Home
>
News & Media
>
Media
> Choose your laser wisely
Choose your laser wisely
Laser treatments have sprung up like mushrooms in various forms and establishments around the country in the past few years. Promising anything from renewed youthful-looking skin to permanent hair and pigmentation removal, it seems that one is as good as the next. But are they really? Louise van Wingerden visited Laserderm in Morningside, Johannesburg, to find out more.
During a recent facial, the beauty therapist unexpectedly announced that she was going to apply the ‘warm laser’ for 10 minutes to ‘lift’ my sagging cheeks. Unaccustomed to this, I found myself surprisingly excited at the prospect of walking out looking five years younger. And what a bonus that it was included in the price of the facial… bargain! But I had heard enough horror stories from unsuspecting peers suffering a mild burn in similar cases. This worried me. I hadn’t been informed and it hadn’t been my choice. Before I could utter another word, the tingling commenced on my left temple. It was a soothing and warm sensation and vanity got the better of me, the prospect of youth quashing any further concerns. Needless to say, I kept my wrinkly lips sealed and eventually walked out looking pretty much the same age as when I entered. It was with this scepticism that I arrived at the Laserderm clinic in Morningside. Dr Presbury, a dermatologist, and Dr Louw, a GP, both aesthetic specialists within their own areas of expertise, met me in a waiting room well stocked with informative brochures and explanatory guides and pamphlets.
First up was the soft-spoken Dr Louw. I quickly established that my short interlude with the laser device was the socalled IPL (Intense Pulsed Light! that is generally used on a multi-purpose basis. After Dr Louw had explained that every laser is in actual fact a single wavelength beam with a specific target and that an IPL was in fact not that, it became clear that such a device in untrained hands could be considerably problematic. What is it that really appeals to Dr Louw as far as this field is concerned? “It is absolutely fascinating and quite fast-paced as far as technology goes. Developments over the past five to seven years have allowed for amazing results and improved patient satisfaction, and we are able to do so much more. Few things in life beat being able to help someone achieve a fresher, happier look; it’s quite the confidence booster. Our most popular treatment is ‘resurfacing’ with the Fraxel® laser, which stimulates new collagen production and is effective for pores, pigmentation and scarring. We are able to practically stop time and stop the skin from ageing, and I have noticed that patients are coming in at a younger age for preventative measures. But most importantly, I believe that it is vital to educate the patient. All our devices are FDA approved. “I explain the outcome that they can expect and it has happened that I have turned down patients when it becomes clear that I won’t be able to meet their expectations. The gold standard still remains the facelift and, depending on the patient’s age, sometimes only a plastic surgery procedure can produce the desired outcome. I don’t believe in overpromising and under-delivering. For me, my patient must still look natural at the end of the day.” Referrals between the Laserderm specialists and plastic surgeons is common. “We also attend the annual laser conference in the USA to remain abreast of the latest developments and training.” So how does South Africa compare internationally in this field? “We are right up there with the best. Many international colleagues are shocked to hear that we have 10 devices in this practice. Some might only have three. They are extremely expensive because it is the best equipment out there.” Is it possible to train the aesthetic eye? “I believe it’s something you are born with. Of course, we train our eye based on cases presented at the conference, but I believe essentially you have it or you don’t.”
View the full Article:
Part 1
Part 2
Related Articles
01, October 2013 |
Media
,
Sarie
Hardnekkige vet. Selluliet wat pla. Opvallende spatare, en hinderlike veluitslae en ander velkwellinge is van die mees algemene skoonheidsprobleme onder vroue. Jare lank was die oplossing vir die soort probleme ‘n duur operasie soos vetafsuiging (liposuction), wat gesondheidsrisiko’s kon inhou en boonop seer kon wees. Jy’t dalk al honderde rande aan allerlei vullers, selluliet- en
…
Read More
01, August 2013 |
Longevity
,
Media
Slim down to a smoother body, by Candice Tehini CONTOURING YOUR BODY SHAPE AND SMOOTHING AWAY LUMPS AND BUMPS IS NOT A QUICK AND EASY TASK. USUALLY IT REQUIRES A LIFESTYLE CHANGE THAT INCORPORATES DIET, EXERCISE AND TECHNOLOGY. EXERCISE AND A HEALTHY EATING PLAN MAY GET YOU ONLY SO FAR, SO THE BEAUTY INDUSTRY HAS
…
Read More
26, July 2013 |
Glamour
,
Media
Pigmentation Help is Here! From dark spots to mysterious brown shadows, uneven skin tone can be a big beauty worry. Here’s how to get uniform colour, fast. Glamour – August – 2013 – Part 1 Glamour – August – 2013 – Part 2 Glamour – August – 2013 – Part 3
Read More
26, July 2013 |
All4Women.co.za
,
Media
While the horrific health impacts of smoking are boldly described on cigarette boxes, perhaps more smokers would quit if boxes carried the warning “SMOKING CAUSES WRINKLES!” While some smokers think the habit gives them an air of glamour, a study of twins – one a smoker and the other a non-smoker – prove that there’s
…
Read More
26, July 2013 |
A2
,
Media
Some of our doctors have been listed as experts on the A2 Aesthetic and AntiAging Expert panel! Congratulations! A2 Aesthetic and AntiAging – June 2013 – Experts Panel
Read More
26, July 2013 |
A2
,
Media
Coolscupting™ by Zeltiq, the revolutionary fat-freezing procedure has become one of the most successful, non-invasive body treatments available in this country. The ‘Freeze Your Fat Off’ campaign has had universal appeal and spiked interest across racial and gender divides.. .after all, who doesn’t have a few centimeters that they want to get rid of forever?
…
Read More
26, July 2013 |
Media
Soft tissue fillers, such as Juvederm and Restylane, are becoming more and more popular as the world moves away from plastic surgery, and non surgical treatments gain in popularity. Click here to read the full article
Read More
26, July 2013 |
Finesse
,
Media
Laat jou nek longer lyk Dit help nie jou gesig lyk fantasties nie, maar intussen verklap jou kalkoennek jou ouderdom. Jou gesig eindig nie by jou kakebeen nie. Maak korte mette met “jaarringe” om jou nek en ‘n droe, gevlekte hals. 88 ‘n Vriendin het my eenmaal met afgryse gevra of ek dink haar nek
…
Read More
26, July 2013 |
Finesse
,
Media
Steek jou ouderdom weg met longer oe Basta met oe wat jou ouderdom verklap. Daar is geen rede waarom jy nie die nuutste, slimste oplossings kan gebruik nie. Jy verdien om te lyk of jy pas terug is van vakansie. Jy ken al die gewone planne met jou moee oe: teesakkies, komkommerskyfies en water drink.
…
Read More
17, July 2013 |
Ideas
,
Media
The good news is: unless your skin has lost all its elasticity, the scalpel and cosmetic surgeon can wait – probably for a long time, or possibly forever. The not-so-good news is: for the best results, you’ll need a combination of at least two treatments. There’s no ‘silver bullet’ yet – a single procedure for
…
Read More
Comments