Kick-starting the revitalisation process

Kick-starting skin’s process the revitalisation

As the costs for aesthetic medicine equipment may be high, there are some very

important factors to consider before you purchase a device.

Says Tashlyn Louis, clinical trainer at Radiant Healthcare: “First and foremost, ensure the equipment that you are investing in, is in demand in your clinic. Once you have made a decision – the next step is to ensure that you will get the desired results. This is especially important as clients will be paying more for these services, thus increasing their expectations.”

Louis notes that any piece of equipment that emits radiation, or that carries a current, needs to be registered with the Department of Health: Radiation Control. She continues: “Official distributors always comply with this requirement, ensuring that all devices imported by these distributors are legal in South Africa.

“CE marking is a certification mark that indicates conformity with the health, safety, and environmental protection standards for products sold within the European Economic Area (EEA). It’s important to note that CE Medical certification is a legal requirement in this country. If a laser does not have this (including a medical conformity number), it is not allowed to be in South Africa and the Department of Health can take legal actions, such as closing your salon.”

These rules and regulations can be found in the Schedule of Listed Electronic Products Hazardous Substances Act, No. 15 of 1973 Regulation No. R.1302, 14 June 1991.

Another document from the Department of Radiation Control (i.e. Requirements for the safe use of Class 3B and Class 4 Lasers or Laser systems) outlines the exact requirements needed for safety in South Africa. These requirements follow the exact same steps needed by the European Economic Area. If a company is unable to produce this certificate, they have sold you a device illegally.

Naomi Olivier of Hitech Lasers adds: “While FDA (US Food and Investing in aesthetic medicine equipment is a must for any salon or clinic looking to increase their service offerings, and create a more holistic approach to anti-ageing skincare.

online @ probeauty.co.za Drug Administration) approval is not a requirement in South Africa, it can be seen as a further safety and production quality feature. The FDA system was designed to protect US citizens against unsafe medical devices and therefore cannot guarantee the safety of a medical device if manufactured outside the US. ‘FDA approved’ means that the agency has determined that the ‘benefits of the product outweigh the known risks for the intended use’. “If any salon owners are thinking of purchasing preowned devices, they should note that only devices which have already previously been licensed in South Africa and which have subsequently been distributed and used in this country, may be resold within South Africa. The importation of a pre-owned device is strictly prohibited except if such a device adheres to all the above requirements. If a device that has been refurbished in South Africa is bought, it should adhere to these regulations and prove that the refurbishment was done by a CE qualified technician.”

> Aesthetic Medicine Venus Concept In sun-drenched South Africa and with its diverse population, it is key to have appropriate skin rejuvenation technologies that are safely indicated for all skin types.

So says Thyrza Price of Venus Concept Africa. She continues: “Venus Concept provides three main options when considering technology for skin rejuvenation services. Our devices encompass the following technologies: combined Multi-Polar Radio Frequency and Magnetic Pulse, which is found in Venus Concept’s proprietary (MP) 2 applicators, an IPL solution and Nanofractional Radio Frequency.”

The Diamond Polar (MP) 2 applicator is available on the Venus Freeze Plus TM , the Venus Versa TM , the Venus Legacy TM and the Venus Viva TM . MultiPolar Radio Frequency (RF) produces fast and homogenous heat through multiple tissue depths causing collagen denaturation and contraction. Pulsed Electro Magnetic Fields (PEMF) promote neovascularity and increased nutrient flow, collagen synthesis and neo-collagenesis through fibroblast proliferation. This aids healing and supports tissue maintenance. (MP) 2 technology is safe for all skin types.

“IPL Photorejuvenation is an industry standard for reducing the appearance of benign vascular and pigmented lesions and our SR IPL applicator is featured on our multiplatform Venus Versa TM . Venus Concept provides adjustability of both fluence and pulse duration to effectively target the lesion through its phases of reduction without compromising patient safety and comfort or efficacy. This technology is safely indicated for skin types I to III/IV.

“Nanofractional RF featured on the VenusViva TM is the most versatile skin rejuvenation technology on the market today. Micro wounds at the surface and fully customisable energy delivery in the deeper layers of the skin enable operators to adjust for

a variety of skin conditions. RF energy is delivered via patented tip technology. A large spot size and small footprint per pin (150 x 20 microns) leaves sufficient intact tissue for faster wound healing, uniform post-treatment tissue appearance and low to no downtime. SmartScan TM uses a unique algorithm to scan between randomized groups of pins to deliver energy at variable densities in a single tip, allowing for safer treatments for more skin types. Patented pattern selection technology enables customized patterns for maximum flexibility, comfort and control during treatment, leading to more consistent clinical outcomes. This technology is safe for all skin types, including skin types IV – VI that are too risky with IPL or Fractional Laser.

“Our flagship, award winning Total Facial Rejuvenation protocol is TriBella TM . It combines IPL Photorejuvenation, (MP) 2 and Nanofractional RF in one treatment session to simultaneously enhance tone, tightness and texture. It is ideal for light to medium skin tones. The Venus Versa TM multiplatform device accommodates all three applicators required to offer this protocol. Your unique clinic requirements will determine whether you want to invest in a multi-platform device, or perhaps split technologies to provide capacity over multiple treatment rooms,” states Price.

Aesthetic Machine Supply The IPL RF E-light Skin rejuvenation & Hair removal device from Aesthetic Machine Supply (Professional Beauty Equipment Manufacturer) has a photo-rejuvenation application. Pulsed light is emitted in a wide frequency range, so that it can treat several features of an aged skin.

This treatment stimulates collagen generation, improving skin texture, reducing pore size and fine wrinkles. It is also possible to treat pigmented spots and little veins. The device reduces the intensity of sunspots, as well as acts on the superficial capillaries, causing them to collapse so they are no longer visible through the skin.

ClearLift Nicola Steenkamp, Best Lasers Sales & Clinical Training, says: “Considering that pigmentation and laxity are natural forms of ageing, it’s important to consider both aspects in rejuvenation.

“Laser technology will target both pigmentation and antiageing rejuvenation. ClearLift™ (Q-Switched Nd:YAG), the noninvasive, no downtime, pain free hand piece that features on the Harmony XL Pro device from Alma Lasers, has won the Best Anti-Ageing Treatment Award for 2019-2020 at the My Face My Body Awards.” ClearLift is a single laser module that treats three separate indications for all skin types, with new and unique technological innovations for each indication. The treatment is based on a unique method of energy dispersion, emitting narrow pulse widths with multiple peaks of energy, resulting in more effective treatment and increased patient comfort. ClearLift delivers photo acoustic shockwaves to the target area through high laser intensities in nanosecond pulses.

Exilis Elite From BTL Medical, Exilis Elite uses a specific radiofrequency combined with ultrasound waves, both delivered simultaneously, for the remodeling and rejuvenation of facial features, offering skin tightening benefits, tissue volume, tone, elasticity and reduction of wrinkles.

Says Branislav Sučanský of BTL Medical: “The treatment itself is a completely safe, pain-free experience with absolutely no downtime. Although improvements can be seen after just one session, the full course takes up to six treatments of approximately 60 minutes each for a full face and neck treatment on a weekly basis. However, patients can have just their problem areas

treated and then the treatment time is shorter. Problem areas include the cheeks, eyes, forehead, jaw line, jowls and neck.”

The Exilis Elite system has been awarded the title, ‘Best Skin Tightening Device’ at The Aesthetic Show, as well as ‘Best Body Shaping Device’ at The Woman’s Choice Awards and ‘Best Skin Tightening or Product’ at the MyFace MyBody Awards. “Added to this, are the many clinical papers and studies that confirm its advantages for facial skin tightening, which provide the reassurance that it is a scientifically proven and clinically tested device and procedure,” concludes Sučanský.

Elos Plus Distributed by Radiant Healthcare, Elos Plus from Syneron is a complete multiplatform workstation. Elos technology (electro-optical synergy) is a revolutionary step forward in the practice of aesthetic medicine. This device enables a deep penetrating combination of optical (laser or pulsed light) and radiofrequency energies. By combining these energies, the optical energy can be lowered by up to 60% for more comfortable treatments, while yielding the desired clinical efficacy. This makes treatments more effective and safe to use on all skin types.

Luxea A complete, modular, upgradable and expandable system, Luxea from DEKA, distributed by Hitech Lasers, comprises four pulsed light hand pieces, five laser hand pieces, and one radiofrequency hand piece, offering a wide range of skin and beauty treatments.

“These 10 latest-generation hand pieces make Luxea the ideal way to broaden a patient base, comfortably,” states Naomi Olivier of Hitech lasers. “The hand pieces ensure limitless possibilities of use with one modular system. Luxea will ensure a rapid return on investment (ROI) and total patient satisfaction will increase your business.” She reveals that Luxea was the 2018 winner of the prestigious, The Aesthetic Industry Award. In terms of the four different pulsed light (IPL) hand pieces, Lilac – a single hand piece with quick interchangeable filters – meets most patient needs. The Pulsed Light hand piece has filters with a spectrum of emission between 400nm-1200nm, which meets most skin rejuvenation needs of clients. Patient comfort is maximised via efficient integrated Sapphire Cooling, which is selectable from 5˚C to 25˚C. Olivier continues: “In terms of Luxea’s five dfferent laser hand pieces, DEKA has succeeded in miniaturising laser sources, while ensuring high-performing treatment of vascular and pigmented skin lesions, ablative and nonablative skin rejuvenation, tattoo removal, effective hair removal and much more.”

The five laser technologies in the Luxea hand pieces are: LP Nd: YAG; Nd:YAP; QS Nd:YAG; Diode; and Er:YAG.

Luxea’s radiofrequency hand piece is suited to skin rejuvenation and cellulite treatment. This Setis RF hand piece comes with five different interchangeable tips and a builtin temperature sensor. PB