Dr Winkler | Non-Surgical Procedures
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Dr Winkler / Non-Surgical Procedures
January 14, 2019 In Aesthetic Surgery, Non-Surgical Procedures

New year, new eyes: all about eye rejuvenation

They say that the eyes are the windows to the soul. But what surrounds the eyes also reveals a lot about a person. Things like dark rings, eyelid bags and crows’ feet are the normal telltale signs of ageing, made worse by factors like smoking and dehydration.

As you get older, muscles lose their tone and the skin around your eyes decrease in elasticity. This causes folds to appear on your upper eyelids and deep creases under your lower lids. It’s also normal for eyebrows to start thinning over time.

While these changes are part of growing old, there are a number of options available to you if you feel you are starting to look old in the eye area. When you consider eye rejuvenation surgery, it’s important to remember that the eye area is more than just the eye and the eyelid. It includes your eyebrows, your upper and lower eyelids and the area where your lower eyelids meet your cheek.

Treatment of one area impacts on another, so the entire eye area needs to be evaluated and treated as a whole. A consultation and examination by your plastic surgeon is essential before embarking on any treatment, so that we may create a tailor-made plan for you. As with most of our procedures, a combination of surgery and non-surgical treatments will give you the best results.

 

Excess upper eyelid skin

The only treatment for excess skin on the upper eyelid is surgery. An upper eyelid blepharoplasty will remove the excess skin, muscle and any excess fat (if deemed necessary). This can be done under local or general anaesthesia. Expect your eyes to be bruised and swollen for at least a week. Stitches are removed five days after the surgery. Keep in mind that a drooping eyebrow may need to be fixed before or at the time of surgery.

 

Lower eyelid bags and dark circles

The lower eyelids are the most complicated part of the eye area with regards to rejuvenation. However, if you opt for surgery, a number of ‘problems’ can be addressed in one operation (e.g. it may be combined with a mid-facelift). 

There are numerous factors that need to be considered, such as skin excess, fat in the lower eyelid bags and the loss of fat and volume over the cheek. The tension of the lower eyelid and its position in relation to the eyeball are other factors that may need to be treated. 

If you only have minor dark circles and small bags to treat, these can easily be masked with dermal fillers, which will address the volume loss to create an even surface. 

 

Laugh lines or crow’s feet

Wrinkles around the eyes are usually etched into the skin, typically caused by smiling/laughing and squinting, and exaggerated by volume (fat) loss over the cheeks. Compare your skin to a balloon that slowly deflates – the deflation cause wrinkling to something that was previously taut. The best solution in this case would be Botox injections over the outer part of the eye or filler over the outer cheek.

 

Eyebrows

If your eyebrows start to droop, the skin excess of the upper eyelid can give someone a tired and sad look. Others develop deep grooves between the brows, resulting in a stern, angry and unapproachable look.

Depending on the severity of the grooves, brows can be lifted with Botox, Silhouette Soft Threads, filler or with a surgical brow lift. If you are experiencing thinning brows, consider microblading tattoos, where each hair is tattooed onto the brow. 

 

Not sure which type of treatment is right for you? Then please get in touch with us to set up an appointment with Dr Winkler.

 

Contact

Tel: +27 (0) 87 630 0183

Email: dr@drwinkler.co.za 

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December 7, 2018 In Non-Surgical Procedures, Skin Care

4 Commandments of Safe Summer Skin Care

There are few things more glorious than spending a few hours on the beach soaking up the sun and getting that signature holiday glow. But these days, with the sun’s rays getting harsher and harsher, it’s a luxury none of us can afford.

South Africa has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world and the main cause is chronic exposure to sunlight. That red or brown ‘glow’ that looks great on a selfie now could be the precursor to skin cancer. What’s more, too much sun can cause damage to the structure of skin cells and cause premature ageing.

While we’re not saying you should miss out on all the fun, be sun smart this summer and follow these four commandments to safely catch your daily dose of Vitamin D.

 

1. Never forego sun protection

Sunscreen is not just for beach days and UV rays are not the same as heat. In other words, you can get sunburnt through your car window or on a cool, overcast day. Look for a CANSA-approved SunSmart sunscreen with broad spectrum sun protection (UVA and UVB). Products usually expire within two years so never use a product that has been opened and used after a year has passed. Be sure to apply sunscreen 20 minutes before venturing out into the sun, and keep reapplying throughout the day. Always wear a hat, sunglasses and protective clothing.

Worried about sun damage to your skin? We offer a number of skin renewal therapies such as chemical peels to rejuvenate sun damaged skin on the face, neck and décolletage. 

 

2. Fake it till you make it

With the number of excellent self tanning products available on the market, there really isn’t an excuse to overdo it in the sun. Whether you opt for an at-home version, a professional spray tan or even body make-up, no-one will know that you weren’t really just in St Tropez! A fake tan is a great way to appear slimmer and hide things like cellulite and varicose veins.

Know what else is great at dealing with imperfections? Dermapen is a great treatment for things like acne scars and stretchmarks. A roller containing numerous fine needles punctures the upper layers of the skin to create controlled micro ‘injuries’. By harnessing the skin’s natural ability to repair itself, this therapy encourages it to release growth factors that naturally stimulate new collagen production.

 

3. Keep hydrated

One of the biggest favours you can do for your skin – besides getting enough sleep! – is to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Especially if you are going to be active or hang out in the sun, drinking enough water will help keep skin supple and prolong your tan. Also use a rich moisturiser in summer to feed and nourish dry skin and prevent peeling.

Did you know? As your skin ages, it gradually starts to produce less and less collagen – the framework that supports your skin. If you want to regain your youthful, plump look, dermal fillers can add back hydrolic acid to dry, sagging, thin-looking skin to make it appear youthful and plump again.

 

4. Do a monthly skin self-exam

Just as important as your monthly breast check, so is a regular monthly skin self-examination to check for any changes or irregularities in moles or other parts of your body (such as small grazes that won’t heal). 

CANSA recommends the A, B, C, D, E warning signs for early detection of melanoma (skin cancer):

A – Asymmetry: When one half of a mole is unlike the other half (should be symmetrical)

B – Borders: Irregular, scalloped, or poorly defined border.

C – Colour: Varied from one area to another (shades of tan or brown, black, red, white, or blue).

D – Diameter of 6mm or larger (size of a pencil eraser) should be of concern.

E – Evolution: Looks different from the rest, or is changing in size, color, or shape.

 

If you would like to speak to a specialist about removing any unsightly moles or if you are considering any cosmetic surgery, please get in touch with us to set up a consultation with Dr Winkler.

 

Contact

Tel: +27 (0) 87 630 0183

Email: dr@drwinkler.co.za 

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September 3, 2018 In Non-Surgical Procedures

Botox vs fillers: What’s right for me?

Both Botox and fillers are used in the fine lines that appear on your skin over time. But which one is right for your needs? Let’s look at the differences between the two types of treatments.

There are so many skin rejuvenation treatments available these days, it can be confusing to know which one is right for you. Botox and dermal fillers are often mentioned together as they are both injectables, however they have very specific – yet complementary – roles to play.

 

Botox relaxes muscles while fillers plumps skin

In a nutshell, Botox works well for lines of expression – in other words in parts of the face that move (furrow, forehead and crow’s feet) – while lines at rest need fillers to plump them up (e.g. laugh and lip lines).

Botulinum toxin or Botox is a temporary muscle relaxant that is injected into the muscle beneath a wrinkle that is causing the lines (whether it’s to frown, smile, etc). It is a natural, purified protein that is also used to treat medical conditions, from migraines to excessive sweating. It has been around for decades and is the most tested product on the market, certified in the medical and cosmetic field.

It works by partially blocking the nerve impulse to the muscle with the effect of decreasing the contraction of the muscles. Less muscle contraction results in less wrinkling of the skin. The great thing about Botox is that it takes only a few minutes to do and there is no real downtime. Some people may experience slight bruising and swelling afterwards but this can easily be masked by make-up. Compared to fillers though, the effects of Botox don’t last as long and most people need a top-up after about four months.

We usually advise patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding to hold off on treatment until they are finished nursing.

 

Fillers help restore the elasticity of your skin

As your body ages, it starts to produce less and less collagen – the framework that supports your skin. If you imagine the scaffolding under your skin breaking down, skin will naturally start to sag, look dry and appear thinner and less elastic. Hyaluronic Acid (HA) – the ingredient of fillers – is a naturally occurring ingredient of the skin that dermal fillers add back to make it appear youthful and plump again.

The procedure entails the injecting of skin with HA through a tiny needle to fill in and smooth away facial wrinkles and folds and redefine lips. Fillers can also to add structure or volume to the cheeks, brows, and lips. The effects of fillers last for up to a year. Like Botox, treatments like dermal fillers are not suitable for pregnant women.

 

So to sum up: Botox works wonders for treating lines and wrinkles while fillers work for loss of volume. The two treatments can work beautifully together if you consult with an experienced doctor like Dr Winkler, who will create a tailormade treatment plan for your skin goals.

 

If you want to find out more about any of our treatments, please get in touch with us to set up an appointment with Dr Winkler. She offers a range of treatments that can have you looking your best, whatever your age.

Contact

Tel: +27 (0) 87 630 0183

Email: dr@drwinkler.co.za 

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August 6, 2018 In Aesthetic Surgery, Non-Surgical Procedures

Treatments to make you look and feel great at any age

Nurturing your skin from a young age is one of the best secrets to looking and feeling great later in life. But, over time things get somewhat out of control and you may find yourself with spots, scars, wrinkles or sagging. Things you feel you didn’t sign up for!

Fortunately, with new advancements in skin care technology, there are new things to try every day. You might even say people are getting (looking!) younger by the day. Some say 40 is the new 30…or is 50 the new 40? Regardless of your age, celebrate your beauty and take a look at the treatments we recommend to revamp your look.

 

In your 20s

You probably think that you have years ahead to get a proper skincare routine perfected and you’re not wrong. But whatever you do now will determine how you age and how good your skin will look in later years.

If you struggle with pigmentation, a chemical peel treatment from our partner clinic, Dermalaser, offers great results. During this skin-resurfacing procedure, a chemical solution is applied to the skin to peel away the accumulation of dead cells on the surface of the skin, enhancing cell renewal and increasing the moisture content of the skin. This type of treatment will also help those who suffer from acne scars left behind from teenage years.

Never tried Botox before? You can never start too early and fans say that if you ‘teach’ your face not to frown, you will never develop frown lines. Botox works by partially blocking the nerve impulse to the muscle with the effect of decreasing the contraction of the muscles. 

If you choose to enhance your beauty, you could also plump up your lips with lip fillers. Popular with celebs, fillers not only adds volume to lips but can also be used to correct asymmetry.

 

In your 30s

Your thirties are the time when skin starts to lose its elasticity and dark sun spots start to appear. You may want to consider laser resurfacing therapy or Dermapen (medical needling), both of which naturally stimulate new collagen production.

The thirties are also when most women decide to have children and when pregnancy wrecks havoc with your body, causing stretch marks, sagging and weight gain. This might be the time to consider a mommy makeover such as liposuction or a tummy tuck for a more svelte body.

Liposuction is a surgical technique that can help you rid specific areas of your body of fatty deposits – areas that you cannot diminish through diet and exercise. A tummy tuck specifically targets the abdominal area, removing excess fat and skin from the abdomen and flattening the abdominal profile.

 

In your 40s

If you haven’t spent anything on yourself yet, your forties are definitely the time to start! Your kids are probably older now and you have more time to exercise and get into shape. Many women take this opportunity to indulge in a breast lift or implants, while others turn to non-invasive therapies such as thread lifting.

Thread lifting provides an effective, minimally invasive alternative to a facelift. A thread lift is a unique solution with immediate, natural effects used to treat sagging on the facial contours, jawline, cheeks, neck and eyebrows.

 

In your 50s & 60s

As you get older, your skin typically starts to droop around your eyelids, which is why many women achieve a more youthful, ‘open-eye’ look through eyelid surgery. Others go for the full monty – a facelift – which will give you a more alert and youthful appearance by reducing saggy skin and wrinkles. Choose from a whole face (a full facelift) or just your brow area, lower face or neck.

You can also go a step further by opting for hand rejuvenation therapies. Using a combination of volume enhancing fillers to moisturise and plump up skin, and chemical peels to treat age spots or liver spots, you can give your hands a more youthful appearance.

 

If you want to find out more about any of our treatments, please get in touch with us to set up an appointment with Dr Winkler.

Contact

Tel: +27 (0) 87 630 0183

Email: dr@drwinkler.co.za

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