EVERYBODY FACES SKIN ISSUES

Here’s how we tapped into our confidence, regardless…

People may think dermatology practitioners never struggle with their skin, but nothing could be further from the truth. Being comfortable in your own skin means embracing yourself wholeheartedly, challenges and all…

Dr. Tonya on ageing gracefully

As a dermatologist, it truly means a lot when I receive compliments about the quality of my skin. It reassures me that the time, effort, and consistency I invest in looking after my skin really do pay off.

I’ve always believed in ageing naturally and gracefully. I also believe we are fortunate to live in an era where advances in skincare and aesthetic medicine allow us to age in the healthiest and most refreshed way possible. When used appropriately and under the guidance of a qualified professional, these treatments can make a remarkable difference while still allowing you to look completely like yourself.

“There is something incredibly beautiful about embracing the ageing process rather than trying to erase it.”

— Dr. Tonya Abraham-Ali, Dermatologist

There isn’t one magic treatment. The best results come from a combination of carefully placed wrinkle-relaxing injections, newer biostimulating injectables that support your skin’s own collagen production, a consistent skincare routine with scientifically proven active ingredients, and, above all, diligent daily sunscreen use.

These are the foundations that help keep my skin looking as healthy, strong, and vibrant as it possibly can.

Dr. Chris on overcoming acne

Throughout my teenage years, from about 14 to 17, I suffered heavily with cystic acne. After trying long courses of oral antibiotics I finally took a 9-month course of Accutane under the supervision of a dermatologist, which cleared my skin and significantly reduced the formation of new scars.

“Having acne — and the way that I thought other people perceived me — had affected my confidence. Having clear, healthy skin gave me the freedom to go after what I wanted and my self-image improved. ”

— Dr. Christopher Ready, Aesthetic Practitioner

Despite having no new pimples, the scarring that remained did bother me and that’s why I love CO2 laser.  When done safely and on the right candidate, it can really improve the surface texture and clarity of the skin.

Robyn on her melasma journey

One of my biggest insecurities in my late teens was melasma. Starting birth control contributed to these stubborn brown patches, which really affected my confidence.

With the guidance of a dermatologist, the right skincare, and pigment-suppressing ingredients, I was able to achieve great clearance. I also became extremely strict with daily sunscreen and limiting sun exposure.

“Melasma has no cure, but it can be managed. ”

— Robyn Stauble, Certified Medical Aesthetician

Consistent skincare, adjusting brightening ingredients over time, and choosing the right professional treatments are key. Everyone’s melasma journey is different, but thanks to the right skincare and healthy habits, I’ve been fortunate to keep mine well controlled.

Mikaili on dealing with dermatitis

For most of my life, I never truly understood what it was like to struggle with a skin condition. I was fortunate to have naturally healthy skin and could use almost any skincare product without thinking twice. Then, about a year ago, everything changed.

I developed severe perioral dermatitis along with persistent irritation throughout my body, including itching and bumps. I didn’t want to leave the house without makeup, and I found myself feeling frustrated and discouraged.

“For the first time, I understood how deeply skin concerns can affect your confidence.”

— Mikaili Hamel-Smith, Aesthetic Injector

Thankfully, I was surrounded by the best team at Serpentine. Working alongside our dermatologists, I was guided through a personalised treatment plan that not only cleared my skin but also helped me regain my confidence. 

Going through this experience has made me even more empathetic toward my patients. I know firsthand how overwhelming skin conditions can feel, but I also know that with the right diagnosis, treatment, and support, healing is possible. 

Amie on managing keratosis pilaris

To me, confidence comes from truly knowing yourself — from who you are to feeling comfortable in the skin you live in. I believe skincare is often overlooked when it comes to the body, which is why I feel privileged to work alongside incredible dermatologists who guide and support each person’s skin journey.

I’ve personally struggled with keratosis pilaris on my arms and legs, always chasing that smooth, buttery skin. It wasn’t until I started laser hair removal alongside consistent body exfoliation that I saw improvement.

“Great skin isn’t a one-time fix, it’s something we maintain through consistency.
”

— Amie Forrest, Certified Medical Aesthetician

My go to treatment is laser hair removal. I’ve seen it transform not only my own skin, but the confidence of so many clients by giving women one less thing to worry about, to men who also struggle quietly. As I tell my clients, our skin is simple but incredibly smart — it’s about understanding your own.

SCULPTRA AND THE PONYTAIL LIFT

By Dr. Christopher Ready, Aesthetic Practitioner

In aesthetic medicine, some treatments offer an immediate change, while others work gradually to improve the skin from within. Sculptra works more slowly and steadily, and is one of my preferred options for patients who want natural, long-lasting rejuvenation.  

What is it? 

Sculptra is not a filler; it’s a biostimulator. We suspend it in solution and inject it as a very thin fluid into the intra-and sub-dermal planes of the face. Made from poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA for short), its goal is not simply to replace lost volume, but to encourage the skin to rebuild its own supportive structure over time through the stimulation of fibroblasts and production of collagen fibrils.

How it works

After injection, the fluid — usually 1-2 vials worth — through which the PLLA particles are delivered dissipates. Over the course of 4-12 weeks, fibroblasts become stimulated to produce new collagen. Most patients notice a soft, natural improvement in their skin over 2-6 months. The face generally appears more supported, refreshed, and youthful as collagen production increases.

Where Sculptra excels in the face

Sculptra is particularly useful for patients experiencing diffuse volume loss rather than isolated hollows. It can improve the appearance of:

• Temples into the hairline

• Cheeks

• Mid-face

• Shadows around the mouth 

• Ear hollows and jawline

Because the results develop gradually, Sculptra is ideal for those with laxity and poor skin quality. It works to tighten and optimise the tissue envelope so that if filler used afterwards, the result is more seamless. 

Ponytail lifting

A term popularised in modern medicine by Dr. Chia Chi Kao, who developed this method of surgical facelift, aesthetic practitioners have adapted an iteration of this using a combination of biostimulators and hyaluronic acid dermal filler to change the vector of lift in the upper face.  

When conservative amounts of product are placed at the temple, into the hairline, at the preauricular shadow and above the ear, the fullness that we associate with youth is restored. New collagen fibril growth in this upward direction also produces a natural tightening of the tissues, which can lift the lateral eyebrow a few millimetres over time.  

On the face, subtlety and restraint often produce the most effective yet undetectable improvements — and when appropriately diluted, in 8 ml or more of solution, the risk of post-procedure nodules and bumps are things of the past.

Why Sculptra is so reliable

Sculptra has a long clinical history and is widely used around the world. When treatments are planned carefully, its gradual collagen-stimulating effect produces natural-looking, long-lasting results. Because it works with the body’s own regenerative processes, improvements often continue to develop well after the initial series of treatments.

Nowadays, broader use of Sculptra — and the recommendation to use it before dermal filler — represents a shift toward regenerative aesthetics and treatments that encourage the body to rebuild rather than replace what has been lost.

Outcomes in cosmetic dermatology should look towards longevity rather than quick fixes, to create an appearance which is refreshed but maintains congruence with biological age.

CAN YOUR SKIN BECOME MORE CONFIDENT?

Microneedling with growth factors boosts resilience 

As we age, our skin naturally produces less collagen and elastin, the proteins responsible for keeping it firm, smooth, and supple. Add sun exposure, environmental pollutants, everyday wear and tear, and all we can say is, “Thank goodness for microneedling!”

Combined with growth factors, this advanced treatment enhances skin’s natural repair processes, helping to restore a fresher, smoother, more radiant complexion.

How it works 

We use a specialised device with tiny needles to create controlled micro-channels in the epidermis, which signals your skin to go into repair and renew mode. It begins producing new collagen and elastin — the building blocks that give skin its strength, elasticity, and youthful appearance.

Growth factors are natural proteins that play a key role in skin repair and regeneration. Microneedling allows them to penetrate skin more effectively and support your skin’s healing response by encouraging healthy cell communication and renewal. 

Think of microneedling as preparing the soil, and growth factors as the nutrients that help healthy skin flourish.

What can it help alleviate? 

This is an excellent treatment for improving the appearance of:

• Fine lines and wrinkles

• Acne scars and stretch marks

• Uneven skin texture

• Enlarged pores

• Mild pigmentation concerns

• Sun-damaged skin

• Dull or tired-looking complexions

There is usually a marked improvement in skin’s firmness and texture, as well as a healthy glow as collagen production continues post-treatment. Because microneedling stimulates a biological process, results get better and better as time passes. This gradual improvement means you end up looking naturally refreshed rather than “done”.

Microneedling is a non-invasive way to rejuvenate your skin. Although it’s suitable for many skin types and tones, we recommend an initial consultation to determine whether it’s the right choice for you. 

DR. CHRIS ON WHY RADIESSE REMAINS ONE OF HIS MOST TRUSTED TREATMENTS

Dr. Christopher Ready, Dermatologist

In aesthetic medicine, few products have maintained their reputation while continuing to evolve like Radiesse. It’s one of the most reliable treatments for restoring structure, improving skin quality, and delivering natural rejuvenation of both the face and neck.

What is it?

Simply put, Radiesse is a calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA)-based biostimulator made of microscopic calcium particles suspended in a carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) gel carrier. 

Calcium hydroxylapatite is a naturally-occurring mineral found in our bones and teeth. What makes Radiesse unique is that — in addition to offering immediate volume — it also stimulates the body’s natural regenerative processes, with peak results happening anywhere from 3-6 months of the original procedure.

How it works

Radiesse’s gel carrier offers an immediate lifting effect, while the CaHA microspheres stimulate collagen and elastin production by fibroblasts over time. Because the carrier gel is reabsorbed by the body over weeks to months, newly formed collagen helps improve firmness, elasticity, and structural support — so Radiesse doesn’t simply fill; it helps rebuild.

What makes it reliable

Radiesse delivers predictable, natural results with strong safety data. Its long clinical history, excellent tissue integration, safety in those with autoimmune conditions, and impressive longevity make it a dependable option for both structural restoration and skin rejuvenation.

Facing facts

As we age, the face loses volume, collagen, and structural support. Radiesse is particularly effective in areas requiring lift and definition, including the jawline, chin, pre-jowls, cheeks and neck. 

The great thing about Radiesse is it can be used at different dilutions to achieve the desired result. In its original form it sharpens and contours; in its diluted form it provides soft and natural support.

This ability to provide firm structural support while maintaining natural-looking results makes it especially valuable for facial rejuvenation. It is different to hyaluronic acid fillers in the sense that it does not attract water to its molecule and provides tissue augmentation with minimal swelling.

Sticking your neck out

The neck is one of my favourite places to use Radiesse. In its hyper-diluted form, it is well-equipped to counteract early signs of laxity, crepey skin, and collagen loss.

Using a dilution of 4 ml bacteriostatic water, 1.5 ml Radiesse and 2 ml lidocaine, we can “wash the neck” with this biostimulatory product, stimulating collagen across swathes of dermis without adding unwanted volume. Say goodbye to “tech neck” as this improves skin thickness, elasticity, and firmness, helping the neck appear smoother and more youthful over time. 

For optimal results, I usually recommend a series of two or three treatments, spaced four to six weeks apart.

Modern aesthetic medicine increasingly focuses on global regeneration rather than treating one line or wrinkle, which makes Radiesse a valuable tool — and if these treatments precede facial work with hyaluronic acid-based dermal filler, the outcome is even more seamless. 

THE BEAUTIFUL BODY HACK

The Morpheus8 Body tightens skin and remodels collagen

Have you ever wished for a magic wand to tighten loose skin, improve texture, and give a little lift, all without surgery? The Morpheus8 Body combines microneedling with controlled radiofrequency (RF) energy to stimulate the natural production of collagen and elastin, making skin firmer and younger-looking by renewing the area from the inside out. 

It’s great for helping to improve the appearance of: 

• Cellulite and loose skin

• Stretch marks and uneven skin texture 

• Scarring

• Laxity and ageing skin 

How does it work? 

Diagram via Morpheus8 Workstation Master presentation

Microneedles penetrate the skin, delivering radiofrequency energy under the surface. This stimulates collagen remodelling and tissue tightening, encouraging the skin to regenerate. Over time, the skin appears firmer, smoother and more refined. 

Why we love it

• It helps visibly improve both texture and firmness 

• It’s non-surgical and therefore non-invasive

• There’s minimal downtime

• We can customise the treatment to suit different skin concerns, across a variety of skin types 

When will you notice results? 

Improvements are usually visible within a few weeks, but collagen production continues for several months after treatment. Results develop gradually, in keeping with the timeframes of collagen renewal. A series of treatments gives you even more optimal outcomes. 

Whether you're looking to refresh your abdominal area, thighs, arms, or other areas of concern, this treatment offers a powerful way to stimulate your skin's natural rejuvenation process and help you feel more confident.