Non Surgical treatments
Vive are able to provide a number of cosmetic enhancing
procedures that do not involve any incisions, surgery or general
anaesthetics. Typically these procedures are provided to those
patients who do not wish to consider surgery as an option or whose
facial appearance issues do not yet justify surgical intervention.
Prospective patients are advised to contact their local hospital
unit in the “find your local hospital” section of this website in
order to discuss the local non-surgical treatments facilities on
offer at each hospital. Non-surgical treatments will generally
cover the following procedures:
Collagen
Collagen is derived from purified bovine collagen and is
commonly used to improve and fill wrinkles, lines and scars on the
face. After a skin test to determine that a patient is not allergic
to this substance, collagen is injected using a fine needle along
the edge of the problem appearance area, temporarily filling up
lines or wrinkles or enhancing the lip area. Following treatment,
there may be some redness and swelling around the injected site
this usually disappears within 48 hours. The results of this
treatment can last for three to six months, depending on a
patient’s individual lifestyle, skin condition and metabolism.
Restylane
Restylane is a crystal-clear, biodegradable (non-animal
hyaluronic acid) gel from Sweden which is injected into the dermis
with a very fine needle. The result produces a short-medium natural
enhancement, which will improve the appearance of facial lines and
wrinkles. This product is ideal for soothing fine and medium depth
wrinkles, sculpting lips and shaping facial contours. The results
can last for up to 6 months , depending on the structure of an
individual’s skin, lifestyle and age. Redness and swelling may
occur after treatment but will typically disappear within 48
hours.
Facial Peels
Chemical peel uses a chemical solution to improve and smooth the
texture of the facial skin by removing its damaged outer layers. It
is helpful for those individuals with facial blemishes, wrinkles
and uneven skin pigmentation. Phenol, trichloroacetic acid (TCA)
and alphahydroxy acids (AHAs) are commonly used for this purpose.
The precise formula used may be adjusted to meet each patient’s
needs.
Alphahydroxy Acids (AHAs) such as glycolic, lactic or fruit
acids are the mildest of the peel formulas and produce light peels.
These types of peels can provide smoother, brighter-looking skin
for people who can’t spare the time to recover from a Phenol or TCA
peel. AHA peels may be used to treat fine wrinkling, areas of
dryness, uneven pigmentation and acne. Various concentrations of an
AHA may be applied weekly or at longer intervals to obtain the best
result. An alphahydroxy acid such as glycolic acid, can also be
mixed with a facial wash or cream in lesser concentrations as part
of a daily skin-care regimen to improve the skin’s texture.
Trichloroacetic Acid (TCA) can be used in many concentrations,
but is most commonly used for medium-depth peeling. Fine surface
wrinkles, superficial blemishes and pigment problems are commonly
treated with TCA. The results of a TCA peel are usually less
dramatic than and not as long-lasting as those of a Phenol peel.
Infact, more than one TCA peel may be needed to achieve the desired
result. The recovery from a TCA peel is usually shorter than a
Phenol peel.
Phenol is the strongest of the chemical solutions and produces a
deep peel. It is used mainly to treat patients with coarse facial
wrinkles, areas of blotchy or damaged skin caused by sun exposure
or pre-cancerous growths. Since Phenol sometimes lightens the
treated areas, your skin pigmentation may be a determining factor
as to whether or not this is an appropriate treatment for you.
Phenol is primarily used on the face; scarring may result if it is
applied to the neck or other body areas.