We have a list of frequently asked questions that are often asked by our customers. If you have any queries not answered below please contact us.
General
What is the consultation fee?
We provide a comprehensive complimentary first consultation in which conditions are analysed and assessed, and treatment options are discussed.
How do I go about making an appointment?
You can call our clinic during office hours on (031) 312 3934 to set up an appointment, or alternately you can fill in an enquiry form and one of our therapists will call you during office hours to arrange an appointment.
What is the best treatment for me?
We have many different treatment options for different skin conditions and concerns. We therefore provide you with a very comprehensive initial consultation where your medical history is reviewed and the specific condition being treated is discussed as along with possible treatments and likely achievable results. If your goals are unattainable we may help you reset your expectations to more realistic goals or recommend other specialists for your concerns.
Do you treat men?
We treat both men and women. Most parts of the body where hair grows can be effectively treated
How can I give my feedback of my experience?
We encourage you to give your feedback of your experience at our clinic and on our web site. Your suggestions will help us improve our services. You can email us at skinandhair@iafrica.com
Do you offer general skin care instruction?
We are always glad to speak to you about skincare. During your appointment, we can answer questions about keeping your skin healthy. You will be given information about a treatment, brochure, and consent form and pre- and post-treatment care instructions. Our staff may discuss skin, moisturising, and sun protection. For the convenience of our patients, we carry a line of skincare products, specially chosen to care for patients of all skin types.
What products do you stock?
We stock a variety of profession skincare products. Please view our product section for more information.
Laser Hair Removal
Why use the LightSheer diode laser over other hair removal systems?
The LightSheer laser is specifically designed for hair removal. We have chosen this laser because of the extensive clinical research which demonstrated its effectiveness for successful hair removal. The LightSheer diode laser system’s design provides for enhanced comfort during treatment, as well as increased speed and accuracy.
How does the LightSheer system remove hair?
This laser targets the pigment located in the hair follicle and shaft. The light is absorbed by the pigment in the hair follicle and this energy is converted to heat which results in damage to the hair follicle. This damage causes delayed re-growth of the hair, and in most cases destroys the hair follicles.
Is it safe and does it hurt?
The laser is pulsed for only a fraction of a second and the duration of each pulse is just long enough to disable the hair follicles. A unique component of the LightSheer system – the actively cooled sapphire handpiece – was designed to protect the skin by actively cooling it before, during and after the laser light is transmitted, minimising pain.
What affects body hair?
Age, ethnicity, medication, hormone levels, and body site influence the length, coarseness and colour of body hair. How much hair you have depends on how many hairs are in the active growth phase, and how long that phase lasts.
How many treatments will I need?
The LightSheer causes hair reduction and delayed regrowth of the treated hair follicles. Because the laser tends to treat hair follicles that are in an active growth phase, more than one treatment will be required to disable hair follicles that subsequently enter this growth phase. To achieve a satisfactory level of clearance, three to five treatments are typically required at intervals of four to six weeks. Our staff will work with you to develop the best programme that fulfils your needs.
What happens after treatment?
Within several minutes, the treated area may become slightly red and puffy. This reaction usually subsides quickly and returns to normal within a day or so. Around day 3-7 after treatment you may experience what seems to be regrowth of hair. Actually, most of these hairs are being shed as a result of your treatment and are not regrowing. In between treatments you should not wax or pluck your hairs but it is permissible to shave.
Who is a good candidate for the LightSheer laser?
The LightSheer diode laser system safely and effectively treats all skin types (Fitzpatrick Skin Types I-VI) with dark pigmented hair by using the appropriate treatment parameters.
IPL Skin Treatments
What are IPL skin treatments using photorejuvenation?
The SWT® (Selective Waveband Technology) IPL feature of our Nordlys system improves the appearance of photoaged skin, removes sun-induced age spots and freckles, most benign brown pigments, redness caused by broken capillaries and gives the skin a smoother, more even tone through a process called photorejuvenation for face and body. IPL skin treatments using photorejuvenation help restore a more youthful appearance without patient downtime.
Are multiple treatments required?
Depending on the severity of the condition being treated, a series of 4-6 treatment sessions will likely be required. By dividing the programme into several treatments, the procedure provides gradual improvement with very low risk, and it preserves the wonderful ‘no downtime’ feature that people appreciate.
Can the Nordlys effectively treat rosacea?
Our Nordlys IPL machine primarily uses Selective Waveband Technology (SWT®), a type of Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatment, to target the symptoms of rosacea. Nordlys allows us to adjust the wavelength and intensity of the light to suit the specific needs of the patient, ensuring a more personalised and effective treatment
Some pigmented lesions have to be removed surgically, as they are potentially harmful. Can they be treated by IPL instead?
Technically, it is possible to treat such pigmented lesions with IPL and diminish their brown colour; however, doing so does not affect the pre-malignant cells; it only obscures them and delays diagnosis. We therefore would not suggest a treatment but strongly advise you to consult a dermatologist prior to IPL treatment of any suspect pigmented lesion.
Leg Veins
What are the advantages of Lumenis’ Nd: YAG technology?
Lumenis’ proprietary Nd:YAG technology provides multiple synchronised pulsing to selectively heat blood vessels of different sizes and depths. The sapphire cooled Nd: YAG treatment head, available in the M22, increases patient comfort. Multiple spot sizes available on the M22 head allow accurate targeting of vessels anywhere on the body, including larger telangiectasia on the face.
How does high-tech laser/light technology compare to traditional sclerotherapy?
The combination of IPL and Nd:YAG therapy allows treatment of injectable leg veins as well as matting and small spider vessels that are often too small to inject. In addition laser/light therapy is faster and less painful, minimally invasive without needles, and typically does not require compression wrapping.
Are multiple treatments required?
Depending on the severity of the condition being treated, a series of 4-6 treatment sessions will likely be required. By dividing the programme into several treatments, the procedure provides gradual improvement with very low risk, and it preserves the wonderful ‘no downtime’ feature that people appreciate.
Is it painful?
A pulse of laser may feel like a pinch similar to a snapped rubber band. The treated area is cooled with an ice pack and cold gel prior to treatment to minimise discomfort.
Skin Peels
What is a skin peel?
A skin peel is a specific treatment for skin renewal, where either an alpha hydroxy acid or a beta hydroxy acid is applied to the skin for a short period of time and then chemically neutralised to end the treatment. This procedure removes the dead surface skin cells stimulating cell renewal.
Can anyone be treated with a skin peel?
It is best to come in for a consultation in order for us to determine if a skin peel will be the ideal treatment for you. In this consultation we will discuss medical history, skin sensitivities, and peel expectations in order to design a programme specifically suited for you.
Fraxel Laser
What is Fraxel?
Fraxel has been clinically proven to treat uneven skin texture and pigmentation, reduce scarring from skin conditions such as acne, and reduce the appearance of deep lines and wrinkles. It works by removing damaged and old skin cells to stimulate your body’s natural healing process to encourage your body to create new collagen, leaving you with smoother, fresher-looking skin with improved skin tone and texture. The treatment can be performed on all skin types and on all areas of the body, in particular the face, neck, hands and décolletage. Your consultation with a skin doctor will ensure your treatment is tailored to you.
Is it safe?
Fraxel is absolutely safe and approved by the FDA
Can it be used anywhere? Or just on the face?
Fraxel Laser technology is safe and can be used on any area of the body: face, chest, neck, hands…
Does it hurt?
Most patients describe a prickling sensation during treatment. To minimise discomfort, we apply topical anaesthetic cream before the procedure and cold air during the procedure. Some patients experience the feeling of a mild sunburn afterwards for one to three days. Patients are encouraged to apply moisturiser and can wear makeup as normal the next day.
How is the Fraxel procedure performed?
Topical cream to numb the treatment area is applied about an hour prior to treatment. This is to keep the patient comfortable during the procedure. The laser is then used to rejuvenate the skin in the treatment area. The epidermis and dermis layers of the skin are treated, yet no visible damage is done to the outside (epidermal) layer of the skin. By only damaging specific areas of the skin, spread out over the area being treated, healthy and unaffected skin is left intact to quickly begin the healing process and stimulate the body’s own capacity for healing. This results in the production of new collagen and even more radiant skin. Treatment itself usually takes about half an hour.
Are there any side effects?
Side effects are minimal and may include slight to moderate swelling or redness. Fraxel treatments may give you a ‘sunburned’ appearance for two to seven days but is mild and there is no crusting or oozing of the skin as the skin is intact. Makeup may be worn the next day if desired.
How many sessions will I need?
You will typically require three to five treatments to truly heal your skin and achieve your goals. This is normal as the Fraxel laser purposely only selects a fraction of the deeper layers of the skin to wound, allowing the surrounding tissue to create new skin cells and heal itself.
