We ask Dr Geoffrey Heber, cosmetic medicine specialist and Founder and Director of Ultraceuticals about the latest non-surgical options for facial rejuvenation and how to choose the right treatment for your skin type.
With over two decades in the cosmetic medicine industry, a member of the Cosmetic Physicians Society of Australia and having been a Fellow of the Faculty of Medicine of the Australasian College of Cosmetic Surgery, it’s suffice to say Dr Geoffrey Heber knows his stuff. We interviewed the cosmetic surgery guru on everything from non-surgical options, the latest technologies in laser treatment and the best solutions to anti-aging.
Rescu: What are the latest non surgical options that are used at the Heber Davis Clinic for facial rejuvenation?
Dr Heber: We are using a non-surgical radiofrequency skin tightening treatment called Pelleve. It can be used over the entire face or just around the eyes. Treatment takes 30 minutes to an hour and it does not hurt. We do one half of the face first during the treatment and show you the difference compared to the untreated side. Results are usually seen after one treatment but two to three are usually done.
Rescu: How has laser technology changed and improved in the past 3years?
Dr Heber: Fractionated technology is the main change in laser technology over the last few years. During a treatment the fractional laser treats many dots of skin. Downtime and side effects are minimal compared to older full resurfacing methods but two to five treatments might be needed to give similar results.
Rescu: What are the latest machines for anti-ageing results and what do they do?
Dr Heber: There are a huge number of machines for anti-ageing results but they all boil down to performing only a few different treatments. Some lasers and Broadband Light/Intense Pulsed Light machines (BBL/IPL’s) treat redness and brownness; some lasers and BBL/IPL’s treat general sun damage, some lasers have an effect on fine lines and some radiofrequency machines tighten the skin. Sonophoresis machines use low frequency ultrasound to markedly increase penetration of ingredients and hydration.
Rescu: What are our options for fillers and muscle relaxants?
Dr Heber: Juvederm is a range of dermal fillers for treating lines and increasing volume of the face. Restylane is also a range of dermal fillers and it has the same indications as the Juvederm range. Esthelis is another range of dermal fillers. Some Esthelis products are quite soft and are suitable for treating fine surface lines, unlike other products. Juvederm, Restylane and Esthelis products are all made using hyaluronic acid. Radiesse is a filler mainly for increasing volume of the cheeks and softening nose to mouth folds. It is made from tiny balls of a bone like substance, calcium hydroxyapatite, and it has been shown that there is new tissue growth around this. All the fillers for providing volume can last a year or more. Fillers when injected into wrinkles will generally last a shorter time. Muscle relaxant brands are Botox and Dysport. There is no general consensus of a clearcut advantage of one over the other.
Rescu: Can sensitive skin types still experience anti-ageing treatments without being worried about reactions? What types of treatments are suitable for sensitive skin types?
Dr Heber: People with sensitive skin only need to worry about peels. They should restrict themselves to only having very light peels.
Rescu: What your recommended treatment for instant gratification and improvement of visible signs of ageing?
Dr Heber: Muscle relaxant treatment generally give the most obvious improvement but they might take up to a week or more to work. Fillers give an immediate effect. BBL/IPL treatments can give very gratifying rejuvenation of skin that has blotchy pigmentation and/or broken capillaries.
Rescu: What is the best course of treatment for long term and most significant results when it comes to anti-ageing?
Dr Heber: UV protection or avoidance and an effective strength retinol (pure vitamin A) cream are the basis of healthy skin. If, like many Australians, you have skin that has some sun damage with red and brown blotchiness, BBL/IPL treatments are very effective and are only needed very infrequently.
Rescu: What are the 3 top Ultraceuticals products you recommend to women who are experiencing ageing?
Dr Heber: Protective Daily Moisturiser SPF30+ is usually our top selling product. Even Skintone products smooth texture and increase clarity and Ultra A Smoothing Complex provides an effective strength of retinol to protect against and improve the signs of ageing.
The Heber Davis Clinic was one of the first full-service clinics in Sydney, or indeed, in Australia opening in 1988. They now own 7 lasers and theirvmenu of services has expanded to offer all those non-surgical aesthetic treatments that they consider to currently be the most effective available. The team at Heber Davis will provide thorough and comprehensive consultations including detailed explanations on why they recommend specific services and realistic expectations of the result of these treatments. This will include where appropriate a complete skincare program as well as a program for caring for your skin at home.
For more information head to www.heberdavis.com.au
