Non Surgical Archives - Refine Clinic

Mar 24 Comments Off

Lightstim for Acne – How It Can Improve Skin Texture To Prevent Scarring?

Posted by Refine Clinic Team

If acne breakouts are affecting the quality of your skin and your self confidence, acne treatment with Lightstim could be the solution. Specialised light technology called Lightstim can target mild to moderate acne prone skin, reducing inflammation and speeding up the skin’s healing response. Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of lightstim for acne.

What Is Acne And Why Does The Skin Break Out?

Acne occurs when the follicles of your skin get blocked with dead skin cells and oil. The result can be black heads, whiteheads or pimples, or a combination of these. Contrary to popular belief acne can affect people of all ages, and does not just affect you during your teenage years.

A combination of bacteria, inflammation, blocked skin pores and excess oil production all contribute to the development of acne. It may affect different parts of your face, as well as your chest, back, neck and shoulders, as this is where you have the highest concentration of sweat glands. If you have acne you need specialised acne treatment to prevent future breakouts and prevent your delicate skin from scarring.

Triggers For Acne Breakouts

Acne-prone skin may be very susceptible to break outs so it helps to know what triggers break outs or makes them worse. Never pick at or squeeze your pimples, as this causes the infection to spread under your skin. It can make your breakout more inflamed and look worse, and it can cause scarring.

Some examples of acne triggers include:

Hormones

Hormones can signal your body to make more sebum, and for pores to become enlarged. Going through periods of intense hormonal changes such as puberty, menopause and pregnancy may also trigger acne breakouts.

Diet

The adage is true – you are what you eat. If you are able to follow a wholesome, clean diet that is rich in leafy greens and minimises processed foods and sugar, it will be reflected in the quality of your skin.

Stresses

Lifestyle stress can make acne worse and trigger breakouts. Maintaining balance in your life during stressful periods is important to remember.

Medication

Sometimes medications for chronic conditions can cause acne breakouts to worsen.

Acne Treatment To Improve Skin Quality

Get Moving

Introducing some exercise into your daily routine can help with stress management and with acne breakouts. Swimming, cycling and jogging for half an hour a day can do your body a world of good.

Clean Up Your Diet

Caffeine, sugar and processed foods can wreak havoc on the quality of your skin and with your hormones, creating a cycle that is difficult to break. By eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables you ensure that your body is getting the vitamin and mineral content that it needs for optimal health. Quitting alcohol and tobacco products will also work to the benefit of your skin.

Drink Water

Ditch the sodas, coffee and tea for plain water. It is all your body needs for hydration and you need enough of it for your excretory system to work properly. Carbonated drinks and sodas introduce a lot of extra sugar into your diet, while alcohol and caffeinated drinks cause your blood sugar to spike and then crash

Try Lightstim For Acne

A product like Lightstim, which has been formulated especially to address mild to moderate acne breakouts, can help to reduce the severity and frequency of breakouts when used regularly. It has been formulated specially as an acne treatment and is gentle on the skin.

Lightstim is an acne treatment that emits different coloured waves of light at the skin, to nourish and stimulate it through the different layers. Lightstim for acne can deliver a more radiant complexion in conjunction with other positive lifestyle changes.

You can use this acne treatment on problem areas for up to three minutes per session, during which time different light waves are transmitted to the area being worked on. This gives you a chance to focus on the areas of most concern.

This acne treatment is gentle enough to be used every day. Using it daily will accelerate positive results.

Benefits Of Lightstim

Preventing acne breakouts with Lightstim and speeding up your skin’s healing response can vastly improve whether your skin is blemished after a break out. Less severe and less frequent breakouts, as well as an improved healing response can make a major difference to whether your skin scars after a break out.

Using Lightstim for acne on a regular basis improves the quality of your complexion, improves circulation, and helps to heal sun damaged skin. It boosts your skin’s production of collagen and elastin to reveal a smoother, less inflamed complexion. Improving inflammation can make a difference to future breakouts, and the severity of the break out also determines how likely your skin is to scar.

Using Lightstim on skin that is already scarred can help to thin out scar tissue and improve the texture of the skin. It may also assist in preventing the skin from forming dark spots after an acne blemish has healed.

To find out more about Lightstim for acne and whether you could be a candidate please contact us: (02) 8599 7161

Feb 18 Comments Off

Anti Wrinkle Exercises for the Face – Do They Work?

Posted by Refine Clinic Team

If you understand the principles of ageing, and the manner in which the body loses firmness and elasticity with age, you’ll also understand that the skin undergoes something similar. In much the same way that doing exercises can tone and strengthen the muscles in your body, anti wrinkle exercises for the face can also contribute to a more youthful complexion. If you’re considering any kind of anti wrinkle treatment, you may also want to consider some facial exercises to uplift your skin.

How Do Facial Exercises Work?

Facial exercises or facial yoga do exactly that – give your facial muscles a workout to strengthen them and improve their tone and tightness. And, just like exercises for the rest of your body, they need to be done consistently in order to show results.

As we get older our skin loses elasticity and firmness. And, where it may once have been taught and tight, it starts to sag and lose that youthful firmness. The fat pads below the surface of the skin start to get thinner and move further away from each other which contributes to a loss of volume in the face. This is what creates a more hollow look to the face that makes us look older.

By doing facial exercises and anti wrinkle exercises for the face we can strengthen the facial muscles, allowing them to hold up better, plumping up the areas that might appear flat. By being consistent, following the correct technique you can compensate for the loss of facial volume and improve the youthfulness of your face.

Do Facial Exercises Work?

Well, according to the results of study, they seem to hold a lot of promise and researchers are certainly interested in further studies to investigate the results. In an initial study that was carried out among a group of 27 who were between the ages of 40 and 65, the participants were found to look an average of three years younger once they had finished their program.

The participants were given two sessions of 90 minutes where they were shown which facial exercises they needed to do, under the guidance of a facial exercise expert. Once they were familiar with the techniques, they had to complete the exercises at home for 20 weeks on their own. No specific products or equipment was used, and the results were purely as a consequence of completing the exercises.

The women were tasked with completing 30 minutes of 32 different facial exercises over a period of 30 minutes for the first eight weeks, followed by 30 minutes of exercises every second day. There was a drop rate of 11 participants, so only a total of 16 women completed the program.

How Were The Results Assessed?

The participants had their photographs taken at three stages of the anti wrinkle exercises for the face: before, during and after. The photographs were taken at week zero, week eight and week 20. Two dermatologists, unknown to the participants, were then given the task of analysing the photographs according to a facial aging scale so that the process was standardised. Once this was done they were asked to guess the ages of the participants, based on the outcome of their photographs.

Interestingly enough they were not told which photograph was taken at what stage of the facial exercise program. The most noticeable observation by the professionals was found to be in the fullness of their cheeks. Ultimately, at the end of the study the professionals’ assessment was that the women looked to be an average of three years younger at the end of the program, than when they started out. Interestingly, these results were achieved over the completion of a 20 week program that was done consistently by the women.

While the researchers noted that they didn’t compare results with a control group, they are interested to do a follow up study and to compare the results.

How Does It Work As An Anti Wrinkle Treatment?

If you were in any doubt as to the efficacy of these facial exercises, those in the know say that there is an explanation as to why it works.

Through exercises such as facial yoga, the muscles of the face receive more increased blood flow which results in more oxygen reaching them. This means that they are nourished and detoxified.

The benefits may include

Plumper facial muscles
Increased muscle tone in the facial muscles
A sculpted, firmer and smoother facial complexion

While the primary change involved the increase in strength in the facial muscles researchers believe that the exercises may also contribute to an increase in collagen, which is why they are particularly interested in a follow up study. While the jury is still out, it is worth giving facial exercises a try although professionals do want to remind you that it shouldn’t be considered a substitute for any anti wrinkle treatments or products that are currently working for you, and should be integrated as an add-on technique.

If you’d like to find out more about anti wrinkle exercises for the face, or professional treatments that can make you look and feel younger, please contact us for a confidential appointment: (02) 8599 7161.

Nov 30 Comments Off

How Long Do Anti Wrinkle Injections Last? Learn The Affecting Factors

Posted by Refine Clinic Team

When they’re done well injectables can smooth out lines and creases, and erase the premature signs of ageing – but finding out how long do anti wrinkle injections last is highly advisable, because they certainly aren’t a permanent solution. How long your fillers last will depend on a few different factors: what they are made from, where they’re injected, who’s doing them and of course, how your body responds to them.

The Benefits Of Anti Wrinkle Injections

Fillers and injectables are the latest in anti ageing skincare and for good reason – when they are well done they look natural, are minimally invasive and offer you all the benefits without the downtime associated with traditional facelifts and cosmetic surgeries.

On the flipside though, they don’t last forever, and the trick to longevity is knowing how long they’ll last so you can maintain your look effortlessly. So how long do anti wrinkle injections last and how often do you need a top up?

On average, you can expect around three to four months of youthful-looking skin, but of course, these effects depend on where you have fillers, the types of filler you have, and how quickly your body absorbs it. The depth of your wrinkles, your biological age and your lifestyle habits (such as whether you are a smoker or not) will also influence how long your anti wrinkle injections last.

Different Types Of Anti Wrinkle Treatment

Dermal fillers

Dermal fillers are used for the treatment of static wrinkles, which are formed by gravity and ageing. Most dermal fillers contain hyaluronic acid and their job is to replenish the stores of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid that ageing skin is lacking.

The results of dermal fillers are usually noticeable straight after a treatment – or at least once any swelling has subsided. Dermal fillers are expected to

Plump up lines, creases and wrinkles
Improve facial volume (especially in cheeks and lips)
Plump up depressed scars

On average hyaluronic dermal fillers can be expected to last for anything between six and 18 months. Typically dermal fillers that are used to enhance lips or improve the contours of nasolabial folds tend to be reabsorbed much faster.

When fillers make use of your own body fat you may have longer lasting effects – for as long as two years after injection.

Neurotoxins

The most famous neurotoxin in the market is Botox®. Botox is a derivative of the Botulinum toxin and it works by relaxing the muscles that are used when you make different facial expressions like smiling and frowning. It’s used for what are known as dynamic wrinkles and the end-result is smoother, younger looking skin.

Neurotoxins like Botox are ideal for preventing wrinkles from forming in the first place and can be used on early ageing skin as young as 30. Botox is a popular anti wrinkle treatment for the top half of the face, particularly in the brow, crow’s feet around the eyes, the area between the brows (the glabella) and the forehead.

Neurotoxins may take up to two weeks to show your desired result after being injected.

How To Make The Effects Of Anti Wrinkle Injections Last?

Everyone’s body is different but there may be some measures you can take to help your anti wrinkle treatment last even longer.

Make sure you work with a reputable, qualified and experienced practitioner

Even though there may be beauticians offering the treatments it’s always best to work with a trained surgeon who has a lot of experience. Remember that the best work is imperceptible to the naked eye. You want to look better but you don’t want people to know what you have had done.

Have a thorough consultation first

Don’t get injectables or fillers on your first meeting with your surgeon. First have a consultation and get the feedback before you move forward with treatment. Request a treatment plan so you know exactly what to expect, the extent of work that needs to be done and when you will have to return for top up treatment. This gives you the opportunity to plan financially for the upkeep too.

Make sure you attend your consultation with questions and ask your surgeon for detailed answers. Find out what the risk factors are and what the chances of complications and side effects are.

Consider a second opinion

It’s not always the best course of action to work with the first surgeon you consult with either. Consider getting a second opinion and compare opinions.

Sleep on it

Give yourself enough time to think about it and don’t feel rushed or pressured into moving forward- even if you have wanted injectables for a while. Think about your timelines too. If you opt for Botox it may take a week or two for your results to show and you may only have the result for three months before you need a top up treatment.

Consider your lifestyle factors

If you are a smoker it would make sense to quit sooner rather than later, as the effects of smoking can counter the effects of your anti wrinkle treatment. Are you getting enough exercise, hydration, sleep and healthy nutrition? These factors all contribute youthful skin and a healthy glow and addressing all aspects of your lifestyle can enhance the effects of your anti wrinkle treatment.

If you have specific questions about how long do anti wrinkle injections last, your next step would be to book a consultation so your skin can be assessed. Please contact us for a confidential appointment: (02) 8599 7161.

Oct 31 Comments Off

Benefits of Chemical Peels for Skin Care & Its Benefits

Posted by Refine Clinic Team

There are numerous benefits of chemical peels for your skin, but ultimately most patients are interested in what this anti-ageing treatment can do to make their skin look younger and fresher. Most patients will spend up to half an hour per treatment, and experience skin peeling effects for up to five days afterwards. Once the old skin has peeled away, younger and less wrinkled skin is revealed underneath.

What Are Chemical Peels And How Do They Work?

A chemical peel is a solution that is applied to the surface of the skin, with the goal of making the skin blister and then peel off. Essentially the chemical peel does cause damage to the skin and in order to stimulate its ability to heal itself. Patients find their anti-ageing effects beneficial.

The most common chemicals used in the procedure include salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and lactic acid. They resurface the skin, in order to bring about a number of benefits.

Peels can be light, medium or deep. A light chemical peel will remove the dermis of the skin and can be used every two to five weeks. A medium chemical peel removes skin cells from the dermis and epidermis. It may be necessary to repeat the treatment a few times before you can achieve your desired result. A deep chemical peel penetrates the skin even deeper and doesn’t usually need to be repeated to achieve your desired result.

What Are The Benefits Of Chemical Peels For Skin Care?

Peels are beneficial because of their anti-aging results. Patients find adding peels to their skincare routine can address a number of skin concerns including:

Change The Appearance Of The Skin

The benefits of a chemical peel include improving the skin’s colour, texture and tone.

Reduce Sun Damage

Skin conditions caused by sun damage, such as freckling can be improved by chemical peels. Patients with skin changes because of hormonal changes, such as melasma, may also find it beneficial to have chemical peels as part of their skincare regime.

Improving Skin Breakouts

A chemical peel can improve the condition of your skin, especially complexions that are prone to breakouts and acne.

Reducing The Appearance Of Scars

Chemical peels can improve the appearance of scars, especially those caused by acne.

Improve The Appearance Of Fine Lines And Wrinkles

Wrinkles, fine lines and creases in the skin can be improved after treatment with a chemical peel.

How Long Does It Take To Improve The Appearance Of The Skin?

For many patients, the skin is visibly improved after just one treatment, but a series of treatments, approximately four to six weeks apart is recommended for long term improvement.

Are Chemical Peels Suitable For Everyone?

Generally, patients who have fairer or lighter skin respond best to chemical peels. The conditions that respond best to peels are those that are caused by sun damage and skin exposure to UV rays. Sometimes patients with darker skin can experience a less even skin tone after a treatment. Your surgeon will be able to give you a more specific prediction once your personal risk factors have been evaluated.

Not all skin conditions will respond well to chemical peels. Patients who have more pronounced wrinkles and more severe signs of ageing may want to consider other skincare treatments.

Does A Chemical Peel Hurt?

Using chemical agents on the skin usually result in a burning or stinging sensation that can last for five to ten minutes. Sometimes the feeling lasts after the chemical has been removed, and some patients find relief if they use pain medication.

Patients who have medium and deep peels may benefit from a sedative and painkiller to make the procedure more comfortable.

Once the chemical peel has been removed you might expect to react in a similar manner to sunburn. This means your skin is likely to blister and peel off, and you can expect some redness that might last for up to seven days. It’s important to keep your skin out of the sun in the period after the peel because it will be especially sensitive to sunlight afterwards. It’s even more important that you wear sunscreen and reduce the time you send in direct sunlight as much as possible.

What Are The Side Effects And Complications Of Chemical Peels?

Speak to your surgeon about the potential risk factors of having a chemical peel before moving ahead with the treatment. Some patients may experience adverse reactions so it’s important to make sure you work with a registered and experienced skincare specialist.

Some of the potential complications and side effects of peels include

Redness, tenderness
The possibility of scarring or long term skin damage
Colour changes to the skin (more common in patients with darker skin)
Infections are possible. A peel can also reactivate or trigger older infections like the herpes virus (cold sores)

Preparing For Your Treatment

Your surgeon may recommend you take certain measures before your treatment to prepare your skin and reduce your chances of complications. This may include

Taking retinol-based products to improve healing and reduce scarring
Stopping certain hair removal procedures like waxing
Start taking antiviral medication if your practitioner thinks you have a chance of a viral infection.

To find out more about the anti-ageing benefits of chemical peels for your skin type, and the kind of results you can expect from a treatment, please call us at (02) 8599 7161 for a confidential appointment.

Aug 31 Comments Off

What Is A Dermal Filler And How Can It Work For You?

Posted by Refine Clinic Team

Dermal fillers have revolutionised the world of beauty, simplifying anti-ageing treatments and making them more affordable. Injectable dermal fillers have replaced a number of surgical procedures, providing patients with a safer, less invasive approach to beauty. In this article, we are going to answer the question what is a dermal filler so you understand the science behind one of the most enduring beauty trends of the moment.

What Is A Dermal Filler?

A dermal filler is a gel-like substance that is injected into the skin. Its purpose is to provide facial volume as it fills out facial contours such as fine lines, wrinkles and reshapes areas of the face. The most popular dermal fillers today are made out of hyaluronic acid (HA), which is a substance that occurs naturally in the skin, providing it with plumpness and moisture. Other types of injectable fillers include Calcium hydroxylapatite, poly-L-lactic and autologous fat injections, whereby fat is removed from another area of the body and injected into the face.

Different thicknesses have different uses and functions. Thinner fillers are used in areas that have thinner, more delicate skin, such as under the eyes. Harder fillers would be used to make structural differences such as to enhance jaw and cheekbone structures.

How Do Dermal Fillers Work?

Many of the aesthetic signs of premature ageing can be traced back to loss of volume in the face. As the tissues in the face become thinner, the lines and contours of the face become more pronounced. A loss of facial volume can make the face appear sunken and hollow as we get older, especially in spaces like under the eyes and in the cheekbones.

What Can Dermal Fillers Be Used For?

Facial fillers have become popular for addressing skin concerns from the eye area downwards. This includes

Enhancing and plumping the tissues around the mouth out
Ironing out and smoothing vertical lines that develop around the lips
Smoothing out the nasio-labial folds
Smoothing the crease in the chin
Ironing out smile and laugh lines such as marionette lines and parentheses
Creating facial symmetry in the facial features

Typically neurotoxic injectables such as BOTOX® are best used on areas like crows feet and frown lines.

How Long Do Dermal Fillers Last?

Fillers last for a long time but they are not permanent. Most of the reputable brands work for around 12 to 24 months before they are reabsorbed by the body. The length of time the filler will last also depends on your fitness levels. Very fit people will absorb the filler much faster than those who aren’t.

Another factor worth considering is that the areas of your face that are used most often in expression are likely to wear fillers down faster.

Comparatively, fillers placed in the cheeks to provide facial volume are likely to outlast those that are placed around the lips, because the lips are used more often.

Lip fillers will usually last for four to six months while cheek fillers can last up to 18 months on average.

It is often recommended to have a second or top up treatment done six to 12 months after your initial treatment, in order to help the fillers last for longer.

Are Dermal Fillers Painful?

Everyone has a different pain response, but most patients report a sharp pinching or stinging sensation when the dermal fillers are injected. Some practitioners will use a numbing agent on the skin to make the experience more pleasant.

Are There Any Side Effects?

Side effects are mild and may include some degree of redness, swelling or tenderness at the site of the fillers. A well experienced practitioner will perform the work gently and to minimise any potential discomfort and pain.

Understanding Safety Matters

Generally dermal fillers are considered safe when they are performed by a suitably experienced and qualified practitioner. They are only available on prescription and may only be used by a certified medical practitioner. Different brands may not advertise themselves to consumers, but the merits of the different brands may be discussed directly with your practitioner, once you have been approved as a candidate for treatment.

What Can You Expect From The Dermal Filler Procedure?

Having injectable dermal fillers is a relatively quick procedure that can be done in an office environment. You will discuss your needs and options with your surgeon, who will brief you on what to expect. He or she will also take a full medical history, and you should disclose any medication that you are taking, as this could interfere with the effects of the filler.

Once you are ready for your procedure, the area to be worked on will be sterilised and numbed. Some products are recommended to be used with Lidocaine, which is a numbing agent that combines very well with dermal fillers. Most patients find the side effects manageable and can drive themselves home after the procedure.

If you are having fat injections, you will be having an outpatient procedure that requires anaesthesia or local anaesthesia and sedation. Fat injections are generally better tolerated by the body and last for longer but you can expect to have a longer recovery which may last around two weeks.

Not sure which approach to take or need more information on what is a dermal filler? We would love to discuss your injectable options in person. Please contact our practice for a convenient appointment: (02) 8599 7161

Jul 29 Comments Off

How to Get Rid of Wrinkles In A Minimally Invasive Way?

Posted by Refine Clinic Team

If you are wondering how to get rid of wrinkles it certainly does help to understand how they form so you can decide how to treat them. Wrinkles, laugh lines, and creases in the skin are all natural signs of ageing, and are formed as the skin starts to lose its natural elasticity. While it may not be possible to prevent wrinkles from forming, there are minimally-invasive procedures and techniques like anti-wrinkle injections that can be used to improve your facial volume. Let’s find out more about dermal fillers and how they can be used for anti-ageing.

Why Do Wrinkles Develop in the First Place?

Contrary to what experience may lead us to believe, wrinkles do not form overnight. Rather they develop over time, as our skin becomes thinner and less elastic as we age, and as we perform repeated facial expressions.

How To Get Rid of Wrinkles

While it’s not possible to prevent wrinkles there are good lifestyle habits you can follow to take care of your skin and body, to make the ageing process easier and more graceful. Here are some lifestyle modifications you can follow:

Avoid the sun

Avoid the sun as much as possible, and wear a high protection sun cream every single day. Wear a hat and sunglasses (and sunscreen) when you expose your skin to the sun’s harmful rays.

Stay hydrated

Drink water and avoid alcohol and limit your caffeine intake. Any dehydration in your body is going to reflect in your skin, and will be visible as fine lines and creases. It doesn’t matter how much topical moisture you provide – if your body is dehydrated, your skin will show it.

Get enough sleep

Adequate sleep is essential for the skin to rejuvenate and repair itself overnight.

Eat plenty of antioxidants in your diet

Antioxidants reduce the effects of free radicals on your skin, and they’re an essential part of detoxing your cells.

Don’t smoke

Smoking ageing and dehydrates your skin and can make you look older than you are. Quitting smoking is one of the most positive lifestyle changes you can make.

What Are Anti Wrinkle Injections?

Colloquially known as anti wrinkle injections, dermal fillers are a minimally-invasive way to enhance facial contours, iron out wrinkles and smooth out creases in the skin. This is because most of the visible signs of ageing can be attributed to loss of volume in the face.

Dermal fillers are gel-like substances made from non-animal origin that add volume to the face and can be injected into different parts of the face to achieve different objectives. Soft fillers tend to be used around the eyes and lips to plump the areas up, while harder fillers are injected into the cheek area to increase facial volume. Dermal fillers are popular with clients who want to prevent wrinkles, because of the extent to which they can volumise facial tissues and hydrate the skin.

Hyaluronic Acid Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers containing hyaluronic acid are used most commonly on the lower part of the face, to address line and depressions in the surface of the skin. Although they may not prevent wrinkles they are effective at treating areas such as

Nasolabial folds
Filling acne scars and depressions
The frown lines that can develop between the eyebrows
Crows feet and fine creases that appear around the eyes
Vertical lines around the mouth that are caused by smoking.

Do Anti Wrinkle Injections Work?

Most dermal fillers have a specific lifespan and need to be replaced every year to 18 months, depending on the product and where it was administered. In most cases, patients can see a visible difference straight after the procedure. Ask your cosmetic surgeon how long your fillers can be expected to last and when you might need them redone so you can plan ahead. Your body will gradually absorb the filler over time, and you will probably want to restore the effect when that happens.

It’s important to discuss your needs and expectations with your surgeon before going ahead with any work. Different brands and filler types are used to achieve different effects and in the majority of cases your surgeon will be able to show you before and after pictures so you have some idea of what the end result could look like.

Remember: the most effective anti wrinkle injections should have a natural finish and it shouldn’t look as though you have had a treatment done. The best treatments make your complexion look refreshed and softened.

Are Dermal Fillers Painful?

Many dermal fillers are administered with a dose of anaesthetic to ensure the area is numbed before the area is injected. Depending on the product to be used, the needle may not even penetrate all layers of the skin so the term anti wrinkle injections are not always an accurate way to describe how a dermal filler works.

Are There Any Side Effects To Be Aware Of?

Some discomfort and irritation may occur at the site but side effects are infrequent and allergic reactions occur very rarely when the procedure is professionally managed by an experienced aesthetic surgeon. The fact that fillers demand little downtime make them increasingly popular over more invasive procedures.

Still wondering how to get rid of wrinkles and whether hyaluronic acid dermal fillers are an effective anti-ageing strategy for you? It’s always best to get a professional opinion.

Please contact us for a confidential appointment: (02) 8599 7161.

Dec 18 Comments Off

How To Get Rid of Acne Scars? – Learn The Best Option

Posted by Refine Clinic Team

Unfortunately for everyone, acne is a frustrating occurrence that plagues us at least once in our lives. Typically, it occurs during puberty, though acne has also been known to appear at other times of hormonal fluctuations, such as pregnancy. In other cases, acne can appear in adulthood, and it can be linked to various causes.

Stress, oils, dirt, and bacteria can all be factors in contributing to acne on your skin. Thankfully, there are many products that you can use to help curb and even cure your acne! However, even long after acne clears and breakouts are under control, some patients may still struggle with their unsightly aftermath: acne scars.

Acne scars can appear in various forms. The type of scars that form in your skin typically depends on the number of fibroblasts your skin creates during the wound healing process. Unfortunately, as we age, our bodies start producing less and less fibroblasts (which are connective tissues that produce important things like collagen and other fibres). This means that adults over 25 are probably more likely to develop scars from acne that teenagers or younger children who start breaking out earlier in life.

Types of Acne Scars (and What They Mean For Your Skin)

The type of acne scarring you have in your skin may vary for each patient. As such, the approach for reducing their appearance and correcting any imperfections and blemishes in your face, chest, or back will vary based on your unique needs. Most dermatologists and beauty skin experts, like medical spa professionals and cosmetic surgeons, narrow down the type of acne scars into the following categories.

Ice-pick scars, which are small, narrow, and deep. They are like pinpoints and generally leave a round, cylinder-like scar.
Rolling scars leave shallow but broad depressions in the skin that have a wave-like appearance.
Boxcar scars also leave wide, shallow depressions in the skin, but they have angular or sharply defined edges that are hard to miss.
Atrophic scars appear as small indentations that are flat or thin.
Hypertrophic and keloid scarring is typically the most noticeable, appearing in the skin as thick, raised scar tissue that is often discoloured or lumpy to the touch. They may also itch or feel painful.

There are various scar revisions and medical treatments that you can explore to help reduce the appearance of acne scars in the skin. For patients who want to know how to get rid of acne scars, the first step should be scheduling a consultation with a dermatologist or medical aesthetics facility!

At Refine Cosmetic Clinic, we offer a wide range of services, including surgical scar revisions and non-surgical treatments such as IPL therapy.

Best Treatments for Reducing Acne Scars

Acne commonly develops in areas of the body that are difficult to hide, such as the face, chest, and back. When scarring develops here, it can be embarrassing or distract attention from your natural beauty. Thankfully, there are plenty of options that patients can try to reduce the appearance of scars from acne in the skin. Once you have identified the type of scarring you have (as mentioned above), it is important to determine the severity level. Mild vs severe scarring may be approached differently, and the strength of treatment will likely vary depending on how serious the scarring is.

If you have mild scarring with minimal indents and recesses, it might be recommended to start by trying a chemical peel or microdermabrasion. This might work best on atrophic scars, and you may need more than one treatment to see optimal results, but the result can often be brighter, smoother and more blemish-free skin.

For more moderate to severe acne scarring, more in-depth procedures may be best. Collagen-boasting procedures are often recommended for ice pick, rolling, and boxcar scars. This can include several different treatments, ranging from services like microneedling and dermal injections to laser therapy. These treatments work by either introducing a naturally-occurring substance like hyaluronic acid into the skin, or by stimulating the natural healing response. In both cases, they can trigger the natural production of collagen in the skin and help fill out recessed scar tissue caused by acne.

Getting Started With Scar Revision Treatments

If you have severe scarring left behind on your skin from acne, surgical scar revisions or laser resurfacing solutions may be the best option. Many patients struggle with how to get rid of acne scars, so if you have tried many different solutions to no avail, you are not alone!

At Refine Cosmetic Clinic, we offer free consultations to help give patients a better idea of what will work best for their unique skincare concerns. Call us today at (02) 8599 7161!

Nov 05 Comments Off

LightStim For Wrinkles – Innovative Non-Invasive Treatment

Posted by Refine Clinic Team

Ageing is an unfortunate, inevitable truth for all of us. With it often comes loose, sagging skin that often loses its lustre and “oomph” over time. Thankfully, in today’s cosmetic enhancement industry, there are constantly new ways evolving to help us tackle these unwanted side effects. Gone are the days when painful and extensive cosmetic surgery was necessary to improve your appearance! Today, plenty of non-surgical solutions are available in Australia! These excellent solutions can help tackle common aesthetic issues related to ageing, sun damage, weight fluctuations and other factors that can affect the integrity of our skin.

Fine lines, wrinkles, and folds caused by sagging and drooping can distract from our overall appearance, for example, and can often make you appear older than you are (or feel). A facelift is an excellent solution for patients who wish to achieve a long-term solution that will help combat these concerns for years to come. However, for some patients, this may not be an option. cosmetic surgery requires a serious financial commitment, and can often take several months to heal, much of which may need to be spent away from work, or employing additional help around the house.

At Refine Clinic, we offer a variety of solutions to help patients address these concerns. For men and women who can not or will not undergo cosmetic or cosmetic surgery, we have plenty of non-surgical solutions available! Procedures like dermal fillers and medical facial treatments are minimally-invasive and can deliver visible enhancements to the target area.

We even have innovative tools and techniques that use powerful light technology to address beauty concerns like wrinkles! The LightStim for Wrinkles, for example, is an excellent option for patients who want to see improvements without any poking, prodding or surgical tools.

What is the LightStim for Wrinkles?

Light therapy is a long-standing treatment method that has proven effective in various fields, with dental, cosmetic and medical benefits for patients. Ancient cultures and past physicians were known to practice heliotherapy (or phototherapy) to treat certain infections. Over the years, the approach has evolved. There are various types of phototherapy today, including LightStim therapy, which is often used to help treat certain skin conditions.

As we know, our bodies have the power to absorb light and turn it into energy – similar to plants! Usually, this comes from just stepping outside into the sun. Unlike our beloved houseplants and forests, however, humans can also develop damage when they are exposed to potentially harmful UV rays emitted from the sun. Light therapy can help provide patients with UV-free light energy that can help reinvigorate cells and kick start the body’s natural process of regeneration. LightStim for Wrinkles can help build new proteins and regenerate cells, leading to a visible reduction in loose skin and wrinkles.

The procedure itself is simple and straightforward, with no painful injections or incisions required. Patients are invited to relax for a predetermined amount of time while a light stimulation machine is introduced to the skin. In some facilities, the LightStim therapy machine will be a 2-panel device that helps provide full coverage to the entire face evenly. Alternatively, LightStim for Wrinkles may be administered by a professional using a handheld device. Both of the LightStim therapy applications deliver the same UV-free, beneficial light energy using 72 LEDs of Amber, Light Red, Dark Red, and Infrared lights.

Will LED Light Therapy Work For Me?

Just about anyone can enjoy the therapeutic benefits of LightStim therapy! As we mentioned, our bodies are designed to absorb energy from light. This energy is then used to help build new proteins and regenerate cells within our skin, organs and tissues. Many of these proteins, like collagen and elastin, are responsible for helping maintain the laxity of our skin! As we age, our bodies produce less and less of them, so it can be especially helpful to find ways to restimulate the natural production of these in your face and neck.

The LightStim for Wrinkles is specially designed to target fine lines and folds within the skin and deliver powerful light energy that can help tighten and smoothen the skin in the face. The procedure is FDA-approved, with minimal side-effects.

During the clinical trial, 100% of patients showed an improvement in their skin! Patients are advised to use the products often to help see optimal results, as the results are not instantaneous, and will likely see results in as little as two months! The professional system is also available as a take-home product designed to last without requiring maintenance, battery replacements or new lights.

Reveal A New You, Naturally

For many patients, the appeal behind LightStim for Wrinkles is its ability to deliver an improved appearance, by reducing wrinkles without requiring any surgery, injections, downtime or anaesthetic. This lunchtime treatment is powerful enough to help turn back time on your appearance and patients are free to return to their day after their appointment! The professional LightStim therapy 2-Panel Light allows patients to sit back and relax during treatment while nurses have the freedom to perform other services.

At Refine Clinic, we can help you get started with LightStim for Wrinkles treatments today! Call us at (02) 8599 7161

Nov 14 Comments Off

Dermal Filler Aftercare – Take These Helpful Guidelines

Posted by Refine Clinic Team

Dermal fillers and injectables are popular non-surgical treatments that are common among men and women seeking facial enhancements in Australia. Many patients can see an improvement in the texture and volume of their skin, which can help them look more refreshed and youthful after treatments. In addition to helping reverse visible signs of aging, a dermal filler treatment can help to enhance facial contour and lift sagging skin in certain areas. Additionally, because fillers don’t require any surgery to achieve the desired results, many patients can see improvements much sooner than traditional treatments.

Thankfully, dermal filler aftercare is fairly simple and doesn’t require months of bed rest, bandages or limited movement. There are still some important steps that patients should follow. Certain medications, for example, can increase your risk of bleeding and bruising, so your surgeon will advise you to discontinue their use for a specific amount of time. Depending on the type of dermal filler you receive, you may be advised to follow certain instructions before or after your procedure to ensure the best possible results.

Types of Dermal Fillers in Sydney

Dermal fillers and injectables can be comprised of different ingredients, but three primary choices make up various brands and products: botulinum toxin type A, hyaluronic acid and a patient’s own fat.

Botulinum toxin type A is the leading injectable in Australia, as it is a tried and true method of helping reduce facial wrinkles in men and women. While it is technically not a dermal filler, it is often held in the same category because the application is very similar. Unlike a dermal filler treatment, however, it is injected below the skin into the muscles to deliver a gentle neurotoxin that helps relax the muscles temporarily.

Other products are well-known for their use of hyaluronic acid, which is a naturally occurring substance that is already present in our own skin. These products are dermal fillers, which means they are injected beneath the skin to help fill out the lost volume in target areas.

Many patients opt to skip these, however, to enjoy a fat transfer, which can provide a more natural approach to facial rejuvenation. Rather than using a neurotoxin or hydrating agents, like these products do, a fat transfer utilises donor fat from a strategic area on the patient’s body.

After refining the fat, your surgeon or aesthetic nurse will reintroduce the fat to an area on your face, such as your cheeks or under the eyes, to help replenish lost volume and brighten your overall appearance.

The procedure uses liposuction techniques to remove the fat and a fine needle to inject it (just like a dermal filler).

Dermal Filler Aftercare Instructions

Finding out which procedure is best for you will require scheduling a consultation with a reputable and knowledgeable cosmetic surgery or medical spa facility. They can help you understand what areas throughout your face could benefit from enhancement. In many cases, patients opt to combine various dermal fillers and injectables to help target different areas in the face. As such, the post-appointment care instructions are typically universal for all injectables. Here are some helpful dermal filler aftercare guidelines:

Before your appointment:

Stop taking aspirin or other NSAIDs such as ibuprofen for at least three days before your procedure.
Reduce caffeine and alcohol intake, as this can also cause your blood to thin
Begin use of any topical oral medication at least a week before your appointment if you are prone to cold sores
Discontinue use of any Retin or Retinol products for three weeks prior to dermal fillers
Use arnica cream or oral tablets starting up to a week before your appointment

The day of:

Avoid wearing makeup
Avoid making big plans (such as a party or events where you’ll be photographed) as you’ll likely experience some redness after the injections
Don’t show up on an empty stomach

After your appointment:

Continue using arnica for up to 5 days post-treatment to reduce any swelling, bruising or discomfort
Avoid excessive activity or bending forward for prolonged periods for at least 24 hours
If possible, refrain from applying makeup near the injection sites
Use ice to help combat any swelling or discomfort
Staying hydrated and protecting your skin from the sun can help to prolong the results of your dermal fillers

Preserve Results with Dermal Filler Aftercare

Injectable treatments like dermal fillers are often known as lunchtime treatments, because of their simple, fast, and virtually painless application. Unlike cosmetic and cosmetic surgery procedures, most patients will be free to leave the facility immediately after treatment with little to no side effects.

It is important to remember that, despite there being little to no downtime needed to recover from fillers, dermal filler aftercare instructions should be followed to help maximize your results. Refine Cosmetic Clinic can help! Call us today at (02) 8599 7161.

Oct 31 Comments Off

Do Lip Fillers Hurt? – The Benefits Of Lip Filling Procedure

Posted by Refine Clinic Team

Dermal injectables, like lip and facial fillers, are an increasingly popular cosmetic enhancement option among both men and women throughout Australia. In Sydney, many patients who struggle with the loss of volume or naturally thin lips can benefit from lip injections. As a non-surgical procedure, it has increased popularity thanks to reduced downtime and minimally painful sessions. While it’s important to remember that lip fillers are not permanent, they can often be long-lasting, with some patients seeing results for up to 2 years with some products!

Facial rejuvenation services can be an excellent way to help enhance your overall appearance or improve balance and harmony among your features. Lip fillers can target specific areas that are losing volume over time, or areas that may benefit from added fullness. They can also help to smooth fine lines around the lips and subtly rejuvenate the entire area. Using high-quality ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid, licensed cosmetic professionals can help achieve natural-looking results that may improve over time.

When considering a lip augmentation procedure, many patients consider various factors, such as the potential results, recovery time, and any pain to consider. Scheduling a consultation at a reputable cosmetic surgery facility can help you take the first step. At Refine Clinic, our expert consultant sits down with new patients to help them understand the procedure and provide recommendations based on their unique needs and aesthetic desires.

How Do Lip Fillers Work?

Finding facial harmony can help many patients feel more confident in many aspects of their lives. Lip augmentation is an excellent way to address any concerns or issues with wrinkles, volume loss, or overall thinning in the lips. For some patients, this can occur over time, as a natural side effect of aging. Our bodies produce less collagen as we age, causing wrinkles, drooping, and sagging to occur in the skin. Lip fillers can help address all of these concerns! For other patients, the desire is purely cosmetic, and they are hoping to enhance the natural contour of their lips to achieve a more accentuated pout.

At Refine Clinic, we offer Juvederm® products to help patients achieve fuller, plumper lips. The main ingredient is hyaluronic acid (HA), which is found naturally within the skin. It helps bind moisture to the cells to increase volume and boost collagen production in the area. Typically, lip fillers require a few days to weeks to see full results, but the procedure can be completed in under an hour for most patients! The effects of these fillers will vary but typically last around six months to a year before reapplication is necessary. Other types of lip fillers use collagen, but this procedure is losing popularity in the wake of HA treatments.

Fat transfers are also a common option for filler! Using the patient’s own fat, a nurse or cosmetic surgeon can augment the lip to achieve a rounder, more voluminous result. Since the donor fat is harvested from another area in the body – typically using liposuction or a similar technique – there is no risk of allergy. Fat transfer lip fillers can also help to provide a more natural-looking result, but there is a chance the fat will be reabsorbed, requiring reapplication more often. Talking to an expert can help you understand the differences to determine which is best for you.

Do Lip Fillers Hurt?

The lip filler procedure is typically fast, easy, and can be virtually painless – but it is important to discuss any risks or potential for discomfort with your nurse practitioner or cosmetic surgeon. Some patients may feel slight discomfort during the injections, and for a few hours after, but it is often compared to a minor pinch.

The amount of filler and injection sites will be discussed during your consultation or before your appointment, and you’ll be given thorough aftercare instructions. While there may be a small healing period, most patients are free to return to their day immediately.

If you are anxious or worried about the potential for pain, feel free to discuss it with your consultant! “Do lip fillers hurt?” is a common concern among most first-time patients, so if you are worried about feeling any pain – you are not alone!

At Refine Clinic, we always work to accommodate our patients, as their comfortability is our top priority. We can help provide numbing agents to reduce the pinching sensation during the injections, and arnica is recommended to take before and after lip fillers to help reduce any swelling and bruising at the injection sites. Ice is an excellent way to reduce any pain both before and after treatment, as it can numb the area as well as reduce swelling!

Lip Filler Treatments in Sydney

Do lip fillers hurt an unbearable amount? Most patients would say no! The popularity around lip fillers often stems from its minimally-invasive nature, and ability to deliver beautiful, natural-looking results. At Refine Cosmetic Clinic in Sydney, our surgeons and cosmetic injectors work closely with patients to understand their cosmetic needs and deliver a customised experience.

Call us today at (02) 8599 7161 to schedule a complimentary consultation!

All Posts in Category: Non Surgical

What Is Acne And Why Does The Skin Break Out?

Triggers For Acne Breakouts

Hormones

Diet

Stresses

Medication

Acne Treatment To Improve Skin Quality

Get Moving

Clean Up Your Diet

Drink Water

Try Lightstim For Acne

Benefits Of Lightstim

How Do Facial Exercises Work?

Do Facial Exercises Work?

How Were The Results Assessed?

How Does It Work As An Anti Wrinkle Treatment?

The Benefits Of Anti Wrinkle Injections

Different Types Of Anti Wrinkle Treatment

Dermal fillers

Neurotoxins

How To Make The Effects Of Anti Wrinkle Injections Last?

Make sure you work with a reputable, qualified and experienced practitioner

Have a thorough consultation first

Consider a second opinion

Sleep on it

Consider your lifestyle factors

What Are Chemical Peels And How Do They Work?

What Are The Benefits Of Chemical Peels For Skin Care?

Change The Appearance Of The Skin

Reduce Sun Damage

Improving Skin Breakouts

Reducing The Appearance Of Scars

Improve The Appearance Of Fine Lines And Wrinkles

How Long Does It Take To Improve The Appearance Of The Skin?

Are Chemical Peels Suitable For Everyone?

Does A Chemical Peel Hurt?

What Are The Side Effects And Complications Of Chemical Peels?

Preparing For Your Treatment

What Is A Dermal Filler?

How Do Dermal Fillers Work?

What Can Dermal Fillers Be Used For?

How Long Do Dermal Fillers Last?

Are Dermal Fillers Painful?

Are There Any Side Effects?

Understanding Safety Matters

What Can You Expect From The Dermal Filler Procedure?

Why Do Wrinkles Develop in the First Place?

How To Get Rid of Wrinkles

Avoid the sun

Stay hydrated

Eat plenty of antioxidants in your diet

Don’t smoke

What Are Anti Wrinkle Injections?

Hyaluronic Acid Dermal Fillers

Do Anti Wrinkle Injections Work?

Are Dermal Fillers Painful?

Are There Any Side Effects To Be Aware Of?

Types of Acne Scars (and What They Mean For Your Skin)

Best Treatments for Reducing Acne Scars

Getting Started With Scar Revision Treatments

What is the LightStim for Wrinkles?

Will LED Light Therapy Work For Me?

Reveal A New You, Naturally

Types of Dermal Fillers in Sydney

Dermal Filler Aftercare Instructions

Before your appointment:

The day of:

After your appointment:

Preserve Results with Dermal Filler Aftercare

How Do Lip Fillers Work?

Do Lip Fillers Hurt?

Lip Filler Treatments in Sydney

Contact Us