Maximising the Benefit

Created on 10th July 2009

Maintaining our looks can prove a massive investment so how do you protect that investment? How can you prolong the effect to get the most from your treatment?

One of the questions that patients frequently ask their practitioner when they are thinking about having an aesthetic procedure is: "How long will the beneficial effect last?"

Opting for such treatments is a major decision - not just financially but also emotionally, so most of us will naturally want to be sure that we gain the maximum benefit from whatever treatment we have.

Of course, the answer to any question about the longevity of an effect will vary from procedure to procedure, product to product and also person to person. However, how you care for your skin before and after a treatment can have a major impact on not just speeding up the skin's recovery but also on maintaining the benefits for as long as possible.

It's a medical fact that the quality and quantity of hyaluronic acid, naturally present in skin to maintain its plumpness and firmness, diminishes with age. The skin can then become dehydrated, tissue can start to sag and the first wrinkles begin to appear. However, it is possible to recover firm, well-toned skin by replenishing it with the use of additional hyaluronic acid. This can be delivered not only through dermal fillers but now also with the application of a new generation of scientifically-based topical treatments.

Teosyal is one of the UK's leading hyaluronic acid fillers (in fact, it was voted ‘Best Injectable Product in the Aesthetic Medicine Awards 2008) and its manufacturers have now launched a range of anti-ageing skincare, Teosyal Cosmeceuticals, that complements aesthetic procedures.

Based on the use of microspheres of hyaluronic acid, the cosmetic products in the new range have been designed to provide a three-fold effect: in-depth action to lessen the signs of ageing; correct and cover skin imperfections and prepare skin for cosmetic injections.

The products
The Pre/Post Injection treatment has been developed to help prevent inflammation and then help to soothe and regenerate the skin after the procedure. It has an intensive, active formula which not only contains hyaluronic acid but also Neutrazen (to soothe and reduce skin reactions such as redness, swelling and irritations) and extract of arnica (with its well-known reparatory and anti-inflammatory properties).

One patient who has used the skincare range, Annette Peters, says, "As I really have very reactive skin my partner always knows when I have been spending money on my Botox and fillers. My doctor recently gave me a Teosyal pre/post injection cream, and it worked; very little redness and none of the usual swelling, and no argument when I arrived home."

Covering Repair is a tinted covering treatment that effectively corrects skin imperfections by combining a strong concentration of colour pigments with a formula containing both hyaluronic acid and extract of arnica for maximum coverage and optimal care. The four shades in each compact can be blended to produce the closest possible skin tone match and flawless finish while at the same time helping to hydrate the skin and soothe post-procedure irritation.

As well as a post-injection skincare treatment, the Covering Repair is also recommended for concealing redness, spots and dark under-eye circles.

The final product in the range is Advanced Filler, an innovative anti-wrinkle, anti-ageing skincare treatment which comes in two variants - one for normal to combination skin and one for dry to very dry skin. Based on an exclusive combination of intensive active ingredients, it is designed to have a deep moisturising effect, helping to plump and fill out wrinkles and lines from the inside.

The Advanced Filler also claims to help wrinkles which have been previously injected to remain filled for longer. During independent clinical studies, wrinkle depth was shown to decrease by as much as 52 per cent and wrinkle volume to decrease by as much as 56 per cent. In addition, the skin was shown to begin its restructuring process at the dermal-epidermal junction in less than ten days.

Nurse practitioner and director of Enhance Medical, Rachel Grey-Smart is very keen on this new range: "I really appreciate being able to offer my patients a complete skincare service - from helping them to prepare for a procedure to assisting them to maximise the results. Every patient's skin reacts differently after a procedure but these products offer a way for the patient themselves to help minimise their recovery time and, if necessary, cover any temporary reactions."
CS&AM