The best treatments and tweakments to get your glow on for the festive season

IPL PHOTOREJUVENATION

Best for: overall skin tone and radiant skin for those with pigmentation or vascularity of the skin.

What is IPL Photorejuvenation and what are its benefits?
IPL stands for intense pulsed light. It is a highly effective versatile treatment that can address multiple skin concerns such as redness, uneven skin tone, broken blood vessels (telangiectasia), rosacea, abnormal pigmentation, freckles, sunspots, unwanted facial hair, and can also help reduce the appearance of fine lines and large pores.

How does it work?
IPL is similar to a laser treatment but releases light of many different wavelengths to target multiple issues. Pigment cells and blood vessels in your skin absorb light energy, which is converted into heat. The heat destroys the unwanted pigment and closes tiny blood vessels to produce radiant even-toned skin. IPL can also stimulate collagen production to improve skin texture, reduce fine lines, and give the skin a more youthful appearance. IPL penetrates down to the second layer of your skin (dermis) without harming the top layer (epidermis), so it causes less damage to your skin. IPL treatments can be tailored to address specific skin concerns as the settings of the IPL device can be adjusted to target different pigments and depths in the skin.

How long do results last?
While multiple sessions are usually required for optimal results, IPL can provide long-lasting improvements to the skin. Many people notice a reduction in pigmentation, improved skin tone, and overall skin rejuvenation that lasts for months or even years with proper skincare maintenance, especially with daily use of physical sunscreen. Often patients like to do a maintenance treatment every 6 or 12 months to maintain the perfect glow to their skin.

How soon will you see results?
Results become noticeable as the treated skin sheds and rejuvenates over a few weeks. A reduction in pigmentation, redness, and overall skin texture improvement can be observed after just one session. I typically see results in my own skin within a week of my maintenance treatments! I love to get an IPL treatment a week or 2 before a big event for the most radiant skin. For a new patient, it typically takes 4 treatments a month apart to achieve optimal results.

Is there downtime?
IPL is a non-invasive procedure because the broad-spectrum light targets the deeper layers of the skin without harming the surface. This means there is minimal downtime associated with the treatment (typically transient pinkness, minor swelling and heat of the skin), so patients can resume their normal activities immediately afterwards. I typically get my IPL during my lunchbreak, put back on my make-up, and see my patients in my afternoon clinic for the rest of the day!

What should you know before trying IPL Photorejuvenation?
Do not use any exfoliating products, topical retinoids or fake tan in the week before your treatment.

Who is IPL Photorejuvenation suitable for?
IPL is suitable for skin types 1 to 3, but not for darker skin types. It is particularly helpful for those with rosacea, uneven tone and pigmentation.

Can you combine IPL Photorejuvenation with other treatments?
Yes, we do this all the time to optimize results depending on the patient’s skin concerns. Our favourite combinations are IPL with Profhilo for incredible radiance before a big event (like a wedding), IPL with dermaplaning for the smoothest glowing skin before an event, IPL with Secret Pro RF radiofrequency microneedling for the best overall photorejuvenation with improvements in texture and tightness, and IPL with gentle chemical peels for those with more pigment and sun damage.

Does it hurt? Are there any risks?
Patients experience a sensation like a rubber band snapping on the skin which is generally well-tolerated. Sometimes patients can have minor swelling and occasionally blistering can occur.

How do you take care of your skin after IPL Photorejuvenation?
It is essential to protect your skin from excessive sun exposure and use daily mineral sunscreen (preferably a tinted version if you are prone to pigmentation) to maintain your results and prevent further damage.

How much does it cost?
€250 per session of IPL to face; €300 when combined with dermaplaning, €1100 for a double combination treatment of IPL with Profhilo over two sessions, and €2400 for three combination treatments of Secret Pro RF radiofrequeny microneedling with IPL.
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PROFHILO

Best for: the big event! And for glowing radiant skin for all skin types.

What is Profhilo and what are it’s benefits?
Profhilo is a stabilised injectable hyaluronic acid which greatly improves hydration of the skin resulting in a radiant, glowing complexion. The slow release of hyaluronic acid stimulates the production of 4 different types of collagen and elastin to improve the skin texture and tightness.

How does it work?
Profhilo contains hyaluronic acid, a natural component of the skin, and is used to hydrate and revitalise from within. Unlike traditional dermal fillers, the hyaluronic acid of Profhilo spreads beneath the surface of the skin to draw water into the skin, improving hydration, and stimulating collagen and elastin production. This results in a more supple, rejuvenated and glowing complexion.

How long do results last?
The effects last up to 6 months.

How soon will you see results?
While you may see an improvement immediately after the first treatment, the best results are visible around 4 weeks after the second treatment. The hyaluronic acid has slow-release properties so your skin will continue to hydrate, tighten and gain elasticity over the following weeks to months.

Is there downtime?
The entire treatment process usually takes under 30 minutes, and has no downtime, so you can get back to your day straight after treatment. After treatment, there will be small lumps of Prohilo at the injection sites which disappear within a few hours.

What should you know before trying Profhilo?
Profhilo is not a dermal filler. It does not increase volume in a significant way so will not improve a sagging jawline or improve definition.

Who is best suited to Profhilo?
Anyone who presents with signs of ageing is suitable for treatment with Profhilo. It is particularly suitable for those who are looking for more radiance and glow to their skin and is extremely popular with brides and in the run up to a special event. I also love Profhilo for ageing necks and hands – it is great at improving crepiness of the skin and the textural changes of ageing.

Does it hurt? Are there any risks?
Profhilo is not painful. Occasionally patients may have minor bruising or swelling.

How much does it cost?
€380 for the face or €720 for the face and neck.

BOTOX

Best for: everyone! There is no single more youthening treatment – if you can only choose one, choose botox!

What is botox and what are it’s benefits?
Botox is short for botulinum toxin, a neurotoxin that works as a muscle relaxant. It has many medical indications but we use it in cosmetic dermatology to smooth wrinkles and fine lines of the forehead, around the eyes and mouth, to lift the eyebrows, to reduce the pull of the neck muscles on the jawline, and to improve grinding of the teeth and excessive sweating.

How does it work?
Anti-wrinkle injections work by weakening selected facial muscles so that they cannot pull on the overlying skin, thereby reducing wrinkles. It does this by temporarily blocking the nerves to the muscles that are responsible for causing the wrinkles. Relaxing facial muscles can reduce and limit the size and depth of facial wrinkles for a more youthful look. With less movement, the skin surface gradually smooths out and the lines begin to fade.

Does botox prevent wrinkles?
Anti-wrinkle injections are being used more and more frequently by people in their late 20s and 30s who are trying to prevent fine lines becoming etched into the skin. The theory is that by starting earlier, people, and their muscles, can learn not to make certain expressions that contribute to worsening their lines. This has been examined by observing identical twins, one of whom had been using anti-wrinkle injections for years, while the other had not. The twin using anti-wrinkle injections was significantly less wrinkled and appeared younger.

How long do results last?
Three months, sometimes longer with consistent treatment.

How soon will you see results?
You will start to see results within 4 days but the full effect is not present for 2 weeks.

Is there downtime?
No! My patients get their injections on their way to or from work or during their lunchtime. Within minutes there should be no evidence of your injections.

What should you know before trying botox?
You will love it and it is highly addictive! Very few people decide not to continue with anti-wrinkle treatments. This has budget implications!

Who is best suited to botox? Is there an ideal age to start?
There is no specific age to start anti-wrinkle injections. It can be anything from early 20s in rare patients who have very strong frown lines or gummy smiles, to as late as the 40s or 50s in other patients. Genetics plays a large role in this, as well as smoking and sun damage. A good time point for those considering botox is when you start to see etched lines at rest – lines that are still there when they are not making facial expressions. Another good time to start botox is when your eyebrows start to descend and you’re seeing hooding or the eyelids or a fixed frown – an expert can use antiwrinkle injections to lift the eyebrows and open the eyes for a more rested, youthful look.

Does it hurt? Are there any risks?
Most patients find antiwrinkle injections relatively painless or compare it to a tiny pinching. The main risk is not liking the result. Minor bruising can occur and in rare cases eyelid drooping. There are no long-term side effects.

How much does it cost?
From €320 depending on the number of sites injected.

GENTLE CHEMICAL PEELS

Best for: acne-prone skin, pigment, large pores, rough texture, keratosis pilaris

What is a chemical peel and what are the benefits?
Chemical peels use acids to exfoliate the superficial layers of the skin in a uniform way to improve texture, pigmentation, acne-prone skin and superficial lines.

How does it work?
The exfoliation of dead skin cells on the outer layer of the skin reduces pigmentation and leads to increased production of the structural protein collagen, which, in turn, improves skin tone and texture.

The PCA Perfecting Peel combines the power of lactic acid and mandelic acid as a unique peeling option for all clients, including those with ageing, discoloured, breakout-prone and sensitive skin. This gentle alpha hydroxy acid solution improves surface texture and fine lines, while helping to promote an even skin tone.

The PCA Sensi Peel is a unique option for patients with photo-aged skin, rough textured but sensitive skin. The 6% TCA solution immediately improves surface texture, pores size and reveal a brighter, more even skin tone. This peel is also great for those with keratosis pilaris (bumpiness of upper arms).

The Skinbetter Science Alpharet Chemical Peel combines lactic acid, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and patented AlphaRet® technology to improve overall skin tone and texture for patients with mild photodamage including early signs of ageing and blemishes. 100% of our chemical peel patients observe improvements in texture and tone.

How long do results last?
Typically 6-8 weeks.

How soon will you see results?
Results can be observed within a week.

Is there downtime?
With our mild peels there should be minimal downtime. There will be minor scaling but this should not be evident using appropriate moisturisers and make-up.

What should you know before trying a chemical peel?
No exfoliation or topical retinoids in the preceding week.

Who is best suited to chemical peels?
Those with pigmentation, large pores, acne prone skin and it’s great for keratosis pilaris before an event.

Does it hurt? Are there any risks?
There can be a mild tingling during the peel. There will be redness and scaling after the treatment. Rarely, blistering can occur. This is not recommended in pregnant patients.

How much does it cost?
Our PCA Perfecting Peel is €145. Our PCA Sensipeel and Skinbetter Science Alpharet Peels are €165.

The Let It Glow IPL + Profhilo combination package

Best for: radiant, luminous skin.

Unlock the secret to radiant, luminous skin for the Christmas party season! The Cosmetic Suite at The Institute of Dermatologists have introduced a brand-new package designed to transform your complexion and leave you glowing with confidence just in time for the party season. They are combining two of their most sought-after treatments, two Profhilo treatments and two IPL treatments, all in just two sessions! With this package, you’ll experience the magic of two Profhilo sessions to hydrate and plump your skin, along with two IPL treatments, to reduce redness and pigmentation, to produce the most radiant glowing complexion and amplify your improvements in texture and tone.

The best part of this package? You can achieve all of this for just €1100! Enter our competition to win the opportunity to pamper yourself and unveil your inner radiance in time for the party season!