Dermal filler placed strategically along the crease from the nose to the corner of the mouth can help to reduce the appearance of mid face ageing.
The procedure takes around 15 minutes and results are optimally seen at 2 weeks and can last up to 9-12 months.
If you have any questions or would like to find out more head over to drnora.com.
Take care and stay healthy 😘
Dr Nora 💉
Warning: any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
In today’s episode of Dr Nora, I take a look at an emerging technology in the cosmetic field - Microcurrent Facials, from what they are to how they work and who is using them.
Foreo’s latest handheld device is the Bear which releases T Sonic (or transdermal) electrical currents through the skin at 100pulses per second with a duration of 0.34seconds. It does this through the two electrodes at the top of the device.
When the skin is stimulated by microcurrents - ATP is released, which is energy for cells. This helps to reduce fluid, improve circulation and blood flow and reduce inflammation. The net result of this is to help reconstitute elastin and collagen. Whilst there are not many human clinical studies with this technology, there have been studies conducted on mice.
WHO CAN USE IT
As with any technological device, it is vital to read the manual that comes with it. For this particular device, it is not suitable for those who are pregnant, those with implantable devices, those with cancers or blood disorders and should not be used over moles or skin cancers. If you have any concern whether this device is right for you, be sure to consult with your medical health professional prior to use.
Foreo recommend using a facial cleanser prior to application of the serum. The cleanser contains vitamin E which is a powerful antioxidant that can help nourish your skin and protect it from damage caused by free radicals.
The Serum Serum Serum which is advised to use prior to the application of the Bear device has two important ingredients within it - Hylauronic acid and Squalene.
With summer well and truly in full swing make sure you always remain sun smart.
We’re very fortunate that in this part of the world we have glorious sunshine but remember the UV index is at an all time high with average readings over 10. Exposure to such high levels can lead to ageing of the skin, which means wrinkles, but more importantly it increases your chance of developing nasty skin cancer. So this summer, stay sun smart and regularly apply sunblock at least spf 30+ as well as popping on a hat, sunnies and protective clothing.
I’m not talking about fillers, anti-wrinkle or fancy moisturisers, just sunscreen. The sun emits harmful ultraviolet radiation (UV) which can damage our skin. In particular it emits UV A rays which have longer wavelengths that can penetrate deep into the skin, and UV B rays which have shorter wavelength that penetrate near the surface of the skin. UVA is responsible for ageing our skin, as it sets off enzymes that can break down our natural collagen, leaving us looking weathered, depleted and wrinkly. UV B rays are responsible for causing changes in our skin DNA, meaning that with prolonged exposure, skin cancers can develop.
It’s therefore vital to protect your skin from the suns rays for both medical and cosmetic purposes. But which sunscreen should you choose?
There are a vast array of sunscreens on the market. It’s important to choose one that covers both UVA and UVB. You should also look at the SPF on the bottle. This gives an indicator for how much UVB can reach your skin. For example SPF 30 means 3.3% of UVB can reach your skin and SPF 50 means that 2% can reach. Ok it’s not perfect, but it’s a start. You should also wear protective clothing when out in the sun, such as a hat, shades, loose protective clothing and minimise your time outdoors when the UV is high, typically between 10am-3pm. You can also check the UV index on your phone, when it is 3 and above, you should take measures to protect yourself and limit exposure.
But how much should you apply?
Always follow the instructions on your sunscreen bottle. For an average adult, you should apply 5ml (teaspoon) for each part of your body, for example, 5ml for one arm, 5ml for the face and neck and so on. Re-application is also important, so always refer to the bottle as this can vary.
Over here in the Gold Coast, we have pop up stations that educate on how much sunscreen we are putting on - I tried this myself and I did pretty well, what do you think?
This year I’m continuing to improve my skin cancer knowledge by completing certificates from the Australasian College of Dermatologists.
Skin cancer will affect 2 in 3 Australians at some point in their lives so it is important to have your skin checked regularly. If you notice any new or changing moles, for example a change in size, shape, colour or whether they are itchy or bleeding, be sure to book in for a full skin check.
Of course prevention is the best cure, so don’t forget the sun block for days when the UV index is 3 or higher.
