Laser & Aesthetic
Dermatology

Advances in medical laser technology have revolutionised our skin care approach.  Lasers are often the treatment of choice for removing redness and vascular lesions, certain stretch marks and scars.  In our clinic, Dr Rose Mak who is a fully qualified dermatologist will be performing laser treatments.

Laser for skin redness, vascular lesions, red stretch marks and scars

Our dermatologist uses the Vbeam Prima pulsed-dye laser which is highly effective in removing facial redness, broken blood vessels, spider veins, vascular birthmarks (port wine stains and haemangiomas), red scars and red stretch marks.

What is Vbeam Prima pulsed-dye laser?

Vbeam Prima is a highly effective pulsed-dye laser.  This laser produces a bright beam of light which selectively destroys the blood vessels that cause the redness or are within the scar or stretch mark, without damaging the surrounding skin tissues.   It has been FDA-approved to treat blood vessels related skin conditions for over 20 years.  Vbeam Prima is the latest Vbeam laser model.  Apart from the original 595nm laser technology, it has an additional 1064nm laser wavelength to treat larger and deeper vessels; it is also used to treat skin wrinkles.  This laser is considered the gold standard for treating vascular birthmarks such as port wine stains and haemangiomas.  It is excellent for treating different types of skin redness and vascular lesions.  By improving skin wrinkles and redness, it helps to boost skin texture and colour and is useful for skin rejuvenation treatment.   

What conditions can Vbeam Prima pulsed-dye laser treat?

Common conditions treated by Vbeam Prima pulsed-dye laser include:

• Vascular birthmarks (port wine stains and haemangiomas)
• Facial redness from rosacea
• Facial and spider veins
• Benign vascular structures (such as cherry angiomas, venous lakes)
• Red acne marks
• Red scars
• Red stretch marks
• Leg veins
• Skin wrinkles

What does Vbeam laser treatment feel like?

You may experience mild discomfort similar to a rubber band snap. Treatment may require multiple sessions, with each session taking between 15 to 30 minutes. 

What will I experience after treatment and what are the aftercare steps involved?

After laser treatment, mild redness may occur lasting from several hours to 1-2 days.  Swelling may develop soon after treatment, this would usually clear by the next day but may sometimes last for 2-3 days.  Most patients do return to work either on the same day or on the day after treatment.  Bruising can occur and may last for 5-10 days.  You may apply ice or cold pack to the treated area.  You may also wash the treated areas with a mild soap, gently pat dry the skin surface, then apply moisturiser to help soothe the treated areas.  A water-based makeup may be applied as a cover-up, provided that there is no crust formation on the skin surface.  Sun protection before, during and after laser treatment is important.   

What are anti-wrinkle injections?

Anti-wrinkle injections are naturally purified proteins that act as muscle relaxants.  When injected at suitable doses into specific facial muscles involved in wrinkles formation, they block off the nerve impulse that stimulates muscle contraction, thereby causing relaxation of the target muscles.  As a result, a refreshed, softer and natural look can be achieved.  Anti-wrinkle injections have been used for cosmetic and medical purposes for over 20 years.  The procedure has an established track record of safety. 

What can anti-wrinkle injections be used for?

Anti-wrinkle injections are extremely useful for eliminating unwanted lines of facial expression.  The commonest facial areas for anti-wrinkle treatments lie in the top third of the face including:

• Frown lines between eyes
• Crow’s feet
• Forehead lines

Anti-wrinkle injections may also be used to treat other types of facial concerns, such as facial slimming – treatment to large muscles at angle of the jaws can help to correct excessive squareness of the face and results in a slimmer face.

These injections are also used to control excessive sweating in the underarms (axillary hyperhidrosis) as injecting the affected areas would effectively block the nerve impulse that stimulates sweat glands thereby reducing sweating.  Other uses include treatment of teeth grinding and tension headache.

How long do anti-wrinkle treatments last?

Anti-wrinkle treatments, on average, last between 3-5 months (individual results may vary).  Treatments take only a few minutes, the results are noticeable in two to five days and peak in seven to ten days.  The effects will then gradually wear off and repeat injections can be performed.   

What will patients feel during the treatment?

The treatment is usually simple, safe and well tolerated.  Small amounts of the muscle relaxant are injected with a very fine needle into the treatment areas and discomfort is usually minimal.

What should be expected after the treatment?

Immediately after the treatment, there may be some mild temporary swelling, redness and bruising at the injection sites.

What are dermal fillers?

Dermal fillers are gel based non-surgical cosmetic treatments that are injected into the skin.  They create volume and are therefore an excellent tool to (1) correct age-affected volume loss to the face and postpone the effects of aging, (2) they can soften skin creases and folds thereby reducing wrinkles and (3) they are used for facial contouring and re-shaping and add aesthetic balance to the face.  In our clinic, we use FDA- and TGA-approved high quality hyaluronic acid fillers.  Hyaluronic acid already exists in our skin and injection of dermal fillers help to create a natural and youth look.    

What areas can be treated by dermal fillers?

Dermal fillers are commonly used to

• Revitalise cheeks that have lost volume over time
• Increase lip volume and enhance lip borders
• Correct the downturned lip corners (marionette lines)
• Smooth out lines around the lips (smoker’s/perioral lines)
• Reduce cheek folds (nasolabial folds)
• Jawlines/chin/facial contouring

How long do dermal fillers last?

Dermal fillers may last from 4 to 24 months, depending on the type of fillers used, the areas treated and individual variations.  Eventually these temporary dermal fillers will break down and dissolve naturally in the skin. 

What would patients feel during the procedure?

We use dermal fillers that contain local anaesthetics, and discomfort is usually minimal.  If required, local anaesthetic cream can be applied beforehand.  Dermal fillers are injected either with a needle or cannula, and usually via a few different entry points. 

What should be expected after the treatment?

Treatment may take 15 to 30 minutes.  After dermal filler injections, generally no downtime is required.  Mild swelling or bruising may occur which would usually disappear in a few days but may last for up to two weeks.  Generally, patients return to work and continue with their daily activity following the procedure.

Can I combine dermal fillers with anti-wrinkle injections?

Dermal fillers are often combined with anti-wrinkle injections in facial rejuvenation treatments.  Our dermatologist will discuss and devise a personalised treatment plan for you.  

Immaculate skin care is important for healthy, youthful looking skin.  In our clinic, consultations with our dermatologist Dr Rose Mak to design personalised skin care regimes to address your skin concerns and achieve better skin have proven very popular amongst patients.  Dr Rose Mak can advise you on different aspects of skin care including:

Sunscreen

Daily regular use of sunscreen with sun protection factor (SPF) 30 or above is important for prevention of skin cancer and skin aging.  Our clinic stocks a variety of sunscreens to suit different skin types and purposes.  We are very happy to discuss and advise on which sunscreen would be most suitable for your needs. 

Moisturisers

Moisturisers are responsible for keeping water in the epidermis (outermost layer of the skin).  They promote a protection film against water loss and help maintain the skin barrier.  As well as keeping your skin hydrated and plump, they also help to reduce irritative skin symptoms such as itching and play an important role in the treatment and maintenance of inflammatory skin conditions including eczema and psoriasis.  We stock a good range of moisturisers and can help you choose the moisturiser that suits your skin type.

Antioxidants

Antioxidants combat against free radicals thereby preventing damage to skin cells.  We stock potent Vitamin C and hyaluronic acid serums with clinically proven antioxidant and skin lightening effects.

Prescribed treatments

Dr Mak can discuss and prescribe medical grade topical retinoids and hydroquinoine preparations as part of your personalised skin rejuvenation regime.