Are skincare treatments and technology the secret to clear skin? One cosmetic doctor reveals why machines could be the way forward when it comes to our complexions…
From ‘tech neck’ to rosacea and pigmentation, there’s a machine out there to address every skin need. Once upon a time skincare was about a relaxing facial or a slapping on the moisturiser. According to one top doctor though, these things are firmly things of the past. Now, technological advances are stealing the spotlight.
Cosmetic doctor, Dr Rekha Tailor, reveals that skincare technology and treatments are better than ever: ‘Figures released last month showed that skincare devices sales are set to increase at 15%,’ she explains. ‘Technological advancements, as well as increased demand, brought on in part by the pandemic, have driven this growth.’
While Dr Tailor is of the belief that you don’t need to use skincare treatments or technology at all, she uses a variety of modalities in her practice, including IPL, radio frequency and CO2, and micro-focused ultrasound to tackle everything from sun damage and wrinkles to hyperpigmentation. According to Dr Tailor, there really is a tech solution to every skincare issue…
8 skincare issues – and their high-tech treatments
All photos via © Graham Snook Photography
Skin issue: Not sure what the problem is
Skincare treatment: VISIA CAMERA
Hi-tech Visia cameras are used in many skincare consultations (where relevant). They scan the face to show fine lines, pigmentation and skin texture as well as picking up hidden issues such as UV damage and Rosacea.
‘This technology enables the doctor and patient to see the face in precise detail from every angle,’ explains Dr Tailor. ‘Use of the Visia camera allows treatment to be very precisely targeted to the patient’s specific skin issue.’
Skin issue: Sagging skin
Skincare treatment: ULTHERAPY
‘Ultherapy is non-invasive, non-surgical treatment that uses ultrasound energy to lift and tighten skin. Areas we apply this treatment includes the jawline, brow, neck and décolletage to achieve natural looking results.
‘It is an excellent treatment to tighten and rejuvenate the skin creating a more youthful appearance. Ultherapy is often described as a facelift without surgery or a ‘lunchtime lift’ because of the speed and effectiveness of the procedure.’
Skin problem: Pigmentation and acne scarring
Skincare treatment: CO2 LASER
- Number of sessions you’ll need for each treatment: A course of 3 at 12 week intervals
- Frequency of sessions: Depends on the patient
- Cost: Depends on area (small area is £500)
Laser resurfacing offers patients a dramatic rejuvenation to the skin and is a key treatment for those suffering with deeper scars such as acne scars and aged and sun-damaged skin. An advanced fractionated carbon dioxide laser is used to treat your skin with a matrix of light.
‘It is often known as the Madonna Eye Lift due to its exceptional results at reducing lines and hooding around the eyes. However, it does not treat just the eyes. It can be used for scarring especially those with heavy deep scars from acne,’ she explains.
Skin problem: Rosacea
Skincare treatments: IPL
- Number of sessions you’ll need for each treatment: A course of 3-6 treatments every 2-3 weeks
- Frequency of sessions: You may need maintenance
- Cost: Full face = £250 for a single session. Course of 3 is £700
IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light and it is another example of technology being used to create non-surgical skin treatments.
‘IPL uses light energy to target a certain colour in your skin. When you examine rosacea, its classical red appearance is caused by inflammation and redness from veins and capillaries in the skin’s surface.
‘By targeting these veins with IPL (intense pulse light), you can collapse the vessels, which are then absorbed by the body, diminishing the redness of the treatment area.’
Skin problem: ‘Tech neck’
Skincare treatment: ULTHERAPY® ULTRASOUND TREATMENT
- Number of sessions you’ll need for each treatment: 1
- Frequency of sessions: Maintenance every 12-18 months
- Cost: Depends on area. Full face & neck = £3090
Ultherapy® is a non-invasive, non-surgical cosmetic procedure which uses micro-focused ultrasound waves to stimulate the body’s natural healing and cell repair processes.
Ultherapy is a non-surgical facelift so it’s used to counteract signs of ageing such as sagging and wrinkling skin on the face, neck, chest and brow.
‘The focused ultrasound waves can target the structural layers of skin to boost the production of collagen within the skin, resulting in a toning, tightening and lifting effect which rejuvenates the facial features,’ explains Dr Rekha Tailor.
‘Ultherapy is not a short term quick fix – it actually offers long lasting benefits that continue to develop in the two to three months following treatment, with further improvements up to six months later.
The results of an ultrasonic skin tightening treatment typically last for a year, although some people might see results lasting between three to five years.’
Skin issue: Flabby abs
Skincare treatment: Emsculpt NEO®
- Number of sessions needed for each treatment: 4
- Frequency of the sessions: You may need maintenance (this depends on the patient)
- Cost: £3000 for course of 4
The EMSCULPT NEO uses HIFEM+ (high-intensity focused electromagnetic) and RF (Radio-frequency) technology to simultaneously build muscle and burn fat on the stomach (or arms, legs, and bum!) with no pain or downtime.
It delivers high-intensity focussed electromagnetic energy pulses to the muscle tissues, creating supramaximal muscle contractions that activate more muscle fibres than what you can achieve through normal exercise. It is the equivalent to 20,000 situps in one 30 minute session.
‘This is especially popular amongst male patients,’ explains Dr Tailor. ‘This nonsurgical treatment can tighten, tone, and strengthen the large muscle groups of the abdomen and buttocks as well as of smaller body areas, including the upper arms, thighs, and calves. It creates better muscle definition and reduced circumference.’
Skin problem: Pockets of fat
Skincare treatments: COOLSCULPTING
- Number of sessions you’ll need for each treatment: Depends on the patient and the areas being treated
- Frequency of the sessions: Depends on the patient’s goals
- Cost: £600 per cycle (discounts on multiple treatments)
CoolSculpting, or cryolipolysis, is a completely non-invasive process which works to tackle stubborn pockets of fat, reshaping the body for a leaner profile and smoother silhouette.
The technology works by using freezing temperatures to break down fat cells. Cold does not damage other cells in the way it does fat cells, and so there is no damage to the skin or underlying tissue.
During the procedure, the practitioner vacuums the skin above the area of fatty tissue into an applicator that cools the fat cells. The cold temperatures numb the area, and some people feel a cool sensation.
‘Despite vigorous exercise and strict diet plans, many of us still struggle with troublespots where the fat seems to just accumulate and be resistant to all efforts to shift it,’ says Dr Rekha Tailor. ‘This becomes more difficult as the body’s metabolism changes with age.
‘CoolSculpting offers a great solution for targeting these problem areas alongside a healthy lifestyle. The treatment works to destroy fat cells through application of intense cold to the area. Your body’s metabolic processes then expell the fat cells. The procedure is non-invasive, so does not involve any use of needles or scalpels.’
Skin problem: Wrinkles
Skincare treatment: CLEAR LIFT LASER FACIAL
- Number of sessions you’ll need for each treatment: 6 (although some patients see lifted contours and healthier looking skin after just one treatment)
- Frequency of sessions: Results generally last for 24 months. We recommend a top-up maintenance treatment once a year.
- Cost: Prices start from £150 for eye area & £300 for full face single sessions
The ClearLift Laser Facelift, also known as the Hollywood Laser FaceLift, is the latest treatment that plumps, firms the skin and reduces pigmentation on the face, neck, décolletage, hands and body.
‘The treatment is fast, taking around 20 minutes and has no downtime or redness. Often known as a ‘lunchtime facelift’ this highly controlled treatment which can not only treat puffy eyes and dark circles but also plumps up your collagen and tightens your skin.
‘We recommend a course of six treatments to see full results. Some patients see lifted contours and healthier looking skin after just one treatment.
Find out more about all of these skincare treatments at healthandaesthetics.co.uk.
