On the 9th of August women in South Africa will celebrate Women’s Day. Of course at Medi-Sculpt Aesthetic Solutions we are firm believers that women should be celebrated every day, all day, but we’ll take it anyway!

We’ll take it and celebrate the modern woman who is so much more empowered and powerful than ever before. Now more than ever, to women around the world, age really is just a number. Non-invasive aesthetic medicine has evolved to the point where in less time than it takes to sit down, order and enjoy lunch, you can undergo aesthetic procedures that revitalise, rejuvenate and restore your youthful looks.

‘Lunch-time facelifts’ using injectables like Botox and dermal fillers are redefining our concepts of age and ageing. Until recently though, aesthetic procedures have focused almost exclusively on the face, leaving other areas with the tell-tale signs of aging. The appearance of your hands, for instance, can be a dead give away that you’re older than you look or (heaven forbid!) may even make you look older than you are.

The good news though is that Hand Rejuvenation is a new area of rapid development in the aesthetic world and a key treatment offered by Medi-Sculpt.

There are several Hand Rejuvenation treatments that address the various means by which our hands give us away, which include thinning, dry skin, unsightly veins and the dreaded age spots or liver spots. The means to rejuvenate them, in turn, include Volume-Enhancing Fillers; Sclerotherapy; and Chemical Peels.

The Chemical Peel is a popular treatment that is applied topically and works to diminish the appearance of age spots and improve the texture of the skin.

Sclerotherapy involves injecting a sclerosing solution into unsightly veins, causing veins to turn white and gradually disappear.

The use of Volume-Enhancing Fillers in hand rejuvenation is a relatively new and very exciting breakthrough. Here, Restylane SubQ® is injected into the dermis of the hands, with the effect that your skin is moisturised from deep within and its external texture and tone are greatly improved, restoring an entirely more youthful appearance to your hands.

The good news is that there is no downtime for Hand Rejuvenation treatments, while injection pain is minimised by our use of a topical, local anaesthetic cream. Side effects are limited to swelling which typically lasts just a couple of days and bruising which may last longer, but is easily covered with concealing cream.

Dependent on the area treated and the type of treatment, results may last anywhere between several months and several years. Our hand rejuvenation clients, who opt for volume-enhancing fillers, typically see results that last between one and two years.

Can we see a show of hands if you’re tired of hands that give away your age? Yep, that’s what we thought. Come celebrate Women’s Day, womanhood and your choice to look as young as you feel, with a Hand Rejuvenation treatment at Medi-Sculpt.

You will recall from last month’s newsletter that the Cosmedica 2012 aesthetic congress, of which our very own Dr Anushka Reddy was Course Director, took place in Cape Town from 20-22 July.

We are thrilled to report that the congress was a HUGE success! Aesthetic and medical doctors from right across South Africa came to listen and learn more about cutting edge developments and treatments in this field, and to develop their skills and training in aesthetic practices.

Best of all is that the event’s Charity Cocktail Dinner raised an incredible R30 000 for Children of Fire, the organisation that facilitates the process whereby children with burn injuries receive free corrective Plastic and Reconstructive surgery in South Africa!

Cosmedica was endorsed by the SAACD (South African Association of Cosmetic Doctors) of which Dr Reddy is President. The association’s aims to elevate aesthetic medicine practices in South Africa to world-class standards, while improving the level of safety and professionalism that consumers can expect from the industry. And, based on the number of doctors that turned out for the congress, it’s safe to say that there is an impressive level of commitment out there to achieving this goal and looking out for you, the consumer.

Show your hands some love!

The skin on your hands is naturally thin and prone to premature aging, but there is plenty you can do to slow that process down and make your hands one of your best features.

Exfoliate & Moisturise

Start by adding them to your daily beauty regimen. Exfoliate them frequently and moisturise them throughout the day. A good way to ensure they get the nourishment they need is to keep bottles of lotion next to every basin in your home – from the bathroom to the kitchen sink.

Wear Gloves

Speaking of the kitchen sink – if you’re going to get your hands dirty, then don a pair of gloves before sticking them into the dishwater. You really don’t need the detergent chemicals and hot water to add insult to injury.

Don’t stop there with the gloves! Wear them religiously when it’s cold out, to prevent the frosty air from dehydrating your hands. Then do your hands a favour (and make a style statement in the process) with a fabulous pair of lightweight leather gloves for driving. You’d be amazed how much sun and sun damage your hands are exposed to while driving.

Remember the Sunscreen

Photo-ageing, which is the result of sun exposure, causes age spots and dehydrates and thins the delicate skin on hands. It is the number one reason that hands often look older than they should, while sunscreen is the number one defence against this senseless ‘crime’ against your hands! Opt for a zinc-based sunscreen for total UV block out.