Journal

Yeah, age is just a number. However… for many people, blowing out 50 candles is a milestone that can undermine our confidence. As we age, skin doesn’t bounce back like it did, and we start to notice more irregular pigmentation, while fine lines deepen to draw a map of past adventures. But by combining the right non-surgical ‘tweakments’ with good diet, exercise, and plenty of rest – it’s quite possible to feel face fearless beyond 50. Without going under the knife. Injectables like Botox and dermal fillers have come a long way in recent years – with fantastic results when it comes to removing fine lines and wrinkles, contouring areas of the face or adding youthful volume. Microneedling and chemical peels can soften wrinkles and help to lift and tighten skin. An experienced Cosmetic Registered Nurse can recommend and combine these to help you look fresh and youthful on the outside, and full of confidence on the inside. So what are the most popular, non-surgical cosmetic procedures at Ivy Clinic, if you’re over 50? Here’s a top five countdown of our favourite non-surgical aesthetic treatments, and how they can enhance your natural beauty at any age, without looking over-done or fake.   5) Chemical peels Chemical peels can give you beautiful results with minimum fuss, by treating some common concerns associated with ageing. From lines, to sun damage and hyperpigmentation and loss of elasticity, chemical peels can help to smooth and tighten skin and even out its tone. Peels are designed to boost your glow by lifting away dull, dead skin cells, and revving up the production of fresh skin, for a clearer, smoother and rejuvenated look. Medium and deep chemical peels resurface the deeper layers of skin, and can soften fine lines and wrinkles. Our therapists will recommend a chemical peel that addresses your particular skin concerns. We recommend a peel at least once a month, combined with good home care, to maintain those smooth, dewy results.   4) Dermapen Microneedling Utilising the power of tiny, precise punctures in a germ-free environment, microneedling causes microtrauma to the skin. The body immediately leaps into action to heal and repair those tiny injuries, by triggering collagen and elastin production. This process rejuvenates your skin and increases cell turnover, reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines and enhancing the skin’s overall texture. The result is a more youthful and plump appearance that lasts. We recommend a solid six treatments or more in slightly older skin for a great result.   3) Profhilo Using a series of highly concentrated hyaluronic acid injections, Profhilo supports firmness and elasticity, improving skin tone, texture, hydration, and glow. It can be used on the face, neck and décolleté. Despite being injectable, Profhilo is different from dermal fillers, in the way the body metabolises this form of hyaluronic acid by producing natural collagen and elastin. When injected by our highly experienced Cosmetic Registered Nurse, it’s fantastic for tightening and plumping skin, without adding volume. Developed in Italy, the treatment is a recent addition to the non-surgical age fighting arsenal – and we love the results we’ve seen in 50+ skin.   2) Dermal fillers In second place… After about 40, the body produces far less collagen and elastin – the proteins that keep skin smooth and firm. The good news is, that dermal fillers can work wonders to plump up the contours of the face. A gel-like substance full of hyaluronic acid goodness (great for hydration) is artistically administered to areas that are depleted in volume, giving a plumper, more youthful look. Perfect for the jowls, upper lip and cheeks (just to name a few) – there are many ways to apply fillers to refresh and lift the face. Ivy Clinic’s Cosmetic Registered Nurses are consummate professionals at the fine art and science of filler choice and placement.   1) Anti-wrinkle injectables (aka Botox) And taking out the top spot… Here at Ivy Clinic, we love Botox and Dysport anti-wrinkle injectables for their ability to treat dynamic wrinkles (those lines caused by expressions) like the frown lines (the elevenses) forehead wrinkles and laugh lines around the eyes. Using a tiny needle, our Cosmetic Registered Nurse expertly injects botulinum toxin type A into specific facial muscle sites – temporarily blocking signals from the nerve that cause facial muscles to contract. You’ll start to notice the difference after 7-10 days as lines and wrinkles start to soften, which lasts around 4 months, depending on the area treated.   If you’d like to know more about how our top 5 non-surgical treatments could help you get your glow back – book a free consultation with a super experienced Cosmetic Registered Nurse. Book Now

Ivy Clinic Director Ebony comes absolutely barefaced clean about her own Botox journey. “The starting point for getting botox (and other injectable ‘tweakments’ is going to be different for everyone. Just like we each have a different set of reasons for getting Botox, which will evolve at different stages of our lives.” “For a start, we don’t all age at the same way or at the same rate. So I think it’s important to hold off on judging someone who decides to get Botox at 26, versus 56 years of age. We’re all unique and each have our own story.”   Curious about Botox? Book a free consult with our Cosmetic Registered Nurse.   “If you’re wondering what sort of 26-year-old starts getting Botox, the answer is, me. Why so early? Well, let me tell you…” The start of my Botox journey “I’d caught myself in the mirror while talking to someone one day, and suddenly realised I had resting forehead lines – at the tender young age of 26! Was I ageing prematurely, was it sun exposure, or was I just overly expressive?” “After catastrophising just a little, I realised, by checking out my family members’ foreheads, that it was most likely genetics. Turns out we’re all massive forehead muscle users. Better than being the frown family, I guess, but still…” Finding a solution “So I did my research and found Dr Frost at Face Value (who’s now Ivy Clinic’s prescribing doctor). He expertly injected 11 units of Botox to calm the over-active wrinkle-making muscles in my forehead. Within just two weeks, my lines had diminished. Just as importantly, I felt amazing, and no longer self-conscious about my wrinkly forehead.”   Botox and Dysport – how they differ, and why we use both.   “Since that first treatment, I’ve had four-monthly Botox treatments to my forehead muscles, which has kept those deep lines at bay. When I hit my 30s I added frown lines (aka ‘the elevens’) and crow’s feet to my treatment regime, but not as frequently, as I need less in these areas. This upkeep also helps prevent dynamic wrinkles appearing in the first place.”  The results “As a minimal makeup wearer, I love the fresher look that Botox gives me, opening my eyes a little more and giving me a smoother complexion. But it’s not all just about the ‘tox – good skin care should always come first! Botox is just the cherry on top.”   The results are in! Our 5 most popular treatments for 50+ at Ivy Clinic. “I can’t stress enough how important it is to talk to an experienced cosmetic injectables practitioner, to make sure the treatment you’re after is right for you. It’s your face – your genetics, muscle usage and the way you age is unique. Any treatments recommended – including Botox – should give you good bang for your buck, and boost your confidence. If you’re anything like me, I think you’ll love it!” Ebony Hornibrook

#1 Avoid sun damage - Yes we are sounding like broken records but we can't stress the importance of sun protection for your skin. Sun damage not only puts you at risk of skin cancers but is the leading cause of premature skin ageing. Check out our amazing sun protection range if you need help with the right product for your skin.  #2 Simplify your routine -  Summer time sees us travelling, throwing away our day to day routine and packing light. It's important to make sure your skin routine is low key and easy. If downsizing is an issue - grab some smaller bottles or sample pots to put your product in. Otherwise, if you are considering which products to travel with - your must haves are a SPF daily moisturiser, night moisturiser and a cleanser. If you can squeeze in a hydrating serum - do!  #3 Exfoliate - At least twice weekly your skin would absolutely love a gentle exfoliation to refresh and brighten after the loads of sunscreen and exposure to the outdoor elements. This also ensures you are keeping up a good skin cell turnover whilst you aren't in the clinic getting your regular facials.  #4  Hydrate - Yup it's the broken record again! It's likely we are drinking a little more of those moisture sucking drinks over the festive season. So promise yourself to drink at least 2 litres of water prior to picking up that wine glass and your skin will thank you for it.  #5 Smile & Breathe! It's been a tough year all round. Stress and anxiety can wreak havoc on your skin. Take the summer break to unwind, meditate, enjoy your loved ones and be present. Restore that glow from the inside out xox

So we have Botox for the fine lines, dermal fillers for the contour and volume, Cosmelan for the pigmentation but what about the extra hydration we so desperately want? Well the answer could very well be Profhilo!   This new kid on the block injectable is unlike any other injectable we have on offer – think of it like an injectable moisturiser, hydrating and plumping the skin from within.   Profhilo is designed to help increase firmness and elasticity, promoting softer, healthier looking skin. When administered by an experience clinician, this treatment can improve the look of skin tone, texture, hydration, and radiance. Commonly used on the face, Profhilo is versatile enough for the neck and décolleté, and even the arms, knees and hands.     "We were having more and more clients come to us with ageing concerns of the neck and chest region which are areas not always best addressed with injectables. After some extensive research and consulting with our medical team in Christchurch we decided that Profhilo was the answer," reports Kaylie Harrison, Cosmetic Registered Nurse at Ivy Clinic.    Kaylie reports that reduced volume, elasticity and skin quality of the neck and chest has previously been a 'tricky to treat' area as results from other treatments haven't always lived up to expectations. However, she has seen great success with Profhilo in a wide demographic of clients with different concerns.     "We have had great success with a 52 year old client who's concerns were uneven texture and 'crepiness' of the neck region. After 2 Profhilo sessions the skin of her neck appeared tighter, smoother and less red. Needless to say, we had a very happy client."   "Another client in her early 40's was after firmer, healthier looking skin for her mid to lower face and after her 2 treatments of Pofhilo reported her skin feeling stronger, tighter, more hydrated and was so impressed with her brighter complexion she is keen for a 3rd treatment."   Kaylie recommends, for best results, starting with 2 treatments of Profhilo, 6 weeks apart and then a maintenance treatment 3 months beyond. "I'm honestly so impressed with the results I am seeing that I would recommend this treatment to almost all of my clients as an amazing skin booster from both inside and out."  

Why Is Vitamin C so good for our skin? You may know a thing or two about the positive impact Vitamin C can have on your overall health, but what you might not know is that Vitamin C is extremely important for skincare and anti-ageing. The most potent antioxidant for your skin is Vitamin C. So, why does our skin require antioxidants? Blame it on the Free Radicals. Free Radicals are unstable molecules that create oxidative stress in their search for other molecules to bond with, damaging the DNA of our skin cells. This damage to our cells results in accelerated degeneration and premature ageing. But antioxidants neutralise free radicals! Since our skin is our largest and most exposed organ, it’s extremely vulnerable to free radicals which can be found in the foods we eat, the medicines we take, the air we breathe and the water we drink. Vitamin C serum is an extremely powerful protective shield from free radicals, but not all Vitamin C serums are created equal. It’s vital to find a stable Vitamin C — more specifically, Ascorbic Acid, as it’s the only Vitamin C that’s been scientifically proven to penetrate and act on our skin cells. There are many, less effective derivatives on the market so it’s important to look at the ingredients list of whatever serum you’re purchasing so  you can be assured that you’re using a quality product. We recommend the cosmeceutical brand, Ultraceuticals, which is the brand we carry in-shop with full confidence. KEY BENEFITS OF VITAMIN C — THE 3 C’s — Capillaries — strengthens blood vessel cell walls, helping to reduce the appearance of redness and broken capillaries Collagen — aids collagen protein synthesis for the repair of damaged skin cells Ceramides — reinforces the lipid molecules that hold skin together by forming a protective layer that limits moisture loss and protects against visible damage from pollution and other environmental stressors Not sure if your skin is in need of Vitamin C (or A or B for that matter)? No problems. At Ivy Clinic we have extremely experienced skin therapists that conduct in depth consultations to determine the best products for your skin condition and concerns. At the end of an Ivy Skin Therapy Consultation you will be loaded with new tricks and tips for looking after your skin along with a comprehensive skincare prescription and suggested regime. Book a Skin Therapy Consult at ivyclinic.co.nz/bookings or call us on (03) 428 0052.

As far as anti-wrinkle treatments go Botox® is the household name, it is the original product on the market, and has become a generic term.  I was trained initially with Botox®.  However I found it slightly limiting having only one brand available for use with my clients, and I will explain why I chose to add Dysport® into my practice.  I will also explain what the differences are between the two. Firstly “What’s the difference?” Both brands work by a very similar mechanisms of action.  To keep things very simple, at the site of injection, the drug blocks the signal between the nerves and the muscle, so the muscle can’t cause wrinkles for a period of time. Dysport® and Botox® units are not equal, the ratio of Dysport® to Botox® units is generally 2.5:1 (2.5 times more Dysport® units per 1 unit of Botox®). The active ingredient (Botulinum toxin A) is the exact same in both medications, however the protein structure surrounding each molecule is slightly different. Regardless of which product you use, full effect still takes two weeks.  The effects of Botox® are usually noticed within 3-5 days.  There are some clinical studies suggesting Dysport® can show results as early as two days. I will stress at this point that, from my experience, what is true for one client will be different for another. The effects of Botox® and Dysport® both last about the same amount of time, up to 4 months.  Clinical studies have shown that the quantity of the active Botulinum Toxin A injected determines the duration of action, rather than whether it was Botox® or Dysport® injected. You may have heard that Dysport® spreads slightly further from the site of injection than Botox® does.  This is a myth, particularly when applying the products recommended dilutions. However we do know that both products can spread from the site of injection.  We also know this risk is higher as the dose increases. Secondly “Why did I choose to add Dysport® into my clinical practice?”  It’s cost effective. Dysport® has a slightly lower price point to the provider, therefore those savings can be passed on to the client.  At Ivy Clinic a treatment of Dysport® can save you up to $60 per treatment.  Not a huge difference, but over the course of a year that can add up. Dysport® is the second most popular choice of treatment worldwide and some clients prefer it, so I wanted to be able to offer it. I have used both products myself and enjoy the effects of each.  As I said earlier, I have found that everyone is different and so what works best for one person won’t necessarily be the best for another.  Personally I find it beneficial to have both options in my tool belt. At the end of the day there is no right or wrong choice.  Try both, preferably from the same injector, and see what you think.  Anytime I treat someone for the first time, with either Botox® or Dysport®, I will do a 2 week follow up to ensure we have achieved the perfect dose for you. Best Wishes Kaylie —————————————————————————————————————————————- Kaylie Harrison, Cosmetic Registered Nurse, Director Ivy Clinic Kaylie has been a Registered Nurse since 2000 Graduating from Otago University, specialising in Intensive Care and Theatre Recovery in later years. Having travelled extensively, Kaylie is now very happily settled in beautiful Queenstown with her husband and two children. Kaylie’s extensive training, safety focus, eye for detail and high standards is what makes her so passionate about cosmetic medicine. With the desire to provide an excellent service Kaylie became a co-founder and director of Ivy Clinic. Getting natural-looking results is what she is known for, but going the extra mile is why people keep coming back to see her. She is available for appointments five days a week discuss all your appearance medicine, injectable and anti-ageing needs. —————————————————————————————————————————————- Bonaparte, J. P., Ellis, D., Quinn, J. G., Ansari, M. T., Rabski, J., & Kilty, S. J. (2013). A comparative assessment of three formulations of botulinum toxin A for facial rhytides: a systematic review and meta-analyses. Systematic Reviews, 2, 40. http://doi.org/10.1186/2046-4053-2-40 —————————————————————————————————————————————- Botox® is a prescription medicine for the treatment of frown lines, horizontal forehead lines and crow’s feet round the eyes. Botox® has risks and benefits. Ask your doctor if Botox is right for you. If you have side effects see your doctor. You will need to pay for Botox® and clinic fees will apply. For details on precautions & side effects consult your healthcare professional or the Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) at www.medsafe.govt.nz. Botox® treatment lasts about 4 months and further courses of treatment may be necessary. Should only be administered by trained medical professionals. (contains botulinum toxin A 50,100 & 200 units) Allergan (NZ) Limited, Auckland. DYSPORT® (Clostridium botulinum type A toxin-haemagglutinin complex, 500 IPSEN units) is a Prescription Medicine for the treatment of vertical frown lines between the eyebrows. It should be administered only by trained medical professionals. DYSPORT® has risks and benefits. For more information, talk to your healthcare professional or read the Consumer Medicine Information available at www.medsafe.govt.nz. ​Ask your specialist if DYSPORT® is right for you. Always follow your specialist’s instructions. If you experience side effects and they concern you, see your healthcare professional. You will need to pay for DYSPORT® and for the administration and consultation charges. Galderma c/o Healthcare Logistics 58 Richard Pearse Drive Airport Oaks, Auckland, New Zealand. 0800 174 104

Hyperpigmentation resulting from hormonal and/or environmental factors is real! So real that it is one of the five most common skin concerns of our valued clients at Ivy Clinic.  Hyperpigmentation is a natural mechanism that the skin creates to protect itself from UV radiation, with both internal and external factors effecting melanin production. It is not possible to completely remove or stop hyperpigmentation; however, it is possible to reduce the amount of pigment leakage from damaged Melanin cells, and to remove dead skin cells to improve pigment tone on the skins surface. I have done a lot of research into this area and how best to help our clients at Ivy Clinic.  My top two treatment approaches are: Cosmelan Regular skin treatments with an expert therapist focusing on depigmentation in conjunction with a consistent home care regime COSMELAN at Ivy Clinic: Cosmelan is a 7-month home care programme that works to correct and regulate the amount of melanin produced. We are not just treating the surface of the skin but also treating the cause of the hyperpigmentation at the melanocyte, the specialised skin cells that produce the melanin. Case Study: Our first client at Ivy Clinic to trial Cosmelan has generously summed up her experience for us below: “Having been exposed to an overload of sun over the years, combined with some hormonal changes, I have found Cosmelan treatment to be really effective in treating my brown spots and the pigment discolouration on my face. I had tried it all too! When I heard about Cosmelan from the lovely ladies at Ivy Clinic I thought, why not give it a go?” “After the initial mask application — where you go home with what can only be described as a peanut butter like substance on your face (which needs to be left on for a minimum of 8 hours!!) — I washed off the mask and went to bed feeling like I had a slightly sunburnt face.  When I woke the next morning, my face was more ‘sunburnt looking’ and over the next 5-7 days I peeled layers of skin like I was a snake in summer!” “However, at about day five I started to notice a much more even skin tone, less pigmentation and (added bonus!) I noticed my fine lines had softened and my skin felt more supple and tighter.  I then went on to the maintenance regime, which lasts about 6 months. “Overall, I feel my skin appearance has really improved and is much healthier looking.  I now use Ultraceutical’s Brightening Serum and Vitamin A (Retinol) for home maintenance, and of course do my best to stay protected from the sun.  I also make a 4-6 weekly visit to Ivy Clinic for a clinic treatment with my favourite therapist, and I feel the results of my Cosmelan journey are lasting much better with this regime.  I can highly recommend Cosmelan and Ivy Clinics’ expert guidance along the journey.” *These progress photos were taken after 6 weeks of treatment, there is still 5 more months of home care to get even better results than the ones shown in these pictures. What amazing progress!