botox, Vistabel, Dysport)
In cosmetic medicine we use botulinum toxin (most commontly known as Botox) to treat wrinkles. The toxin blocks the transmission of nerve impulses at the synapses. In this way, we selectively paralyze the muscles that cause skin wrinkling. They can no longer react by excessive contraction and become flaccid. As a result, the skin above them flattens.
Botulinum toxin’s first application was to treat strabismus (a condition in which the eyes are not properly aligned with each other). Later on, it became common practice in neurology, plastic surgery and as a treatment for excessive sweating.
Botulinum Toxin – Botox, Vistabel, Dysport
Although the toxin is mostly known as botox, “Botox” is only one of the products available on the market. In our practice we have used the following substances, depending on their legalization/certification status:
– DYSPORT (manufactured by Ipsen in the UK);
– BOTOX (manufactured by Allegran in USA). Since 2006, Botox has been sold in the UK under the name VISTABEL, with identical formulation.
The concentration of toxin between the two is quite similar and most surgeons agree that there is no significant difference between them.
Procedure and Treatment Areas
Botulinum toxin can be injected to the following areas:
– The glabellar muscles of the forehead – to traeat the vertical wrikles, which give an angry look;
– The orbicularis oculi – to block the creation of “crow feet” wrinkles around the eyes;
– The frontalis – to treat the horizontal wrinkles of the forehead.
Detailed knowledge in anatomy is crucial – injections of the toxin in neighbouring muscles can deform the face for months. Only qualified doctors should practice this procedure to prevent unwanted side effects. The injection itself takes a few minutes. The surgeon uses a special syringe and injects a small but exact amount of toxin to the muscles involved. Men usually require a larger amount, due to stronger muscles. Patients easily tolerate the minimal pain of injection and there is no need for local anesthetics. In selected cases we can use a sedative drug or local anesthetics.
Read more – Lifting of the face; Lips Augmentation; VASER Ultrasonic Liposculpturing
Effect and Duration
The effect becomes visible a day or two after the procedure and reaches its maximal effect about 10-14 days later.
The full effect duration of the treatment is usually 3 to 6 months, depending on multiple factors. Some partial effect may last up to 8 months. Longer action causes muscle fibers to degenerate and it is therefore recommended to repeat the treatment in 3-4 months. After several treatments, the full effect periods last longer and usually require less and less botulinum toxin to achieve it. There is no permanent effect.
Permanent effect of blocking the glabella mucles can be achieved via the scarless Serdev Sutures method for glabella muscles ligation. The aim is to ligate the muscles, which leads to necrosis and we thus block their activity. This techniques blocks wrinkling with an average of around 80%.
Precautions and Side Effects
The use of botulinim toxin for treating wrkinles is relatively safe.
Precautions include: known allergies to botox or albumin, muscle weakness, use of aminoglicozide antibiotics, pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Common side effects include: bruising around the injection sites, headache, flu like symptoms and local pain. Another unwanted effect is paralysis of adjacent muscles which may cause eyelid drop (usually partial), double vision and difficulty to swallow. Because only part of these muscles are paralyzed for about 2-4 weeks, there is usually a full compensation of the remaining muscle activity after 3-6 months.
NB! Again – only qualified doctors should practice this procedure to prevent unwanted side effects!
Results
Dec
13
Chemical and Laser Peels
Chemical Peel is a procedure in which a controlled chemical burn is applied, using a chemical solution, in order to remove the outer layers of the skin. The peel eliminates or reduces delicate wrinkles, pigmentation marks, acne scars and other skin defects. Chemical peelings also has some medical advantages, such as removal of pre-cancerous conditions.
Types of Chemical Peels
Depending on the substances used, chemical peels are divided in three groups – delicate (superficial), intermediate and deep peels.
Delicate peels give smooth and shiny skin, treat delicate wrinkles, acne scars and pigmentations. They only remove the outer layer of dead cells and refresh the skin, but do not have a tightening effect. The solution can also be incorporated into creams or facial wash for home use. It can be applied on a daily or weekly basis.
Intermediate peels remove wrinkles, superficial skin defects, and pigmentation, and can be used in all parts of the body. More than one treatment is usually necessary. Intermediate peels involve longer healing time than delicate peels. They have a temporary rejuvenaiton and refreshment effect, because they are not as deep.
We recommend the "universal peel" - the skin is treated for three days in a row and it peels off on the forth. Patients like it, because there is no pain during application and there is no redness after the skin peels off.
Deep peels remove deep wrinkles. They are phenol-based and reach the deepest layer of the skin. The healing process leads to significant skin tightening and brighter skin color. Deep chemical peeling can be used only in the face area, because facial skin has different structure. It is more stable and can sustain such treatment.
We highly recommend the deep chemical peel "Exoderm lifting". It gives excellent results, which in many cases surpass our expectations. This peel was created by Dr. Yoram Fintzi of Israel. The recovery period is 8 days, after wich the skin will be pinkish for 2-3 months. The peel is used for treating wrinkles, flaps and skin drooping without surgery. The skin tightens, but the effect should not be mistaken with lifting. A lifting procedure fixates tissues to a higher level, while chemical peels only have skin tightening effect.
Laser Peel
Our clinic also has the most modern "cold" laser in its possession, which clearly refreshes the skin and has a tightening effect on it and the tissues below it. It creates a lifting effect without burning the skin. You can see how it works here.
Results
Dec
12
Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion, also known as microcrystal dermabrasion and vacuum peeling with microcrystals, is a cosmetic medicine procedure. It is most commonly used to treat the face and neck, and reduce the appearance of superficial wrinkles and scars. It can also successfully treat large pores, acne, and age spots, restoring a smoother, more youthful appearance.
How Does Microdermabrasion Work?
During the procedure the physitian uses a handpiece through which fine microcrystals are emitted. These microcrystals peel off the uppermost (superficial) layer of the epidermis (known as stratum corneum). They are then sucked back into the device, along with the exfoliated skin particles, via vacuum.
As microdermabrasion only causes superficial injury to the skin, the risk of scarring and pigmentation is extremely low, when compared with other resurfacing techniques. Therefore, microdermabrasion can be safely and effectively used on individuals of all skin types.
Application
Microdermabration has a rejuvenation effect - the damaged skin layers are removed and new skin cells are revealed in the treated area, with improved texture and overall appearance. This is the reason why this method is successfully used for stretch mark treatment, scar removal, etc.
Any secretion in the glands of the skin, caused by infection or otherwise, is sucked in by the vacuum and thus prevents the creation of conglomerate cavities in the skin. As a result, microdermabrasion is the best and most effective method for acne treatment.
Dec
12
Photoepilation using Spa-Touch
Smooth skin is a symbol of cleanliness and beauty. There are many different methods for depilation. Lately, the trend is toward faster, newer and more effective methods, with longer lasting effect. The two main methods for hair removal are laser and photoepilation.
Laser epilation destroys the hair bulbs via single laser beams. The method has a few of drawbacks. It can be successfully applied only on patients with dark hairs – white and blonde hairs are hardly affected by the treatment. Patients with dark skin or with sun tan, diabetics, pregnant women etc. are not suitable for the treatment. There is redness and possible swelling after the procedure, as well as risk of depigmentation. Direct sunlight should be avoided for about a month.
Photoepilation
Photoepilation influences the pigment cells through intense pulse light that destroys the bulb and the hair falls off. The spectrum is wider and harmless. Photoepilation has a unique advantage – it is applicable to any type and color of hair and to all skin types. The energy and duration of the pulse are chosen according to individual characteristics of patient’s skin and hair. The procedure is painless and does not cause complications. There is no redness, no cooling gels are applied. Photoepilation achieves the effect of thinning and reducing the number of hairs, as well as extending the period of hair growth, so that the interval between sessions increases from 2-3 months to up to one year.
SpaTouch
We work with the best quality machine on the market – SpaTouch. The impulse of device is 11 square cm (5/2.2 cm). In comparison, an IPL impulse is 3 square centimeters.
Dec
12
Stretch Marks Treatment
Stretch marks, or striae, are lesions that tend to form in the dermis during periods of hormonal flux, with weight gain or loss, pregnancy, and other periods of hormonal change. Our practice shows that the best method for stretch marks treatment is microdermabrasion – vacuum peel with microcrystals.
How do stretch marks form?
Women often tend to form striae on their breasts, thighs, hips, abdomen, arms, around the belly button, buttocks, and back. This is especially true during puberty and pregnancy, when a rapid onset of marks can appear. Initially they may be red, but as redness fades, they turn white. However, contrary to conventional wisdom, and their unfortunate name, stretch marks are not caused solely by skin stretching.
Over time, the aging process and sun damage cause a decrease in the amount of collagen and elastin fibers. As this network of fibers breaks down, the skin loses its elasticity and becomes more lax. Together, aging, sun damage, and other factors contribute to wrinkle formation and other changes in appearance.
Stretch Marks Treatment
Our practice has shown that the best method for stretch marks treatment is microdermabrasion - vacuum peeling with microcrystals, which removes the superficial or uppermost layer of the epidermis, known as the stratum corneum. It is a simple, fast, and effective method. With each treatment the healing process narrows the width and diminishes the depth of the stretch marks.
During the procedure, the physician uses a device which emits pressurized crystals on to the surface of the skin. Using single strokes, the physician will guide the device over the treatment area to remove damaged skin layers. As microdermabrasion only causes superficial injury to the skin, the risk of scarring and pigmentation anomalies following microdermabrasion is extremely low, when compared with other resurfacing techniques. Therefore, microdermabrasion can be safely and effectively used on individuals of all skin types.
In areas with more damage, the physician may increase the amount of pressure exerted by the device or the number of passes made in the area. This will cause the treatment to extend deeper into the skin. A vacuum sucks the used crystals and exfoliated skin particles back into the device, so they can be removed and discarded.
Treatment results
Frequency of the treatment
As the new skin cells are revealed, your skin will have an improved texture and overall appearance. It is important to realize that in order to maintain the results from a microdermabrasion procedure, you will likely have to undergo approximately five to ten treatments, depending on the severity of skin damage. Initially, you may receive treatments every 5-7 days. However, over time the frequency of treatment may decrease to once a month, and later to twice a year.
IMPORTANT! It is important to note that stretch marks cannot fully disappear, due to the altered anatomical structure of the skin! They do however become almost invisible.
Dec
10
Acne Treatment
Commonly known as pimples, acne is a skin condition caused by inflammation. These are stretched out and infected follicles and skin glands, blocked by a thick layer of dead epithelium cells that forms for about 5-7 days. The medical term is acne vulgaris. It is one of the most common skin problems, which makes acne treatment one of the most sought after skin treatments in cosmetic medicine.
How does Acne form?
Normally, acne occurs during the time of puberty and worsens during the period of adolescence. The oil producing glands (named sebaceous glands) which lie under the surface of the skin, produce sebum. This oily secretion helps the skin preserve its moisture and hair to keep its flexibility. During puberty, sebum excretion is much higher. Skin pores become clogged and stretched and the rich skin flora easily infects them. When a plugged follicle is invaded by a bacteria living on the skin (known as Propionibacterium acnes), or other microorganisms present in the skin, the enzymes and chemicals produced by the bacteria create inflammations.
Adolescent acne is hormonally and genetically based. Its occurance in a later age, even in an advanced age (adult acne) is a result of chronic infection and is difficult to treat. It had been estimated that about 9% of world’s population is affected by pimples. The majority of them, between the age of 12 and 25.
Why You Must Not Squeeze Pimples Out
The worst possible method to treat acne is to squeeze pipmles out with nails, either at home or in a saloon, as well as using a needle! The stretched out glands (in the form of cysts) burst and form conglomerate cavities, which do not have anatomical structure and as a result - no exit points for the secretion. Squeezing these conglomerates results in the repeated bursting of these cavities and their expansion. This creates a vicious circle that leads to chronic infection and impossibility of easy treatment, due to the continuous secretion without a way out. The process creates cavities, which leave deep scars.
Treatment Results
Acne Treatment
Our practice has shown that the most effective acne treatment methods are Microdermabrasion and Chemical peels.
During microdermabrasion, fine microcrystals remove the superficial or uppermost layer of the epidermis, known as stratum corneum. In this way the infected secretion in the glands and conglomerates is sucked out once every 3-4 days. It is repeated until full healing, including assistance with dermatological treatment.
The most severe cases are treated with mid- to deep chemical peels. We most often use the Exoderm peel, which gives magnificent results.
To determine the proper type of treatment, we examine the face, shoulders, chest, upper neck, and back, as well as other affected areas, as well as take the medical history of the patient. Then, we determine whether the blemishes are inflamed, whether they are superficial or deep, and whether there is any skin discoloration or scarring. Blood tests are also necessary. Properly diagnosing the skin condition is very important in acne treatment. Full parallel dermatological treatment is mandatory.