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Lueur House delivers the ultimate luxurious experience through unprecedented service, world-class products and treatments that are driven by state-of-the-art technology. A sanctuary outside of the every day, Lueur House provides innovative treatments that blend global wellness philosophies with custom combination therapies that are put together by their expert team.

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You’ve just grown a tiny little human for nine months and done everything you can to ensure your baby is strong and healthy. And while you are absolutely thrilled with your beautiful bundle of joy, you must admit that the process of bringing a new life into this world has been quite a challenging feat. Particularly for our bodies, due to all the physical, emotional, and massive hormonal fluctuation changes it has experienced over the last couple of weeks – not to mention an increase in skin sensitivity as well.

In fact, skin hypersensitivity is not only one of the main causes of change but is also the very reason why we cannot treat our skin efficiently, and with no way of knowing how it will react. It is therefore of extreme importance that we put all aesthetic treatments on hold during pregnancy. Of course, this is easier said than done, as it just leaves us with an even more insatiable craving for all-things beauty once we’ve given birth.

Let’s talk post-pregnancy and aesthetics

Pigmentation, weight gain, stretch marks, cellulite, scarring and breakouts. These are but a few of the various ailments that assault the skin post-preggers. Yet, the odds are likely very high that you can already attest to them. A combination of concerns calls for a combination of treatments. When addressing any skin concern, we always use combination therapy to achieve the best possible results. Combination therapy involves the merger of different treatment modalities to target various root causes that contribute to the patient’s aesthetic afflictions.

Concerns and treatment modalities

Pigmentation

Melasma is one of the most common pigmentation-related side effects during pregnancy, and, unfortunately, one which can be quite tricky to treat as well. Whilst these dark spots may begin to fade post-pregnancy, there are treatments that can be performed to speed up this process. Chemical peels, for instance, are a great place to start. They come in many different forms, and in varying degrees of strength and application so that it’s in accordance with the skin type of the patient.

Variables to consider will be one’s shade of skin colour, the skin layer in which the hyperpigmentation is present, and more. The gold standard of depigmentation is without a doubt, the Mesoestetic Cosmelan® Treatment. Cosmelan® acts by blocking the melanin-producing enzyme (tyrosinase), and, as such, reduces the production of melasma.

It is suitable for all skin tones and types, making it one of the winning solutions for those who are left with moderate to severe melanoma post-pregnancy. There are, however, less invasive chemical peels better suited for less severe melasma. In these cases, a peel combined with micro-needling can yield beautiful results.

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What’s more, micro-needling may be combined with targeted topical serums and peels to address many different concerns. Regarding the treatment of pigmentation, micro-needling facilitates the efficacy and penetration of chemical peels.

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For the love of laser

The latest advancement to the Lueur House offerings is our Moxi™ laser by Sciton.

The Moxi™ laser is what is known as a non-ablative, fractional laser. The research-based technology works by heating the dermis to promote new cell growth while promoting the development of collagen and elastin. The new skin cells then replace the older ones that have become damaged, thus minimising skin discolouration and texture whilst reducing unwanted pigment at the same time.

This revolutionary laser is becoming the “go-to” treatment for melasma, as it does not produce high amounts of heat that can trigger hyperpigmentation. Unlike many laser treatments, Moxi™ is suitable for all skin types and tones. Not only will Moxi™ improve pigmentation, but it will also drastically improve your overall texture and tone.

Body changes and how to treat them

As previously mentioned, our bodies undergo immense change during pregnancy. But, did you know that a lot of these changes (such as stretch marks) are caused by genetic predispositions where no amount of belly oil can help avoid the inevitable? Cellulite and stretch marks are completely normal (pregnant or not), yet, alas, can also be challenging to treat sometimes. This is why it’s vital to start treating cellulite and stretch marks NOW.

Treating the peel

For cellulite, we recommend a combination of carboxytherapy, Exilis®, and Emtone® by BTL.

Emtone® simultaneously emits both radiofrequency and TPE (targeted pressure energy). When these technologies are combined into one treatment, there is a synergistic effect that neither technology can achieve on its own. Results include the diminishing of fat chambers, remodelling of collagen fibres, restoration of skin elasticity, an increase in blood flow, and an increase in metabolic waste removal. Where weight gain is considered, Exilis® by BTL can also be incorporated into the treatment plan to reduce fat in the area.

Blurred lines

For stretch marks, we highly recommend carboxytherapy. The stretch marks you see on your body are a rupture of dermal collagen. Carboxytherapy creates new collagen, which thickens the skin and improves its appearance. What is so great about all these treatments, is the fact that they are applied differently to remedy one’s various concerns – and all in one visit! For example, whilst the technique and method to which carboxytherapy is performed when treating cellulite vs stretch marks is different, it still forms one treatment.

Scar tissue

Scarring from c-sections can sometimes be unpredictable, as the healing of scars depends on various factors, such as your body type, age, and how previous scars have mended. Your body may also be predisposed to keloid scars (where the tissue extends beyond the c-section incision) or has the tendency to appear lumpy.

In any case, micro-needling with PRP (platelet rich plasma) can be a highly potent combo in treating scar tissue. With micro-needling, an increase of collagen production is activated – which, in turn, improves the appearance of a scar – whilst the injecting of platelet rich plasma drastically intensifies the body’s natural wound healing response by delivering concentrations of your very own growth factors to the scar site.

Southern comfort

Pregnancy can do all sorts of things to our intimate areas. Should you not be happy with what’s down below (aesthetically speaking), you can rest assured that there are several options available to assist in treating your lady bits. In the event of darkened skin caused by pregnancy, Mesoestetic® have an intimate peel called Dermamelan®. This topical treatment drastically lightens your intimate area and reduces the appearance of dark spots.

Other concerns such as sexual dysfunction, decreased libido, urinary incontinence, and loosening, can all be targeted using the same magic treatment: PRP – your body’s very own liquid gold.

Depending on your needs, PRP injections are administered into the tissue surrounding the clitoris, urethra, and G-spot by one of our doctors. Once the targeted areas have been injected, it initiates the regeneration of the vaginal tissue, thereby making it healthy and supple.

Moreover, the growth factors released from the activated PRP promote collagen and elastin production inside the vagina and around the clitoris, causing its expansion due to tissue thickening. This leads to easier stimulation, sexual enhancement, and improved vaginal hydration – all in under an hour.

Facial injectables

Botulinum toxin and fillers are hands down the two most anticipated post-pregnancy aesthetic treatments. The emotional ups and downs during those nine months certainly cause a fair share of facial expressions. Laughing, crying, smiling, frowning, sighing… those muscle contractions are not very kind on our expression lines – so it’s little wonder you may be feeling a little bit wrinkly post-pregnancy (especially for those who were botulinum toxin aficionados).

The good news is that once you’ve stopped breastfeeding completely and are deemed medically fit by your doctor, you may go back to using injectables such as botulinum toxin and filler. Lueur Aesthetics & Wellness is home to some of Johannesburg’s qualified and trained aesthetic doctors.

Surgical Options:

Dr Ewa Siolo, plastic surgeon

Plastic Surgeon, Dr Ewa Siolo says: “After pregnancy, when your body gets back to normal hormonal levels, the abdominal skin retracts after being stretched during pregnancy, and breasts return to a non-lactating state. So, it might be worth considering undergoing some aesthetic surgical improvements. The popular “mommy makeover”, which includes breast surgery as well as abdominal wall surgery, could be advised and explained by a specialist-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon. However, there are specific indications and criteria to be a candidate for surgery (which are not within the scope of this article). We are highly encouraging postnatal consultation with our Lueur House staff to advise you on appropriate treatment or refer you to a plastic surgeon. The time of raising children is rewarding and happy for your offspring, but it should also be a time of paying attention to your body, as well as your own recovery from pregnancy.”

Dr Ewa is available for consultation at Lueur Aesthetics & Wellness.

Written by Alexandra Bernstein, Lueur Aesthetics

Alexandra Bernstein, Lueur Aesthetics

Disclaimer:

Some treatments mentioned above are not suitable whilst breastfeeding. Please consult your doctor/gynae before embarking on aesthetic treatments post pregnancy and whilst breastfeeding.