Skin that sparkles

Nordlys - Danish “Northern Lights”

By Radiant Healthcare SA

Nordlys is the Danish name for the spectacular phenomenon “Northern Lights” - also commonly known as ”Aurora Borealis” in Latin, which means ”dawn of the north” and named after the Roman goddess of the dawn. It is caused by electrically charged particles from the sun entering the earth's atmosphere and can be seen in the Northern hemisphere, displaying a magnificent curtain of light in various colours.

Nordlys is the name of the light and laser medical system from Candela which provides treatments for many of the most in-demand aesthetic treatments: (Ellipse technology that the Nordlys have built in was founded in Denmark) offers photo rejuvenation and hair removal treatments, drawing on a dual method that combines Ellipse's patented selective waveband technology (SWT) with the non-ablative Frax 1550, 1940 and Nd:YAG 1064 lasers.

3 advanced technologies to help you look and feel your best. Everyone's skin is unique and not all skin conditions can be treated the same way. That's why the Nordlys system offers three different state-of-theart technologies: Candela SWT‚ (short for Intense Pulsed Light) uses exclusive technology to target problem areas with narrow wavelengths of light. Result: less heat in your skin. And fewer treatments compared to other IPLs.

Frax 1550‚ and Frax 1940‚ applicators deliver very small, controlled bursts of energy to resurface skin cause amazing bulk tissue heating at the same time. Thanks to the laser's unique technology, treatments can be customized to your specific needs. Treatments take just a short time, and healing and recovery are quick. •Rejuvenate sun-damaged skin •Improve skin texture.

The treatment is clinically proven to improve the appearance of skin with short downtime and minimal side effects

Nd:YAG 1064 laser is designed to treat 21 skin and vascular conditions - from leg veins to port wine stains. Its built-in SoftCool technology delivers a stream of cool air for greater comfort during and after treatment.

How does the Treatment Work? An intense pulsed light is applied in a series of gentle pulses over the treatment area. Without damaging the skin, the light penetrates through the skin and is absorbed by the haemoglobin of the abnormally dilated capillaries or the melanin of the pigmented lesion. The heat causes the lesion to fragment and the dilated capillaries to close, the body then begins its natural healing process. The Nordlys Ellipse IPL stimulates fibroblast activity encouraging the formation of new collagen and elastin thereby improving the appearance of the fine lines and an overall skin texture.

How long is each treatment? Treatment varies from 15 to 45 minutes depending on the size of the area to be treated.

How many Treatments are Needed? The number of sessions recommended depends on the specific condition and the size of the area being treated. Your doctor or laser therapist will discuss this with you before treatments commence. For optimal results multiple treatments are sometimes recommended depending on your individual skin condition. Followup treatments may be recommended to maintain results. You will have great results after 1 treatment. Is it painful? Pain is minimal and most patients describe the sensation as being similar to the snap of an elastic band with some sensation of heat. Your doctor or laser therapist will always make sure of your comfort levels as the treatment is being administered. Are there possible side effects or risks involved? The side-effects and risks are minimal if the treatment is performed by trained professionals who are experienced in this type of treatment. Immediately after the treatment the skin may appear flushed rather like a sunburn, brown pigmented spots may appear darker and capillaries may be visible. Swelling is usually minimal but it depends on the individual being treated.

What Results can I Expect? It helps to even out skin tone, improves the texture and gives the skin radiance. It helps to reverse the results of UV damage e.g. solar lentigines (brown marks) and telangiectasia (red veins). It provides skin rejuvenation on the treated areas and helps to soften the appearances of wrinkles. It enhances elasticity, it helps to firm the skin and reduce enlarged pores Which areas can be treated? This treatment can be used for effectively treating and improving the appearance of the face, neck, decollete and hands - however the neck and decollete would require more treatments than the face. You can treat top to toe. Your Dermatologist or Therapist can provide you with more information on whether the Nordlys Ellipse IPL is the right treatment for you. If you suffer from chronic pigmentation or chronic redness you will need to consult your Dermatologist before commencing with this treatment.

Radiant Healthcare are proud to be sole distributors of the Candela Medical Range, especially of our Nordlys multiplatform. Contact us for more information: Tel: 011 794 8253 or visit: www.radianthealth.co.za