*Sponsored post: Skinmiles*
Spring is always an exciting time that symbolises a fresh start. As we say goodbye to winter and welcome the warmer days, the new season is a good time for change. Whether it is transforming your skin or adding new products to your skin regime, Dr Alek Nikolic, a renowned medical doctor in aesthetic medicine and owner of an online skincare store, Skinmiles, has you covered. Below he delves into how you can take your skincare regime to the next level.
Do you often find yourself asking how hard is your skincare regime working? While topical treatments are all-stars at addressing surface-level issues, there are a few in-office treatment options that can give you a spring rejuvenation. But before exploring the different treatment options it is important to understand the science behind the skin and know what is happening beneath the layers.
The deeper layers of your skin: Here’s what is happening underneath
As we age, we tend to lose fat in the face, which results in volume loss and fibroblasts becoming lazy. Although it may not sound like it, the fat in your face is your skin’s supportive best friend. When you’re young, this fat works behind the scenes to make sure your skin always looks its best and that everything is where it should be. This translates to skin that’s smooth, tight and youthful-looking. As you age, however, this fat loses volume.
“Like a balloon slowly deflating, the surface of your skin starts to become more and more pliable. It means that features that were once smooth and plump, now start to fold and drop,” explains Dr Nikolic.
Studies show that when the skin has this fatty support system, fibroblasts are stimulated. Fibroblasts are cells that produce collagen and elastin and they promote the skin’s own healing process.
“This relationship between fat pockets and fibroblasts explains why, as we age, the fibroblasts become lazy,” adds Dr Nikolic. “Over time, repetitive facial expressions, such as frowning, will eventually start to manifest themselves as wrinkles”.
The good news is that there are treatment options available that go deep to slow down the signs of ageing. Here are Dr Nikolic’s top treatment recommendations:
1 . Dermal fillers
Dermal fillers have come a long way in the last decade. With the arrival of new fillers designed to treat specific areas, the approach has changed: from blurring lines to being able to restore balance and harmony in the face.
2. Neurotoxin wrinkle treatments
Botulinum Toxin has gotten a bad reputation in the past, but when done correctly, neurotoxin wrinkle treatment injections are your best bet at diminishing wrinkles.
“Each Botulinum Toxin experience is unique. We can even tailor your treatment according to ethnic or cultural differences. For the most natural end result possible, we carefully select the number of units, as well as which muscles to inject,” says Dr Nikolic.
3. Dermapen
The Dermapen is a member of the collagen induction therapy family. Dermapen treatments delve deeper into your skin and are designed to create a safe, healing response within your body. The result of microneedles penetrating the skin at specific depths is an inflammatory effect. In this case, inflammation is a good thing, because it sends an emergency signal to your cells to start producing new elastin and collagen.
“Another benefit of the Dermapen is that it assists in creating microchannels. These enable your skin to carry up to 80% more active ingredients. To take this benefit to the next level, I would recommend adding a Dermapen-specific topical retinol,” advises Dr Nikolic.
You can expect to see a difference after just one session, although Dr Nikolic recommends a course of six treatments at six-weekly intervals.
4. Chemical peels
There are many benefits of a light, superficial chemical peel treatment. Even though they’re technically still medical peels, they won’t leave you red or your skin flaking or sloughing after the treatment.
“At our practice, we love using Skin Ingredients (sk.in), NeoStrata, Dermaquest, Lamelle, and SkinCeuticals peeling systems. The choice between these systems is dependent on your skin type and concern, as well as the results you’d like to go home with,” says Dr Nikolic.
5. Fractional skin resurfacing
Numerous fractional devices exist, but they’re all guided by the same basic principle, which is using energy to create microchannels of inflammation in the skin, which in turn stimulates the skin’s healing process.
That being said, something one should be aware of is that post-inflammatory pigmentation can be a side effect of some fractional laser devices.
“I love using the bipolar radio frequency fractional skin resurfacing applicator so much. It allows us to safely treat all skin types with no fear of pigmentation in sight,” say Dr Nikolic, who recommends a course of three treatments at four-weekly intervals.
6. Retinol
Vitamin A or Retinol deserves a special mention. Found in tropical products this ingredient is your trusty sidekick in your fight against fine lines and wrinkles. This is also a good alternative for those who don’t want to do in-office treatments.
Here are Dr Nikolic’s retinol product recommendations:
NEOSTRATA Skin Active Retinol Repair Complex
This new season is the time to put your best foot forward. As you embark on this skincare journey, however, take caution to not overdo it, you don’t want to run the risk of compromising your skin.
Visit www.skinmiles.com and sign up for a free Face2Face Assessment. You will receive personal recommendations from Dr Nikolic for your skin type or skin concern.
MBBCh (WITS) ATLS (ACS) MBA (UCT)
Dr Alek Nikolic is a doctor with a special interest in aesthetic medicine and is at the forefront of the latest developments in his field. With a focus on skin care, skin ingredients, and cosmetic dermatology treatments such as lasers, chemical peels, Botulinum toxin, and Dermal Fillers, he has performed over 20 000 procedures to date and is responsible for training many medical practitioners both locally and internationally. After receiving his MBBCh from the University of the Witwatersrand (1992) he went on to do an MBA at the University of Cape Town (2000). With over 24 years in private practice, he has lectured and performed live demonstrations across the globe, including Bangkok, Rome, Paris, Monte Carlo, Prague, and Warsaw. Some of his accolades include: Owner of Aesthetic Facial Enhancement, Owner of online skincare store SkinMiles.com, Owner and formulator of Skin Ingredients (sk.in): www.skiningredients.com, Founding member of the South African Allergan Medical Aesthetic Academy, Advisor to Allergan Local Country Mentor in Facial Aesthetics, EXCO Member of the Aesthetic and Anti-Aging Medicine Society of South Africa (AAMSSA), and is an Associate Member of the American Society of Laser Medicine and Surgery (ASLMS).
- Dr Alek Nikolichttps://www.aestheticappointment.co.za/author/dr-alek-nikolic
- Dr Alek Nikolichttps://www.aestheticappointment.co.za/author/dr-alek-nikolic
- Dr Alek Nikolichttps://www.aestheticappointment.co.za/author/dr-alek-nikolic
- Dr Alek Nikolichttps://www.aestheticappointment.co.za/author/dr-alek-nikolic
