Skin Solutions

Acne

Acne has various grades of severity. It is thought that up to 80% of the population suffers from some form of acne at some stage in their lives. Acne can be anything from ‘blackheads’ (closed comedones), ‘whiteheads’ (milia), ‘pus-filled pimples’ (pustules), ‘hard sore lumps’ (papules), to cysts and nodules. The milder forms of acne are manageable with topical treatments and skin care, while more severe acne may require treatment with medication.

The best treatments for acne

Mild acne is treated with a customised combination of therapies like Bionic Skin Polishing, Saphira Anti-ageing Technology Facials and Multi-level Photodynamic Therapy. In addition to a selection of these therapies, acne scarring can be treated with Clear + Brilliant Fractional Laser, Fraxel Laser, CO2 Fractional Laser, Collagen Induction Therapy and E-Light Photo Rejuvenation.
Saphira Skin Care Systems, containing scientific levels of cosmeceutical ingredients, assist acne management on a daily basis.

Skin Discolouration and Pigmentation

Skin pigmentation refers to spots that usually occur in sun exposed areas on the body. Skin pigmentation is also known as age spots or liver spots. The increased pigmentation of age spots is brought on by ageing, over exposure to the sun or other forms of ultraviolet lights.

Sunlight, environmental factors and the natural passage of time all contribute to the development of dark spots, skin pigmentation and freckles. Your face, hands and chest are the first parts of the body to show signs of ageing because they receive so much sun exposure. Age spots, skin pigmentation and freckles are forms of pigmented lesions. They are caused by excess production of melanin in the skin by cells called melanocytes.

Skin pigmentation can also occur in pregnant women due to the dramatic hormonal change the body undergoes. In some cases the skin pigmentation in pregnant women disappears after child birth. Alternatively, it can have the reverse effect and worsen.

Lines and wrinkles

Wrinkles, also known as rhytides, can be both dynamic and static. Dynamic wrinkles are those that are produced by the movement of muscles in the face, forming what is commonly known as ‘expression lines’. Static wrinkles or wrinkles-at-rest, are those that are visible without facial muscle contractions, these creases may have initially been caused by muscle contraction but are now persistent.

The best treatment for lines and wrinkles

Anti-Wrinkle Injections (neuromodulator) are most beneficial in treating dynamic wrinkles, and Dermal Filling Treatments are most helpful for static wrinkles.Treatments such as Multi-level Photodynamic Therapy, Clear + Brilliant Fractional Laser, Fraxel Laser, CO2 Fractional Laser and Collagen Induction Therapy can increase collagen synthesis in the skin and bolster the underlying support fibre of the wrinkled areas to slow deepening and refine appearance.

Weight loss

Although at Saphira we endorse healthy eating and regular activity as a means of weight control and general health, many weight loss professionals agree that sometimes we just need a start. Medically controlled HCG diet programs offer clients the opportunity to lose weight quickly without some of the symptoms commonly associated with a low calorie quick weight loss diet.

The best weight loss treatments

The HCG Diet Program produces amazing weight loss results by naturally suppressing the appetite and helping the body burn fat. It is also believed to help in metabolic recovery, where certain appetite-control functions in the brain are reset, allowing for permanent weight loss.

Don’t want an artificial look?

We’ve all seen that over filled, frozen or distorted look, often the result of an overuse or incorrect placement of temporary fillers, wrinkle injections, surgery or laser resurfacing. Tissue stimulators like Thermage, Injectable Tissue Regeneration and Specialised Platelet Rich Plasma, and CO2 Fractional Laser offer a natural look and a more long term result for the treatment of loose and sagging skin.

CPT Thermage for ageing skin

Thermage stimulates your body to increase the production of your own collagen creating a subtle increase in facial volume and a contraction of elastin fibres resulting in skin tightening. This once only treatment uses radio waves to heat the Deeper Dermis (the scaffolding) causing collagen contraction. This collagen stimulation continues over a 6 to 12 month period resulting in a natural lifting and tightening of the skin, while creating uniform volume over the treatment area. Treatment results last anywhere from 2 to 3 years.

Fractional Lasers for ageing skin

The use non-ablative lasers like Clear + Brilliant Fractional Laser, Fraxel Laser and CO2 Fractional Laser, where the laser causes hundreds of “pin holes” in the skin offers the opportunity for the skin to repair and regenerated itself. The healing process promotes new, healthy skin to re-grow underneath the outer lasers of skin. This also helps recreate more volume in the skin, making lines less indented, creating a smoother surface. Multiple treatments of Fractional Laser are often necessary for getting the best result.

Skin Clarity treatments for ageing skin

Skin Clarity treatments like Technology Clinical Skin Peels and Collagen Induction Therapy help to maintain cell turn over, ensureing that the deeper layers reproduce increased collagen. The increased collagen volumises the skin helping to reduce lines and wrinkles. Exfoliation and regeneration helps reduce uneven skin colour and smooths and refines the surface of the skin, creating a healthy luminosity appearance to the skin.

Stretch marks

What Causes Stretch Marks?

Stretch marks are a form of scarring, caused by the tearing of the dermis, often the result of the rapid stretching of the skin associated with rapid growth or rapid weight changes. Stretch marks may also be influenced by hormonal changes associated with puberty, pregnancy, bodybuilding, hormone replacement therapy, etc.

Stretch marks are often formed during pregnancy, usually during the last trimester, and usually on the belly, but also commonly occurring on the breasts, thighs, hips, lower back and buttocks.

The best treatments for stretch marks

When stretch marks show up, it’s best to treat them as early as possible.

Research has focused on the early stages of stretch marks, when they are still red or purple and most readily respond to treatment. Once stretch marks pass the initial stage, when they are red or purple, to the later stages, where they become white or silver – often with deep indentations – they are much more challenging to treat.

During pregnancy, experts recommend moisturizing three or four times a day with products that contain cocoa butter or shea butter as a prime ingredient. Massage the moisturiser deep into breasts, belly, hips, and buttocks.

Many products claim to “repair” stretch marks. But only a few work.

Here’s a rundown of the products available for stretch mark removal and what they can – and cannot – do:

• Wheat germ oil: There is not much scientific data on whether home remedies for stretch marks, such as wheat germ oil, can help. One recent study did find it helped improve stretch marks in their early phase.
• Bio-Oil: Again during pregnancy and after pregnancy, a moisturiser such as this can help with moisturising the area making it more plasticised, but there are no ‘magic ingredients’ in this product to prevent you from getting stretch marks.
• AHAs (Alpha Hydroxy Acids): AHAs work on stretch marks by boosting collagen production. AHAs are found in the Saphira Skin Care Systems and in the Technology Clinical Peel Treatments, which are administered in higher professional doses as peel treatments to help increase these effects.
• Vitamin C: The application of concentrated vitamin C found in Saphira Skin Care Systems, in conjunction with professional treatment of Collagen Induction Therapy, increases collagen production and helps early-stage stretch marks. For maximum effect, we combine with AHA treatments and fractional laser. Vitamin C supplements may also be effective. Experts suggest 500 milligrams three times a day.

• Peptide-containing products: Peptide-containing products are widely marketed as “repair” creams and are a waste of time and money according to experts like dermatologist Dr Leslie Baumann who says “Despite commercial claims, there is no convincing data that these work.”
• Retinoids: Retinoids have been shown to be effective in increasing collagen and elastic production during the early stages. But you should avoid them if you’re pregnant or nursing. If you are nursing you could use preparations in the form of Retinol in up to 1% concentrate from the Saphira Skin Care Systems.
• AHA’s plus retinoids: Using these together may provide better results. But again, retinoids are not to be used when you’re pregnant or nursing.

Derma Roller or Derma Pen Collagen Induction Therapy for treating stretch marks

This can be effective once the red/purple colour stage of the stretchmarks has been treated with selected filter with the E-Light Photo Rejuvenation device and the stretch marks are white in colour. The derma Pen or skin roller, or Collagen Induction Therapy as it is referred to, is an instrument consisting of a heavy duty plastic roller head covered in high quality titanium needles. The needles are designed to penetrate the stratum corneum, the hard outer surface of the epidermal layer of the body skin. Hundreds of tiny channels are created through the stratum corneum, which facilitate the passage and absorption of ingredients like AHAs and Vitamins A & C. In addition the rolling action helps to break up the scar tissue of the stretch mark allowing new collagen formation resulting in a more refined and less intense groove.

Fractional Laser for treating stretch marks

This popular treatment option is used by many skin treatment professionals and they are also being tried on stretch marks, as well.

“Lasers promote synthesis of healthy, new collagen, which has been damaged when stretch marks appear,” says New York dermatologist Linda K. Franks, MD. She uses lasers at her practice to treat red/purple and white stretch marks.

For red and purple marks, Franks uses a vascular laser or IPL photo rejuvenation that targets swollen and inflamed blood vessels and helps with skin cell production and increased collagen production. “Vascular lasers and IPL photo rejuvenation devices won’t take away the superficial skin but will take away the redness,” she says.

Saphira Treatment systems for stretch marks

We use a combination of professional and home-care products from the Saphira Skin Care Systems, clinical treatments consisting of high strength AHA and Vitamin A Technology Skin Peels and Collagen Induction Therapy, in conjunction with a customised selection of technologies like Clear + Brilliant Fractional Laser, Fraxel Laser and CO2 Fractional Laser, UltraRF Radio Frequency (UlraRF) and Ultrasound technologies.

Things to consider when you seek a treatment for stretch marks:

• Seek treatment for stretch marks as soon as you notice them
• Limit weight fluctuations
• Don’t waste time on expensive creams and oils that won’t work