Newsletter – March 2012

A Special App for you from The Cosmetic Medicine Centre

The Cosmetic Medicine Centre is excited to announce the launch of the new App, Natural Look: beautiful at any age. The Natural Look App is a free App that helps you discover the possibilities to look your best. The App includes loads of fantastic education on what happens as we age, some helpful tips and advice and comprehensive information on all kinds of facial rejuvenation options. Continue reading

Know the basics of laser hair removal in Brisbane

Are you tired of waxing or shaving constantly and would like to explore other options such as laser hair removal? Here at The Cosmetic Medicine Centre in Brisbane we treat many patients looking for a procedure to get rid of their unwanted hair. For this reason we would like to share with you some of the basics of laser hair removal.

The laser designed for hair removal releases a wavelength of energy which is absorbed by the pigment in hair follicles. By targeting the pigment, the surrounding skin is not damaged as the energy is absorbed by the hair follicle only.

Laser hair removal is not a permanent solution to hair growth. It will reduce hair growth and you won’t have to shave or wax constantly. The results will be long term but not permanent. After a series of treatments you should have significantly less hair and may only need to have occasional maintenance treatments.

Although there are usually no side effects, you may experience some itchiness and swelling after the treatment. This should subside within a few days.

Sun exposure should be avoided after each treatment, as it can be irritating to your skin after being exposed to the laser. For this reason we recommend patients wear 30+ sunscreen daily and avoid sun exposure for a minimum of two weeks before and after a treatment.

If you would like more information on our laser hair removal treatment in Brisbane or would like to ask a question, don’t hesitate and call us on (07) 3870 0111 or send us an online enquiry!

What is CoolSculpting™?

CoolSculpting™ is a new procedure that uses controlled cooling to target localised fat cells without damage to surrounding tissue. CoolSculpting was developed by the same researchers and scientists who discovered laser hair removal.

CoolSculpting™ is a non-invasive way to gently reduce fat in targeted areas of the body. The fat cells break down over two to four months and are gradually eliminated from your body. Just like our laser treatment Brisbane, CoolSculpting™ requires no pre-procedure preparation and it is comfortable for most patients. Most patients find that one or two treatments fully address their goals.

During your first appointment with the doctor, the exact areas that are suitable for treatment will be discussed. An appointment will then be made with a registered nurse for the procedure. A specially designed applicator will be placed on the targeted area and you will feel a pulling sensation. Once the treatment begins, you will feel a cooling sensation in the target area. This sensation goes away in a few minutes.

There is no recovery time after the procedure which allows you to return to your normal activities on the same day as treatment. Some experience a temporary dulling of sensation in the treated area lasting one to eight weeks.

You may start to see changes as quickly as three weeks after your procedure. However you will experience the most significant results eight to twelve weeks after treatment.

CoolSculpting™ is rapidly becoming a substitute for surgery for stubborn small areas of fat that can’t be removed with exercise.

If you would like more information on CoolSculpting™ or other treatments such as laser treatment Brisbane, call us on 07 3870 0111 and one of our friendly and knowledgeable staff members will be able to provide you with the information you need. Alternatively visit our website!

What does skin rejuvenation Brisbane do?

Living in a country like Australia, where the sun is almost always shining, has some disadvantages. The sun is necessary, however, if the correct sun protection for the skin is not adequately employed, it can accelerate the skin’s ageing process. This can result in the appearance of age spots, freckles, pigmentation, fine lines, wrinkles and skin cancers. A combination of treatments may be required to treat individual skin conditions. One type of treatment that is available to even out the skin’s tone and texture is skin rejuvenation Brisbane using electro-optical-synergy (ELOS) technology.

At The Cosmetic Medicine Centre we use ELOS technology for skin rejuvenation. This technology uses intense pulsed light as well as radio frequency to stimulate collagen production, smooth skin tone and reduce pore size. ELOS technology also has an anti-inflammatory effect which can help settle the symptoms of rosacea.

Before any treatments are recommended, patients are required to see one of our doctors and discuss goals and what can be achieved. Once settings are prescribed by the doctor, patients can begin their treatments usually involving two to five treatments, two weeks apart.

A topical local anaesthetic cream is applied half an hour prior to the treatment. This reduces the sensation of heat, allowing more comfort throughout the procedure.

After effects of a treatment can include patchy redness as well as slight warmth. Some freckles and pigment will become darker and slowly fade or flake off over the following two weeks.

We recommend our patients wear broad-spectrum UV sunscreen on their skin to further protect their skin from the sun’s powerful rays to minimise recurrence of sun damage.

If you would like to know more about our skin rejuvenation Brisbane procedure, as well as other treatments we provide, visit our website or call us at (07) 3870 0111. One of our friendly staff members will provide you with all the information you need!

Laser treatment for acne and acne scarring

Becoming a teenager brings a world of conflicting emotions, sometimes you can feel secure and capable of conquering anything, and sometimes you see yourself immobilised by insecurity and social awkwardness. And to make matters worse those are the years you start experiencing changes such as acne in different parts of your body. Even though acne is a common skin condition that usually starts during adolescence and frequently continues into adulthood, it can affect peoples’ self-confidence. Here at The Cosmetic Medicine Centre we provide laser treatment Brisbane for acne and acne scarring.

Depending on our patient’s specific condition, we can provide as well as appropriate skin care and/or prescription topical and oral medications, fairly non-invasive treatments for mild cases such as skin peels, or stronger treatments such as medical Micro-dermabrasion and Matrix Radiofrequency for developed acne problems and scarring.

Micro-dermabrasion is a procedure used to resurface and smooth the skin. Unlike the old style dermabrasion, micro-dermabrasion uses a handpiece with embedded diamond chips and an adjustable vacuum with the purpose of deep cleaning and exfoliating the skin.
The procedure can assist in the treatment of acne and mild acne scarring, clogged, dry or oily skin, blackheads and a few other skin conditions.

Another treatment used at The Cosmetic Medicine Centre to reduce the appearance of acne scarring is Matrix Radiofrequency. This treatment consists of radiofrequency energy delivered in tiny spots in a matrix pattern deep into the skin. This increases the levels of beneficial collagen and new healthy skin cells.

Usually three or more treatments are required to achieve best results. To minimise discomfort, a topical local anaesthetic is applied to the area. For the first few days after the procedure swelling will be evident, particularly if the area treated is around the eyes.
There is no need to feel self-conscious about your skin, at The Cosmetic Medicine Centre we utilise up-to-date techniques and procedures and our fully trained and qualified doctors and nurses will make sure you receive the most suitable laser treatment Brisbane. Visit our website or call us at (07) 3870 0111 for more information!

How does Laser Treatment for Tattoos Work?

As the New Year begins in 2012, many individuals often use this time to engage in a bit of self-reflecting. Some people may find themselves reminiscing about their holiday season, feeling content on how much fun they had. Other people may be looking forward to the upcoming year, and setting goals and resolutions for all kinds of facets of their life. However, there are often other people who use this time to self-reflect on things they did in the past that they now might regret, such as a tattoo. Those people who have an unwanted tattoo generally are presented with two options – either have a large cover up tattoo inked on-top of their existing tattoo, or seek Laser Treatment to remove their tattoo. But this begs the question; How exactly does Laser Treatment Brisbane remove a tattoo?

When you were initially tattooed, your tattoo artist placed ink into your skin using a tattoo machine. This tattoo machine allowed the artist to carefully control the placement of the ink, which sat in a layer of skin called the dermis. As your skin healed, the scavenger cells in your body were unable to remove the ink particles as they were too big so the ink became trapped in this layer of skin resulting in your tattoo that you see today.

To remove this ink that is trapped in your skin, a RevLite Laser is used to send out specific wavelengths of light into your skin. This short burst of laser light is then absorbed by your tattoo ink, which results in the ink fracturing into many tiny particles of ink. These ink particles are then able to be removed naturally through your body’s healing process.

Removing your tattoo with Laser Treatment Brisbane is not a quick and easy process. It can take many treatments (spaced at least 6 weeks apart) depending on determining factors such as the colours and quality of the tattoo. Some patients have found the treatment to be uncomfortable, which is why you will be presented with the option to use a local anaesthetic or an alternative pain management solution.

If you are looking forward to the next year and are considering a change by removing an unwanted tattoo, then simply contact our highly trained and professional team at the Cosmetic Medicine Centre. Led by the renowned Dr Mary Dingley, our team prides itself on providing the up-to-date treatments and guiding you step by step through the entire process. To find out more, simply give us a call today on (07) 3870 0111.

The Benefits of Microdermabrasion

Looking great can have a major impact on your self-confidence and can improve the quality of your life. After all, if you are unhappy with your appearance, this could well ruin your self-esteem and can have a negative impact on all areas of your life. If you have clogged skin that is prone to acne or skin that has a lot of dead cell build-up, one cosmetic treatment that is growing in popularity is microdermabrasion. Here at The Cosmetic Medicine Centre, we have adopted this innovative skin exfoliating method and can professionally provide the treatment for you. Read on to explore the many benefits that can arise from receiving microdermabrasion Brisbane this summer.

Microdermabrasion is a non-invasive treatment that gently removes the top (dead) layer of skin from your face, revealing smooth and healthy looking new skin.

So, how is the treatment delivered and how does the process work?

Microdermabrasion is performed using a machine that incorporates a handheld electronic vacuum. The top of the range hand piece has embedded diamond crystals, not the free corundum crystals used previously to ensure of optimum results at all times.

So, what benefits can you expect to reap from receiving microdermabrasion prescribed by a doctor and administered by one of our registered nurses here at The Cosmetic Medicine Centre? Well, microdermabrasion will:

  • Treat some forms of pigmentation
  • Help to remedy dry or oily skin
  • Unclog blocked pores to begin the treatment of acne
  • Aid in the penetration of skin care products whilst makeup can be applied much more smoothly.

If skin problems are destroying your confidence, why not consider seeking the assistance of the staff at The Cosmetic Medicine Centre? To discuss microdermabrasion Brisbane and how it can bring many benefits to you, don’t hesitate to call us today on 07 3870 0111.

Using Laser Treatment on Facial Hair

Unwanted hair can be a source of frustration and embarrassment, especially when it comes to excess facial hair. Whilst there are avenues to explore that will remove the hair for the short term such as shaving or waxing, you may be searching for something that provides longer lasting results. Laser treatment Brisbane can achieve positive results and here at The Cosmetic Medicine Centre, this is one of the areas we focus on. Continue on as the process of using laser treatment to reduce the appearance of facial hair is explored in detail.

The Procedure

The DSL (Depilatory Service Laser) uses light together with radio frequency to target the pigment within the hair follicle. The energy emitted by the laser is converted into heat and damages the follicles one at a time to delay the re-growth of hair and in some cases, the follicles can cease to re-grow altogether.

The Length of Treatment

There is no set number of sessions that will be required to achieve desired results, but a series of treatments will be necessary in order to gain control of the hair growth. From session to session however, the regrowth that occurs may be reduced, with hairs growing through lighter and finer for many.

The Clinic

Choosing a reputable clinic is the first step towards achieving the desired results. Our professional team of qualified individuals are on hand to make your visit as comfortable as possible and we are proud to be affiliated with the Australasian College of Cosmetic Surgery and the Cosmetic Physicians Society of Australasia.

The Immediate Side Effects

It is important to remember that immediately after the treatment, you may experience some temporary redness and swelling to the area and that hair may appear to grow shortly after the treatment, however this is simply the hair being ejected.

If you would like to know more about how laser treatment Brisbane can deliver effective facial hair reduction, start by browsing our website today for a host of further reading material. Trust the professional team here at The Cosmetic Medicine Centre to provide you with accurate and honest information regarding the many procedures available to you.

Laser Treatment for Sun Damaged Skin

When deciding to undertake any form of cosmetic treatment, it’s important to ensure that you fully understand the treatment and feel at ease with your medical practitioner. Here at The Cosmetic Medicine Centre we focus on a range of treatments to combat dermatological, age and sun related conditions and are one of the leading centres for laser treatment Brisbane. With this in mind, if this is a treatment you are thinking of having, we will always take you through an initial consultation to determine the best solutions for you.

The team here is run by a well-known doctor who has over 25 years’ experience and will ensure that every patient is given a comfortable environment in which to undergo his/her treatment.

Sun damaged skin can be treated in a variety of ways; if the problem is related to redness from dilated capillaries, the treatment of choice here is laser. This particular treatment is completed by the doctor, however there are many that are completed by one of our registered nurses. Your doctor will always prescribe the treatment first though and explain the whole process to you before starting. The treatment works with the laser light absorbing into the blood of abnormal vessels, helping to eradicate the target.

The sensation felt by patients undergoing treatment is normally a short sting, which will vary in intensity with each patient. There is also a cold spray emitted by the laser hand piece which reduces the sensation felt. After the treatment has been completed, we advise that care is taken with things such as sun avoidance and using sun-screens. We are also able to conduct further laser treatment to the affected area, which would happen six weeks after initial treatment if it is deemed necessary. To help with after care of your treatment, we also supply a range of skin care products which our team can offer advice on to ensure you purchase the right product for you.

We pride ourselves on the service and care we offer to our patients, and with the friendly and experienced team we have we are able to offer a first class service every time. We will take you through an initial consultation prior to starting any treatment where we will discuss your needs and concerns and will devise a treatment plan specifically for you; this will also entail looking at which laser should be used during your treatment.

If you are considering the use of laser treatment Brisbane to treat sun damaged skin, come and see us at The Cosmetic Medicine Centre to discuss the treatments that we can offer you.

Ultraceuticals Ultra Clear Skincare System

An advanced and effective acne treatment system which combines proven active ingredients to address acne formation and soothe recovery.

The Ultra Clear Skincare System does not only address the symptoms but more importantly targets the ‘triggers’ of acne formation for a dramatically smoother and clearer complexion.

  • Benzoyl Peroxide free
  • Non drying
  • Non bleaching
  • Effective yet gentle on the skin

Newsletter September 2011

Patient Satisfaction Survey Results – June/July 2011

Thank you to all patients who took part in our Patient Satisfaction Survey in July 2011. The results were very pleasing to us. Your comments are important to us and assist us in continuing to provide high quality services to you. If you wish to see a copy of the results, a copy is held at reception.

Continue reading

Volumising & Contouring Fillers

Volumising fillers can assist in restoring lost facial volume, resulting in a fuller, younger-looking face. They may also be used if you are looking for sculpted facial contours, such as the jawline, chin and cheekbones. The fillers are injected deep below the skin surface to provide the support and structure to create contour and add volume to the face.