call Cardiff/Bristol 029 2009 0809 or Manchester/Chester 0161 850 5060 or email us at info@dermaskin.co.uk

Advanced Facial Aesthetics
by Professional Doctors

DermaSkin FAQs

CO2 Laser Skin Resurfacing

How do I prepare for skin tightening treatment?

Your skin should be thoroughly cleansed and dried, removing any makeup, creams, oils, topical anaesthetics or self-tanning products before laser treatment. The intended treatment area should not be exposed to sunlight or tanning booth light for 7 days prior to treatment.  Treatment is repeated after the skin has healed sufficiently.” ”>

How does the skin tightening treatment work?

The laser creates a beam of intense infra-red that deeply penetrates the skin tissue, causing a ‘zone’ of heat. This stimulates collagen and results in tighter, more youthful looking skin. See the Laser Tightening Science below for more a more detailed explanation.” ”>

How many treatment sessions will I need?

The number of sessions is approximately 3 or less but this depends on the area being treated and the condition of your skin. Many factors impact the efficacy of individual laser treatments, including the severity of the condition being treated. We incorporate a course of MDA microdermabrasion to ensure that the laser penetrates effectively.  You will see improvement following the FIRST treatment, as your skin heals it will visibly tighten, pulling all the wrinkles taut.” ”>

Are there side effects?

Side effects are uncommon, but may include redness, swelling, skin lightening or darkening and (rarely) blistering, in the treated area, which seldom last for more than a few days. Permanent side effects are very rare; men may experience hair loss in the treated area.” ”>

Teeth Whitening

How do I prepare for Teeth Whitening treatment?

Do nothing differently.  Just go about your day to day activities as normal.  Brush your teeth before the procedure and try to maintain oral hygiene as regular.” ”>

How many Teeth Whitening treatment sessions will I need?

Teeth Whitening works immediately and you will see the difference as you leave the clinic.  As long as you follow some simple rules your teeth will be whiter for at least six months.  Many people like to ‘top-up’ for special occasions and this is absolutely fine.

For 2 days following treatment please refrain from:

  • Drinking tea or coffee
  • Drinking red wine
  • Eating highly staining foods (e.g curry – turmeric)
  • Anything drinks with colourings (e.g ribena etc)
  • Chewing betel nut or staining nuts

” ”>

Dermal Fillers

How do I prepare for Dermal Filler treatment?

Do nothing differently.  Just go about your day to day activities as normal.  Your skin will be cleaned at the time of the procedure so try not to use any products or cosmetics.

Once you have had your treatment we would recommend taking an anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen to keep swelling to a minimum and you must not fly for at least 1 week after treatment.” ”>

Chemical Skin Peel

How do I prepare for facial chemical skin peel treatment?

Your skin will be cleaned at the time of the procedure so try not to use any products or cosmetics.

It will be recommended that you use a daily wash containing a very low concentration of salicylic acid for up to 2 weeks before treatment commences to acclimatise your skin to prevent any post-operative redness.

Patients are advised to use a high SPF (at least 30) facial cream daily throughout their treatment as removing the top layer of skin can leave you more susceptible to sun damage.” ”>

How do facial chemical skin peels work?

TCA is a pure alpha hydroxy acid derived from synthetic sources.  It is a powerful exfoliant that effectively removes the build up of dead skin cells on the outer layer of the skin (epidermis) and the middle layer of the skin (dermis). Having a very small molecular structure it is able to penetrate the epidermis and stimulate fibroblast activity, thereby increasing the synthesis of new collagen cells. It allows increased permeability therefore improving penetration of clinically based skin care products” ”>

How many facial peel treatment sessions will I need?

This is only quantifiable on an individual patient basis. Obviously someone with deep acne scarring will require more treatments than someone who just wants a boost to their skin tone.

Generally, there would be between 1 – 2 weeks between each treatment and the concentration of TCA is increased as you progress through the treatments. The average patient would have between 4 – 6 treatments and then future top-ups when they feel their skin needs a boost.” ”>

How many facial peel treatment sessions will I need?

This is only quantifiable on an individual patient basis. Obviously someone with deep acne scarring will require more treatments than someone who just wants a boost to their skin tone.

Generally, there would be between 1 – 2 weeks between each treatment and the concentration of TCA is increased as you progress through the treatments. The average patient would have between 4 – 6 treatments and then future top-ups when they feel their skin needs a boost.” ”>

Are there side effects of facial peels?

Fortunately as this is a controlled medical grade peel and the concentration is built up gradually side effects are reduced to a minimum. When the peel is applied you may feel a mild tingling sensation and immediately after your skin may have a pinkish glow. The facial wash used before treatment will highlight any individuals for whom the treatment is not appropriate.

You will notice that you will experience flaking of the skin from day 2-3 onwards, but this is natural shedding which when completed leaves the skin extremely fresh and smoothe.

List of Terms:

TCA – Trichloracetic Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid, which is self neutralising.  TCA can be used for deep peels and goes down to the mid-dermis level usually.  It can be used to remove the skin layers till the deep dermis level as well with repeated treatments.  Should be used by an experienced practitioner only.  It is the strongest of the three acid peels that can be used.

Glycolic Acid – This is a much milder alpha hydroxy acid and is used for more superficial peels.  Glycolic acid peels are good starter peels and have been shown to be of benefit for people who would otherwise suffer from hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation (skin darkening or whitening).

Salicylic Acid – This is also within the same family of acids as the top two but is milder still.  The mildest acid of the three, it is used in anti-acne creams and anti-acne preparation that can be bought over the counter (OTC).  It gives a mild tingling sensation when used.

Hyperpigmentation – This is when the skin goes overly dark, for example when black skin is burnt or has had an infection within it.  It occurs due to the overactivity in the melanocytes (pigment producing skin cells) which make the overlying skin appear darker than the rest.

Hypopigmentation – This is when the skin goes overly light, for example in vitiligo (Michael Jackson’s skin condition).  The melanocytes shut down and can not produce any melanin (pigment) and therefore the skin appears lighter than the surrounds.” ”>

Anti-Wrinkle Treatment

What types of wrinkles are there?

Wrinkles on the forehead most commonly appear in two ways:
As vertical lines just above the nose, often referred to as “the elevens”; or horizontal rows across the forehead. The “elevens”, or glabellar lines, result from squinting, scowling, worrying or just plain thinking.

The horizontal lines may result from normal animation while talking, or from holding the brows up with the primary muscle of the forehead (the frontalis) during times of stress, or just naturally. These lines are primarily the result of continual muscle contraction and can become very deep over time.” ”>

Botox

What types of wrinkles are there?

Wrinkles on the forehead most commonly appear in two ways:
As vertical lines just above the nose, often referred to as “the elevens”; or horizontal rows across the forehead. The “elevens”, or glabellar lines, result from squinting, scowling, worrying or just plain thinking.

The horizontal lines may result from normal animation while talking, or from holding the brows up with the primary muscle of the forehead (the frontalis) during times of stress, or just naturally. These lines are primarily the result of continual muscle contraction and can become very deep over time.” ”>

Are there side effects of Botox?

The pain associated with injections is mild and no local anaesthetic is required.  The needles used are very fine and approximately the same diameter as coarse human hair.

You will be able to drive and engage in all of your usual daily activities immediately after your injections. You may develop slight bruising at the injection sites, but otherwise there will be no visible signs of your skincare treatment.

Botox injections may on occasions be prescribed for the management of excess sweating; in a small number of cases, there is no discernible effect; unfortunately this is impossible to predict before treatment commences.” ”>

How many Botox treatment sessions will I need?

Botox works within a few days but can take as long as 14-21 days for the full paralysing effects to show through.  Botox anti-wrinkle injections are not permanent, so we recommend repeat treatments at 3-6 monthly intervals to maintain the effects.

Thousands of these treatments are performed every year, with astonishing results – noticeable from 2-14 days afterwards and lasting several months.” ”>

How does Botox work?

This revolutionary anti-ageing treatment, commonly known as Botox (BOtulinum TOXin), but approved for cosmetic use under the brand name, Vistabel, is the most popular such treatment in the world, prescribed by doctors to eliminate wrinkles in the upper third of the face. This includes forehead lines, frown lines between the eyebrows and crows’ feet around the eyes. Very fine needles are used so there is no scarring and you can resume your usual activities immediately after treatment.” ”>